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'''Safra Ada Catz''' ({{lang-he|צפרא עדה כץ}}; born December 1961) is an Israeli-American business executive who served as chief executive officer of [[Oracle Corporation]], one of the world's largest enterprise software and cloud computing companies, from 2014 to 2025. Born in [[Holon]], Israel, Catz immigrated to the United States as a child and built a career that took her from Wall Street investment banking to the upper echelons of Silicon Valley's corporate leadership. She joined Oracle in April 1999 and rose through the ranks to become a board member in 2001, co-president and chief financial officer in 2011, and co-CEO alongside [[Mark Hurd]] in September 2014, when founder [[Larry Ellison]] stepped down from the chief executive role.<ref name="oracle2014">{{cite web |title=Oracle Board Appoints Larry Ellison Executive Chairman and CTO |url=http://investor.oracle.com/financial-news/financial-news-details/2014/Oracle-Board-Appoints-Larry-Ellison-Executive-Chairman-and-CTO/default.aspx |publisher=Oracle Corporation Investor Relations |date=2014-09-18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Following Hurd's resignation due to health issues in 2019, Catz served as sole CEO until September 2025, when Oracle announced the promotion of Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia as co-CEOs and appointed Catz as executive vice chair of the board of directors.<ref name="oracleceo2025">{{cite web |title=Oracle Corporation Announces Promotion of Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia to CEOs; Safra Catz Appointed Executive Vice Chair of the Board of Directors |url=https://investor.oracle.com/investor-news/news-details/2025/Oracle-Corporation-Announces-Promotion-of-Clay-Magouyrk-and-Mike-Sicilia-to-CEOs-Safra-Catz-Appointed-Executive-Vice-Chair-of-the-Board-of-Directors/default.aspx |publisher=Oracle Corporation Investor Relations |date=2025-09-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Over the course of her tenure, Catz became one of the highest-paid female executives in the United States and was consistently ranked among the most powerful women in business by [[Forbes]].<ref name="forbes2009">{{cite web |title=The 100 Most Powerful Women |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/11/power-women-09_The-100-Most-Powerful-Women_Rank.html |publisher=Forbes |date=2009 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
'''Safra Ada Catz''' ({{lang-he|צפרא עדה כץ}}; born December 1961) is an Israeli-American business executive who served as [[chief executive officer]] (CEO) of [[Oracle Corporation]], one of the world's largest enterprise software and cloud computing companies. Born in [[Holon]], [[Israel]], Catz immigrated to the United States as a child and built a career that took her from [[Wall Street]] investment banking to the highest ranks of [[Silicon Valley]]. She joined Oracle in April 1999 and rose through a succession of leadership roles, including co-president and [[chief financial officer]] (CFO), before being named joint CEO alongside [[Mark Hurd]] in September 2014 upon the decision of Oracle founder [[Larry Ellison]] to step aside from the chief executive role.<ref name="oracle2014">{{cite web |title=Oracle Board Appoints Larry Ellison Executive Chairman and CTO |url=http://investor.oracle.com/financial-news/financial-news-details/2014/Oracle-Board-Appoints-Larry-Ellison-Executive-Chairman-and-CTO/default.aspx |publisher=Oracle Corporation — Investor Relations |date=2014-09-18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> After Hurd's resignation due to health issues in 2019, Catz became Oracle's sole CEO, a position she held until September 2025, when the company announced her transition to the role of executive vice chair of the board of directors.<ref name="catz-exit">{{cite web |title=Oracle Corporation Announces Promotion of Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia to CEOs; Safra Catz Appointed Executive Vice Chair of the Board of Directors |url=https://investor.oracle.com/investor-news/news-details/2025/Oracle-Corporation-Announces-Promotion-of-Clay-Magouyrk-and-Mike-Sicilia-to-CEOs-Safra-Catz-Appointed-Executive-Vice-Chair-of-the-Board-of-Directors/default.aspx |publisher=Oracle Corporation — Investor Relations |date=2025-09-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Recognized as one of the highest-paid female executives in the United States and consistently ranked among the most powerful women in global business by ''[[Forbes]]'',<ref name="forbes-power">{{cite web |title=The World's 100 Most Powerful Women |url=https://www.forbes.com/power-women/list/#tab:overall |publisher=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Catz has been a central figure in Oracle's growth strategy, overseeing dozens of major acquisitions and the company's transition to cloud computing.


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Safra Ada Catz was born in December 1961 in [[Holon]], a city in the [[Tel Aviv District]] of [[Israel]].<ref name="oracle_bio">{{cite web |title=Safra Catz — Executive Profile |url=http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/press/Executives/016342.htm |publisher=Oracle Corporation |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She was born into a family with roots in Romania, a heritage she has publicly acknowledged on multiple occasions.<ref name="romanian_origins">{{cite web |title=Oracle CFO Safra Catz announces expansion outside Bucharest, reveals Romanian origins |url=https://www.romania-insider.com/oracle-cfo-safra-catz-announces-expansion-outside-bucharest-reveals-romanian-origins/ |publisher=Romania Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Her family immigrated to the United States when she was a young child, and she grew up in the town of [[Brookline, Massachusetts]].
Safra Ada Catz was born in December 1961 in [[Holon]], a city in the [[Tel Aviv District]] of [[Israel]].<ref name="oracle-bio">{{cite web |title=Safra Catz — Executive Profile |url=http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/press/Executives/016342.htm |publisher=Oracle Corporation |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Her family later immigrated to the United States, where she was raised. Catz has spoken about her Romanian family origins, revealing her heritage during business engagements in [[Romania]].<ref name="romania">{{cite web |title=Oracle CFO Safra Catz announces expansion outside Bucharest, reveals Romanian origins |url=https://www.romania-insider.com/oracle-cfo-safra-catz-announces-expansion-outside-bucharest-reveals-romanian-origins/ |publisher=Romania Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She grew up in a household with ties to the broader [[Jewish diaspora]], and her background has been noted in coverage identifying her as one of the most prominent Jewish women in the business world.<ref name="jewish-voice">{{cite web |title=The World's Most Powerful Jewish Women |url=http://jewishvoiceny.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=1897:the-worlds-most-powerful-jewish-women&Itemid=325 |publisher=Jewish Voice |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Catz's upbringing as an immigrant in the United States would later inform her perspective as a business leader navigating global technology markets. She has been identified as one of the most prominent Jewish women in global business, a distinction noted by multiple publications tracking influential figures in the Jewish community.<ref name="jewish_voice">{{cite web |title=The World's Most Powerful Jewish Women |url=http://jewishvoiceny.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=1897:the-worlds-most-powerful-jewish-women&Itemid=325 |publisher=Jewish Voice |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Details about Catz's childhood in the United States remain relatively limited in the public record. What is known is that she pursued an academically rigorous path that eventually led her to the [[Ivy League]] and a dual focus on both liberal arts and law — a trajectory that would prove instrumental in preparing her for a career that blended legal acumen, financial expertise, and corporate strategy.
 
