Susan Decker: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Susan Decker
| name         = Susan Decker
| image = Susan Decker.jpg
| image       = Susan Decker.jpg
| caption = Susan Decker at a Yahoo! all hands meeting, 2008
| caption     = Susan Decker at a Yahoo! all hands meeting, 2008
| alt = Susan Decker in 2008
| alt         = Susan Decker in 2008
| birth_name = Susan Lynne Decker
| birth_name   = Susan Lynne Decker
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1962|11|17}}
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1962|11|17}}
| birth_place = Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
| birth_place = [[Memphis, Tennessee]], U.S.
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| occupation = Business executive, investor, board director
| occupation   = Business executive, investor, board director
| known_for = President of Yahoo! Inc. (2007–2009), co-founder of Raftr
| known_for   = President of [[Yahoo!]] (2007–2009)
| education = Harvard Business School (MBA), Tufts University (BS)
| education   = [[Harvard Business School]] (MBA)<br>[[Tufts University]] (BA)
| alma_mater = Tufts University, Harvard University
| alma_mater   = [[Tufts University]], [[Harvard University]]
}}
}}


'''Susan Lynne Decker''' (born November 17, 1962) is an American business executive who served as president of Yahoo! Inc. from June 2007 to January 2009, overseeing the company's day-to-day operations while co-founder Jerry Yang held the position of chief executive officer. Before ascending to the presidency, Decker spent several years as Yahoo!'s chief financial officer, where she earned recognition as one of the top financial executives in the technology sector. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, and educated at Tufts University and Harvard Business School, Decker built a career that spanned Wall Street equity research, corporate finance at one of the world's most prominent internet companies, and board service at a range of major corporations and nonprofit organizations. Following her departure from Yahoo!, Decker pursued interests in technology entrepreneurship, co-founding the social networking platform Raftr in 2017, and took on governance roles at companies including Berkshire Hathaway, Automattic, and SurveyMonkey. Her career trajectory from securities analyst to corporate president to board director has made her a notable figure in American technology and business leadership.
'''Susan Lynne Decker''' (born November 17, 1962) is an American business executive who served as president of [[Yahoo!|Yahoo! Inc.]] from 2007 to 2009, overseeing the company's operations during one of the most turbulent periods in its history. Before rising to the presidency, Decker spent years as Yahoo!'s chief financial officer, earning recognition as one of the most prominent women in the technology industry. Born in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], she built her early career as a highly ranked Wall Street analyst before transitioning to corporate leadership in [[Silicon Valley]]. Since leaving Yahoo!, Decker has maintained a significant presence in the business world through board directorships at major corporations and technology companies, including [[Berkshire Hathaway]], [[Automattic]], and [[Costco]]. In 2017, she co-founded Raftr, a social networking platform. Throughout her career, Decker has been recognized for her financial acumen and strategic leadership, receiving honors from institutions including [[Harvard Business School]], where she earned her MBA.<ref name="hbs-award">{{cite web |title=Harvard Business School Presents Alumni Achievement Awards |url=http://finchannel.com/Main_News/B_Schools/71996_Harvard_Business_School_Presents_Alumni_Achievement_Awards_/ |publisher=FinChannel |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


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


Susan Lynne Decker was born on November 17, 1962, in Memphis, Tennessee.<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |date=2007-07-01 |title=Yahoo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/01/business/yourmoney/01yahoo.html?_r=1&scp=9&sq=sue+decker&st=nyt |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Details about her parents and early childhood in Memphis remain limited in publicly available sources. Decker grew up during a period of significant economic and cultural change in the American South. She would eventually leave Tennessee to pursue her higher education in the northeastern United States, attending Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.
Susan Lynne Decker was born on November 17, 1962, in [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. While detailed information about her childhood and family background is limited in available public records, Decker grew up in the American South before pursuing her higher education in the northeastern United States. She has also been known professionally as Sue Decker and Susan L. Decker.<ref name="deckposts">{{cite web |title=About Sue |url=http://www.deckposts.net/about-sue |publisher=Deckposts.net |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
Decker's early interests gravitated toward finance and business, fields that would define her professional trajectory. Her formative years in Memphis provided a foundation before she relocated to the Boston area for her undergraduate studies at [[Tufts University]].


== Education ==
== Education ==


Decker earned her undergraduate degree from Tufts University, where she studied economics and computer science.<ref name="nyt" /> She subsequently attended Harvard Business School, where she earned a Master of Business Administration degree.<ref name="hbs_return">{{cite web |title=Yahoo Ex-President Decker Returns to Harvard Business School |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/09/09/yahoo-ex-president-decker-returns-to-harvard-business-school/ |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |date=2009-09-09 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Her dual academic background in technology and business provided a foundation for her later career, which would bridge the financial and technology industries. Decker was later honored by her graduate alma mater with an Alumni Achievement Award from Harvard Business School, one of the institution's most prestigious recognitions of professional accomplishment by its graduates.<ref name="hbs_award">{{cite web |title=Harvard Business School Presents Alumni Achievement Awards |url=http://finchannel.com/Main_News/B_Schools/71996_Harvard_Business_School_Presents_Alumni_Achievement_Awards_/ |publisher=The Financial Channel |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Decker attended [[Tufts University]] in [[Medford, Massachusetts]], where she earned her bachelor's degree. She subsequently enrolled at [[Harvard Business School]], one of the most competitive graduate business programs in the United States, where she earned her [[Master of Business Administration]] (MBA).<ref name="hbs-award" />
 
