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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name         = Marc Benioff
| name = Marc Benioff
| birth_name   = Marc Russell Benioff
| birth_name = Marc Russell Benioff
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1964|9|25}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|9|25}}
| birth_place = [[San Francisco]], [[California]], U.S.
| birth_place = San Francisco, California, U.S.
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| occupation   = Business executive, entrepreneur, philanthropist
| occupation = Business executive, entrepreneur, philanthropist
| known_for   = Co-founder, chairman, and CEO of [[Salesforce]]; owner of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''
| known_for = Co-founder, chairman and CEO of [[Salesforce]]; owner of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''
| education   = [[University of Southern California]] (BS)
| education = University of Southern California (BS)
| spouse       = Lynne Krilich
| spouse = Lynne Krilich
| children     = 2
| children = 2
| awards       = ''Fortune'' World's Greatest Leaders (2016); ''The Economist'' Innovation Award
| awards = ''Fortune'' World's Greatest Leaders (2016), ''The Economist'' Innovation Award
| website     = {{URL|salesforce.com/company/leadership/bios/bio-benioff}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.salesforce.com/company/leadership/bios/bio-benioff}}
}}
}}


'''Marc Russell Benioff''' (born September 25, 1964) is an American internet entrepreneur, business executive, and philanthropist who co-founded [[Salesforce]], one of the world's largest enterprise cloud computing companies, and has served as its chairman and chief executive officer since its inception. Born and raised in [[San Francisco]], Benioff demonstrated an early aptitude for technology and business before joining [[Oracle Corporation]], where he spent thirteen years rising through the ranks. He departed Oracle in 1999 to launch Salesforce, a company built on the then-novel concept of delivering enterprise software as an internet-based service rather than through traditional installed applications. Under his leadership, Salesforce grew into a major force in the global technology industry. Beyond his role at Salesforce, Benioff has become known for his outspoken advocacy on corporate social responsibility and, more recently, for his calls for regulation of [[artificial intelligence]]. In 2018, he and his wife Lynne purchased ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine, adding media ownership to his business portfolio.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/6102640/jane-goodall-environment-hope/ |title=The Enduring Hope of Jane Goodall |magazine=Time |date=September 30, 2021 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His career has been marked by a willingness to take public positions on social and political issues, a practice that has at times generated both praise and controversy among employees, shareholders, and the public.
Marc Russell Benioff (born September 25, 1964) is an American internet entrepreneur, philanthropist, and business executive who co-founded the [[cloud computing]] company [[Salesforce]] and has served as its chairman and chief executive officer since its inception. Born and raised in [[San Francisco]], Benioff showed entrepreneurial aptitude from a young age, beginning to write and sell software while still a teenager. After a formative period at [[Oracle Corporation]] under [[Larry Ellison]], he launched Salesforce in 1999 with a vision of delivering enterprise software through the internet rather than through traditional on-premises installations — a model that would come to be known as [[Software as a service]] (SaaS). Under his leadership, Salesforce grew into one of the largest enterprise software companies in the world. Beyond his role at Salesforce, Benioff has been a prominent voice in corporate philanthropy, championing a model he calls the "1-1-1" integrated philanthropic approach, and has been involved in public advocacy on issues ranging from [[LGBTQ rights]], homelessness, and, more recently, [[artificial intelligence]] regulation. In 2018, he and his wife Lynne Benioff purchased ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Benioff |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/marc-benioff/ |publisher=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bio: Marc Benioff |url=https://www.salesforce.com/company/leadership/bios/bio-benioff |publisher=Salesforce |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


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


Marc Russell Benioff was born on September 25, 1964, in [[San Francisco]], [[California]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Benioff |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/marc-benioff/ |publisher=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, a region that would later become synonymous with the technology industry in which he built his career. From an early age, Benioff showed a strong interest in computers and entrepreneurship. As a teenager, he began programming and selling software, demonstrating the kind of initiative that would later characterize his business ventures.
Marc Russell Benioff was born on September 25, 1964, in [[San Francisco]], California. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, an environment that would later prove central to his career in the technology industry.<ref name="forbes">{{cite web |title=Marc Benioff |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/marc-benioff/ |publisher=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Benioff has spoken publicly about how his upbringing in San Francisco shaped his worldview and his approach to business. The city's culture of innovation and social consciousness would later influence his philosophy of corporate responsibility, which became a defining element of Salesforce's corporate identity. His family background included connections to the entertainment industry; media reports have explored how the Benioff surname connects to several prominent figures in different fields.<ref>{{cite web |title=How These Famous Benioffs Are Related |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/how-these-famous-benioffs-are-related-2015-4 |publisher=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Benioff displayed an early interest in computers and software development. As a teenager, he began programming and selling his own software, demonstrating the entrepreneurial drive that would later define his career. At the age of 15, he created a program called "How to Juggle," which he sold for $75, marking one of his first commercial ventures in software. He continued developing and selling software throughout his high school years, earning enough to help fund his college education.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Turn a Simple Idea into a High-Growth Company |url=https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2013/03/how-to-turn-a-simple-idea-into-a-high-growth-company.html |publisher=Salesforce |date=2013-03 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Benioff's early exposure to technology during the rise of the personal computing revolution in the 1980s provided him with both technical skills and a firsthand understanding of how technology could transform industries and everyday life. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for his later career in enterprise software and cloud computing.
Benioff's family has roots in the San Francisco Bay Area. His connection to the city has remained a defining feature of both his personal and professional life. He has frequently spoken publicly about his deep ties to San Francisco, and Salesforce's global headquarters — housed in [[Salesforce Tower]], the tallest building in the city — reflects that attachment. The Benioff family name has a broader presence as well; the family's connections have been documented in media coverage over the years.<ref>{{cite web |title=How These Famous Benioffs Are Related |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/how-these-famous-benioffs-are-related-2015-4 |publisher=Business Insider |date=2015-04 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Education ==
== Education ==