Her early experiences as part of an immigrant family shaped a work ethic and determination that would become defining characteristics of her professional career. By the time she reached college age, Catz had demonstrated the academic aptitude that would propel her into the legal and financial professions before ultimately leading her to the technology industry.


== Education ==
== Education ==


Catz attended the [[University of Pennsylvania]], where she earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree. She subsequently enrolled at the university's law school, earning a [[Juris Doctor]] (JD) degree.<ref name="oracle_bio" /> Her legal training provided a foundation for the corporate governance and deal-making expertise that would become central to her career at Oracle. In later years, Catz also became affiliated with [[Stanford Graduate School of Business]], where she served in a faculty capacity.<ref name="stanford">{{cite web |title=Safra Catz |url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/safra-catz |publisher=Stanford Graduate School of Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Catz attended the [[University of Pennsylvania]], where she earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree. She subsequently obtained her [[Juris Doctor]] (JD) from the [[University of Pennsylvania Law School]].<ref name="oracle-bio" /> Her legal training provided a foundation for the deal-making and regulatory navigation that would characterize much of her professional career. Catz has also held an association with [[Stanford University]], where she has served as a lecturer at the [[Stanford Graduate School of Business]].<ref name="stanford">{{cite web |title=Safra Catz — Faculty & Research |url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/safra-catz |publisher=Stanford Graduate School of Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early Career in Investment Banking ===
=== Investment Banking ===


Before joining Oracle, Catz built a career in [[investment banking]]. She worked at [[Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette]], a prominent Wall Street firm, where she gained extensive experience in corporate finance, [[mergers and acquisitions]], and the technology sector. Her work in investment banking gave her deep knowledge of deal structures and financial analysis—skills that Oracle's founder Larry Ellison would later find indispensable as the company embarked on an aggressive acquisition strategy.<ref name="fortune2009">{{cite news |title=The Enforcer: Who Is Oracle's Safra Catz? |url=http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/09/10/the-enforcer-who-is-oracles-safra-catz/ |work=Fortune (CNN) |date=2009-09-10 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Before joining Oracle, Catz worked in [[investment banking]], an experience that honed her skills in mergers, acquisitions, and corporate finance. A 2009 profile in ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' described her as "the enforcer" at Oracle, a characterization rooted in part in the discipline and transactional expertise she carried over from her years on [[Wall Street]].<ref name="fortune-enforcer">{{cite news |title=The Enforcer: Who Is Oracle's Safra Catz? |url=http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/09/10/the-enforcer-who-is-oracles-safra-catz/ |work=Fortune (CNN Money) |date=2009-09-10 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Her banking background was instrumental in shaping the aggressive acquisition strategy that Oracle would pursue in the 2000s and 2010s.


=== Joining Oracle and Rise Through the Ranks ===
=== Oracle Corporation ===


Catz joined Oracle Corporation in April 1999, initially serving in a senior executive capacity.<ref name="oracle_bio" /> She quickly established herself as one of the company's most influential leaders. In 2001, she was appointed to the Oracle [[board of directors]], further cementing her position within the company's leadership structure.<ref name="oracle_bio" />
==== Early Years and Rise (1999–2011) ====


At Oracle, Catz earned a reputation as a relentless and disciplined operator. A 2009 ''Fortune'' profile described her as "the enforcer" within Oracle, highlighting her role in overseeing the company's financial operations and its prolific series of corporate acquisitions.<ref name="fortune2009" /> Her investment banking background made her uniquely suited to lead Oracle's acquisition strategy, which became one of the defining features of the company's growth during the 2000s and 2010s. Oracle under Catz's financial stewardship completed dozens of major acquisitions, including purchases of companies such as [[PeopleSoft]], [[Siebel Systems]], [[BEA Systems]], and [[Sun Microsystems]], transforming Oracle from primarily a database company into a comprehensive enterprise technology provider.
Catz joined Oracle Corporation in April 1999 as a senior vice president.<ref name="oracle-bio" /> She quickly established herself within the company's leadership, and by 2001 she had been appointed to Oracle's [[board of directors]].<ref name="oracle-bio" /> Her role expanded significantly over the following decade as she became a key architect of Oracle's acquisition-driven growth strategy. Under her leadership of Oracle's deal-making operations, the company executed a series of high-profile acquisitions that transformed it from a database software company into a broad enterprise technology conglomerate.


A 2006 report in the ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'' covered Oracle's expansion activities during this period, with Catz playing a central role in the company's deal-making operations.<ref name="iht2006">{{cite news |title=Oracle |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/18/bloomberg/bxoracle.php |work=International Herald Tribune |date=2006-12-18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
A 2006 report by the ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'' highlighted Oracle's aggressive posture in the technology acquisition market during this period, with Catz playing a central role in identifying and executing transactions.<ref name="iht">{{cite news |title=Oracle acquisitions |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/18/bloomberg/bxoracle.php |work=International Herald Tribune |date=2006-12-18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Her ability to structure deals, negotiate with target companies, and integrate acquisitions into Oracle's operations earned her increasing authority within the organization.


=== Co-President and Chief Financial Officer ===
In April 2011, Catz was named co-president and chief financial officer of Oracle, reporting directly to founder and then-CEO Larry Ellison. She assumed the CFO role after the departure of Jeff Epstein from that position.<ref name="cfo-role">{{cite web |title=Oracle Co-President Safra Catz Adds CFO Duties as Jeff Epstein Leaves |url=http://allthingsd.com/20110425/oracle-co-president-safra-catz-adds-cfo-duties-as-jeff-epstein-leaves/ |publisher=AllThingsD |date=2011-04-25 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The dual title underscored the breadth of her responsibilities, which at that point encompassed both day-to-day operational management and the company's financial strategy. Overseeing Oracle's finances gave Catz direct control over resource allocation, capital expenditure decisions, and the financial engineering behind the company's continued acquisition program.


