Executive Profiles
Biographical Summary
Benioff is perenially held up to be one of the most visionary–and fascinating–people in technology and business today. Famously mentored by the equally-famous and bombastic Larry Ellison, he was a sales prodigy who boldly broke away from Oracle to create brand new models in IT ("software-as-a-service" and "cloud computing")that are now revolutionizing the industry and the way technology services are delivered. Tall, passionate and a natural showman, he has been called the PT Barnum of the IT industry. "I suppose I've been called a lot of things," he said in 2010. "The best leaders do have a persona that fits with the company's story and bolsters its brand [but] the 'character' must be heartfelt and authentic...I've believed in the End of Software for more than 10 years. I wasn't wearing fatigues my first day -- that persona evolved over time -- but I've always been ready step forward and fight for our mission." Lately Benioff's persona has taken on another dimension--that of prominent philanthropist. In 2010 he and his wife Lynne donated $100 million to fund the construction of a new children's hospital at the University of California, San Francisco. And he says he intends to give away more. "I don't like my ranking on the Forbes 400 list. I don't understand the value of maintaining that level of wealth. It's not helping anyone, certainly not me."