Benioff attended the [[University of Southern California]] (USC), where he earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bio – Marc Benioff |url=https://www.salesforce.com/company/leadership/bios/bio-benioff |publisher=Salesforce |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His time at USC provided him with a formal foundation in business and technology that complemented the practical programming and entrepreneurial experience he had accumulated during his teenage years. The university's location in [[Los Angeles]] and its connections to both the technology and entertainment industries offered Benioff a broad network that would prove useful in his subsequent career. After completing his undergraduate studies, Benioff entered the technology workforce, joining Oracle Corporation, where he would spend over a decade honing his skills in enterprise software sales and management.
Benioff attended the [[University of Southern California]] (USC), where he earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree. His time at USC provided him with a foundation in business and technology that he would apply in his subsequent career. While still a college student, Benioff gained early industry experience through internships, including a notable stint at [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]], where he worked as a summer intern in the [[Macintosh]] division. This exposure to one of the most innovative technology companies of the era helped shape his understanding of product development and corporate culture.<ref name="salesforce-bio">{{cite web |title=Bio: Marc Benioff |url=https://www.salesforce.com/company/leadership/bios/bio-benioff |publisher=Salesforce |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Oracle Corporation ===
=== Oracle Corporation ===


After graduating from USC, Benioff joined [[Oracle Corporation]], the database and enterprise software giant founded by [[Larry Ellison]]. He spent thirteen years at Oracle, where he rose through the executive ranks and gained deep expertise in enterprise software sales, marketing, and management. At Oracle, Benioff became one of the company's youngest vice presidents, a distinction that underscored his rapid ascent within the organization. His tenure at Oracle gave him an intimate understanding of the enterprise software market, including its distribution models, customer relationships, and the pain points that businesses experienced when purchasing, installing, and maintaining complex software systems.
After graduating from USC, Benioff joined [[Oracle Corporation]], the database and enterprise software company led by [[Larry Ellison]]. He spent thirteen years at Oracle, rising through the ranks to become one of the company's youngest vice presidents. During his tenure, Benioff gained extensive experience in enterprise software sales, marketing, and product development. His relationship with Ellison, who became a mentor and early investor in Benioff's subsequent ventures, proved instrumental in shaping his approach to business leadership and corporate strategy.<ref name="salesforce-bio" />


Benioff's relationship with Larry Ellison during this period was significant. Ellison served as a mentor to Benioff, and the two maintained a close professional relationship. Ellison would later become one of the early investors in Salesforce, although their relationship evolved over the years as Salesforce grew into a competitor in certain segments of the enterprise software market. The experience and insights Benioff gained at Oracle were instrumental in shaping his vision for a new kind of software company—one that would deliver applications over the internet rather than through traditional on-premises installations.
At Oracle, Benioff developed a deep understanding of the enterprise software market, including its distribution models, customer relationship dynamics, and the challenges associated with traditional on-premises software deployment. These insights would later inform his vision for a fundamentally different approach to delivering software to businesses.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Turn a Simple Idea into a High-Growth Company |url=https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2013/03/how-to-turn-a-simple-idea-into-a-high-growth-company.html |publisher=Salesforce |date=2013-03 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Founding of Salesforce ===
=== Founding of Salesforce ===


In March 1999, Benioff co-founded Salesforce, launching the company from a rented apartment in San Francisco.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Turn a Simple Idea into a High-Growth Company |url=https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2013/03/how-to-turn-a-simple-idea-into-a-high-growth-company.html |publisher=Salesforce |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The company was built on a concept that was radical at the time: delivering [[customer relationship management]] (CRM) software as a service over the internet, eliminating the need for businesses to purchase, install, and maintain expensive hardware and software on their own premises. This model, which came to be known as [[software as a service]] (SaaS), represented a fundamental shift in how enterprise software was conceived, sold, and delivered.
In March 1999, Benioff co-founded Salesforce from a rented apartment in San Francisco. The company was built around the idea of delivering [[customer relationship management]] (CRM) software entirely over the internet, eliminating the need for customers to install and maintain complex software on their own servers. This approach, which Benioff branded with the slogan "No Software," represented a departure from the prevailing enterprise software model and anticipated the broader shift to cloud computing that would reshape the technology industry over the following decades.<ref name="salesforce-blog">{{cite web |title=How to Turn a Simple Idea into a High-Growth Company |url=https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2013/03/how-to-turn-a-simple-idea-into-a-high-growth-company.html |publisher=Salesforce |date=2013-03 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Benioff's founding thesis was that the internet would transform the software industry in the same way it was transforming media, retail, and other sectors. By hosting software on centralized servers and delivering it to customers through web browsers, Salesforce could offer lower upfront costs, faster deployment, automatic updates, and greater accessibility compared to traditional enterprise software. The concept drew skepticism from many established players in the technology industry, who questioned whether businesses would entrust their critical data and applications to third-party servers.
The founding of Salesforce was supported by initial investments from Larry Ellison and other backers. Benioff's concept was considered unconventional at the time, as most enterprise software companies relied on selling expensive perpetual licenses and deploying software on customers' premises. Salesforce instead offered its CRM product on a subscription basis, accessible through a web browser. This [[Software as a service]] (SaaS) model reduced upfront costs for customers and created a recurring revenue stream for the company.<ref name="salesforce-blog" />


From its earliest days, Salesforce adopted an aggressive marketing strategy to differentiate itself from incumbent enterprise software vendors. The company became known for provocative tactics, including staging protests outside industry conferences held by competitors like [[Siebel Systems]], with signs declaring "No Software" — a slogan that encapsulated the company's vision of a world beyond traditional installed software. These guerrilla marketing efforts helped Salesforce attract attention and establish a distinct brand identity in a crowded market.
The company grew rapidly in its first years, attracting customers who were drawn to the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the subscription model. Salesforce held its [[initial public offering]] (IPO) in June 2004 on the [[New York Stock Exchange]], a milestone that validated the SaaS business model and marked the company's emergence as a major force in enterprise technology.<ref name="forbes" />
 
Salesforce held its [[initial public offering]] (IPO) on the [[New York Stock Exchange]], marking a significant milestone in the company's growth. The successful IPO validated the SaaS business model and positioned Salesforce as a leader in the emerging cloud computing industry. Over the following years, the company expanded its product portfolio beyond CRM to include a broad platform of cloud-based business applications and development tools.


