# Nien-Ling Wacker

> Nien-Ling Wacker (1944-2014) was the founder and former CEO of Laserfiche. Educated in physics at the University of Melbourne and chemistry at USC, she worked in programming and teaching before building a document-management software business. Her career connected searchable records, practical software design and a workplace culture remembered by her colleagues.

- **Role:** Software entrepreneur, programmer and former executive
- **Organizations:** Laserfiche, University of Southern California, Association for Information and Image Management, International Institute of Municipal Clerks Education Foundation
- **From:** Shanghai, China
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in physics, University of Melbourne, Master of Science in chemistry (described as physical chemistry in her obituary), University of Southern California
- **Known for:** Founded and led Laserfiche, which had nine offices in six countries by 2014., USC Department of Chemistry Distinguished Alumni Award, 2009., National Association of Women Business Owners Los Angeles Hall of Fame induction, 2006.

## Career timeline

- **1973** — Completed a master’s degree in chemistry at USC.
- **1976** — Founding year used by Laserfiche today for Wacker’s business; its origins were in custom software consulting.
- **1987** — Laserfiche document-management product development began; Honda’s document-search needs helped shape the product.
- **1988** — Laserfiche first became commercially available.
- **2001** — Laserfiche moved from Torrance to Long Beach.
- **2006** — Inducted into the NAWBO Los Angeles Hall of Fame.
- **2009** — Received USC Chemistry’s Distinguished Alumni Award and local Entrepreneur of the Year recognition.
- **2012** — Recognized by the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation for corporate leadership.
- **2013** — Officially released Laserfiche 9 at Empower.
- **2014** — Died on October 19; Chris Wacker succeeded her as CEO.
- **2016** — Laserfiche introduced the Nien-Ling Wacker Visionary Award.

## Achievements

- Founded and led Laserfiche, which had nine offices in six countries by 2014.
- USC Department of Chemistry Distinguished Alumni Award, 2009.
- National Association of Women Business Owners Los Angeles Hall of Fame induction, 2006.
- City National Bank Entrepreneur of the Year recognition through the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
- Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation corporate leadership recognition, 2012.
- AIIM Pioneer of the Year Award and IIMC Visionary Award.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Doug Haubert, Long Beach city prosecutor, was named Nien-Ling Wacker Visionary of the Year in the 2026 Run Smarter Awards.

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/nien-ling-wacker
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21