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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name         = Dara Khosrowshahi
| name = Dara Khosrowshahi
| image        = CEO of Uber Technologies Dara Khosrowshahi in New York - 2019 (cropped).jpg
| birth_name = Dara Khosrowshahi
| caption      = Khosrowshahi in 2019
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|5|28}}
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1969|5|28}}
| birth_place = Tehran, Iran
| birth_place = Tehran, Iran
| nationality = Iranian, American
| nationality = Iranian, American
| education = Brown University (BS)
| education   = Brown University (BS)
| occupation = CEO of Uber
| occupation   = Chief Executive Officer of Uber
| known_for = CEO of Uber, former CEO of Expedia Group
| known_for   = CEO of Uber, former CEO of Expedia Group
| spouse = Kathleen Grant (before 2009)<br>Sydney Shapiro (2012–present)
| spouse       = {{marriage|Sydney Shapiro|2012}}
| children = 4
| children     = 4
| relatives = Hassan Khosrowshahi (uncle)
| employer    = Uber Technologies, Inc.
| website = {{URL|https://www.uber.com/iq/en/about/leadership/dara-khosrowshahi/}}
| title        = Chief Executive Officer
}}
}}


'''Dara Khosrowshahi''' ({{lang-fa|دارا خسروشاهی}}; born May 28, 1969) is an Iranian-American business executive who serves as the chief executive officer of [[Uber|Uber Technologies, Inc.]] Born in [[Tehran]], Iran, Khosrowshahi and his family fled the country during the [[Iranian Revolution]] of 1979, eventually settling in the United States, where he would build a career in the technology and travel industries. Before joining Uber in 2017, he served for over a decade as the CEO of [[Expedia Group]], overseeing the growth of one of the world's largest online travel companies. Khosrowshahi was selected to lead Uber at a time when the ride-hailing company was embroiled in a series of corporate scandals and leadership crises, and he has been credited with stabilizing the company's operations, guiding it through its initial public offering in 2019, and steering it toward profitability.<ref>{{cite news |last=Isaac |first=Mike |date=2017-08-28 |title=Uber Turns to a New C.E.O.: Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/technology/dara-khosrowshahi-uber-ceo.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Under his leadership, Uber has expanded its operations to more than 70 countries and grown its monthly active user base to over 200 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.uber.com/iq/en/about/leadership/dara-khosrowshahi/ |publisher=Uber |date=2026-02-18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Dara Khosrowshahi Just Delivered Incredible News for Uber Stock Investors |url=https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/dara-khosrowshahi-just-delivered-incredible-news-uber-stock-investors |publisher=Nasdaq |date=2026-02 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He has also served on the boards of [[BET.com]], [[Hotels.com]], and [[The New York Times Company]].
'''Dara Khosrowshahi''' ({{lang-fa|دارا خسروشاهی}}; born May 28, 1969) is an Iranian-American business executive who serves as the chief executive officer of [[Uber]]. Born in Tehran before his family fled Iran in the wake of the [[Iranian Revolution]], Khosrowshahi rose through the ranks of American corporate life to lead two of the country's most prominent technology companies. He served as CEO of [[Expedia Group]] from 2005 to 2017, overseeing the travel company's growth into a global aggregator of travel fare services.<ref name="nyt-uber">{{cite news |last=Isaac |first=Mike |date=2017-08-28 |title=Uber Turns to Dara Khosrowshahi to Mend Its Broken Culture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/technology/dara-khosrowshahi-uber-ceo.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In August 2017, he was selected to lead Uber at a time when the ride-hailing giant was engulfed in a series of corporate scandals and leadership crises. Since taking the helm, Khosrowshahi has managed the company's operations across more than 70 countries and guided it through its initial public offering in 2019 and a dramatic financial turnaround from billions of dollars in annual losses to profitability.<ref name="uber-bio">{{cite web |title=Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.uber.com/iq/en/about/leadership/dara-khosrowshahi/ |publisher=Uber |date= |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="blackcountry">{{cite web |title=Uber CEO: At Uber, If You Don't Perform, You're Out! Uber Was Losing $3b A Year |url=https://www.blackcountryradio.co.uk/podcasts/the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-steven-bartlett/episode/uber-ceo-at-uber-if-you-dont-perform-youre-out-uber-was-losing-3b-a-year/ |publisher=Black Country Radio |date=2026-02-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He has also served on the board of directors of BET.com and Hotels.com, and was formerly a member of the board of [[The New York Times Company]].


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


Dara Khosrowshahi was born on May 28, 1969, in Tehran, Iran, into a wealthy and prominent Iranian family. His uncle, [[Hassan Khosrowshahi]], is a well-known Canadian businessman. The Khosrowshahi family owned a large conglomerate in Iran, but the [[Iranian Revolution]] of 1979 upended their lives. When the revolution swept through the country, the family's businesses were seized, and the Khosrowshahis were forced to flee.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Hayley |date=2017-08-28 |title=The amazing life of Uber's new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/amazing-life-of-uber-new-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-2017-8 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Uber CEO: At Uber, If You Don't Perform, You're Out! Uber Was Losing $3b A Year |url=https://www.blackcountryradio.co.uk/podcasts/the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-steven-bartlett/episode/uber-ceo-at-uber-if-you-dont-perform-youre-out-uber-was-losing-3b-a-year/ |publisher=Black Country Radio |date=2026-02-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Dara Khosrowshahi was born on May 28, 1969, in Tehran, Iran, into a prominent and wealthy Iranian family. His family had significant business interests in Iran before the [[Iranian Revolution]] of 1979. His uncle, [[Hassan Khosrowshahi]], was also a prominent business figure.<ref name="bi-life">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2017-08 |title=The amazing life of Uber's new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/amazing-life-of-uber-new-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-2017-8 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Khosrowshahi was approximately nine years old at the time of the revolution. The family initially relocated to the south of France before eventually emigrating to the United States. They settled in the New York area, where Khosrowshahi grew up and attended school. The experience of displacement and starting over in a new country shaped his worldview and, by his own later accounts, influenced his approach to leadership and risk-taking.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Hayley |date=2017-08-28 |title=The amazing life of Uber's new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/amazing-life-of-uber-new-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-2017-8 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The Khosrowshahi family fled Iran during the revolution when Dara was a young child. The upheaval forced the family to leave behind much of their wealth and established life in Iran. The family eventually settled in the United States, where Dara would grow up and pursue his education and career.<ref name="bi-life" /><ref name="blackcountry" />