=== Growth and Expansion of Salesforce ===
=== Growth and Expansion of Salesforce ===


Under Benioff's leadership as chairman and CEO, Salesforce grew from a startup operating out of a San Francisco apartment into one of the largest enterprise software companies in the world. The company pursued an aggressive strategy of organic growth supplemented by strategic acquisitions, purchasing dozens of companies over the years to expand its capabilities in areas including marketing automation, analytics, e-commerce, and collaboration tools.
Under Benioff's leadership as chairman and CEO, Salesforce expanded well beyond its original CRM offering. The company developed and acquired a wide range of cloud-based enterprise applications and platforms, including tools for marketing automation, analytics, application development, and collaboration. Major acquisitions included the purchases of ExactTarget, MuleSoft, Tableau, and Slack Technologies, which significantly broadened Salesforce's product portfolio and market reach.<ref name="salesforce-bio" />


Benioff's leadership style at Salesforce has been characterized by a combination of bold vision, relentless energy, and a willingness to take public positions on social and political issues. He championed what he called the "1-1-1 model" of integrated philanthropy, in which Salesforce committed one percent of its equity, one percent of its employee time, and one percent of its product to charitable causes. This model was adopted by other technology companies and became a widely discussed framework for corporate philanthropy in the technology sector.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff |url=https://www.wired.com/story/gospel-of-wealth-according-to-marc-benioff/ |publisher=Wired |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Benioff became known for his approach to corporate culture and leadership, which emphasized what he called "Ohana" — a Hawaiian term meaning family — to describe the interconnected community of employees, customers, partners, and stakeholders. He also pioneered the "1-1-1 model" of integrated corporate philanthropy, in which Salesforce pledged 1% of its equity, 1% of its product, and 1% of employees' time to charitable causes. This model was subsequently adopted by hundreds of other companies through the Pledge 1% movement.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff |url=https://www.wired.com/story/gospel-of-wealth-according-to-marc-benioff/ |work=WIRED |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


The company's annual conference, [[Dreamforce]], became one of the largest technology conferences in the world, attracting tens of thousands of attendees to San Francisco each year and serving as a platform for Benioff to articulate his vision for the future of technology and business.
Salesforce became one of the first major enterprise software companies to achieve significant scale purely through cloud-based delivery. By the 2020s, it had grown into one of the largest software companies in the world by revenue, with its platform serving hundreds of thousands of organizations globally. Benioff's leadership during this period of growth cemented his reputation as one of the most prominent figures in the technology industry.<ref name="forbes" />


=== Acquisition of Time Magazine ===
=== Artificial Intelligence and Technology Advocacy ===


In 2018, Marc and Lynne Benioff purchased ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine, acquiring the storied publication from [[Meredith Corporation]]. The acquisition marked Benioff's entry into the media industry and added another dimension to his public profile. Benioff stated that the purchase was a personal investment, separate from Salesforce, and that ''Time'' would continue to operate independently with editorial freedom.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/6102640/jane-goodall-environment-hope/ |title=The Enduring Hope of Jane Goodall |magazine=Time |date=September 30, 2021 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In the mid-2020s, Benioff became an increasingly vocal advocate for the regulation of [[artificial intelligence]]. At the [[World Economic Forum]] meeting in [[Davos]], Switzerland, in January 2026, Benioff called for regulatory action on AI, arguing that certain AI models had become "suicide coaches" in reference to documented cases in which individuals' deaths were linked to interactions with AI systems. He framed the issue in stark terms, asking, "What's more important to us, growth or our kids?"<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01-20 |title=Salesforce's Benioff calls for AI regulation, says models have become 'suicide coaches' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/20/salesforce-benioff-ai-regulation-suicide-coaches.html |work=CNBC |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01-20 |title=Billionaire Marc Benioff challenges the AI sector: 'What's more important to us, growth or our kids?' |url=https://fortune.com/2026/01/20/billionaire-marc-benioff-section-230-ai-whats-more-important-growth-or-kids/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


The acquisition of ''Time'' reflected Benioff's interest in media and public discourse, as well as a broader trend of technology billionaires acquiring legacy media properties. The purchase drew comparisons to [[Jeff Bezos]]'s acquisition of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' and [[Laurene Powell Jobs]]'s acquisition of a majority stake in ''[[The Atlantic]]''.
Benioff's advocacy on AI regulation represented a notable stance from a technology CEO whose own company was actively developing and deploying AI products. Salesforce had introduced its own AI platform, known as Einstein, and later developed AI agents as part of its product line. His willingness to call for regulation of the broader AI industry while simultaneously integrating AI into Salesforce's offerings drew attention from media and industry observers.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01-20 |title=Salesforce's Benioff calls for AI regulation, says models have become 'suicide coaches' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/20/salesforce-benioff-ai-regulation-suicide-coaches.html |work=CNBC |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Advocacy on Artificial Intelligence ===
=== Acquisition of Time Magazine ===


In January 2026, Benioff became an outspoken voice calling for regulation of [[artificial intelligence]], speaking at the [[World Economic Forum]] in [[Davos]], [[Switzerland]]. During a forum session titled "Where Can New Growth Come From?", Benioff challenged the AI sector, stating, "What's more important to us, growth or our kids?"<ref>{{cite news |title=Billionaire Marc Benioff challenges the AI sector: 'What's more important to us, growth or our kids?' |url=https://fortune.com/2026/01/20/billionaire-marc-benioff-section-230-ai-whats-more-important-growth-or-kids/ |work=Fortune |date=January 20, 2026 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He described certain AI models as having become "suicide coaches," referencing documented cases in which individuals had died by suicide after interactions with AI chatbots.<ref>{{cite news |title=Salesforce's Benioff calls for AI regulation, says models have become 'suicide coaches' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/20/salesforce-benioff-ai-regulation-suicide-coaches.html |work=CNBC |date=January 20, 2026 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In September 2018, Marc and Lynne Benioff purchased ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine from [[Meredith Corporation]] for $190 million. The acquisition was made in a personal capacity, separate from Salesforce. Benioff has served as co-chair and owner of the publication, which continues to operate as one of the most recognized news magazines in the world. The purchase was part of a broader trend of technology billionaires acquiring legacy media properties, following [[Jeff Bezos]]'s purchase of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' in 2013.<ref name="forbes" />


Benioff's calls for AI regulation placed him in a distinct position among major technology CEOs, many of whom have sought to minimize regulatory intervention in the AI space. His remarks at Davos drew significant media attention and contributed to broader public debate about the safety and ethical implications of rapidly advancing AI technologies.
=== Controversies and Employee Relations ===