Her education at Harvard Business School proved to be a defining element of her career. Decker maintained strong ties to the institution throughout her professional life. In 2009, following her departure from Yahoo!, she returned to Harvard Business School in a teaching capacity.<ref name="wsj-harvard">{{cite news |title=Yahoo Ex-President Decker Returns to Harvard Business School |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/09/09/yahoo-ex-president-decker-returns-to-harvard-business-school/ |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=2009-09-09 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The school later recognized her contributions to business with an Alumni Achievement Award, one of the highest honors bestowed on its graduates.<ref name="hbs-award" />


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Wall Street Analyst ===
=== Wall Street Analyst ===


Before joining Yahoo!, Decker worked as an equity research analyst covering the media and entertainment sector on Wall Street. She became a recognized figure in financial analysis, earning distinction for her coverage of companies in these industries. Decker was named to ''Institutional Investor'' magazine's list of top analysts, a ranking widely followed in the investment community.<ref name="ii">{{cite web |title=Institutional Investor |url=http://www.institutionalinvestor.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1579660 |publisher=Institutional Investor |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> She was also recognized by ''CFO Magazine'' during this period of her career for her financial acumen.<ref name="cfo">{{cite web |title=CFO Magazine |url=http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/8379542?f=bestof |publisher=CFO.com |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Her experience analyzing media companies from the investor's perspective gave her a detailed understanding of the economics of content and advertising businesses, knowledge that would prove directly relevant to her later role at one of the internet's largest media and advertising platforms.
Before entering the corporate world, Decker built a notable career as a [[financial analyst]] on [[Wall Street]]. She worked as an equity research analyst covering the media and entertainment industries, and became one of the top-ranked analysts in her field. Her work during this period earned her recognition from ''[[Institutional Investor]]'' magazine, a leading publication in the financial services industry, which ranked her among the best analysts in her coverage area.<ref name="institutional-investor">{{cite web |title=Susan Decker Profile |url=http://www.institutionalinvestor.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1579660 |publisher=[[Institutional Investor]] |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
Decker's analytical expertise in media and technology companies provided her with deep knowledge of the industries she would later lead from the executive suite. Her reputation as a rigorous financial analyst attracted the attention of Yahoo!, which was then emerging as one of the most important companies of the early internet era.


=== Yahoo! Inc. ===
=== Yahoo! Inc. ===
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==== Chief Financial Officer ====
==== Chief Financial Officer ====


Decker joined Yahoo! Inc. and rose to the position of chief financial officer, where she became responsible for the company's financial strategy, reporting, and investor relations. In her capacity as CFO, she oversaw Yahoo!'s financial operations during a period of rapid growth in the online advertising market. Her background as a Wall Street analyst gave her a perspective that was valued on both sides of the investor relations equation — she understood what institutional investors and analysts wanted to see and could communicate the company's financial narrative accordingly.<ref name="nyt" />
Decker joined Yahoo! Inc. and rose to the position of [[chief financial officer]] (CFO), where she was responsible for the company's financial strategy, investor relations, and fiscal operations. Her tenure as CFO earned her substantial recognition in the business press. ''CFO Magazine'' named her to its annual list of notable chief financial officers, reflecting her impact on the company's financial management during a period of rapid change in the internet industry.<ref name="cfo-mag">{{cite web |title=Susan Decker - CFO Profile |url=http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/8379542?f=bestof |publisher=CFO Magazine |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
As CFO, Decker was instrumental in navigating Yahoo!'s complex financial landscape, which included managing the company's significant investment in [[Alibaba Group]] and its operations in [[Yahoo! Japan]]. Her financial stewardship during this period was closely watched by investors and analysts, given Yahoo!'s position as one of the most prominent publicly traded internet companies.


Her performance as CFO drew significant attention. ''Forbes'' reported on Decker's rising prominence within Yahoo! in 2006, describing her role in the company's strategic direction as the internet industry underwent rapid evolution.<ref name="forbes">{{cite news |date=2006-11-15 |title=Yahoo's Decker |url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/11/15/internet-yahoo-decker-tech-ebiz-cx_ck_rr_1116yahoo.html |work=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> During this time, the internet advertising business was undergoing fundamental shifts, with Google emerging as a dominant competitor and Yahoo! seeking to maintain its position as one of the web's most visited properties.
In a 2006 profile, ''[[Forbes]]'' examined Decker's growing influence at Yahoo! and her role in shaping the company's strategic direction beyond her traditional CFO responsibilities.<ref name="forbes-2006">{{cite news |title=Yahoo's Decker |url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/11/15/internet-yahoo-decker-tech-ebiz-cx_ck_rr_1116yahoo.html |work=[[Forbes]] |date=2006-11-15 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Her expanding portfolio of responsibilities signaled that she was being groomed for a larger leadership role within the organization.