The Khosrowshahi family adapted to life in the United States, and despite having lost their business holdings in Iran, they rebuilt their lives. Dara Khosrowshahi has been recognized by the U.S. Embassy in Iran as a prominent Iranian-American.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prominent Iranian Americans |url=https://ir.usembassy.gov/education-culture/prominent-iranian-americans/ |publisher=U.S. Embassy in Iran |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He became an American citizen and has spoken publicly about how his immigrant background informs his perspective as a business leader.
Khosrowshahi's experience as an immigrant and refugee has been a recurring theme in his public life and professional identity. The family's escape from Iran during a period of political turmoil shaped his worldview and, by his own accounts, influenced his approach to business leadership. He has spoken publicly about the experience, including in interviews where he described the circumstances of his family's departure from Iran.<ref name="blackcountry" /><ref name="wapo-things">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2017-08-28 |title=6 things to know about Uber's CEO pick, Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/08/28/6-things-to-know-about-ubers-ceo-pick-dara-khosrowshahi/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Khosrowshahi is recognized among prominent [[Iranian Americans]] who have achieved distinction in the United States.<ref name="usembassy">{{cite web |title=Prominent Iranian Americans |url=https://ir.usembassy.gov/education-culture/prominent-iranian-americans/ |publisher=U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Iran |date= |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Education ==
== Education ==


Khosrowshahi attended [[Brown University]] in Providence, Rhode Island, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. His time at Brown provided the academic foundation for his subsequent career in finance and technology.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Hayley |date=2017-08-28 |title=The amazing life of Uber's new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/amazing-life-of-uber-new-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-2017-8 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> After graduating from Brown, Khosrowshahi entered the world of investment banking and corporate finance, launching a career that would eventually lead him to the upper echelons of the American technology industry.
Khosrowshahi attended [[Brown University]], an Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. His education at Brown provided the foundation for his subsequent career in finance and technology.<ref name="bi-life" /><ref name="uber-bio" />


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early Career and Allen & Company ===
=== Early Career and Rise at IAC ===
 
After completing his degree at Brown University, Khosrowshahi entered the world of finance and corporate management. He eventually joined [[IAC (company)|IAC/InterActiveCorp]], the media and internet conglomerate controlled by [[Barry Diller]]. At IAC, Khosrowshahi gained significant experience in the digital economy and corporate dealmaking, rising through the executive ranks. His work at IAC positioned him as a key figure in the company's portfolio of internet businesses, which included Expedia.<ref name="bloomberg-howdid">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2017 |title=How Did I Get Here: Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2017-how-did-i-get-here/dara-khosrowshahi.html |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="bizjournals-dealmaker">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2016-12-09 |title=Dara Khosrowshahi: Expedia CEO dealmaker profile |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2016/12/09/dara-khosrowshahi-expedia-ceo-dealmaker-profile.html |work=Puget Sound Business Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


After completing his studies at Brown University, Khosrowshahi began his career in investment banking. He joined [[Allen & Company]], a boutique investment bank based in New York City that specializes in media, entertainment, and technology deals. At Allen & Company, he developed expertise in corporate finance, mergers, and acquisitions—skills that would prove instrumental in his later executive roles. His work at the firm brought him into contact with major players in the technology and media industries and gave him an extensive network of business relationships.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-08-28 |title=How Did I Get Here? Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2017-how-did-i-get-here/dara-khosrowshahi.html |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== CEO of Expedia Group (2005–2017) ===


It was through his work at Allen & Company that Khosrowshahi came into contact with [[Barry Diller]], the media mogul who controlled [[IAC (company)|IAC/InterActiveCorp]], a holding company with interests in a range of internet businesses. This relationship would define the next phase of Khosrowshahi's career.
In 2005, Khosrowshahi was appointed chief executive officer of [[Expedia Group]], following the company's spin-off from IAC as an independent publicly traded entity.<ref name="nyt-2005">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2005-08-08 |title=Expedia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/technology/08expedia.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Under his leadership over the next twelve years, Expedia grew into one of the world's largest online travel companies, overseeing a portfolio of brands that included Hotels.com, Orbitz, Travelocity, and other travel fare aggregation services.


=== Expedia Group ===
Khosrowshahi was recognized for his acumen as a dealmaker during his tenure at Expedia. He orchestrated a series of acquisitions that expanded the company's reach and market share in the online travel industry.<ref name="bizjournals-dealmaker" /> Under his stewardship, Expedia consolidated its position as one of the dominant players in online travel booking.


Khosrowshahi's association with Barry Diller and IAC led him to the online travel industry. IAC owned Expedia, one of the earliest and most prominent online travel agencies. Khosrowshahi rose through the ranks at IAC and its subsidiary companies, and in 2005, he was named the chief executive officer of Expedia, Inc., when the company was spun off as an independent publicly traded entity.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-08-08 |title=Expedia, an Online Travel Company, Spins Off |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/technology/08expedia.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
His compensation at Expedia drew attention in 2016, when he was identified as one of the highest-paid CEOs in the United States.<ref name="fortune-pay">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2016-05-25 |title=Dara CEO pay highest |url=http://fortune.com/2016/05/25/dara-ceo-pay-highest/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The combination of his base salary, bonuses, and stock awards placed him among the top earners in the American corporate landscape.