=== ICE Controversy (2026) ===
In February 2026, Benioff faced significant internal backlash after making remarks about [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] (ICE) during a company event. According to multiple reports, Benioff joked at an employee gathering that ICE was monitoring international employees in attendance who had traveled to the United States. The comments provoked a sharp reaction within Salesforce, with one employee describing the internal response as employees going "absolutely apeshit" on internal Slack channels.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-11 |title=Salesforce workers outraged after CEO makes joke about ICE watching them |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/11/salesforce-marc-benioff-ice-joke-employees |work=The Guardian |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Benioff 'Jokes' ICE Is Watching Salesforce Employees Who Traveled to the U.S. |url=https://www.404media.co/marc-benioff-jokes-ice-is-watching-salesforce-employees-who-traveled-to-the-u-s/ |publisher=404 Media |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In February 2026, Benioff became the subject of significant internal and public controversy after making remarks about [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] (ICE) during a company event. According to reports, Benioff joked at the event that ICE was monitoring international employees who had traveled to the United States to attend the gathering.<ref>{{cite news |title=Salesforce workers outraged after CEO makes joke about ICE watching them |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/11/salesforce-marc-benioff-ice-joke-employees |work=The Guardian |date=February 11, 2026 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Benioff 'Jokes' ICE Is Watching Salesforce Employees Who Traveled to the U.S. |url=https://www.404media.co/marc-benioff-jokes-ice-is-watching-salesforce-employees-who-traveled-to-the-u-s/ |publisher=404 Media |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Over 1,400 Salesforce employees subsequently signed an open letter demanding that Benioff cease business operations with ICE. The letter reflected both anger at the specific comments and broader concerns about the company's contractual relationships with the immigration enforcement agency.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Salesforce employees respond to CEO Marc Benioff's insensitive ICE comment. Here's what HR needs to know. |url=https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2026/02/20/salesforce-employees-respond-to-ceo-marc-benioff-s-insensitive-ice-comment-here-s-what-hr-needs-to-know |work=HR Brew |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Salesforce Workers Circulate Open Letter Urging CEO Marc Benioff to Denounce ICE |url=https://www.wired.com/story/letter-salesforce-employees-sent-after-marc-benioffs-ice-comments/ |work=WIRED |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


The comments provoked a strong backlash within Salesforce. Over 1,400 Salesforce employees signed an open letter demanding that Benioff cease business operations with ICE.<ref>{{cite news |title=Salesforce employees respond to CEO Marc Benioff's insensitive ICE comment. Here's what HR needs to know. |url=https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2026/02/20/salesforce-employees-respond-to-ceo-marc-benioff-s-insensitive-ice-comment-here-s-what-hr-needs-to-know |work=HR Brew |date=February 20, 2026 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Employees circulated the letter internally and it was subsequently reported on by multiple media outlets.<ref>{{cite news |title=Salesforce Workers Circulate Open Letter Urging CEO Marc Benioff to Denounce ICE |url=https://www.wired.com/story/letter-salesforce-employees-sent-after-marc-benioffs-ice-comments/ |work=Wired |date=February 2026 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Salesforce co-founder and CTO Parker Harris publicly addressed the remarks, stating that Benioff's jokes were "not OK."<ref>{{cite news |title=A top Salesforce executive says Benioff's ICE jokes were 'not OK' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/salesforce-cofounder-criticizes-benioff-ice-jokes-2026-2 |work=Business Insider |date=February 2026 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Salesforce co-founder and chief technology officer Parker Harris publicly addressed the controversy, stating that Benioff's jokes were "not OK."<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=A top Salesforce executive says Benioff's ICE jokes were 'not OK' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/salesforce-cofounder-criticizes-benioff-ice-jokes-2026-2 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The incident was not the first time Salesforce's relationship with ICE had generated internal controversy; employees had previously raised concerns about contracts with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and ICE in earlier years.


The incident highlighted ongoing tensions within major technology companies regarding government contracts and the ethical implications of providing technology services to law enforcement and immigration agencies. Salesforce's relationship with ICE had been a source of internal debate at the company for several years prior to the 2026 controversy.
In October 2025, Benioff made headlines when he suggested that President [[Donald Trump]] should send [[National Guard]] troops to San Francisco to address issues in the city. The comment drew attention because Benioff had previously been associated with more progressive political stances, and the suggestion marked what some observers described as an apparent shift in his public political positioning.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-10-10 |title=Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/us/marc-benioff-san-francisco-guard.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Public Political Commentary ===
== Personal Life ==


Benioff has periodically made public statements on political and social matters, a practice that has drawn varying reactions. In October 2025, he stated publicly that then-President [[Donald Trump]] should send [[National Guard]] troops to San Francisco, a comment that attracted attention given Benioff's long-standing association with the city and his previous support for progressive causes.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=October 10, 2025 |title=Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/us/marc-benioff-san-francisco-guard.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The remark reflected a shift in Benioff's public positioning on urban policy issues and was noted by commentators as a departure from positions he had taken earlier in his career.
Marc Benioff is married to Lynne Krilich, and the couple has two children.<ref name="forbes" /> The Benioffs reside in the San Francisco Bay Area.


== Personal Life ==
Benioff has been involved in extensive philanthropic activity. He and his wife have donated to hospitals, schools, and community organizations. Among their most prominent contributions are donations to the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, which bear the family name. Their philanthropic efforts extend to environmental conservation and education initiatives as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff |url=https://www.wired.com/story/gospel-of-wealth-according-to-marc-benioff/ |work=WIRED |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Marc Benioff is married to Lynne Krilich. The couple has two children. The Benioffs reside in the San Francisco Bay Area, and together they have engaged in significant philanthropic activity. Their joint purchase of ''Time'' magazine in 2018 was structured as a personal investment, separate from Salesforce.
Benioff has spoken publicly about the influence of mindfulness and meditation on his leadership style, citing time spent in Hawaii and his interest in Eastern spiritual practices as important personal influences. His adoption of the "Ohana" concept for Salesforce's corporate culture reflects these personal values.