In April 2011, Catz was named co-president of Oracle and assumed the additional role of chief financial officer (CFO), following the departure of Jeff Epstein from the CFO position.<ref name="allthingsd2011">{{cite web |title=Oracle Co-President Safra Catz Adds CFO Duties as Jeff Epstein Leaves |url=http://allthingsd.com/20110425/oracle-co-president-safra-catz-adds-cfo-duties-as-jeff-epstein-leaves/ |publisher=AllThingsD |date=2011-04-25 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In this dual role, she reported directly to Larry Ellison, who remained CEO. The appointment formalized what had already been her de facto influence over Oracle's financial strategy and operational execution.
==== Co-CEO (2014–2019) ====


As co-president and CFO, Catz oversaw Oracle's financial reporting, capital allocation, and continued acquisition activity. She was responsible for integrating acquired companies into Oracle's operations—a complex task given the scale and frequency of Oracle's purchases. During this period, her total compensation made her one of the highest-paid women in corporate America. In 2012, ''Fortune'' magazine included Catz on its list of the 25 highest-paid women.<ref name="fortune_pay">{{cite news |title=25 Highest-Paid Women |url=https://money.cnn.com/gallery/magazines/fortune/2012/09/27/25-highest-paid-women.fortune/ |work=Fortune (CNN Money) |date=2012-09-27 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In September 2014, Oracle announced a major leadership transition. Larry Ellison, who had founded the company in 1977 and served as its CEO for decades, stepped down from the chief executive role to become executive chairman and [[chief technology officer]] (CTO). In his place, the Oracle board named Safra Catz and Mark Hurd as joint CEOs.<ref name="oracle2014" /> The co-CEO structure was unusual in corporate America but reflected the distinct and complementary skill sets of the two executives: Catz was the financial and operational strategist, while Hurd, a former CEO of [[Hewlett-Packard]], focused on sales, marketing, and customer relationships.


Catz's compensation at Oracle was tracked by financial analysts and media outlets. MarketWatch maintained records of insider transactions at Oracle, which documented Catz's stock holdings and transactions as a senior executive.<ref name="marketwatch">{{cite web |title=Oracle Corp. Insiders |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/orcl/insiders?pid=654 |publisher=MarketWatch |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' also maintained a detailed executive profile tracking her career and compensation.<ref name="wsj">{{cite web |title=Safra Catz |url=http://topics.wsj.com/person/C/safra-catz/567 |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
During this period, Oracle accelerated its transition toward [[cloud computing]], a shift that required both massive investment in infrastructure and a fundamental rethinking of the company's business model. Catz played a central role in this transformation, overseeing the financial strategy that funded Oracle's cloud buildout while managing the company's legacy software business. The acquisition strategy also continued, with Oracle completing deals that bolstered its cloud portfolio and expanded its reach into new enterprise software markets.


=== Co-CEO of Oracle (2014–2019) ===
Catz's compensation during this period reflected her stature within the company. ''[[CNN Money]]'' listed her among the 25 highest-paid women in corporate America in 2012.<ref name="cnn-pay">{{cite news |title=25 Highest-Paid Women |url=https://money.cnn.com/gallery/magazines/fortune/2012/09/27/25-highest-paid-women.fortune/ |work=Fortune (CNN Money) |date=2012-09-27 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> ''Forbes'' included her on its annual list of the 100 Most Powerful Women multiple times, reflecting her influence not just within Oracle but across the broader technology industry.<ref name="forbes2009">{{cite web |title=The 100 Most Powerful Women — 2009 |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/11/power-women-09_The-100-Most-Powerful-Women_Rank.html |publisher=Forbes |date=2009 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="forbes-power" />


On September 18, 2014, Oracle announced a significant leadership transition: Larry Ellison would step down as CEO to become executive chairman and chief technology officer (CTO), while Catz and [[Mark Hurd]] were appointed as joint CEOs of the company.<ref name="oracle2014" /> The co-CEO arrangement was unusual in the technology industry but reflected the complementary skill sets of the two executives—Catz with her financial and operational expertise, and Hurd with his background in sales and go-to-market strategy.
==== Sole CEO (2019–2025) ====


As co-CEO, Catz continued to oversee Oracle's financial operations and acquisition strategy while also sharing broader strategic responsibilities with Hurd. The period coincided with Oracle's major push into [[cloud computing]], as the company sought to transition its traditional on-premises software business to cloud-based subscription models. This strategic shift represented one of the most significant challenges in Oracle's history, as the company competed against cloud-native rivals such as [[Amazon Web Services]], [[Microsoft Azure]], and [[Salesforce]].
In September 2019, Mark Hurd resigned as co-CEO due to health issues. He died the following month. Catz became Oracle's sole chief executive officer, taking on full responsibility for the company's strategy and operations at a time of intensifying competition in the cloud computing market.<ref name="catz-exit" /><ref name="ctech-exit">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-09-22 |title=Safra Catz exits as Oracle CEO after 11 years |url=https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/mcbxs7qv9 |work=CTech (Calcalist) |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Catz played a key role in communicating Oracle's cloud transition strategy to investors and analysts, frequently appearing on quarterly earnings calls to detail the company's financial performance and cloud growth metrics.
Under Catz's sole leadership, Oracle invested heavily in its cloud infrastructure business, positioning itself as a competitor to [[Amazon Web Services]], [[Microsoft Azure]], and [[Google Cloud]]. The company's strategy increasingly centered on [[artificial intelligence]] and enterprise cloud services. Oracle's financial performance during this period drew attention from analysts and investors; reporting by ''Cloud Wars'' in June 2025 highlighted guidance issued by Ellison and Catz that exceeded market expectations.<ref name="cloudwars">{{cite news |title=Larry Ellison and Safra Catz Humiliate Oracle Skeptics with Stunning Guidance |url=https://cloudwars.com/ai/larry-ellison-and-safra-catz-humiliate-oracle-skeptics-with-stunning-guidance/ |work=Cloud Wars |date=2025-06-16 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


During her time as co-CEO, Catz also drew attention for her interactions with the political sphere. In November 2016, ''Fortune'' reported on Catz's engagement with President-elect [[Donald Trump]]'s transition team.<ref name="fortune_trump">{{cite news |title=Donald Trump Safra Catz |url=http://fortune.com/2016/11/17/donald-trump-safra-catz/ |work=Fortune |date=2016-11-17 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In 2017, [[Bloomberg News]] reported that Trump administration officials had discussed a potential government role with Catz, though she ultimately remained at Oracle.<ref name="bloomberg2017">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2017-04-12 |title=Trump Team Talked to Oracle's Safra Catz About an Administration Post |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-12/trump-team-talked-to-oracle-s-safra-catz-about-an-administration-post |work=Bloomberg News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Catz also navigated Oracle through significant competitive challenges. Rivals such as [[Workday (company)|Workday]] sought to erode Oracle's position in the [[human resources]] software market, with Workday reportedly pursuing a plan to outsell Oracle in that segment.<ref name="workday">{{cite news |title=Workday's $10B Plan to Outsell Oracle in HR Software |url=https://www.accountingtoday.com/articles/workdays-10b-plan-to-outsell-oracle-in-hr-software |work=Accounting Today |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Under Catz's leadership, Oracle responded by deepening its cloud offerings and pursuing strategic investments in AI-driven enterprise applications.