As CEO of Expedia, Khosrowshahi oversaw a period of significant expansion. The company grew into the Expedia Group, a portfolio of brands that included Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotwire, Trivago, and several others. Under his leadership, Expedia became one of the largest travel companies in the world by revenue and market capitalization. He was known for executing an aggressive acquisition strategy, bringing numerous competing brands under the Expedia umbrella to create a diversified portfolio of travel fare aggregators and booking platforms.<ref>{{cite news |last=Grind |first=Kirsten |date=2016-12-09 |title=Dara Khosrowshahi, Expedia CEO, Dealmaker Profile |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2016/12/09/dara-khosrowshahi-expedia-ceo-dealmaker-profile.html |work=Seattle Business Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Khosrowshahi's long tenure at Expedia established his reputation as a steady, experienced operator capable of managing complex, global technology businesses. This track record would later prove instrumental in his selection as CEO of Uber.


Khosrowshahi's tenure at Expedia also drew attention for his compensation. In 2015, he received a pay package that made him one of the highest-paid CEOs in the United States, drawing scrutiny from governance watchdogs and the business press.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-05-25 |title=Dara Khosrowshahi, Expedia CEO, Among Highest-Paid |url=http://fortune.com/2016/05/25/dara-ceo-pay-highest/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He led Expedia for more than twelve years, a long stint by the standards of public company CEOs, and built a reputation as a capable and experienced leader of large-scale technology businesses. His departure from Expedia to join Uber reportedly required significant financial incentives, as he was estimated to need at least $200 million to compensate for the stock and equity he would forfeit by leaving Expedia.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-08-28 |title=Uber's New CEO May Need at Least $200 Million to Leave Expedia |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-28/uber-s-new-ceo-may-need-at-least-200-million-to-leave-expedia |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Appointment as Uber CEO (2017) ===


=== Appointment as CEO of Uber ===
In August 2017, Uber's board of directors selected Khosrowshahi to serve as the company's new chief executive officer, replacing co-founder [[Travis Kalanick]], who had resigned amid a cascade of scandals involving allegations of workplace harassment, corporate espionage, and a toxic corporate culture.<ref name="nyt-uber" /><ref name="cnbc-announced">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2017-08-29 |title=Uber's new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi officially announced as new chief |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/29/uber-new-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-officially-announced-as-new-chief.html |work=CNBC |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In August 2017, Uber's board of directors selected Khosrowshahi as the company's new chief executive officer, replacing co-founder [[Travis Kalanick]], who had resigned amid a cascade of scandals including allegations of a toxic workplace culture, sexual harassment, executive misconduct, and legal disputes. The search for a new CEO had been a highly public and contentious process, with multiple candidates considered, including former General Electric CEO [[Jeff Immelt]] and Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO [[Meg Whitman]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Isaac |first=Mike |date=2017-08-28 |title=Uber Turns to a New C.E.O.: Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/technology/dara-khosrowshahi-uber-ceo.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2017-08-29 |title=Uber new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi officially announced as new chief |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/29/uber-new-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-officially-announced-as-new-chief.html |work=CNBC |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The selection of Khosrowshahi was reported as a choice that signaled the board's desire for a mature, experienced leader who could stabilize the company and repair its damaged reputation. The ''Economist'' noted that he faced the challenge of tackling enormous financial losses, ongoing lawsuits, and the influence of his predecessor.<ref name="economist">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2017-08 |title=Uber picks Dara Khosrowshahi as its new boss |url=https://www.economist.com/news/business-and-finance/21727855-he-must-tackle-huge-losses-lawsuits-and-meddling-predecessor-uber-picks-dara |work=The Economist |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


The selection of Khosrowshahi was seen by analysts and industry observers as a choice designed to bring stability, corporate governance experience, and credibility to a company in crisis. ''The Economist'' noted that the new CEO would need to tackle enormous losses, ongoing lawsuits, and the potential meddling of his predecessor.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-08-28 |title=Uber picks Dara Khosrowshahi as its new boss |url=https://www.economist.com/news/business-and-finance/21727855-he-must-tackle-huge-losses-lawsuits-and-meddling-predecessor-uber-picks-dara |work=The Economist |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' described him as a "low-key" and "diplomatic" leader in contrast to the combative style that had characterized Uber under Kalanick.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-08-28 |title=6 things to know about Uber's CEO pick, Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/08/28/6-things-to-know-about-ubers-ceo-pick-dara-khosrowshahi/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The ''Mercury News'' similarly profiled him as an experienced dealmaker with a track record of building large technology businesses.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-08-28 |title=New Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi: What you need to know |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/08/28/new-uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-what-you-need-to-know/ |work=The Mercury News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Khosrowshahi's departure from Expedia required significant financial consideration. Bloomberg reported that Uber may have needed to provide at least $200 million in compensation to entice him to leave Expedia, where he had accumulated substantial unvested stock awards.<ref name="bloomberg-200m">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2017-08-28 |title=Uber's New CEO May Need at Least $200 Million to Leave Expedia |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-28/uber-s-new-ceo-may-need-at-least-200-million-to-leave-expedia |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The ''Mercury News'' reported on the key details of Khosrowshahi's background and qualifications at the time of his selection.<ref name="mercury">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2017-08-28 |title=New Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi: What you need to know |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/08/28/new-uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-what-you-need-to-know/ |work=The Mercury News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Khosrowshahi's total compensation at Uber for his first full year was reported to be approximately $45 million, though the company's chief operating officer received even more.<ref>{{cite news |date=2019 |title=Uber gave CEO Dara Khosrowshahi $45 million in total pay last year, but it paid its COO even more |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/Uber-gave-CEO-Dara-Khosrowshahi-45-million-in-total-pay-last-year-but-it-paid-its-COO-even-more/articleshow/68841571.cms |work=Business Insider India |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Leading Uber's Turnaround ===


