Former AWS CEO Selipsky Joins KKR To Build Top ‘AI Infrastructure Investor’

‘KKR has taken a visionary approach—integrating power, data centers and connectivity to meet the demands of hyperscalers and AI developers alike,’ says former AWS CEO and new KKR top advisor Adam Selipsky.

AWS’ former CEO, Adam Selipsky, said he has joined global investment firm KKR as its leading technology advisor to help elevate KKR into “the world’s leading AI infrastructure investor.”

“KKR has taken a visionary approach—integrating power, data centers and connectivity to meet the demands of hyperscalers and AI developers alike,” said Selipsky in a statement Wednesday.

“I’m excited to collaborate with Waldemar [Szlezak, partner and global head of digital infrastructure at KKR] and the team to build on that foundation and position KKR as the world’s leading AI infrastructure investor,” he said.

Selipsky is now KKR’s senior technology and AI strategy advisor.

AWS’ former CEO is now tasked with guiding KKR’s global digital infrastructure platform as the company accelerates investments in AI, data centers and energy.

Selipsky will advise on the New York-based company’s strategy, capital allocation and governance for KKR’s $179 billion Real Assets business. He will focus on the convergence of compute, data centers, fiber and energy required to scale AI globally.

Adam Selipsky’s AWS Career

Selipsky was one of the first vice presidents AWS hired in 2005.

He spent 11 years leading AWS sales, marketing and support before leaving to become CEO of Tableau.

He left Tableau in 2021 to rejoin AWS as CEO after former CEO Andy Jassy was promoted to CEO of parent company Amazon.

Selipsky was critical in helping AWS increase sales to a $100 billion annual run rate and drove innovation, particularly around AI, in his three years as CEO.

In May 2024, Selipsky announced that he would be leaving AWS. He was replaced by longtime AWS executive and current CEO Matt Garman in June 2024.

AWS recently reported second-quarter 2025 revenue of $30.9 billion, giving the Seatle-based cloud superstar a $124 billion annual run rate.

KKR: Selipsky ‘Appointment Marks A Pivotal Step’

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions.

“AI is fundamentally rewiring the internet’s infrastructure—exposing new bottlenecks while creating once-in-a-generation opportunities,” said Szlezak in a statement. “We believe this is a transformational moment for the sector. With AI driving unprecedented demand for compute and power, KKR is advancing a coordinated strategy that unites its data center, energy and digital infrastructure investments into one platform purpose-built for hyperscalers and AI developers.”

Szlezak said hiring AWS’ former CEO “marks a pivotal step” in the company’s AI journey.

“We’re thrilled to welcome him as we retool the world’s infrastructure for the AI era,” Szlezak said.