=== Sole CEO of Oracle (2019–2025) ===
==== Transition to Executive Vice Chair (2025) ====


In September 2019, Mark Hurd resigned as co-CEO due to health issues; he died shortly afterward in October 2019. Catz assumed the role of sole CEO of Oracle, consolidating leadership of the company at a critical moment in its cloud transformation.
On September 22, 2025, Oracle announced that Catz would step down as CEO and be appointed executive vice chair of the board of directors. The CEO role was split between Clay Magouyrk, who had led Oracle's cloud infrastructure division, and Mike Sicilia, who had headed Oracle's health sciences and industry applications units.<ref name="catz-exit" /> The ''[[Financial Times]]'' reported that the leadership change reflected Oracle's desire to sharpen its focus on cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence under executives with deep technical expertise in those areas.<ref name="ft">{{cite news |title=Oracle splits CEO role as Safra Catz steps down |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8f55152c-f9ef-4a81-8bc1-37a6a5a93dce |work=Financial Times |date=2025-09-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


As sole CEO, Catz presided over a period of accelerated growth in Oracle's cloud infrastructure and applications businesses. She oversaw the company's strategic positioning in [[artificial intelligence]] (AI) and cloud infrastructure, which became increasingly central to Oracle's growth narrative in the early 2020s. Under her leadership, Oracle's stock price appreciated significantly as the company gained momentum in its cloud business and secured major contracts with large enterprise and government clients.
Analysis published by ''Diginomica'' characterized Catz as "the safest of safe pairs of hands" and noted that the transition was a planned succession rather than a crisis-driven departure, with Larry Ellison remaining as executive chairman and CTO.<ref name="diginomica">{{cite news |title=Oracle Red in the blood: Safra Catz steps aside in favor of two co-CEOs. Here's why — and no, Larry Ellison's going nowhere! |url=https://diginomica.com/oracle-red-blood-safra-catz-steps-aside-favor-two-co-ceos-heres-why-and-no-larry-ellisons |work=Diginomica |date=2025-09-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> ''Business Chief'' reported on the rationale behind the co-CEO structure, noting Oracle's expanding business lines and the need for dedicated executive leadership across its cloud and applications divisions.<ref name="businesschief">{{cite news |title=Why Is Oracle Replacing Safra Catz With Co-CEOs? |url=https://businesschief.com/news/why-is-oracle-replacing-safra-catz-with-co-ceos |work=Business Chief |date=2025-09-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In June 2025, Oracle reported financial results and issued forward guidance that exceeded market expectations, with Larry Ellison and Catz presenting the company's outlook to investors.<ref name="cloudwars2025">{{cite news |title=Larry Ellison and Safra Catz Humiliate Oracle Skeptics with Stunning Guidance |url=https://cloudwars.com/ai/larry-ellison-and-safra-catz-humiliate-oracle-skeptics-with-stunning-guidance/ |work=Cloud Wars |date=2025-06-16 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
''Healthcare IT News'' reported that the restructuring reflected Oracle's redoubled focus on artificial intelligence and that Catz's move to the board preserved continuity in corporate governance while enabling a new operational focus.<ref name="healthcare-it">{{cite news |title=Oracle names new co-CEOs as Safra Catz moves to board leadership role |url=https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/oracle-names-new-co-ceos-safra-catz-moves-board-leadership-role |work=Healthcare IT News |date=2025-09-24 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Transition to Executive Vice Chair (2025) ===
In the months following the announcement, Oracle's stock experienced a significant decline. By December 2025, CTech reported that Oracle's shares had fallen approximately 40% since the CEO transition was announced, with quarterly earnings failing to fully reassure investors.<ref name="ctech-stock">{{cite news |title=Oracle's stock has fallen 40% since Safra Catz announced her exit. Its latest earnings didn't calm investors. |url=https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rkn7wmdmbl |work=CTech (Calcalist) |date=2025-12-11 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


On September 22, 2025, Oracle announced that Catz would step down as CEO and transition to the role of executive vice chair of the board of directors. The company simultaneously announced the promotion of Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia as co-CEOs.<ref name="oracleceo2025" /> The ''[[Financial Times]]'' reported that Oracle was splitting the CEO role as part of a broader leadership transition.<ref name="ft2025">{{cite news |title=Oracle splits CEO role as Safra Catz steps down |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8f55152c-f9ef-4a81-8bc1-37a6a5a93dce |work=Financial Times |date=2025-09-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Board Memberships ===
 
The announcement marked the end of an 11-year run as CEO for Catz. Media outlets noted her long tenure and the significance of the leadership change. CTech reported that Catz was "one of Silicon Valley's most enduring executives" as she stepped down from the CEO position.<ref name="ctech_exit">{{cite news |title=Safra Catz exits as Oracle CEO after 11 years |url=https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/mcbxs7qv9 |work=CTech (Calcalist) |date=2025-09-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Technology publication Diginomica characterized Catz as "the safest of safe pairs of hands" in its analysis of the leadership change, noting that Larry Ellison would remain as executive chairman and CTO, maintaining continuity in Oracle's strategic direction.<ref name="diginomica">{{cite news |title=Oracle Red in the blood — Safra Catz steps aside in favor of two co-CEOs |url=https://diginomica.com/oracle-red-blood-safra-catz-steps-aside-favor-two-co-ceos-heres-why-and-no-larry-ellisons |work=Diginomica |date=2025-09-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> ''Healthcare IT News'' reported that the leadership restructuring reflected Oracle's intensified focus on artificial intelligence initiatives.<ref name="healthcare_it">{{cite news |title=Oracle names new co-CEOs as Safra Catz moves to board leadership role |url=https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/oracle-names-new-co-ceos-safra-catz-moves-board-leadership-role |work=Healthcare IT News |date=2025-09-24 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