=== Turnaround and IPO ===
Upon taking the reins at Uber, Khosrowshahi inherited a company that was losing approximately $3 billion per year.<ref name="blackcountry" /> He set about restructuring the company's culture and financial operations, implementing a performance-driven management philosophy. In interviews, he has described an approach where employees who do not perform are removed from the organization.<ref name="blackcountry" />


Upon taking the helm at Uber, Khosrowshahi faced a series of urgent challenges: the company was losing approximately $3 billion per year, its reputation was damaged, employee morale was low, and regulatory battles continued to mount in cities around the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Uber CEO: At Uber, If You Don't Perform, You're Out! Uber Was Losing $3b A Year |url=https://www.blackcountryradio.co.uk/podcasts/the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-steven-bartlett/episode/uber-ceo-at-uber-if-you-dont-perform-youre-out-uber-was-losing-3b-a-year/ |publisher=Black Country Radio |date=2026-02-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He moved to overhaul the company's internal culture, implement new corporate governance standards, and refocus the business on a path to sustainability.
One of the defining moments of his early tenure was leading Uber through its [[initial public offering]]. On May 10, 2019, Uber went public on the [[New York Stock Exchange]]. Khosrowshahi wrote a letter to employees on the occasion of the IPO, marking it as a significant milestone in the company's history.<ref name="bloomberg-ipo">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2019-05-10 |title=Read Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi's Letter to Employees on IPO Day |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-10/read-uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-s-letter-to-employees-on-ipo-day |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


One of Khosrowshahi's most significant early accomplishments was leading Uber through its [[initial public offering]] (IPO) on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] in May 2019. The IPO was one of the largest in technology history. On IPO day, Khosrowshahi addressed employees in a letter, reflecting on the milestone and the challenges ahead.<ref>{{cite news |date=2019-05-10 |title=Read Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi's Letter to Employees on IPO Day |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-10/read-uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-s-letter-to-employees-on-ipo-day |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The IPO marked a pivotal moment in Uber's transition from a privately held startup to a publicly accountable corporation.
In 2019, Uber reported that Khosrowshahi received approximately $45 million in total compensation, though the company's chief operating officer was reported to have received even more.<ref name="bi-pay">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2019 |title=Uber gave CEO Dara Khosrowshahi $45 million in total pay last year, but it paid its COO even more |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/Uber-gave-CEO-Dara-Khosrowshahi-45-million-in-total-pay-last-year-but-it-paid-its-COO-even-more/articleshow/68841571.cms |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In the years following the IPO, Khosrowshahi oversaw Uber's financial turnaround. The company, which had posted large quarterly losses for years, moved toward profitability under his leadership. He instituted a performance-driven culture, stating publicly that at Uber, employees who do not perform are let go.<ref>{{cite web |title=Uber CEO: At Uber, If You Don't Perform, You're Out! Uber Was Losing $3b A Year |url=https://www.blackcountryradio.co.uk/podcasts/the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-steven-bartlett/episode/uber-ceo-at-uber-if-you-dont-perform-youre-out-uber-was-losing-3b-a-year/ |publisher=Black Country Radio |date=2026-02-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He also expanded Uber's business lines, with [[Uber Eats]] becoming a major revenue driver, and Uber Freight growing as a logistics platform.
The financial turnaround of Uber under Khosrowshahi's leadership has been a central element of his tenure. The company transitioned from years of significant operating losses toward profitability. By 2026, Uber's network had grown to serve more than 200 million monthly active users worldwide, cementing its position as the largest ride-hailing platform globally.<ref name="nasdaq">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02 |title=Dara Khosrowshahi Just Delivered Incredible News for Uber Stock Investors |url=https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/dara-khosrowshahi-just-delivered-incredible-news-uber-stock-investors |work=Nasdaq |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Autonomous Vehicles and AI Strategy ===
=== Autonomous Vehicles and AI Strategy ===