==== President of Yahoo! ====
==== President of Yahoo! ====


In June 2007, Decker was appointed president of Yahoo! Inc., a role in which she oversaw the company's day-to-day operations.<ref name="nyt" /> The appointment came as co-founder Jerry Yang assumed the role of chief executive officer. The leadership structure placed Decker in charge of operational execution while Yang focused on broader strategic and corporate matters. The arrangement reflected the board's confidence in Decker's operational capabilities and her deep familiarity with the company's financial and business operations.
In 2007, Decker was appointed president of Yahoo! Inc., a promotion that placed her in charge of the company's day-to-day operations. She served in this role while [[Jerry Yang]], co-founder of Yahoo!, held the position of [[chief executive officer]].<ref name="nytimes-2007">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2007-07-01 |title=Yahoo's President Takes the Reins of Operations |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/01/business/yourmoney/01yahoo.html?_r=1&scp=9&sq=sue+decker&st=nyt |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The division of responsibilities placed Decker at the center of Yahoo!'s operational decision-making during what would prove to be one of the most consequential periods in the company's history.


Decker's tenure as president coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in Yahoo!'s history. In early 2008, Microsoft Corporation made an unsolicited bid to acquire Yahoo! for approximately $44.6 billion, a proposal that generated extensive debate among Yahoo!'s board, management, shareholders, and the broader technology industry. The bid, and Yahoo!'s ultimate decision to reject it, became one of the most scrutinized corporate events of the late 2000s. Decker was part of the senior leadership team navigating these negotiations and the resulting fallout with shareholders who believed the company should have accepted Microsoft's offer.
Decker's presidency coincided with [[Microsoft]]'s unsolicited bid to acquire Yahoo! in early 2008, a proposed deal valued at approximately $44.6 billion. The takeover attempt created enormous pressure on Yahoo!'s leadership team and board of directors, and the company's response to the bid became one of the most closely watched corporate dramas in the technology sector. Yahoo!'s board, under the leadership of Yang and with Decker playing a central operational role, ultimately rejected Microsoft's offer, a decision that proved controversial among shareholders who believed the premium offered by Microsoft represented significant value.


The rejection of the Microsoft bid contributed to growing dissatisfaction among Yahoo!'s investors and intensified scrutiny of the company's strategic direction. In November 2008, Jerry Yang announced he would step down as CEO, a decision reported by MarketWatch and other financial news outlets.<ref name="yang_resign">{{cite news |title=Yang to step down as Yahoo CEO |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/yang-to-step-down-as-yahoo-ceo |work=MarketWatch |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Decker's own departure from Yahoo! followed shortly thereafter in early 2009, as the company brought in new leadership under Carol Bartz. CNET reported on the leadership transition at Yahoo!, which marked the end of the Yang-Decker era at the company.<ref name="cnet">{{cite news |date=2009-01-13 |title=Yahoo leadership changes |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10136964-93.html |work=CNET |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
The aftermath of the failed Microsoft deal and Yahoo!'s declining market position led to significant leadership changes. Jerry Yang announced his decision to step down as CEO in late 2008.<ref name="marketwatch-yang">{{cite news |title=Yang to Step Down as Yahoo CEO |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/yang-to-step-down-as-yahoo-ceo |work=[[MarketWatch]] |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Decker had been considered a potential candidate for the CEO position, but ultimately departed the company in 2009 when [[Carol Bartz]] was appointed as Yang's successor.


Despite the challenges that marked the end of her time at Yahoo!, Decker's tenure highlighted the complexity of leading a major internet company during a period of intense competitive pressure and shifting market dynamics. The questions Yahoo! faced during her presidency — about the value of its core business, its relationship with its Asian investments, and its position relative to Google — would continue to define the company's trajectory for years after her departure.
Decker's tenure as president was later examined in the context of the broader challenges facing Yahoo! as a company struggling to maintain its competitive position against [[Google]] and emerging social media platforms. In a 2018 interview with [[CNBC]], Decker reflected on the technology industry, commenting on the erosion of trust in Silicon Valley.<ref name="cnbc-2018">{{cite news |title=Former Yahoo Exec Susan Decker: Trust Is Eroding in Silicon Valley |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/04/former-yahoo-exec-susan-decker-trust-is-eroding-in-silicon-valley.html |work=[[CNBC]] |date=2018-05-04 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== Post-Yahoo! Career ===
=== Return to Harvard Business School ===


==== Return to Harvard Business School ====
Following her departure from Yahoo! in 2009, Decker returned to [[Harvard Business School]], her alma mater, where she took on a role in an academic capacity. ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported on her transition from corporate leadership back to the academic environment, noting the unusual move of a former Fortune 500 president returning to the classroom.<ref name="wsj-harvard" /> Her time at Harvard allowed her to share her extensive experience in corporate finance and technology leadership with the next generation of business leaders.


Following her departure from Yahoo!, Decker returned to Harvard Business School in a teaching capacity. The ''Wall Street Journal'' reported in September 2009 that Decker had returned to the institution from which she had earned her MBA, taking on a role that allowed her to share her extensive experience in corporate finance and technology management with students.<ref name="hbs_return" /> The move from the corporate world to academia, even temporarily, reflected a pattern seen among senior executives who step back from operational roles to engage in teaching and mentorship.
=== Board Directorships ===


==== Co-Founding Raftr ====
After leaving Yahoo!, Decker became one of the most sought-after board directors in American business, serving on the boards of several major corporations and technology companies.