''Business Chief'' analyzed the rationale behind the co-CEO model, noting the appointment of Magouyrk and Sicilia as Oracle's response to the growing complexity of its business across cloud infrastructure and industry-specific applications.<ref name="businesschief">{{cite news |title=Why Is Oracle Replacing Safra Catz With Co-CEOs? |url=https://businesschief.com/news/why-is-oracle-replacing-safra-catz-with-co-ceos |work=Business Chief |date=2025-09-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In addition to her roles at Oracle, Catz has served on the boards of other major corporations. In December 2017, she was appointed to the board of directors of [[The Walt Disney Company]].<ref name="disney">{{cite news |title=Disney board: Catz, DeSouza |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-disney-board-catz-desouza-20171207-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2017-12-07 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She was also named as a board member of [[HSBC]] Holdings during a broader board restructuring at the banking group.<ref name="hsbc">{{cite news |title=HSBC board shake-up brings former Diageo boss Paul Walsh aboard |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11992799/HSBC-board-shake-up-brings-former-Diageo-boss-Paul-Walsh-aboard.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In the months following the announcement, Oracle's stock experienced a significant decline. By December 2025, CTech reported that Oracle's stock had fallen approximately 40% since the announcement of Catz's departure, with the company's latest earnings failing to reassure investors about the leadership transition.<ref name="ctech_stock">{{cite news |title=Oracle's stock has fallen 40% since Safra Catz announced her exit |url=https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rkn7wmdmbl |work=CTech (Calcalist) |date=2025-12-11 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Political Engagement ===


=== Board Memberships ===
In November 2016, following the election of [[Donald Trump]] as President of the United States, ''Fortune'' reported that Catz met with members of the Trump transition team and was discussed as a potential candidate for an administration post.<ref name="fortune-trump">{{cite news |title=Donald Trump, Safra Catz |url=http://fortune.com/2016/11/17/donald-trump-safra-catz/ |work=Fortune |date=2016-11-17 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> ''Bloomberg News'' subsequently reported in April 2017 that the Trump team had spoken with Catz about a role in the administration, though she ultimately remained at Oracle.<ref name="bloomberg-trump">{{cite news |title=Trump Team Talked to Oracle's Safra Catz About an Administration Post |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-12/trump-team-talked-to-oracle-s-safra-catz-about-an-administration-post |work=Bloomberg News |date=2017-04-12 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In addition to her roles at Oracle, Catz served on the boards of directors of other major corporations. In December 2017, she was appointed to the board of directors of [[The Walt Disney Company]], as reported by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''.<ref name="disney">{{cite news |title=Disney board |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-disney-board-catz-desouza-20171207-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2017-12-07 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She was also reported to have been involved with [[HSBC]]'s board, as noted in a 2015 ''[[The Daily Telegraph|Daily Telegraph]]'' report on changes to the bank's board composition.<ref name="hsbc">{{cite news |title=HSBC board shake-up brings former Diageo boss Paul Walsh aboard |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11992799/HSBC-board-shake-up-brings-former-Diageo-boss-Paul-Walsh-aboard.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=2015 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Teaching ===


Her affiliation with Stanford Graduate School of Business also placed her in academic circles, where she contributed to discussions on business leadership and technology strategy.<ref name="stanford" />
Catz has served as a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she has been listed among the school's faculty.<ref name="stanford" /> Her teaching involvement reflects a broader engagement with business education and the development of future corporate leaders.


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Catz holds [[United States citizenship]] and maintains her identity as an Israeli-American. She has two children.<ref name="oracle_bio" /> She has spoken publicly about her Romanian heritage, connecting it to Oracle's operations in Romania, where the company expanded its presence outside Bucharest.<ref name="romanian_origins" />
Catz holds [[United States citizenship]], having been born in Israel and raised in the United States.<ref name="oracle-bio" /> She has two children.<ref name="infobae">{{cite web |title=Quiénes son las madres tecnológicas más poderosas del mundo |url=https://www.infobae.com/tecno/2016/10/16/quienes-son-las-madres-tecnologicas-mas-poderosas-del-mundo/ |publisher=Infobae |date=2016-10-16 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She has spoken publicly about her family's Romanian origins during business visits to Romania, where Oracle maintains significant operations.<ref name="romania" />


Catz has been profiled in international media as one of the most prominent women in the technology industry, and specifically as one of the most powerful mothers in technology, a distinction noted by the Argentine publication ''[[Infobae]]'' in 2016.<ref name="infobae">{{cite web |title=Quiénes son las madres tecnológicas más poderosas del mundo |url=https://www.infobae.com/tecno/2016/10/16/quienes-son-las-madres-tecnologicas-mas-poderosas-del-mundo/ |publisher=Infobae |date=2016-10-16 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Catz has been identified as one of the most prominent Jewish women in global business, a distinction noted by several publications covering her career.<ref name="jewish-voice" />


Her engagement with the Trump administration's transition team in 2016 and 2017 drew public attention, though she ultimately did not take a government position and remained focused on her responsibilities at Oracle.<ref name="fortune_trump" /><ref name="bloomberg2017" />
== Recognition ==


== Recognition ==
Throughout her career, Catz has received recognition as one of the most influential and highest-compensated women in the technology industry and in corporate America more broadly.


Catz has received recognition from multiple business publications for her leadership and influence. [[Forbes]] has consistently included her on its lists of the most powerful women in the world.<ref name="forbes2009" /><ref name="forbes_power">{{cite web |title=The World's Most Powerful Women |url=https://www.forbes.com/power-women/list/#tab:overall |publisher=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She first appeared on the Forbes list of the most powerful women in 2005.<ref name="forbes2005">{{cite web |title=Forbes Power Women 2005 |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/11/O9O7.html |publisher=Forbes |date=2005 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
''Forbes'' has repeatedly named her to its list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women. She appeared on the 2009 edition of the list<ref name="forbes2009" /> and has been featured on the ranking in subsequent years.<ref name="forbes-power" /> In 2005, ''Forbes'' also included her in its coverage of top-compensated executives.<ref name="forbes2005">{{cite web |title=Forbes Executive Compensation |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/11/O9O7.html |publisher=Forbes |date=2005 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In 2012, ''Fortune'' magazine named her one of the 25 highest-paid women in corporate America, reflecting her substantial compensation package as a senior Oracle executive.<ref name="fortune_pay" /> Her compensation trajectory made her one of the most prominent data points in discussions about executive pay and gender equity in the technology sector.
''CNN Money'' and ''Fortune'' ranked Catz among the 25 highest-paid women in American business in 2012, reflecting both her base compensation and stock-based awards at Oracle.<ref name="cnn-pay" />


Catz's recognition extended beyond traditional business media. Jewish community publications identified her as one of the most powerful Jewish women in the world, acknowledging both her corporate influence and her standing as a prominent figure in the global Jewish community.<ref name="jewish_voice" />
Her profile in the ''Wall Street Journal'''s executive database has tracked her insider transactions and compensation at Oracle over the years, providing a public record of her financial relationship with the company.<ref name="wsj">{{cite web |title=Safra Catz — Executive Profile |url=http://topics.wsj.com/person/C/safra-catz/567 |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="marketwatch">{{cite web |title=Oracle Corporation Insiders |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/orcl/insiders?pid=654 |publisher=MarketWatch |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Her 11-year tenure as CEO of Oracle—first as co-CEO from 2014 and then as sole CEO from 2019—placed her among the longest-serving female CEOs of a major technology company. Upon her transition to executive vice chair in 2025, multiple media outlets reflected on her legacy as a transformative figure in Oracle's history.<ref name="ctech_exit" /><ref name="diginomica" />
Her appointment to the boards of [[The Walt Disney Company]]<ref name="disney" /> and [[HSBC]]<ref name="hsbc" /> served as further markers of her standing in the global business community, reflecting the value placed on her financial and operational expertise by major international corporations outside the technology sector.