Benioff has been publicly associated with San Francisco throughout his life, having been born, raised, and based his company in the city. His relationship with the city has been multifaceted, encompassing philanthropy, business investment, and, at times, public criticism of the city's governance and social conditions.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 10, 2025 |title=Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/us/marc-benioff-san-francisco-guard.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
He has also been a prominent public advocate on social and political issues in San Francisco. In addition to his support for LGBTQ rights — including opposition to discriminatory legislation in multiple U.S. states — Benioff has advocated for addressing homelessness in San Francisco, supporting a local business tax measure aimed at funding homeless services.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff |url=https://www.wired.com/story/gospel-of-wealth-according-to-marc-benioff/ |work=WIRED |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


The Benioffs have made notable charitable donations to hospitals, educational institutions, and environmental causes. Their philanthropy has been a consistent element of Benioff's public identity, intertwined with his advocacy for the 1-1-1 model of corporate giving that he implemented at Salesforce.
== Recognition ==


== Recognition ==
Benioff has received numerous awards and recognitions for his business leadership and philanthropic contributions. In 2016, ''Fortune'' magazine named him among its "World's Greatest Leaders," a list recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their respective fields.<ref>{{cite web |title=World's Greatest Leaders 2016 |url=http://fortune.com/2016/03/24/worlds-greatest-leaders-2016-intro/ |work=Fortune |date=2016-03-24 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Benioff has received numerous awards and recognitions over the course of his career. In 2014, he was named ''Fortune'' magazine's Businessperson of the Year in a readers' choice poll.<ref>{{cite web |title=Businessperson of the Year: Readers' Choice |url=http://fortune.com/2014/11/12/businessperson-year-readers-choice/ |publisher=Fortune |date=November 12, 2014 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In 2016, ''Fortune'' included him on its list of the World's Greatest Leaders.<ref>{{cite web |title=World's Greatest Leaders 2016 |url=http://fortune.com/2016/03/24/worlds-greatest-leaders-2016-intro/ |publisher=Fortune |date=March 24, 2016 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2014, ''Fortune'' readers selected Benioff as "Businessperson of the Year" in the publication's reader's choice poll, reflecting his prominence among the business community and the public.<ref>{{cite web |title=Businessperson of the Year: Readers' Choice |url=http://fortune.com/2014/11/12/businessperson-year-readers-choice/ |work=Fortune |date=2014-11-12 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


He received an Innovation Award from ''The Economist'' for his contributions to the technology industry, recognizing the impact of the SaaS model that Salesforce helped pioneer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Innovation Awards |url=https://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21567206-innovation-awards-our-annual-prizes-recognise-successful-innovators-eight |publisher=The Economist |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Benioff has also been profiled by ''Barron's'' as a significant figure in the technology and business landscape.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Benioff |url=http://www.barrons.com/articles/SB50001424053111904797004577283662192414888 |publisher=Barron's |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
''The Economist'' awarded Benioff an Innovation Award in its technology category, recognizing his role in pioneering the SaaS delivery model for enterprise software and his contributions to the broader technology industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=Innovation Awards: Our annual prizes recognise successful innovators in eight categories |url=https://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21567206-innovation-awards-our-annual-prizes-recognise-successful-innovators-eight |work=The Economist |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In 2009, the [[World Economic Forum]] named Benioff a [[Young Global Leader]], a designation shared that year with other prominent technology figures including [[Mark Zuckerberg]] and [[Chad Hurley]].<ref>{{cite news |title=World Economic Forum Announces New Batch Of Young Global Leaders |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/02/25/world-economic-forum-announces-new-batch-of-young-global-leaders-mark-zuckerberg-chad-hurley-kevin-rose-and-more/ |work=TechCrunch |date=February 25, 2009 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
''Barron's'' magazine has featured Benioff in its coverage of prominent business leaders and technology executives, highlighting his role in shaping the cloud computing industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Benioff profile |url=http://www.barrons.com/articles/SB50001424053111904797004577283662192414888 |work=Barron's |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Benioff is regularly listed on the ''Forbes'' list of the world's wealthiest individuals, reflecting the value of his holdings in Salesforce and other investments.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Benioff |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/marc-benioff/ |publisher=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2009, the [[World Economic Forum]] named Benioff a Young Global Leader, a distinction he shared with other prominent technology figures including [[Mark Zuckerberg]], [[Chad Hurley]], and [[Kevin Rose]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2009-02-25 |title=World Economic Forum Announces New Batch Of Young Global Leaders: Mark Zuckerberg, Chad Hurley, Kevin Rose And More |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/02/25/world-economic-forum-announces-new-batch-of-young-global-leaders-mark-zuckerberg-chad-hurley-kevin-rose-and-more/ |work=TechCrunch |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Marc Benioff's career is most closely associated with the development and popularization of the [[software as a service]] (SaaS) business model. By founding Salesforce and demonstrating that enterprise software could be successfully delivered over the internet, Benioff helped catalyze a broader transformation in the technology industry. The cloud computing model that Salesforce championed in the late 1990s and early 2000s has since become the dominant paradigm for enterprise software delivery, adopted by companies across virtually every segment of the technology industry.
Marc Benioff's influence on the technology industry is most clearly reflected in the widespread adoption of the [[Software as a service]] (SaaS) model that Salesforce helped establish. When Benioff founded the company in 1999, the concept of delivering enterprise software through the internet on a subscription basis was far from mainstream. By the 2020s, cloud-based software delivery had become the dominant model in enterprise technology, and Salesforce's early success was instrumental in demonstrating the viability of this approach to both customers and investors.<ref name="salesforce-blog" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Innovation Awards: Our annual prizes recognise successful innovators in eight categories |url=https://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21567206-innovation-awards-our-annual-prizes-recognise-successful-innovators-eight |work=The Economist |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Benioff's 1-1-1 philanthropic model has been adopted by hundreds of companies, particularly in the technology sector, and has become a recognized framework for integrating charitable giving into corporate operations from a company's founding.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff |url=https://www.wired.com/story/gospel-of-wealth-according-to-marc-benioff/ |publisher=Wired |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The model has been cited as an example of "stakeholder capitalism," in which corporations consider the interests of a broader set of constituents beyond shareholders.
The 1-1-1 philanthropic model that Benioff introduced at Salesforce has had a measurable impact beyond the company itself. The Pledge 1% initiative, which grew out of Salesforce's model, has been adopted by thousands of companies worldwide, creating a structured framework for corporate giving that integrates philanthropy into business operations from a company's earliest stages.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff |url=https://www.wired.com/story/gospel-of-wealth-according-to-marc-benioff/ |work=WIRED |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


