Salesforce appoints Arnold Donald, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Corporation, to its Board of Directors.
“We’re excited to welcome Arnold to the Salesforce Board,” said Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce. “As highly a respected business leader, Arnold bring valuable experience to further enhance and balance the diverse skills on the Board and advance our value creation initiatives. We look forward to benefiting from his expertise and insights as Salesforce continues to drive durable top- and bottom-line growth and build on our position as the world’s #1 CRM.”
“Arnold’s proven cross-industry leadership experience will further strengthen our Board’s depth of expertise and diversity of thought,” said Robin Washington, Lead Independent Director of the Board.
Arnold W. Donald is a recognized leader who brings extensive experience in strategic planning, operations and distribution at large, global businesses to the Salesforce Board, along with corporate governance and risk management experience. Mr. Donald has had a distinguished business career spanning nearly four decades, and he has held senior leadership positions across several industries.
Mr. Donald most recently served as President and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc from 2013 to 2022, leading the world’s largest cruise company before transitioning to the role of Vice-Chair of the Carnival Corporation & plc Board of Directors through November 2022. As CEO, he oversaw the successful return of Carnival’s fleet into service following the COVID-19 pandemic and led the company to record results pre-pandemic, including achieving the company’s highest profits in its history. He also helped reshape the company’s fleet profile with more efficient and environmentally advanced ships. Mr. Donald was appointed CEO after serving on the Carnival Corporation Board since 2001 and the Carnival plc Board since 2003.
Earlier in his career, he served in a variety of senior leadership positions in several industries, including CEO positions at The Executive Leadership Council, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, and global manufacturer Merisant Company, as well as more than 23 years in several senior leadership positions at Monsanto, culminating in his position as Senior Vice-President and President of its Nutrition and Consumer sector.
Mr. Donald is Chair of the World Travel and Tourism Council, and has extensive public company director experience, including currently serving on the board of the Bank of America Corporation. He has previously served on the boards of Crown Holdings, Inc., Laclede Group (now Spire Global, Inc.), Oil-Dri Corporation of America, ScottsMiracle-Gro Company, Russell Corp, LLC, Belden Inc., and Strategic Distribution, Inc., among others.
Mr. Donald earned a B.A. in economics from Carleton College, a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and an M.B.A. from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Arnold Donald said: “Salesforce is an industry innovator, disruptor and leader. I believe the Company is uniquely positioned to help its customers around the world succeed in their digital transformations and is on a clear path to deliver increased value for shareholders. I’m eager to bring my experience across industries leading operating and business transformations and I look forward to partnering with the Board to oversee and advance the important efforts underway.”