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Safra Catz's career at Oracle, spanning more than 26 years from her arrival in 1999 through her transition to executive vice chair in 2025, encompasses one of the most consequential tenures in enterprise technology leadership. Her role in shaping Oracle's acquisition-driven growth strategy during the 2000s fundamentally altered the enterprise software landscape, as Oracle absorbed dozens of competitors and complementary technology companies to build a comprehensive product portfolio.
Safra Catz's tenure at Oracle spans more than a quarter century, during which the company grew from a database software firm into one of the world's largest enterprise technology and cloud computing companies. Her career is closely associated with Oracle's acquisition-driven growth strategy — she personally oversaw dozens of transactions that reshaped the company's product portfolio and market position.<ref name="fortune-enforcer" /><ref name="iht" />


As CEO, Catz oversaw Oracle's pivot from a primarily on-premises software company to a major cloud computing provider. This transition, which accelerated during her time as sole CEO from 2019 onward, positioned Oracle as a competitor in the cloud infrastructure market alongside much larger cloud-native rivals. The company's growing focus on artificial intelligence during the final years of her CEO tenure reflected broader industry trends that Catz helped Oracle navigate.<ref name="healthcare_it" />
As one of the few women to serve as sole CEO of a major technology company, Catz's career has been noted in discussions of gender representation in corporate leadership. Publications such as ''Infobae'' and ''Forbes'' have highlighted her as a model for women in the technology sector, particularly as a working mother who reached the top of one of the world's largest software companies.<ref name="infobae" /><ref name="forbes-power" />


Catz's career also holds significance in terms of representation in corporate leadership. As one of the few women to lead a Fortune 500 technology company, and the first woman to serve as CEO of Oracle, her tenure represented a milestone for gender diversity in the upper ranks of the technology industry. Her consistent presence on Forbes' lists of the most powerful women underscored her standing as one of the most influential executives in global business over a period spanning two decades.<ref name="forbes_power" />
The leadership transition announced in September 2025 marked the end of Catz's 11-year tenure as CEO (first as co-CEO and then as sole CEO) but not her departure from Oracle. Her appointment as executive vice chair of the board ensured continued involvement in corporate governance and strategic oversight.<ref name="catz-exit" /> The market's reaction to her departure — a roughly 40% decline in Oracle's stock price in the three months following the announcement<ref name="ctech-stock" /> — underscored the degree to which investors had associated Oracle's strategic direction and financial discipline with her leadership.


The market's reaction to her departure—Oracle's stock declined approximately 40% in the months following the announcement—served as an indicator of the degree to which investors associated Catz's leadership with Oracle's operational stability and financial performance.<ref name="ctech_stock" /> In her new role as executive vice chair, Catz was expected to continue contributing to Oracle's strategic direction, maintaining the continuity that had characterized her long partnership with founder Larry Ellison.<ref name="oracleceo2025" />
Her relationship with Oracle founder Larry Ellison has been a defining feature of her career. Described by ''Diginomica'' as a trusted operational leader who complemented Ellison's technology vision, Catz functioned as the executive who translated strategic ambition into financial results.<ref name="diginomica" /> Her dual background in law and investment banking equipped her for this role, enabling her to navigate complex deal structures, regulatory environments, and financial markets with equal facility.


== References ==
== References ==
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Latest revision as of 04:51, 24 February 2026



Safra Catz
BornSafra Ada Catz
December 1961
BirthplaceHolon, Israel
OccupationBusiness executive
TitleExecutive Vice Chair of Oracle Corporation
Known forCEO of Oracle Corporation (2014–2025)
EducationUniversity of Pennsylvania (BA, JD)
Children2

Safra Ada Catz (Template:Lang-he; born December 1961) is an Israeli-American business executive who served as chief executive officer (CEO) of Oracle Corporation, one of the world's largest enterprise software and cloud computing companies. Born in Holon, Israel, Catz immigrated to the United States as a child and built a career that took her from Wall Street investment banking to the highest ranks of Silicon Valley. She joined Oracle in April 1999 and rose through a succession of leadership roles, including co-president and chief financial officer (CFO), before being named joint CEO alongside Mark Hurd in September 2014 upon the decision of Oracle founder Larry Ellison to step aside from the chief executive role.[1] After Hurd's resignation due to health issues in 2019, Catz became Oracle's sole CEO, a position she held until September 2025, when the company announced her transition to the role of executive vice chair of the board of directors.[2] Recognized as one of the highest-paid female executives in the United States and consistently ranked among the most powerful women in global business by Forbes,[3] Catz has been a central figure in Oracle's growth strategy, overseeing dozens of major acquisitions and the company's transition to cloud computing.

Early Life

Safra Ada Catz was born in December 1961 in Holon, a city in the Tel Aviv District of Israel.[4] Her family later immigrated to the United States, where she was raised. Catz has spoken about her Romanian family origins, revealing her heritage during business engagements in Romania.[5] She grew up in a household with ties to the broader Jewish diaspora, and her background has been noted in coverage identifying her as one of the most prominent Jewish women in the business world.[6]

Details about Catz's childhood in the United States remain relatively limited in the public record. What is known is that she pursued an academically rigorous path that eventually led her to the Ivy League and a dual focus on both liberal arts and law — a trajectory that would prove instrumental in preparing her for a career that blended legal acumen, financial expertise, and corporate strategy.

Education

Catz attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She subsequently obtained her Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.[4] Her legal training provided a foundation for the deal-making and regulatory navigation that would characterize much of her professional career. Catz has also held an association with Stanford University, where she has served as a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.[7]

Career

Investment Banking

Before joining Oracle, Catz worked in investment banking, an experience that honed her skills in mergers, acquisitions, and corporate finance. A 2009 profile in Fortune described her as "the enforcer" at Oracle, a characterization rooted in part in the discipline and transactional expertise she carried over from her years on Wall Street.[8] Her banking background was instrumental in shaping the aggressive acquisition strategy that Oracle would pursue in the 2000s and 2010s.