In 2017, Decker co-founded Raftr, a social networking platform. The venture represented Decker's shift from large-company management to entrepreneurship, as she sought to build a new technology product from the ground up. Raftr was designed as a social networking tool aimed at creating more meaningful online community interactions. The platform reflected ongoing interest in the technology sector in developing alternatives to the dominant social media services, with a focus on more curated and intentional forms of digital communication.<ref name="deckposts">{{cite web |title=About Sue |url=http://www.deckposts.net/about-sue |publisher=Deckposts.net |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
'''Berkshire Hathaway'''


=== Board Service ===
Decker served as a member of the board of directors of [[Berkshire Hathaway]], the multinational conglomerate holding company led by [[Warren Buffett]]. Her appointment to the Berkshire Hathaway board placed her among a small group of directors overseeing one of the most valuable companies in the world.<ref name="berkshire-board">{{cite web |title=Berkshire Hathaway Board of Directors |url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/board.asp?ticker=BRK/A:US |publisher=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="berkshire-archive">{{cite web |title=Berkshire Hathaway Board of Directors (Archived) |url=https://archive.today/20120709065834/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/board.asp?ticker=BRK/A:US |publisher=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |date=2012-07-09 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


After leaving Yahoo!, Decker became active as a corporate board director, serving on the boards of several prominent companies and organizations. Her board service extended across multiple industries and included both public and private companies as well as nonprofit organizations.
'''Automattic'''


==== Berkshire Hathaway ====
Decker served on the board of directors of [[Automattic]], the technology company behind [[WordPress.com]], [[Tumblr]], and other web publishing platforms. Her involvement with Automattic reflected her continued engagement with internet and technology companies following her time at Yahoo!.<ref name="automattic-board">{{cite web |title=Automattic Board of Directors |url=https://automattic.com/board/ |publisher=[[Automattic]] |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Decker served on the board of directors of Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate led by Warren Buffett. Her appointment to the Berkshire board placed her among a select group of directors overseeing one of the world's most valuable companies. ''BusinessWeek'' listed Decker among the board members of Berkshire Hathaway, reflecting her standing in the corporate governance community.<ref name="berkshire">{{cite web |title=Berkshire Hathaway Board of Directors |url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/board.asp?ticker=BRK/A:US |publisher=BusinessWeek |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="berkshire_archive">{{cite web |title=Berkshire Hathaway Board of Directors (archived) |url=https://archive.today/20120709065834/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/board.asp?ticker=BRK/A:US |publisher=BusinessWeek (archived) |date=2012-07-09 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
'''Vail Resorts'''


==== Automattic ====
Decker also served on the board of [[Vail Resorts]], the publicly traded mountain resort company that operates ski resorts and other hospitality properties across North America. Her appointment to the Vail Resorts board was announced publicly by the company.<ref name="vail-board">{{cite web |title=Vail Resorts Board Announcement |url=http://investors.vailresorts.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=934097 |publisher=Vail Resorts |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Decker served on the board of Automattic, the privately held technology company behind WordPress.com, one of the world's most widely used content management and blogging platforms. Her role at Automattic connected her to the open-source technology community and the ongoing evolution of web publishing tools.<ref name="automattic">{{cite web |title=Automattic Board |url=https://automattic.com/board/ |publisher=Automattic |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
'''SurveyMonkey (Momentive)'''


==== SurveyMonkey ====
Decker was appointed to the board of directors of [[SurveyMonkey]] (later known as Momentive Global), the online survey and data analytics company. Her addition to the SurveyMonkey board was noted in the context of the company's efforts to add experienced technology executives and expand female representation on its board.<ref name="surveymonkey-board">{{cite web |title=SurveyMonkey Adds Susan Decker to Board of Directors |url=https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/surveymonkey-adds-susan-decker-to-board-of-directors/ |publisher=[[SurveyMonkey]] |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="surveymonkey-women">{{cite web |title=SurveyMonkey Adds Another Woman Director |url=http://www.privatecompanydirector.com/news/surveymonkey-adds-another-woman-director |publisher=Private Company Director |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


SurveyMonkey, the online survey and data analytics company, announced that Decker had joined its board of directors. The appointment was noted for adding technology and financial expertise to the company's governance.<ref name="surveymonkey">{{cite web |title=SurveyMonkey Adds Susan Decker to Board of Directors |url=https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/surveymonkey-adds-susan-decker-to-board-of-directors/ |publisher=SurveyMonkey |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> A report on the appointment highlighted that the addition of Decker strengthened the representation of women on SurveyMonkey's board.<ref name="pcd">{{cite web |title=SurveyMonkey Adds Another Woman Director |url=http://www.privatecompanydirector.com/news/surveymonkey-adds-another-woman-director |publisher=Private Company Director |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
'''Other Board Service'''