At the same time, Benioff's legacy encompasses the tensions and contradictions that have accompanied the rise of billionaire technology executives as public figures and political actors. His willingness to take public positions on social issues—from LGBTQ rights and homelessness to AI regulation and immigration enforcement—has made him one of the more prominent CEO voices in American public discourse, while also exposing him to criticism from various quarters. The 2026 ICE controversy and the employee backlash it generated illustrated the challenges that technology leaders face in navigating complex social and political issues within their own organizations.
Benioff's approach to stakeholder capitalism — the idea that corporations have responsibilities not only to shareholders but also to employees, communities, and society at large — has been a recurring theme in his public statements and writings, including his book ''Trailblazer: The Power of Business as the Greatest Platform for Change.'' This positioning has at times placed him at the center of debates about the role of CEOs in public advocacy and whether corporate leaders should take stances on social and political issues. His record has been both praised and criticized: supporters have pointed to his philanthropic commitments and advocacy for equality, while critics have questioned whether his public statements have always been consistent with Salesforce's business practices, particularly regarding government contracts.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Salesforce employees respond to CEO Marc Benioff's insensitive ICE comment. Here's what HR needs to know. |url=https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2026/02/20/salesforce-employees-respond-to-ceo-marc-benioff-s-insensitive-ice-comment-here-s-what-hr-needs-to-know |work=HR Brew |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff |url=https://www.wired.com/story/gospel-of-wealth-according-to-marc-benioff/ |work=WIRED |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Benioff's acquisition of ''Time'' magazine and his increasing engagement with political commentary have further expanded the scope of his public role beyond the technology industry, positioning him as a figure of broader cultural and political influence.
As a figure who has operated at the intersection of technology, media, philanthropy, and public policy, Benioff's career reflects the expanding influence of technology executives in American business and society. His ownership of ''Time'' magazine, his advocacy at the World Economic Forum, and his commentary on issues from AI regulation to urban policy in San Francisco illustrate the broad reach of his public role beyond the management of a single corporation.


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:People from San Francisco]]
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[[Category:University of Southern California alumni]]
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[[Category:American philanthropists]]
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Latest revision as of 01:46, 24 February 2026


Marc Benioff
BornMarc Russell Benioff
25 9, 1964
BirthplaceSan Francisco, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusiness executive, entrepreneur, philanthropist
Known forCo-founder, chairman and CEO of Salesforce; owner of Time
EducationUniversity of Southern California (BS)
Spouse(s)Lynne Krilich
Children2
AwardsFortune World's Greatest Leaders (2016), The Economist Innovation Award
Website[https://www.salesforce.com/company/leadership/bios/bio-benioff Official site]

Marc Russell Benioff (born September 25, 1964) is an American internet entrepreneur, philanthropist, and business executive who co-founded the cloud computing company Salesforce and has served as its chairman and chief executive officer since its inception. Born and raised in San Francisco, Benioff showed entrepreneurial aptitude from a young age, beginning to write and sell software while still a teenager. After a formative period at Oracle Corporation under Larry Ellison, he launched Salesforce in 1999 with a vision of delivering enterprise software through the internet rather than through traditional on-premises installations — a model that would come to be known as Software as a service (SaaS). Under his leadership, Salesforce grew into one of the largest enterprise software companies in the world. Beyond his role at Salesforce, Benioff has been a prominent voice in corporate philanthropy, championing a model he calls the "1-1-1" integrated philanthropic approach, and has been involved in public advocacy on issues ranging from LGBTQ rights, homelessness, and, more recently, artificial intelligence regulation. In 2018, he and his wife Lynne Benioff purchased Time magazine.[1][2]

Early Life

Marc Russell Benioff was born on September 25, 1964, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, an environment that would later prove central to his career in the technology industry.[3]

Benioff displayed an early interest in computers and software development. As a teenager, he began programming and selling his own software, demonstrating the entrepreneurial drive that would later define his career. At the age of 15, he created a program called "How to Juggle," which he sold for $75, marking one of his first commercial ventures in software. He continued developing and selling software throughout his high school years, earning enough to help fund his college education.[4]

Benioff's family has roots in the San Francisco Bay Area. His connection to the city has remained a defining feature of both his personal and professional life. He has frequently spoken publicly about his deep ties to San Francisco, and Salesforce's global headquarters — housed in Salesforce Tower, the tallest building in the city — reflects that attachment. The Benioff family name has a broader presence as well; the family's connections have been documented in media coverage over the years.[5]

Education

Benioff attended the University of Southern California (USC), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. His time at USC provided him with a foundation in business and technology that he would apply in his subsequent career. While still a college student, Benioff gained early industry experience through internships, including a notable stint at Apple Computer, where he worked as a summer intern in the Macintosh division. This exposure to one of the most innovative technology companies of the era helped shape his understanding of product development and corporate culture.[6]

Career

Oracle Corporation

After graduating from USC, Benioff joined Oracle Corporation, the database and enterprise software company led by Larry Ellison. He spent thirteen years at Oracle, rising through the ranks to become one of the company's youngest vice presidents. During his tenure, Benioff gained extensive experience in enterprise software sales, marketing, and product development. His relationship with Ellison, who became a mentor and early investor in Benioff's subsequent ventures, proved instrumental in shaping his approach to business leadership and corporate strategy.[6]

At Oracle, Benioff developed a deep understanding of the enterprise software market, including its distribution models, customer relationship dynamics, and the challenges associated with traditional on-premises software deployment. These insights would later inform his vision for a fundamentally different approach to delivering software to businesses.[7]

Founding of Salesforce

In March 1999, Benioff co-founded Salesforce from a rented apartment in San Francisco. The company was built around the idea of delivering customer relationship management (CRM) software entirely over the internet, eliminating the need for customers to install and maintain complex software on their own servers. This approach, which Benioff branded with the slogan "No Software," represented a departure from the prevailing enterprise software model and anticipated the broader shift to cloud computing that would reshape the technology industry over the following decades.[8]