Under Khosrowshahi's leadership, Uber has pursued a strategy of partnering with autonomous vehicle companies rather than developing its own self-driving technology in-house, after the company sold its autonomous vehicle unit, Advanced Technologies Group, in 2020. In early 2026, Khosrowshahi publicly stated his prediction that the majority of Uber rides could be operated by autonomous vehicles within 20 years. He has emphasized that business leaders must begin to reckon with the broader economic implications of artificial intelligence and job displacement.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Uber CEO predicts most rides could be robot-operated within 20 years |url=https://fortune.com/2026/02/23/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-robotaxis-autonomous-vehicles-diary-of-a-ceo-podcast/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
A significant dimension of Khosrowshahi's leadership at Uber has been the company's evolving strategy around [[autonomous vehicles]] and [[artificial intelligence]]. In February 2026, Khosrowshahi predicted that most Uber rides could be operated by robots within 20 years, while acknowledging the potential impact of AI-driven job displacement on the company's millions of drivers.<ref name="fortune-robotaxi">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-23 |title=Uber CEO predicts most rides could be robot-operated within 20 years |url=https://fortune.com/2026/02/23/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-robotaxis-autonomous-vehicles-diary-of-a-ceo-podcast/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Khosrowshahi has also positioned Uber's food delivery and freight operations as a potential competitive advantage in the emerging robotaxi market, arguing that delivering food and other items could be key to making autonomous vehicles economically viable.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says Uber has a quiet edge in the robotaxi wars |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-eats-freight-could-be-edge-robotaxis-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-2026-2 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In February 2026, Khosrowshahi drew attention for his comments about corporate adoption of AI, stating that many companies are "play-acting" with artificial intelligence rather than genuinely transforming their operations. He argued that real integration of AI requires "breaking down the rules" and fundamentally restructuring how businesses operate.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Says Companies Are 'Play-Acting' With AI |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-says-203121736.html |work=Yahoo Finance |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Khosrowshahi has argued that Uber possesses a competitive advantage in the emerging [[robotaxi]] market through its existing delivery and freight businesses. He has stated that delivering food and other items through [[Uber Eats]] and Uber Freight could be key to making autonomous vehicles economically viable, providing additional revenue streams beyond passenger transportation.<ref name="bi-robotaxi">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02 |title=CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says Uber has a quiet edge in the robotaxi wars |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-eats-freight-could-be-edge-robotaxis-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-2026-2 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Khashoggi Controversy ===
His public commentary on AI has extended beyond autonomous vehicles. In early 2026, Khosrowshahi criticized many companies for what he described as "play-acting" with artificial intelligence, arguing that while 90 percent of companies planned to increase their AI spending, few were undertaking the fundamental organizational changes required to realize the technology's potential. He stated that meaningful AI adoption required "breaking down the rules" of how companies operate.<ref name="yahoo-ai">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02 |title=Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Says Companies Are 'Play-Acting' With AI |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-says-203121736.html |work=Yahoo Finance |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In November 2019, Khosrowshahi faced significant public backlash after comments he made during an interview with ''Axios on HBO'' regarding the murder of journalist [[Jamal Khashoggi]] by Saudi agents. Khosrowshahi characterized the killing as a "mistake," a description that drew immediate and widespread criticism. Saudi Arabia's [[Public Investment Fund]] is a major investor in Uber. Khosrowshahi subsequently apologized and clarified his remarks, calling the murder "reprehensible and without justification."<ref>{{cite news |date=2019-11-11 |title=Uber CEO calls slaying of Jamal Khashoggi a 'mistake,' compares it to self-driving car crash |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/11/11/uber-ceo-calls-slaying-jamal-khashoggi-mistake-compares-it-self-driving-car-crash/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2019-11-11 |title=Uber boss regrets calling Khashoggi murder a 'mistake' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50373852 |work=BBC News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In a widely discussed interview on ''The Diary of a CEO'' podcast in February 2026, Khosrowshahi discussed the future of driverless cars, Uber's financial transformation, and his personal background, including his family's flight from Iran.<ref name="blackcountry" /><ref name="singju">{{cite web |title=Diary of A CEO: with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi (Transcript) |url=https://singjupost.com/diary-of-a-ceo-with-uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-transcript/ |publisher=The Singju Post |date=2026-02-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


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


Khosrowshahi has been married twice. His first marriage was to Kathleen Grant; the couple divorced before 2009. In 2012, he married Sydney Shapiro. He has four children.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Hayley |date=2017-08-28 |title=The amazing life of Uber's new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/amazing-life-of-uber-new-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-2017-8 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Khosrowshahi has been married twice. His first marriage was to Kathleen Grant, which ended before 2009. He married Sydney Shapiro in 2012, and the couple remain together. He has four children.<ref name="bi-life" />


Khosrowshahi has made political contributions over the years. Federal Election Commission records show donations to various political candidates and committees.<ref>{{cite web |title=Individual Contributions: Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Dara+Khosrowshahi |publisher=Federal Election Commission |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In November 2019, Khosrowshahi drew significant public criticism for comments he made during an interview with ''Axios'' in which he referred to the murder of [[Jamal Khashoggi]]—the journalist killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018—as a "mistake." He drew a comparison between the killing and a fatal crash involving one of Uber's self-driving test vehicles. Saudi Arabia's [[Public Investment Fund]] is a major investor in Uber. Khosrowshahi later walked back the remarks, stating that he had used the wrong word and that the killing of Khashoggi was "reprehensible and should not be forgotten or excused."<ref name="bbc-khashoggi">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2019-11 |title=Uber CEO Khosrowshahi calls Khashoggi killing 'mistake' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50373852 |work=BBC News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="wapo-khashoggi">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2019-11-11 |title=Uber CEO calls slaying of Jamal Khashoggi a 'mistake,' compares it to self-driving car crash |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/11/11/uber-ceo-calls-slaying-jamal-khashoggi-mistake-compares-it-self-driving-car-crash/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


His uncle, Hassan Khosrowshahi, is a Canadian-Iranian businessman who founded the Future Group, a diversified conglomerate based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The family's business acumen spans multiple generations and continents.
Records from the [[Federal Election Commission]] indicate that Khosrowshahi has made political contributions during his time as a corporate executive.<ref name="fec">{{cite web |title=Individual contributions: Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Dara+Khosrowshahi |publisher=Federal Election Commission |date= |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Khosrowshahi has spoken publicly about his experience as an immigrant and the influence his family's displacement from Iran had on his outlook. In a 2026 interview on the podcast ''The Diary of a CEO'' with Steven Bartlett, he discussed his family's escape from Iran, his leadership philosophy at Uber, and the future of the ride-hailing industry in an age of artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Diary of A CEO: with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi (Transcript) |url=https://singjupost.com/diary-of-a-ceo-with-uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-transcript/ |publisher=The Singju Post |date=2026-02-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Khosrowshahi has received recognition from multiple media outlets and business organizations for his leadership and influence. He was named to the ''San Francisco Business Times'' Newsmaker 100 list, highlighting him as one of the most notable figures in the San Francisco Bay Area's business community.<ref>{{cite web |title=San Francisco Business Times Newsmaker 100: Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/c/bay-area-newsmaker-100-people-to-know/41869/newsmaker-100-dara-khosrowshahi.html |publisher=The Business Journals |date=2026-02-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Khosrowshahi has been recognized for his role in leading two major technology companies and for his status as one of the most prominent Iranian-American business figures. The U.S. Embassy has listed him among prominent Iranian Americans.<ref name="usembassy" />