==== Vail Resorts ====
Decker has also been associated with [[Save the Children]], the international humanitarian organization, serving on its board and contributing her business expertise to the nonprofit sector.<ref name="save-children">{{cite web |title=Save the Children Board of Directors |url=http://www.savethechildren.org/about/board.html |publisher=[[Save the Children]] |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Decker served on the board of directors of Vail Resorts, the publicly traded operator of ski resorts and mountain recreation properties across North America. Her appointment was announced in a company press release.<ref name="vail">{{cite web |title=Vail Resorts Board Announcement |url=http://investors.vailresorts.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=934097 |publisher=Vail Resorts |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
=== Raftr ===


==== Save the Children ====
In 2017, Decker co-founded Raftr, a social networking platform designed to facilitate group communication and community building. The venture represented Decker's transition from corporate leadership and board governance into entrepreneurship, applying her decades of experience in the internet industry to building a new product in the competitive social media landscape.<ref name="deckposts" />


Beyond corporate board service, Decker served on the board of Save the Children, one of the world's leading international nonprofit organizations focused on children's rights and welfare. Her involvement with the organization reflected an engagement with philanthropic and humanitarian causes alongside her corporate activities.<ref name="savechildren">{{cite web |title=Save the Children Board |url=http://www.savethechildren.org/about/board.html |publisher=Save the Children |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
== Personal Life ==


=== Public Commentary on Technology Industry ===
Decker has maintained a relatively private personal life despite her prominent position in the business world. She has been based in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] during much of her career, consistent with her leadership roles in Silicon Valley technology companies. Decker has maintained an active presence in philanthropic activities, including her involvement with [[Save the Children]].<ref name="save-children" />


Decker remained an active voice in discussions about the technology industry after her departure from Yahoo!. In a 2018 interview with CNBC, she spoke about the erosion of trust in Silicon Valley, addressing the growing public and regulatory scrutiny of major technology companies regarding issues such as data privacy, content moderation, and the social impact of technology platforms. Decker noted that trust was "eroding" in the technology sector, a comment that reflected the broader climate of the period as companies like Facebook faced congressional hearings and public backlash over data handling practices.<ref name="cnbc">{{cite news |date=2018-05-04 |title=Former Yahoo exec Susan Decker: Trust is eroding in Silicon Valley |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/04/former-yahoo-exec-susan-decker-trust-is-eroding-in-silicon-valley.html |work=CNBC |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Her return to [[Harvard Business School]] following her departure from Yahoo! reflected her commitment to education and mentorship. Decker has spoken publicly about issues facing the technology industry, including matters of trust and corporate responsibility.<ref name="cnbc-2018" />


== Personal Life ==
== Recognition ==


Susan Decker is known to go by the names Sue Decker and Susan L. Decker in various professional contexts. She was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and later lived in areas connected to her professional activities, including the San Francisco Bay Area during her years at Yahoo!.<ref name="deckposts" /> Details about her family life, including marriage and children, are not extensively documented in publicly available sources and are therefore not included here. Following her departure from Yahoo! and her return to Harvard Business School, Decker maintained a presence in both technology and academic circles.<ref name="hbs_return" />
Throughout her career, Decker has received several notable honors and awards recognizing her contributions to business and finance.


== Recognition ==
[[Harvard Business School]] presented Decker with its Alumni Achievement Award, one of the institution's most prestigious honors for graduates who have made significant contributions in their professional fields. The award recognized her career in finance and technology leadership.<ref name="hbs-award" />


Decker has received several forms of professional recognition over the course of her career. As a Wall Street analyst, she was named to ''Institutional Investor'' magazine's rankings of top equity research analysts, a distinction that recognized her expertise in covering the media and entertainment sectors.<ref name="ii" /> Her work as CFO of Yahoo! was noted by ''CFO Magazine'' and other publications that recognized financial leadership in the corporate world.<ref name="cfo" />
During her tenure as chief financial officer of Yahoo!, ''CFO Magazine'' recognized Decker among its list of notable chief financial officers in the technology industry.<ref name="cfo-mag" /> Her earlier career as a Wall Street analyst also earned her recognition from ''[[Institutional Investor]]'' magazine for her equity research coverage.<ref name="institutional-investor" />


Harvard Business School honored Decker with an Alumni Achievement Award, one of the school's highest honors for graduates who have demonstrated outstanding professional accomplishment. The award placed her alongside other distinguished Harvard MBA alumni who had made significant contributions to business and society.<ref name="hbs_award" />
Decker's appointment to the board of [[Berkshire Hathaway]] was itself considered a mark of distinction, given that [[Warren Buffett]] and the company's leadership have historically selected a small and carefully chosen group of directors to oversee the conglomerate.<ref name="berkshire-board" />


Her appointment to the board of Berkshire Hathaway represented a further mark of professional distinction, as the company's board membership is closely watched given the prominence of the conglomerate and its chairman, Warren Buffett.<ref name="berkshire" /> ''Forbes'' and ''The New York Times'' were among the major publications that profiled Decker during her time at Yahoo!, reflecting her visibility as a senior executive in the technology industry.<ref name="forbes" /><ref name="nyt" />
Her career trajectory — from Wall Street analyst to CFO to president of a Fortune 500 technology company — made her one of the most senior women in the American technology industry during her time at Yahoo!. Media coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref name="nytimes-2007" /> ''[[Forbes]]'',<ref name="forbes-2006" /> and other publications documented her rise through Yahoo!'s leadership ranks.