The founding of Salesforce was supported by initial investments from Larry Ellison and other backers. Benioff's concept was considered unconventional at the time, as most enterprise software companies relied on selling expensive perpetual licenses and deploying software on customers' premises. Salesforce instead offered its CRM product on a subscription basis, accessible through a web browser. This Software as a service (SaaS) model reduced upfront costs for customers and created a recurring revenue stream for the company.[8]

The company grew rapidly in its first years, attracting customers who were drawn to the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the subscription model. Salesforce held its initial public offering (IPO) in June 2004 on the New York Stock Exchange, a milestone that validated the SaaS business model and marked the company's emergence as a major force in enterprise technology.[3]

Growth and Expansion of Salesforce

Under Benioff's leadership as chairman and CEO, Salesforce expanded well beyond its original CRM offering. The company developed and acquired a wide range of cloud-based enterprise applications and platforms, including tools for marketing automation, analytics, application development, and collaboration. Major acquisitions included the purchases of ExactTarget, MuleSoft, Tableau, and Slack Technologies, which significantly broadened Salesforce's product portfolio and market reach.[6]

Benioff became known for his approach to corporate culture and leadership, which emphasized what he called "Ohana" — a Hawaiian term meaning family — to describe the interconnected community of employees, customers, partners, and stakeholders. He also pioneered the "1-1-1 model" of integrated corporate philanthropy, in which Salesforce pledged 1% of its equity, 1% of its product, and 1% of employees' time to charitable causes. This model was subsequently adopted by hundreds of other companies through the Pledge 1% movement.[9]

Salesforce became one of the first major enterprise software companies to achieve significant scale purely through cloud-based delivery. By the 2020s, it had grown into one of the largest software companies in the world by revenue, with its platform serving hundreds of thousands of organizations globally. Benioff's leadership during this period of growth cemented his reputation as one of the most prominent figures in the technology industry.[3]

Artificial Intelligence and Technology Advocacy

In the mid-2020s, Benioff became an increasingly vocal advocate for the regulation of artificial intelligence. At the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2026, Benioff called for regulatory action on AI, arguing that certain AI models had become "suicide coaches" in reference to documented cases in which individuals' deaths were linked to interactions with AI systems. He framed the issue in stark terms, asking, "What's more important to us, growth or our kids?"[10][11]

Benioff's advocacy on AI regulation represented a notable stance from a technology CEO whose own company was actively developing and deploying AI products. Salesforce had introduced its own AI platform, known as Einstein, and later developed AI agents as part of its product line. His willingness to call for regulation of the broader AI industry while simultaneously integrating AI into Salesforce's offerings drew attention from media and industry observers.[12]

Acquisition of Time Magazine

In September 2018, Marc and Lynne Benioff purchased Time magazine from Meredith Corporation for $190 million. The acquisition was made in a personal capacity, separate from Salesforce. Benioff has served as co-chair and owner of the publication, which continues to operate as one of the most recognized news magazines in the world. The purchase was part of a broader trend of technology billionaires acquiring legacy media properties, following Jeff Bezos's purchase of The Washington Post in 2013.[3]

Controversies and Employee Relations

In February 2026, Benioff faced significant internal backlash after making remarks about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a company event. According to multiple reports, Benioff joked at an employee gathering that ICE was monitoring international employees in attendance who had traveled to the United States. The comments provoked a sharp reaction within Salesforce, with one employee describing the internal response as employees going "absolutely apeshit" on internal Slack channels.[13][14]

Over 1,400 Salesforce employees subsequently signed an open letter demanding that Benioff cease business operations with ICE. The letter reflected both anger at the specific comments and broader concerns about the company's contractual relationships with the immigration enforcement agency.[15][16]

Salesforce co-founder and chief technology officer Parker Harris publicly addressed the controversy, stating that Benioff's jokes were "not OK."[17] The incident was not the first time Salesforce's relationship with ICE had generated internal controversy; employees had previously raised concerns about contracts with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and ICE in earlier years.

In October 2025, Benioff made headlines when he suggested that President Donald Trump should send National Guard troops to San Francisco to address issues in the city. The comment drew attention because Benioff had previously been associated with more progressive political stances, and the suggestion marked what some observers described as an apparent shift in his public political positioning.[18]

Personal Life

Marc Benioff is married to Lynne Krilich, and the couple has two children.[3] The Benioffs reside in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Benioff has been involved in extensive philanthropic activity. He and his wife have donated to hospitals, schools, and community organizations. Among their most prominent contributions are donations to the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, which bear the family name. Their philanthropic efforts extend to environmental conservation and education initiatives as well.[19]

Benioff has spoken publicly about the influence of mindfulness and meditation on his leadership style, citing time spent in Hawaii and his interest in Eastern spiritual practices as important personal influences. His adoption of the "Ohana" concept for Salesforce's corporate culture reflects these personal values.

He has also been a prominent public advocate on social and political issues in San Francisco. In addition to his support for LGBTQ rights — including opposition to discriminatory legislation in multiple U.S. states — Benioff has advocated for addressing homelessness in San Francisco, supporting a local business tax measure aimed at funding homeless services.[20]

Recognition

Benioff has received numerous awards and recognitions for his business leadership and philanthropic contributions. In 2016, Fortune magazine named him among its "World's Greatest Leaders," a list recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their respective fields.[21]

In 2014, Fortune readers selected Benioff as "Businessperson of the Year" in the publication's reader's choice poll, reflecting his prominence among the business community and the public.[22]

The Economist awarded Benioff an Innovation Award in its technology category, recognizing his role in pioneering the SaaS delivery model for enterprise software and his contributions to the broader technology industry.[23]

Barron's magazine has featured Benioff in its coverage of prominent business leaders and technology executives, highlighting his role in shaping the cloud computing industry.[24]

In 2009, the World Economic Forum named Benioff a Young Global Leader, a distinction he shared with other prominent technology figures including Mark Zuckerberg, Chad Hurley, and Kevin Rose.[25]

Legacy

Marc Benioff's influence on the technology industry is most clearly reflected in the widespread adoption of the Software as a service (SaaS) model that Salesforce helped establish. When Benioff founded the company in 1999, the concept of delivering enterprise software through the internet on a subscription basis was far from mainstream. By the 2020s, cloud-based software delivery had become the dominant model in enterprise technology, and Salesforce's early success was instrumental in demonstrating the viability of this approach to both customers and investors.[8][26]