Oracle Corporation

Early Years and Rise (1999–2011)

Catz joined Oracle Corporation in April 1999 as a senior vice president.[4] She quickly established herself within the company's leadership, and by 2001 she had been appointed to Oracle's board of directors.[4] Her role expanded significantly over the following decade as she became a key architect of Oracle's acquisition-driven growth strategy. Under her leadership of Oracle's deal-making operations, the company executed a series of high-profile acquisitions that transformed it from a database software company into a broad enterprise technology conglomerate.

A 2006 report by the International Herald Tribune highlighted Oracle's aggressive posture in the technology acquisition market during this period, with Catz playing a central role in identifying and executing transactions.[9] Her ability to structure deals, negotiate with target companies, and integrate acquisitions into Oracle's operations earned her increasing authority within the organization.

In April 2011, Catz was named co-president and chief financial officer of Oracle, reporting directly to founder and then-CEO Larry Ellison. She assumed the CFO role after the departure of Jeff Epstein from that position.[10] The dual title underscored the breadth of her responsibilities, which at that point encompassed both day-to-day operational management and the company's financial strategy. Overseeing Oracle's finances gave Catz direct control over resource allocation, capital expenditure decisions, and the financial engineering behind the company's continued acquisition program.

Co-CEO (2014–2019)

In September 2014, Oracle announced a major leadership transition. Larry Ellison, who had founded the company in 1977 and served as its CEO for decades, stepped down from the chief executive role to become executive chairman and chief technology officer (CTO). In his place, the Oracle board named Safra Catz and Mark Hurd as joint CEOs.[1] The co-CEO structure was unusual in corporate America but reflected the distinct and complementary skill sets of the two executives: Catz was the financial and operational strategist, while Hurd, a former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, focused on sales, marketing, and customer relationships.

During this period, Oracle accelerated its transition toward cloud computing, a shift that required both massive investment in infrastructure and a fundamental rethinking of the company's business model. Catz played a central role in this transformation, overseeing the financial strategy that funded Oracle's cloud buildout while managing the company's legacy software business. The acquisition strategy also continued, with Oracle completing deals that bolstered its cloud portfolio and expanded its reach into new enterprise software markets.

Catz's compensation during this period reflected her stature within the company. CNN Money listed her among the 25 highest-paid women in corporate America in 2012.[11] Forbes included her on its annual list of the 100 Most Powerful Women multiple times, reflecting her influence not just within Oracle but across the broader technology industry.[12][3]

Sole CEO (2019–2025)

In September 2019, Mark Hurd resigned as co-CEO due to health issues. He died the following month. Catz became Oracle's sole chief executive officer, taking on full responsibility for the company's strategy and operations at a time of intensifying competition in the cloud computing market.[2][13]

Under Catz's sole leadership, Oracle invested heavily in its cloud infrastructure business, positioning itself as a competitor to Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. The company's strategy increasingly centered on artificial intelligence and enterprise cloud services. Oracle's financial performance during this period drew attention from analysts and investors; reporting by Cloud Wars in June 2025 highlighted guidance issued by Ellison and Catz that exceeded market expectations.[14]

Catz also navigated Oracle through significant competitive challenges. Rivals such as Workday sought to erode Oracle's position in the human resources software market, with Workday reportedly pursuing a plan to outsell Oracle in that segment.[15] Under Catz's leadership, Oracle responded by deepening its cloud offerings and pursuing strategic investments in AI-driven enterprise applications.

Transition to Executive Vice Chair (2025)

On September 22, 2025, Oracle announced that Catz would step down as CEO and be appointed executive vice chair of the board of directors. The CEO role was split between Clay Magouyrk, who had led Oracle's cloud infrastructure division, and Mike Sicilia, who had headed Oracle's health sciences and industry applications units.[2] The Financial Times reported that the leadership change reflected Oracle's desire to sharpen its focus on cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence under executives with deep technical expertise in those areas.[16]

Analysis published by Diginomica characterized Catz as "the safest of safe pairs of hands" and noted that the transition was a planned succession rather than a crisis-driven departure, with Larry Ellison remaining as executive chairman and CTO.[17] Business Chief reported on the rationale behind the co-CEO structure, noting Oracle's expanding business lines and the need for dedicated executive leadership across its cloud and applications divisions.[18]

Healthcare IT News reported that the restructuring reflected Oracle's redoubled focus on artificial intelligence and that Catz's move to the board preserved continuity in corporate governance while enabling a new operational focus.[19]

In the months following the announcement, Oracle's stock experienced a significant decline. By December 2025, CTech reported that Oracle's shares had fallen approximately 40% since the CEO transition was announced, with quarterly earnings failing to fully reassure investors.[20]

Board Memberships

In addition to her roles at Oracle, Catz has served on the boards of other major corporations. In December 2017, she was appointed to the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company.[21] She was also named as a board member of HSBC Holdings during a broader board restructuring at the banking group.[22]

Political Engagement

In November 2016, following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States, Fortune reported that Catz met with members of the Trump transition team and was discussed as a potential candidate for an administration post.[23] Bloomberg News subsequently reported in April 2017 that the Trump team had spoken with Catz about a role in the administration, though she ultimately remained at Oracle.[24]

Teaching

Catz has served as a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she has been listed among the school's faculty.[7] Her teaching involvement reflects a broader engagement with business education and the development of future corporate leaders.

Personal Life

Catz holds United States citizenship, having been born in Israel and raised in the United States.[4] She has two children.[25] She has spoken publicly about her family's Romanian origins during business visits to Romania, where Oracle maintains significant operations.[5]

Catz has been identified as one of the most prominent Jewish women in global business, a distinction noted by several publications covering her career.[6]

Recognition

Throughout her career, Catz has received recognition as one of the most influential and highest-compensated women in the technology industry and in corporate America more broadly.

Forbes has repeatedly named her to its list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women. She appeared on the 2009 edition of the list[12] and has been featured on the ranking in subsequent years.[3] In 2005, Forbes also included her in its coverage of top-compensated executives.[26]

CNN Money and Fortune ranked Catz among the 25 highest-paid women in American business in 2012, reflecting both her base compensation and stock-based awards at Oracle.[11]

Her profile in the Wall Street Journal's executive database has tracked her insider transactions and compensation at Oracle over the years, providing a public record of her financial relationship with the company.[27][28]

Her appointment to the boards of The Walt Disney Company[21] and HSBC[22] served as further markers of her standing in the global business community, reflecting the value placed on her financial and operational expertise by major international corporations outside the technology sector.