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Susan Decker's career spans several of the defining trends in American business over the past three decades: the rise of Wall Street equity research as a profession, the growth and maturation of the internet industry, the increasing prominence of women in senior corporate leadership, and the evolution of corporate governance practices. Her ascent from equity analyst to president of one of the internet's most prominent companies illustrated the path that financial expertise could provide into operational leadership roles in the technology sector.
Susan Decker's career spans several of the most significant developments in the American technology and internet industries. Her progression from financial analyst to CFO to president of Yahoo! during the mid-2000s placed her at the intersection of finance and technology at a time when the internet was transforming global business.


Her tenure at Yahoo! coincided with a pivotal moment in the company's history, as it grappled with the challenge of competing against Google and navigating the strategic question of whether to accept Microsoft's acquisition offer. While the outcome of that period was not favorable for Yahoo! — the company's market value declined significantly in subsequent years before its eventual sale to Verizon in 2017 — Decker's experience at the helm provided a case study in the complexities of corporate strategy during times of industry disruption.
Her tenure at Yahoo! is most frequently examined in the context of the company's response to [[Microsoft]]'s 2008 takeover bid, a corporate event that generated extensive coverage and subsequent analysis about Yahoo!'s strategic direction. The decision to reject Microsoft's offer remained a subject of debate among technology industry observers and Yahoo! shareholders for years afterward, particularly as Yahoo!'s market position continued to decline in subsequent years.


After Yahoo!, Decker's board service at companies ranging from Berkshire Hathaway to Automattic to SurveyMonkey demonstrated the breadth of her business knowledge and her continued engagement with both established and emerging technology enterprises. Her involvement with Save the Children added a philanthropic dimension to her post-Yahoo! activities.<ref name="savechildren" />
Following her corporate leadership career, Decker's transition to board governance at companies including [[Berkshire Hathaway]] and [[Automattic]] demonstrated the breadth of her business expertise across both traditional conglomerates and technology-focused enterprises. Her board service at multiple companies positioned her as one of the more influential figures in American corporate governance during the 2010s.


Decker's public commentary on trust in Silicon Valley, delivered at a time when the technology industry was facing unprecedented scrutiny over data privacy and social impact, reflected her willingness to engage critically with the industry in which she had built her career.<ref name="cnbc" /> Her co-founding of Raftr in 2017 showed a continued entrepreneurial drive and interest in the evolution of social networking and online community platforms.
Decker's co-founding of Raftr in 2017 represented a pivot to entrepreneurship, reflecting a willingness to engage directly in product development and startup culture after years in large corporate environments. Her continued commentary on issues facing Silicon Valley, including her 2018 remarks on [[CNBC]] about the erosion of trust in the technology industry,<ref name="cnbc-2018" /> has kept her voice relevant in ongoing discussions about the responsibilities of technology companies.
 
Her involvement with [[Save the Children]] and her return to [[Harvard Business School]] in a teaching capacity also reflect a career that has extended beyond corporate leadership into education and philanthropy.<ref name="save-children" /><ref name="wsj-harvard" />


== References ==
== References ==
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Latest revision as of 06:47, 24 February 2026




Susan Decker
Susan Decker at a Yahoo! all hands meeting, 2008
Susan Decker
BornSusan Lynne Decker
17 11, 1962
BirthplaceMemphis, Tennessee, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusiness executive, investor, board director
Known forPresident of Yahoo! (2007–2009)
EducationHarvard Business School (MBA)
Tufts University (BA)

Susan Lynne Decker (born November 17, 1962) is an American business executive who served as president of Yahoo! Inc. from 2007 to 2009, overseeing the company's operations during one of the most turbulent periods in its history. Before rising to the presidency, Decker spent years as Yahoo!'s chief financial officer, earning recognition as one of the most prominent women in the technology industry. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she built her early career as a highly ranked Wall Street analyst before transitioning to corporate leadership in Silicon Valley. Since leaving Yahoo!, Decker has maintained a significant presence in the business world through board directorships at major corporations and technology companies, including Berkshire Hathaway, Automattic, and Costco. In 2017, she co-founded Raftr, a social networking platform. Throughout her career, Decker has been recognized for her financial acumen and strategic leadership, receiving honors from institutions including Harvard Business School, where she earned her MBA.[1]

Early Life

Susan Lynne Decker was born on November 17, 1962, in Memphis, Tennessee. While detailed information about her childhood and family background is limited in available public records, Decker grew up in the American South before pursuing her higher education in the northeastern United States. She has also been known professionally as Sue Decker and Susan L. Decker.[2]

Decker's early interests gravitated toward finance and business, fields that would define her professional trajectory. Her formative years in Memphis provided a foundation before she relocated to the Boston area for her undergraduate studies at Tufts University.

