Irene Au

Irene Au is a Silicon Valley veteran with over two decades of experience in technology and venture capital. Irene is currently an Operating Partner at Khosla Ventures, where they focus on consumer and enterprise investments.

Irene began their career as a yoga teacher, but quickly transitioned into the tech world after being recruited by Google in 2006. Irene spent six years at Google, leading the company's user experience design efforts globally. In 2012, they left Google to join Udacity as Vice President of Design. At Udacity, they were instrumental in finding product-market fit and defining the company's strategy, vision, mission, values, and principles.

In 2012, Irene also joined Rosenfeld Media as a strategic and editorial board member. As an editorial board member, they helped guide decisions around what should get published and which authors should get support. As a strategic board member, they brokered valuable connections between Rosenfeld Media and other industry executives and consultants, and advised on future direction and opportunities.

Irene left Udacity in 2013 to join Trinity Ventures as an Executive in Residence. In this role, they provided guidance and advice to startups in the early stages of development. Irene left Trinity Ventures in 2012 to focus on their role at Khosla Ventures.

At Khosla Ventures, Irene has been instrumental in consumer and enterprise investments. Irene has helped launch and grow many successful companies, including Udacity.

Irene Au began their educational career at the University of South Carolina, where they earned a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Honors College. Irene then went on to earn an MS in Industrial Engineering/Human-Computer Interaction from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Irene Au reports to Vinod Khosla, Founder & Partner. Irene Au works with David Weiden - Partner, Bruce Armstrong - Operating Partner, and John Demeter - General Counsel.