Cynthia Tee, Chief Technology Officer at Smartsheet, leads with a commitment to building secure, reliable platforms that empower collaboration and trust. Her approach centers on embedding security and inclusivity into the fabric of the company’s technology, ensuring customers can confidently rely on Smartsheet’s products. At the heart of her leadership is a drive to create environments where everyone—regardless of background—can thrive and innovate. Tee is best known for steering Smartsheet’s agile delivery frameworks and championing diversity in tech, making her a transformative force in the industry.
Born and raised in the Philippines within a traditional Chinese family, Tee’s journey to technology was shaped by her father’s forward-thinking belief in her potential. He encouraged her to pursue computer science at a time and place where girls were expected to prioritize family over career. This support led her halfway across the world to earn a master’s degree in computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before joining Smartsheet, Tee spent nearly two decades at Microsoft, where she found rare female leadership role models. She also held leadership roles at Nordstrom and Schlumberger. At Smartsheet, Tee not only directs product innovation but also fosters inclusive teams and equitable opportunities.
Tee’s deep dedication to equity is evident in her pivotal decision to lead Ada Developers Academy, an intensive program empowering women, trans, and nonbinary individuals in tech. “Working at Ada is probably the most important moment of my career because I learned how to sponsor and support people and bring that back to my industry,” she reflects. Today, she extends this mission through workshops that help executives build inclusive workplaces. At Smartsheet, Tee sees a unique alignment from top to bottom in striving for greater self-awareness and inclusion—making it the ideal place for her to continue coding equity into everything she does.