Cara Carleton "Carly" Fiorina (née Snee; born September 6, 1954) is an American business executive, best known for her stint as leader of technology company Hewlett-Packard (as CEO from 1999 to 2005 and chairman of the board from 2000 to 2005). Touted as #1 "most powerful woman in business" by Forbes magazine, she led the company into a controversial merger with rival Compaq in 2002. Fiorina presided over a halving of Hewlett Packard's value during her tenure and heavy job losses. She was fired by HP's board due to dissatisfaction with her performance in February 2005.