His appointment as Uber CEO in 2017 was itself a major media event, covered extensively by ''The New York Times'', ''The Washington Post'', ''The Economist'', ''Bloomberg'', ''CNBC'', ''Fortune'', and other major news outlets globally.<ref>{{cite news |last=Isaac |first=Mike |date=2017-08-28 |title=Uber Turns to a New C.E.O.: Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/technology/dara-khosrowshahi-uber-ceo.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He has been profiled by ''Bloomberg'' for his career trajectory and leadership style.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-08-28 |title=How Did I Get Here? Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2017-how-did-i-get-here/dara-khosrowshahi.html |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
His compensation at both Expedia and Uber has placed him among the highest-paid executives in the technology industry. At Expedia, he was identified as one of the highest-paid CEOs in the United States in 2016.<ref name="fortune-pay" /> At Uber, his total compensation in 2019 was reported at approximately $45 million.<ref name="bi-pay" />


The U.S. Embassy in Iran has listed Khosrowshahi among prominent Iranian-Americans, recognizing his contributions to American business and industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prominent Iranian Americans |url=https://ir.usembassy.gov/education-culture/prominent-iranian-americans/ |publisher=U.S. Embassy in Iran |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2026, Khosrowshahi was named to the ''San Francisco Business Times'' Newsmaker 100, a list of the most influential people in the San Francisco Bay Area business community.<ref name="bizjournals-newsmaker">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02 |title=San Francisco Business Times Newsmaker 100: Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/c/bay-area-newsmaker-100-people-to-know/41869/newsmaker-100-dara-khosrowshahi.html |work=San Francisco Business Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


His board memberships have included BET.com, Hotels.com, and The New York Times Company, reflecting his standing in the broader media and technology landscape.
His leadership of Uber has been the subject of extensive coverage in major business and technology publications, including ''The New York Times'', ''Bloomberg'', ''Fortune'', ''The Economist'', and ''The Washington Post'', among others.


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Khosrowshahi's tenure at Uber represents one of the more notable corporate turnarounds in recent American business history. When he took over in 2017, the company was widely seen as dysfunctional, facing billion-dollar annual losses, severe reputational damage, and a hostile regulatory environment. Under his leadership, Uber reached profitability, completed one of the largest technology IPOs in history, and expanded its business lines beyond ride-hailing into food delivery, freight logistics, and autonomous vehicle partnerships.
Khosrowshahi's career is defined by his leadership of two major American technology companies during periods of significant transformation. At Expedia, he oversaw the company's growth from a newly independent public company into one of the dominant forces in online travel over a twelve-year tenure. At Uber, he was brought in specifically to stabilize and professionalize a company that had grown rapidly but was plagued by cultural and legal problems.


His career arc—from Iranian refugee to the leader of a multinational technology company—has made him a prominent figure in discussions about immigration and the American business landscape. He has been cited as an example of the contributions that immigrant entrepreneurs and executives make to the U.S. economy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prominent Iranian Americans |url=https://ir.usembassy.gov/education-culture/prominent-iranian-americans/ |publisher=U.S. Embassy in Iran |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The financial transformation of Uber under his leadership has been one of the most closely watched corporate turnarounds in the technology sector. When he arrived in 2017, the company was losing billions of dollars annually and was embroiled in lawsuits, regulatory battles, and internal strife.<ref name="economist" /><ref name="blackcountry" /> By the mid-2020s, Uber had achieved profitability and continued to expand its global operations, reaching more than 200 million monthly active users.<ref name="nasdaq" />


Khosrowshahi's public statements on artificial intelligence and the future of work have also contributed to broader industry conversations. His prediction that autonomous vehicles could operate the majority of Uber rides within 20 years, and his candid assessment that many companies are only "play-acting" with AI, have positioned him as a prominent voice on the intersection of technology, labor, and corporate strategy.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Uber CEO predicts most rides could be robot-operated within 20 years |url=https://fortune.com/2026/02/23/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-robotaxis-autonomous-vehicles-diary-of-a-ceo-podcast/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Says Companies Are 'Play-Acting' With AI |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-says-203121736.html |work=Yahoo Finance |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
His immigrant background has also been a notable aspect of his public identity. As an Iranian-American who fled his home country as a child during the revolution, his ascent to the top of two major American corporations has been cited as an example of immigrant achievement in the American business world.<ref name="usembassy" /><ref name="wapo-things" />


As of 2026, Khosrowshahi continues to serve as CEO of Uber, managing operations in more than 70 countries and overseeing a platform with over 200 million monthly active users.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dara Khosrowshahi |url=https://www.uber.com/iq/en/about/leadership/dara-khosrowshahi/ |publisher=Uber |date=2026-02-18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Dara Khosrowshahi Just Delivered Incredible News for Uber Stock Investors |url=https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/dara-khosrowshahi-just-delivered-incredible-news-uber-stock-investors |publisher=Nasdaq |date=2026-02 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Looking forward, Khosrowshahi's strategic vision for Uber increasingly centers on the integration of autonomous vehicle technology and artificial intelligence into the company's platform. His public statements in 2026 about the timeline for widespread adoption of robotaxis and the need for genuine organizational transformation around AI have positioned him as a prominent voice in the ongoing debate about the future of transportation and the impact of automation on the labor force.<ref name="fortune-robotaxi" /><ref name="yahoo-ai" />


== References ==
== References ==
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Revision as of 01:54, 24 February 2026


Dara Khosrowshahi
BornDara Khosrowshahi
28 5, 1969
BirthplaceTehran, Iran
NationalityIranian, American
OccupationCEO of Uber
Known forCEO of Uber, former CEO of Expedia Group
EducationBrown University (BS)
Spouse(s)Kathleen Grant (before 2009)
Sydney Shapiro (2012–present)
Children4
Website[https://www.uber.com/iq/en/about/leadership/dara-khosrowshahi/ Official site]

Dara Khosrowshahi (Template:Lang-fa; born May 28, 1969) is an Iranian-American business executive who serves as the chief executive officer of Uber. Born in Tehran before his family fled Iran in the wake of the Iranian Revolution, Khosrowshahi rose through the ranks of American corporate life to lead two of the country's most prominent technology companies. He served as CEO of Expedia Group from 2005 to 2017, overseeing the travel company's growth into a global aggregator of travel fare services.[1] In August 2017, he was selected to lead Uber at a time when the ride-hailing giant was engulfed in a series of corporate scandals and leadership crises. Since taking the helm, Khosrowshahi has managed the company's operations across more than 70 countries and guided it through its initial public offering in 2019 and a dramatic financial turnaround from billions of dollars in annual losses to profitability.[2][3] He has also served on the board of directors of BET.com and Hotels.com, and was formerly a member of the board of The New York Times Company.

