HIGH POINT, N.C.– Teena Piccione, global transformation & operations executive at Google, has joined the growing list of industry leaders who mentor students as part of High Point University’s Access to Innovators program. As HPU’s Data Expert in Residence, she will share with students her decades of experience bringing transformational leadership and creative organization in the tech, telecom, finance and nonprofit industries.

Piccione joined Google in 2019 as managing director to lead Telco, Media & Entertainment, Gaming (TMEG) industry sales and customer engineering teams within Google Cloud. In 2022, she became senior director of Google’s Core Project Management Office (PMO) supporting corporate engineering teams. Prior to joining Google, Piccione was executive vice president and chief information officer for Research Triangle Institute International, a nonprofit research institute based in North Carolina. She also was senior vice president and chief operating officer for Fidelity Investments, focused on modernization, integrated technology, customer experience and innovation.

“I am excited to join the extraordinary and vibrant community of High Point University,” said Piccione. “I am honored to have the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and forward-thinking life institute. Data is transforming every aspect of our world, and I am passionate about the potential of data to improve lives. I look forward to collaborating with the students to make a lasting impact.”

Piccione began her career as an international consultant and joined AT&T, where she was appointed vice president and leader of the Big Data Center of Excellence. She held multiple leadership positions at AT&T after she earned her master’s degree in information technology from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Georgia State University. Her contributions to diversity and inclusion span more than 25 years and include awards, such as IT Women to Watch in STEM, Women to Watch by Diversity Journal and Top 50 CIOs in the USA. Beyond that, she has been a champion for diversity, equity, inclusion and mentorship across industries and within higher education.

“I’m excited for our students to learn from Teena Piccione about how successful business leaders guide their companies to success, which is a lesson that will prepare our future graduates for what life holds,” said HPU President Nido Qubein. “Ms. Piccione has inspired audiences around the world, and I look forward to the positive impact she’ll have on HPU.”

HPU’s Access to Innovators program includes dozens of global leaders, such as:

• Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, HPU’s Innovator in Residence
• Netflix Founder Marc Randolph, HPU’s Entrepreneur in Residence
• Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence
• Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner, HPU’s Corporate Executive in Residence
• Dee Ann Turner, former vice president at Chick-fil-A and HPU’s Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence
• Former U.S. Ambassador and FCC Chairman William “Bill” Kennard, HPU’s Global Leader in Residence
• Sean Suggs, Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina (TBMNC) president, HPU’s Technology Executive in Residence
• Former CEO of Tufts Medical Center Dr. Ellen Zane, HPU’s Health Care Executive in Residence
• ABC News’ “Nightline” Anchor Byron Pitts, HPU’s Journalist in Residence
• American Actor, Producer and Television Producer Dean Cain, HPU’s Actor in Residence

To view a full lineup, visit www.highpoint.edu/accesstoinnovators.