CEO, Oracle – 2014-present
Credited with being “the brains behind Oracle’s growth” by one panellist who put her in their top five (see below), Safra Catz may well be the most understated leader in this entire countdown.
Having previously worked in investment banking, the spotlight-shunning Israeli immigrant joined Oracle in 1999 before being elevated to CFO in 2011, Co-CEO in 2014 and sole CEO in 2019.
Following the departure of her late co-leader, Mark Hurd, Catz acknowledged her lack of experience in sales (her focus had been on operations, legal and finance). Renowned for her smarts when it comes to the back office, M&A and R&D, Catz’s success in building $50bn-revenue Oracle’s cloud business has ensured its share price has boomed during her tenure.
Some seven of the channel leaders we sounded out put her in their top five.
Leadership style
Despite regularly being ranked among the world’s most powerful women, Catz is known for avoiding the limelight. Panellists who nominated her highlighted her intelligence and integrity.
Low points
Oracle was accused of (nearly) missing the bus on cloud during Catz’s Co-CEO tenure, only launching Oracle Cloud Infrastructure products in 2016.
Killer quote
“When we do acquisitions, we decide what we want. We decide what fills a hole. And if the price is too high, our alternative is the $5bn we spend on R&D every year. We’re not well-known for overpaying, because at Oracle we always have an alternative.” (taken from this interview here).
What our panellists said about Catz
Karen McLoughlin, senior vice president, EMEA services and global CoE, Insight
“[She is] the genius and brains behind Oracle’s growth.”
Julie Simpson, CEO, ResourceiT Consulting
“A solid business leader, who has not only battled her way to the top of one of the largest tech corporations on the planet, but has done it with integrity. She’s a wealth creator, strategic thinker and solid collaborator and I’m full of admiration and respect.”
Rye Austin, CCO, Core Technology Systems
“Safra Catz’s leadership at Oracle has been remarkable, driving growth and innovation to remain a leader in a rapidly changing market. Under her guidance, Oracle has not only adapted to new challenges but has also managed to maintain a dominant position within its target market, delivering significant value to partners and shareholders. Her accomplishments as a female leader in the tech industry are up there with the best.”
How did IT Channel Oxygen compile The Century’s Greatest Vendor Leaders? See here