Early Life

Dara Khosrowshahi was born on May 28, 1969, in Tehran, Iran, into a prominent and wealthy Iranian family. His family had significant business interests in Iran before the Iranian Revolution of 1979. His uncle, Hassan Khosrowshahi, was also a prominent business figure.[4]

The Khosrowshahi family fled Iran during the revolution when Dara was a young child. The upheaval forced the family to leave behind much of their wealth and established life in Iran. The family eventually settled in the United States, where Dara would grow up and pursue his education and career.[4][3]

Khosrowshahi's experience as an immigrant and refugee has been a recurring theme in his public life and professional identity. The family's escape from Iran during a period of political turmoil shaped his worldview and, by his own accounts, influenced his approach to business leadership. He has spoken publicly about the experience, including in interviews where he described the circumstances of his family's departure from Iran.[3][5]

Khosrowshahi is recognized among prominent Iranian Americans who have achieved distinction in the United States.[6]

Education

Khosrowshahi attended Brown University, an Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. His education at Brown provided the foundation for his subsequent career in finance and technology.[4][2]

Career

Early Career and Rise at IAC

After completing his degree at Brown University, Khosrowshahi entered the world of finance and corporate management. He eventually joined IAC/InterActiveCorp, the media and internet conglomerate controlled by Barry Diller. At IAC, Khosrowshahi gained significant experience in the digital economy and corporate dealmaking, rising through the executive ranks. His work at IAC positioned him as a key figure in the company's portfolio of internet businesses, which included Expedia.[7][8]

CEO of Expedia Group (2005–2017)

In 2005, Khosrowshahi was appointed chief executive officer of Expedia Group, following the company's spin-off from IAC as an independent publicly traded entity.[9] Under his leadership over the next twelve years, Expedia grew into one of the world's largest online travel companies, overseeing a portfolio of brands that included Hotels.com, Orbitz, Travelocity, and other travel fare aggregation services.

Khosrowshahi was recognized for his acumen as a dealmaker during his tenure at Expedia. He orchestrated a series of acquisitions that expanded the company's reach and market share in the online travel industry.[8] Under his stewardship, Expedia consolidated its position as one of the dominant players in online travel booking.

His compensation at Expedia drew attention in 2016, when he was identified as one of the highest-paid CEOs in the United States.[10] The combination of his base salary, bonuses, and stock awards placed him among the top earners in the American corporate landscape.

Khosrowshahi's long tenure at Expedia established his reputation as a steady, experienced operator capable of managing complex, global technology businesses. This track record would later prove instrumental in his selection as CEO of Uber.

Appointment as Uber CEO (2017)

In August 2017, Uber's board of directors selected Khosrowshahi to serve as the company's new chief executive officer, replacing co-founder Travis Kalanick, who had resigned amid a cascade of scandals involving allegations of workplace harassment, corporate espionage, and a toxic corporate culture.[1][11]

The selection of Khosrowshahi was reported as a choice that signaled the board's desire for a mature, experienced leader who could stabilize the company and repair its damaged reputation. The Economist noted that he faced the challenge of tackling enormous financial losses, ongoing lawsuits, and the influence of his predecessor.[12]

Khosrowshahi's departure from Expedia required significant financial consideration. Bloomberg reported that Uber may have needed to provide at least $200 million in compensation to entice him to leave Expedia, where he had accumulated substantial unvested stock awards.[13] The Mercury News reported on the key details of Khosrowshahi's background and qualifications at the time of his selection.[14]

Leading Uber's Turnaround

Upon taking the reins at Uber, Khosrowshahi inherited a company that was losing approximately $3 billion per year.[3] He set about restructuring the company's culture and financial operations, implementing a performance-driven management philosophy. In interviews, he has described an approach where employees who do not perform are removed from the organization.[3]

One of the defining moments of his early tenure was leading Uber through its initial public offering. On May 10, 2019, Uber went public on the New York Stock Exchange. Khosrowshahi wrote a letter to employees on the occasion of the IPO, marking it as a significant milestone in the company's history.[15]

In 2019, Uber reported that Khosrowshahi received approximately $45 million in total compensation, though the company's chief operating officer was reported to have received even more.[16]

The financial turnaround of Uber under Khosrowshahi's leadership has been a central element of his tenure. The company transitioned from years of significant operating losses toward profitability. By 2026, Uber's network had grown to serve more than 200 million monthly active users worldwide, cementing its position as the largest ride-hailing platform globally.[17]

Autonomous Vehicles and AI Strategy

A significant dimension of Khosrowshahi's leadership at Uber has been the company's evolving strategy around autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence. In February 2026, Khosrowshahi predicted that most Uber rides could be operated by robots within 20 years, while acknowledging the potential impact of AI-driven job displacement on the company's millions of drivers.[18]

Khosrowshahi has argued that Uber possesses a competitive advantage in the emerging robotaxi market through its existing delivery and freight businesses. He has stated that delivering food and other items through Uber Eats and Uber Freight could be key to making autonomous vehicles economically viable, providing additional revenue streams beyond passenger transportation.[19]

His public commentary on AI has extended beyond autonomous vehicles. In early 2026, Khosrowshahi criticized many companies for what he described as "play-acting" with artificial intelligence, arguing that while 90 percent of companies planned to increase their AI spending, few were undertaking the fundamental organizational changes required to realize the technology's potential. He stated that meaningful AI adoption required "breaking down the rules" of how companies operate.[20]