Education

Decker attended Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, where she earned her bachelor's degree. She subsequently enrolled at Harvard Business School, one of the most competitive graduate business programs in the United States, where she earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA).[1]

Her education at Harvard Business School proved to be a defining element of her career. Decker maintained strong ties to the institution throughout her professional life. In 2009, following her departure from Yahoo!, she returned to Harvard Business School in a teaching capacity.[3] The school later recognized her contributions to business with an Alumni Achievement Award, one of the highest honors bestowed on its graduates.[1]

Career

Wall Street Analyst

Before entering the corporate world, Decker built a notable career as a financial analyst on Wall Street. She worked as an equity research analyst covering the media and entertainment industries, and became one of the top-ranked analysts in her field. Her work during this period earned her recognition from Institutional Investor magazine, a leading publication in the financial services industry, which ranked her among the best analysts in her coverage area.[4]

Decker's analytical expertise in media and technology companies provided her with deep knowledge of the industries she would later lead from the executive suite. Her reputation as a rigorous financial analyst attracted the attention of Yahoo!, which was then emerging as one of the most important companies of the early internet era.

Yahoo! Inc.

Chief Financial Officer

Decker joined Yahoo! Inc. and rose to the position of chief financial officer (CFO), where she was responsible for the company's financial strategy, investor relations, and fiscal operations. Her tenure as CFO earned her substantial recognition in the business press. CFO Magazine named her to its annual list of notable chief financial officers, reflecting her impact on the company's financial management during a period of rapid change in the internet industry.[5]

As CFO, Decker was instrumental in navigating Yahoo!'s complex financial landscape, which included managing the company's significant investment in Alibaba Group and its operations in Yahoo! Japan. Her financial stewardship during this period was closely watched by investors and analysts, given Yahoo!'s position as one of the most prominent publicly traded internet companies.

In a 2006 profile, Forbes examined Decker's growing influence at Yahoo! and her role in shaping the company's strategic direction beyond her traditional CFO responsibilities.[6] Her expanding portfolio of responsibilities signaled that she was being groomed for a larger leadership role within the organization.

President of Yahoo!

In 2007, Decker was appointed president of Yahoo! Inc., a promotion that placed her in charge of the company's day-to-day operations. She served in this role while Jerry Yang, co-founder of Yahoo!, held the position of chief executive officer.[7] The division of responsibilities placed Decker at the center of Yahoo!'s operational decision-making during what would prove to be one of the most consequential periods in the company's history.

Decker's presidency coincided with Microsoft's unsolicited bid to acquire Yahoo! in early 2008, a proposed deal valued at approximately $44.6 billion. The takeover attempt created enormous pressure on Yahoo!'s leadership team and board of directors, and the company's response to the bid became one of the most closely watched corporate dramas in the technology sector. Yahoo!'s board, under the leadership of Yang and with Decker playing a central operational role, ultimately rejected Microsoft's offer, a decision that proved controversial among shareholders who believed the premium offered by Microsoft represented significant value.

The aftermath of the failed Microsoft deal and Yahoo!'s declining market position led to significant leadership changes. Jerry Yang announced his decision to step down as CEO in late 2008.[8] Decker had been considered a potential candidate for the CEO position, but ultimately departed the company in 2009 when Carol Bartz was appointed as Yang's successor.

Decker's tenure as president was later examined in the context of the broader challenges facing Yahoo! as a company struggling to maintain its competitive position against Google and emerging social media platforms. In a 2018 interview with CNBC, Decker reflected on the technology industry, commenting on the erosion of trust in Silicon Valley.[9]

Return to Harvard Business School

Following her departure from Yahoo! in 2009, Decker returned to Harvard Business School, her alma mater, where she took on a role in an academic capacity. The Wall Street Journal reported on her transition from corporate leadership back to the academic environment, noting the unusual move of a former Fortune 500 president returning to the classroom.[3] Her time at Harvard allowed her to share her extensive experience in corporate finance and technology leadership with the next generation of business leaders.

Board Directorships

After leaving Yahoo!, Decker became one of the most sought-after board directors in American business, serving on the boards of several major corporations and technology companies.

Berkshire Hathaway

Decker served as a member of the board of directors of Berkshire Hathaway, the multinational conglomerate holding company led by Warren Buffett. Her appointment to the Berkshire Hathaway board placed her among a small group of directors overseeing one of the most valuable companies in the world.[10][11]

Automattic

Decker served on the board of directors of Automattic, the technology company behind WordPress.com, Tumblr, and other web publishing platforms. Her involvement with Automattic reflected her continued engagement with internet and technology companies following her time at Yahoo!.[12]

Vail Resorts

Decker also served on the board of Vail Resorts, the publicly traded mountain resort company that operates ski resorts and other hospitality properties across North America. Her appointment to the Vail Resorts board was announced publicly by the company.[13]

SurveyMonkey (Momentive)

Decker was appointed to the board of directors of SurveyMonkey (later known as Momentive Global), the online survey and data analytics company. Her addition to the SurveyMonkey board was noted in the context of the company's efforts to add experienced technology executives and expand female representation on its board.[14][15]

Other Board Service

Decker has also been associated with Save the Children, the international humanitarian organization, serving on its board and contributing her business expertise to the nonprofit sector.[16]

Raftr

In 2017, Decker co-founded Raftr, a social networking platform designed to facilitate group communication and community building. The venture represented Decker's transition from corporate leadership and board governance into entrepreneurship, applying her decades of experience in the internet industry to building a new product in the competitive social media landscape.[2]

Personal Life

Decker has maintained a relatively private personal life despite her prominent position in the business world. She has been based in the San Francisco Bay Area during much of her career, consistent with her leadership roles in Silicon Valley technology companies. Decker has maintained an active presence in philanthropic activities, including her involvement with Save the Children.[16]

Her return to Harvard Business School following her departure from Yahoo! reflected her commitment to education and mentorship. Decker has spoken publicly about issues facing the technology industry, including matters of trust and corporate responsibility.[9]

Recognition

Throughout her career, Decker has received several notable honors and awards recognizing her contributions to business and finance.