The 1-1-1 philanthropic model that Benioff introduced at Salesforce has had a measurable impact beyond the company itself. The Pledge 1% initiative, which grew out of Salesforce's model, has been adopted by thousands of companies worldwide, creating a structured framework for corporate giving that integrates philanthropy into business operations from a company's earliest stages.[27]

Benioff's approach to stakeholder capitalism — the idea that corporations have responsibilities not only to shareholders but also to employees, communities, and society at large — has been a recurring theme in his public statements and writings, including his book Trailblazer: The Power of Business as the Greatest Platform for Change. This positioning has at times placed him at the center of debates about the role of CEOs in public advocacy and whether corporate leaders should take stances on social and political issues. His record has been both praised and criticized: supporters have pointed to his philanthropic commitments and advocacy for equality, while critics have questioned whether his public statements have always been consistent with Salesforce's business practices, particularly regarding government contracts.[28][29]

As a figure who has operated at the intersection of technology, media, philanthropy, and public policy, Benioff's career reflects the expanding influence of technology executives in American business and society. His ownership of Time magazine, his advocacy at the World Economic Forum, and his commentary on issues from AI regulation to urban policy in San Francisco illustrate the broad reach of his public role beyond the management of a single corporation.

References

  1. ↑ "Marc Benioff".Forbes.https://www.forbes.com/profile/marc-benioff/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ "Bio: Marc Benioff".Salesforce.https://www.salesforce.com/company/leadership/bios/bio-benioff.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Marc Benioff".Forbes.https://www.forbes.com/profile/marc-benioff/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ "How to Turn a Simple Idea into a High-Growth Company".Salesforce.2013-03.https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2013/03/how-to-turn-a-simple-idea-into-a-high-growth-company.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ "How These Famous Benioffs Are Related".Business Insider.2015-04.http://www.businessinsider.com/how-these-famous-benioffs-are-related-2015-4.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Bio: Marc Benioff".Salesforce.https://www.salesforce.com/company/leadership/bios/bio-benioff.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "How to Turn a Simple Idea into a High-Growth Company".Salesforce.2013-03.https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2013/03/how-to-turn-a-simple-idea-into-a-high-growth-company.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "How to Turn a Simple Idea into a High-Growth Company".Salesforce.2013-03.https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2013/03/how-to-turn-a-simple-idea-into-a-high-growth-company.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff".WIRED.https://www.wired.com/story/gospel-of-wealth-according-to-marc-benioff/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "Salesforce's Benioff calls for AI regulation, says models have become 'suicide coaches'".CNBC.2026-01-20.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/20/salesforce-benioff-ai-regulation-suicide-coaches.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Billionaire Marc Benioff challenges the AI sector: 'What's more important to us, growth or our kids?'".Fortune.2026-01-20.https://fortune.com/2026/01/20/billionaire-marc-benioff-section-230-ai-whats-more-important-growth-or-kids/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "Salesforce's Benioff calls for AI regulation, says models have become 'suicide coaches'".CNBC.2026-01-20.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/20/salesforce-benioff-ai-regulation-suicide-coaches.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ "Salesforce workers outraged after CEO makes joke about ICE watching them".The Guardian.2026-02-11.https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/11/salesforce-marc-benioff-ice-joke-employees.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "Marc Benioff 'Jokes' ICE Is Watching Salesforce Employees Who Traveled to the U.S.".404 Media.https://www.404media.co/marc-benioff-jokes-ice-is-watching-salesforce-employees-who-traveled-to-the-u-s/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "Salesforce employees respond to CEO Marc Benioff's insensitive ICE comment. Here's what HR needs to know.".HR Brew.2026-02-20.https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2026/02/20/salesforce-employees-respond-to-ceo-marc-benioff-s-insensitive-ice-comment-here-s-what-hr-needs-to-know.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "Salesforce Workers Circulate Open Letter Urging CEO Marc Benioff to Denounce ICE".WIRED.https://www.wired.com/story/letter-salesforce-employees-sent-after-marc-benioffs-ice-comments/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ "A top Salesforce executive says Benioff's ICE jokes were 'not OK'".Business Insider.2026-02.https://www.businessinsider.com/salesforce-cofounder-criticizes-benioff-ice-jokes-2026-2.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco".The New York Times.2025-10-10.https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/us/marc-benioff-san-francisco-guard.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff".WIRED.https://www.wired.com/story/gospel-of-wealth-according-to-marc-benioff/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ "The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff".WIRED.https://www.wired.com/story/gospel-of-wealth-according-to-marc-benioff/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ "World's Greatest Leaders 2016".Fortune.2016-03-24.http://fortune.com/2016/03/24/worlds-greatest-leaders-2016-intro/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ "Businessperson of the Year: Readers' Choice".Fortune.2014-11-12.http://fortune.com/2014/11/12/businessperson-year-readers-choice/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ↑ "Innovation Awards: Our annual prizes recognise successful innovators in eight categories".The Economist.https://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21567206-innovation-awards-our-annual-prizes-recognise-successful-innovators-eight.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  24. ↑ "Marc Benioff profile".Barron's.http://www.barrons.com/articles/SB50001424053111904797004577283662192414888.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  25. ↑ "World Economic Forum Announces New Batch Of Young Global Leaders: Mark Zuckerberg, Chad Hurley, Kevin Rose And More".TechCrunch.2009-02-25.https://techcrunch.com/2009/02/25/world-economic-forum-announces-new-batch-of-young-global-leaders-mark-zuckerberg-chad-hurley-kevin-rose-and-more/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  26. ↑ "Innovation Awards: Our annual prizes recognise successful innovators in eight categories".The Economist.https://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21567206-innovation-awards-our-annual-prizes-recognise-successful-innovators-eight.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  27. ↑ "The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff".WIRED.https://www.wired.com/story/gospel-of-wealth-according-to-marc-benioff/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  28. ↑ "Salesforce employees respond to CEO Marc Benioff's insensitive ICE comment. Here's what HR needs to know.".HR Brew.2026-02-20.https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2026/02/20/salesforce-employees-respond-to-ceo-marc-benioff-s-insensitive-ice-comment-here-s-what-hr-needs-to-know.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  29. ↑ "The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff".WIRED.https://www.wired.com/story/gospel-of-wealth-according-to-marc-benioff/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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