Legacy

Safra Catz's tenure at Oracle spans more than a quarter century, during which the company grew from a database software firm into one of the world's largest enterprise technology and cloud computing companies. Her career is closely associated with Oracle's acquisition-driven growth strategy — she personally oversaw dozens of transactions that reshaped the company's product portfolio and market position.[8][9]

As one of the few women to serve as sole CEO of a major technology company, Catz's career has been noted in discussions of gender representation in corporate leadership. Publications such as Infobae and Forbes have highlighted her as a model for women in the technology sector, particularly as a working mother who reached the top of one of the world's largest software companies.[25][3]

The leadership transition announced in September 2025 marked the end of Catz's 11-year tenure as CEO (first as co-CEO and then as sole CEO) but not her departure from Oracle. Her appointment as executive vice chair of the board ensured continued involvement in corporate governance and strategic oversight.[2] The market's reaction to her departure — a roughly 40% decline in Oracle's stock price in the three months following the announcement[20] — underscored the degree to which investors had associated Oracle's strategic direction and financial discipline with her leadership.

Her relationship with Oracle founder Larry Ellison has been a defining feature of her career. Described by Diginomica as a trusted operational leader who complemented Ellison's technology vision, Catz functioned as the executive who translated strategic ambition into financial results.[17] Her dual background in law and investment banking equipped her for this role, enabling her to navigate complex deal structures, regulatory environments, and financial markets with equal facility.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Oracle Board Appoints Larry Ellison Executive Chairman and CTO".Oracle Corporation — Investor Relations.2014-09-18.http://investor.oracle.com/financial-news/financial-news-details/2014/Oracle-Board-Appoints-Larry-Ellison-Executive-Chairman-and-CTO/default.aspx.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Oracle Corporation Announces Promotion of Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia to CEOs; Safra Catz Appointed Executive Vice Chair of the Board of Directors".Oracle Corporation — Investor Relations.2025-09-22.https://investor.oracle.com/investor-news/news-details/2025/Oracle-Corporation-Announces-Promotion-of-Clay-Magouyrk-and-Mike-Sicilia-to-CEOs-Safra-Catz-Appointed-Executive-Vice-Chair-of-the-Board-of-Directors/default.aspx.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women".Forbes.https://www.forbes.com/power-women/list/#tab:overall.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Safra Catz — Executive Profile".Oracle Corporation.http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/press/Executives/016342.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Oracle CFO Safra Catz announces expansion outside Bucharest, reveals Romanian origins".Romania Insider.https://www.romania-insider.com/oracle-cfo-safra-catz-announces-expansion-outside-bucharest-reveals-romanian-origins/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "The World's Most Powerful Jewish Women".Jewish Voice.http://jewishvoiceny.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=1897:the-worlds-most-powerful-jewish-women&Itemid=325.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Safra Catz — Faculty & Research".Stanford Graduate School of Business.https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/safra-catz.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "The Enforcer: Who Is Oracle's Safra Catz?".Fortune (CNN Money).2009-09-10.http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/09/10/the-enforcer-who-is-oracles-safra-catz/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Oracle acquisitions".International Herald Tribune.2006-12-18.http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/18/bloomberg/bxoracle.php.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "Oracle Co-President Safra Catz Adds CFO Duties as Jeff Epstein Leaves".AllThingsD.2011-04-25.http://allthingsd.com/20110425/oracle-co-president-safra-catz-adds-cfo-duties-as-jeff-epstein-leaves/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "25 Highest-Paid Women".Fortune (CNN Money).2012-09-27.https://money.cnn.com/gallery/magazines/fortune/2012/09/27/25-highest-paid-women.fortune/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "The 100 Most Powerful Women — 2009".Forbes.2009.https://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/11/power-women-09_The-100-Most-Powerful-Women_Rank.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ "Safra Catz exits as Oracle CEO after 11 years".CTech (Calcalist).2025-09-22.https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/mcbxs7qv9.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "Larry Ellison and Safra Catz Humiliate Oracle Skeptics with Stunning Guidance".Cloud Wars.2025-06-16.https://cloudwars.com/ai/larry-ellison-and-safra-catz-humiliate-oracle-skeptics-with-stunning-guidance/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "Workday's $10B Plan to Outsell Oracle in HR Software".Accounting Today.https://www.accountingtoday.com/articles/workdays-10b-plan-to-outsell-oracle-in-hr-software.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "Oracle splits CEO role as Safra Catz steps down".Financial Times.2025-09-22.https://www.ft.com/content/8f55152c-f9ef-4a81-8bc1-37a6a5a93dce.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Oracle Red in the blood: Safra Catz steps aside in favor of two co-CEOs. Here's why — and no, Larry Ellison's going nowhere!".Diginomica.2025-09-22.https://diginomica.com/oracle-red-blood-safra-catz-steps-aside-favor-two-co-ceos-heres-why-and-no-larry-ellisons.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "Why Is Oracle Replacing Safra Catz With Co-CEOs?".Business Chief.2025-09-23.https://businesschief.com/news/why-is-oracle-replacing-safra-catz-with-co-ceos.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "Oracle names new co-CEOs as Safra Catz moves to board leadership role".Healthcare IT News.2025-09-24.https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/oracle-names-new-co-ceos-safra-catz-moves-board-leadership-role.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Oracle's stock has fallen 40% since Safra Catz announced her exit. Its latest earnings didn't calm investors.".CTech (Calcalist).2025-12-11.https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rkn7wmdmbl.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Disney board: Catz, DeSouza".Los Angeles Times.2017-12-07.http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-disney-board-catz-desouza-20171207-story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "HSBC board shake-up brings former Diageo boss Paul Walsh aboard".The Daily Telegraph.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11992799/HSBC-board-shake-up-brings-former-Diageo-boss-Paul-Walsh-aboard.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ↑ "Donald Trump, Safra Catz".Fortune.2016-11-17.http://fortune.com/2016/11/17/donald-trump-safra-catz/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  24. ↑ "Trump Team Talked to Oracle's Safra Catz About an Administration Post".Bloomberg News.2017-04-12.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-12/trump-team-talked-to-oracle-s-safra-catz-about-an-administration-post.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Quiénes son las madres tecnológicas más poderosas del mundo".Infobae.2016-10-16.https://www.infobae.com/tecno/2016/10/16/quienes-son-las-madres-tecnologicas-mas-poderosas-del-mundo/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  26. ↑ "Forbes Executive Compensation".Forbes.2005.https://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/11/O9O7.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  27. ↑ "Safra Catz — Executive Profile".The Wall Street Journal.http://topics.wsj.com/person/C/safra-catz/567.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  28. ↑ "Oracle Corporation Insiders".MarketWatch.http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/orcl/insiders?pid=654.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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