Harvard Business School presented Decker with its Alumni Achievement Award, one of the institution's most prestigious honors for graduates who have made significant contributions in their professional fields. The award recognized her career in finance and technology leadership.[1]

During her tenure as chief financial officer of Yahoo!, CFO Magazine recognized Decker among its list of notable chief financial officers in the technology industry.[5] Her earlier career as a Wall Street analyst also earned her recognition from Institutional Investor magazine for her equity research coverage.[4]

Decker's appointment to the board of Berkshire Hathaway was itself considered a mark of distinction, given that Warren Buffett and the company's leadership have historically selected a small and carefully chosen group of directors to oversee the conglomerate.[10]

Her career trajectory — from Wall Street analyst to CFO to president of a Fortune 500 technology company — made her one of the most senior women in the American technology industry during her time at Yahoo!. Media coverage in The New York Times,[7] Forbes,[6] and other publications documented her rise through Yahoo!'s leadership ranks.

Legacy

Susan Decker's career spans several of the most significant developments in the American technology and internet industries. Her progression from financial analyst to CFO to president of Yahoo! during the mid-2000s placed her at the intersection of finance and technology at a time when the internet was transforming global business.

Her tenure at Yahoo! is most frequently examined in the context of the company's response to Microsoft's 2008 takeover bid, a corporate event that generated extensive coverage and subsequent analysis about Yahoo!'s strategic direction. The decision to reject Microsoft's offer remained a subject of debate among technology industry observers and Yahoo! shareholders for years afterward, particularly as Yahoo!'s market position continued to decline in subsequent years.

Following her corporate leadership career, Decker's transition to board governance at companies including Berkshire Hathaway and Automattic demonstrated the breadth of her business expertise across both traditional conglomerates and technology-focused enterprises. Her board service at multiple companies positioned her as one of the more influential figures in American corporate governance during the 2010s.

Decker's co-founding of Raftr in 2017 represented a pivot to entrepreneurship, reflecting a willingness to engage directly in product development and startup culture after years in large corporate environments. Her continued commentary on issues facing Silicon Valley, including her 2018 remarks on CNBC about the erosion of trust in the technology industry,[9] has kept her voice relevant in ongoing discussions about the responsibilities of technology companies.

Her involvement with Save the Children and her return to Harvard Business School in a teaching capacity also reflect a career that has extended beyond corporate leadership into education and philanthropy.[16][3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Harvard Business School Presents Alumni Achievement Awards".FinChannel.http://finchannel.com/Main_News/B_Schools/71996_Harvard_Business_School_Presents_Alumni_Achievement_Awards_/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "About Sue".Deckposts.net.http://www.deckposts.net/about-sue.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Yahoo Ex-President Decker Returns to Harvard Business School".The Wall Street Journal.2009-09-09.https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/09/09/yahoo-ex-president-decker-returns-to-harvard-business-school/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Susan Decker Profile".Institutional Investor.http://www.institutionalinvestor.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1579660.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Susan Decker - CFO Profile".CFO Magazine.http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/8379542?f=bestof.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Yahoo's Decker".Forbes.2006-11-15.https://www.forbes.com/2006/11/15/internet-yahoo-decker-tech-ebiz-cx_ck_rr_1116yahoo.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Yahoo's President Takes the Reins of Operations".The New York Times.2007-07-01.https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/01/business/yourmoney/01yahoo.html?_r=1&scp=9&sq=sue+decker&st=nyt.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Yang to Step Down as Yahoo CEO".MarketWatch.http://www.marketwatch.com/story/yang-to-step-down-as-yahoo-ceo.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Former Yahoo Exec Susan Decker: Trust Is Eroding in Silicon Valley".CNBC.2018-05-04.https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/04/former-yahoo-exec-susan-decker-trust-is-eroding-in-silicon-valley.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Berkshire Hathaway Board of Directors".Bloomberg Businessweek.http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/board.asp?ticker=BRK/A:US.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Berkshire Hathaway Board of Directors (Archived)".Bloomberg Businessweek.2012-07-09.https://archive.today/20120709065834/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/board.asp?ticker=BRK/A:US.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Automattic Board of Directors".Automattic.https://automattic.com/board/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Vail Resorts Board Announcement".Vail Resorts.http://investors.vailresorts.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=934097.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "SurveyMonkey Adds Susan Decker to Board of Directors".SurveyMonkey.https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/surveymonkey-adds-susan-decker-to-board-of-directors/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "SurveyMonkey Adds Another Woman Director".Private Company Director.http://www.privatecompanydirector.com/news/surveymonkey-adds-another-woman-director.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Save the Children Board of Directors".Save the Children.http://www.savethechildren.org/about/board.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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