In a widely discussed interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast in February 2026, Khosrowshahi discussed the future of driverless cars, Uber's financial transformation, and his personal background, including his family's flight from Iran.[3][21]

Personal Life

Khosrowshahi has been married twice. His first marriage was to Kathleen Grant, which ended before 2009. He married Sydney Shapiro in 2012, and the couple remain together. He has four children.[4]

In November 2019, Khosrowshahi drew significant public criticism for comments he made during an interview with Axios in which he referred to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi—the journalist killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018—as a "mistake." He drew a comparison between the killing and a fatal crash involving one of Uber's self-driving test vehicles. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is a major investor in Uber. Khosrowshahi later walked back the remarks, stating that he had used the wrong word and that the killing of Khashoggi was "reprehensible and should not be forgotten or excused."[22][23]

Records from the Federal Election Commission indicate that Khosrowshahi has made political contributions during his time as a corporate executive.[24]

Recognition

Khosrowshahi has been recognized for his role in leading two major technology companies and for his status as one of the most prominent Iranian-American business figures. The U.S. Embassy has listed him among prominent Iranian Americans.[6]

His compensation at both Expedia and Uber has placed him among the highest-paid executives in the technology industry. At Expedia, he was identified as one of the highest-paid CEOs in the United States in 2016.[10] At Uber, his total compensation in 2019 was reported at approximately $45 million.[16]

In 2026, Khosrowshahi was named to the San Francisco Business Times Newsmaker 100, a list of the most influential people in the San Francisco Bay Area business community.[25]

His leadership of Uber has been the subject of extensive coverage in major business and technology publications, including The New York Times, Bloomberg, Fortune, The Economist, and The Washington Post, among others.

Legacy

Khosrowshahi's career is defined by his leadership of two major American technology companies during periods of significant transformation. At Expedia, he oversaw the company's growth from a newly independent public company into one of the dominant forces in online travel over a twelve-year tenure. At Uber, he was brought in specifically to stabilize and professionalize a company that had grown rapidly but was plagued by cultural and legal problems.

The financial transformation of Uber under his leadership has been one of the most closely watched corporate turnarounds in the technology sector. When he arrived in 2017, the company was losing billions of dollars annually and was embroiled in lawsuits, regulatory battles, and internal strife.[12][3] By the mid-2020s, Uber had achieved profitability and continued to expand its global operations, reaching more than 200 million monthly active users.[17]

His immigrant background has also been a notable aspect of his public identity. As an Iranian-American who fled his home country as a child during the revolution, his ascent to the top of two major American corporations has been cited as an example of immigrant achievement in the American business world.[6][5]

Looking forward, Khosrowshahi's strategic vision for Uber increasingly centers on the integration of autonomous vehicle technology and artificial intelligence into the company's platform. His public statements in 2026 about the timeline for widespread adoption of robotaxis and the need for genuine organizational transformation around AI have positioned him as a prominent voice in the ongoing debate about the future of transportation and the impact of automation on the labor force.[18][20]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 IsaacMikeMike"Uber Turns to Dara Khosrowshahi to Mend Its Broken Culture".The New York Times.2017-08-28.https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/technology/dara-khosrowshahi-uber-ceo.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Dara Khosrowshahi".Uber.https://www.uber.com/iq/en/about/leadership/dara-khosrowshahi/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Uber CEO: At Uber, If You Don't Perform, You're Out! Uber Was Losing $3b A Year".Black Country Radio.2026-02-23.https://www.blackcountryradio.co.uk/podcasts/the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-steven-bartlett/episode/uber-ceo-at-uber-if-you-dont-perform-youre-out-uber-was-losing-3b-a-year/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "The amazing life of Uber's new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi".Business Insider.2017-08.http://www.businessinsider.com/amazing-life-of-uber-new-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-2017-8.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "6 things to know about Uber's CEO pick, Dara Khosrowshahi".The Washington Post.2017-08-28.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/08/28/6-things-to-know-about-ubers-ceo-pick-dara-khosrowshahi/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Prominent Iranian Americans".U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Iran.https://ir.usembassy.gov/education-culture/prominent-iranian-americans/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "How Did I Get Here: Dara Khosrowshahi".Bloomberg.2017.https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2017-how-did-i-get-here/dara-khosrowshahi.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Dara Khosrowshahi: Expedia CEO dealmaker profile".Puget Sound Business Journal.2016-12-09.https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2016/12/09/dara-khosrowshahi-expedia-ceo-dealmaker-profile.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Expedia".The New York Times.2005-08-08.https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/technology/08expedia.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Dara CEO pay highest".Fortune.2016-05-25.http://fortune.com/2016/05/25/dara-ceo-pay-highest/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Uber's new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi officially announced as new chief".CNBC.2017-08-29.https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/29/uber-new-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-officially-announced-as-new-chief.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Uber picks Dara Khosrowshahi as its new boss".The Economist.2017-08.https://www.economist.com/news/business-and-finance/21727855-he-must-tackle-huge-losses-lawsuits-and-meddling-predecessor-uber-picks-dara.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ "Uber's New CEO May Need at Least $200 Million to Leave Expedia".Bloomberg.2017-08-28.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-28/uber-s-new-ceo-may-need-at-least-200-million-to-leave-expedia.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "New Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi: What you need to know".The Mercury News.2017-08-28.https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/08/28/new-uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-what-you-need-to-know/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "Read Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi's Letter to Employees on IPO Day".Bloomberg.2019-05-10.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-10/read-uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-s-letter-to-employees-on-ipo-day.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Uber gave CEO Dara Khosrowshahi $45 million in total pay last year, but it paid its COO even more".Business Insider.2019.https://www.businessinsider.in/Uber-gave-CEO-Dara-Khosrowshahi-45-million-in-total-pay-last-year-but-it-paid-its-COO-even-more/articleshow/68841571.cms.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Dara Khosrowshahi Just Delivered Incredible News for Uber Stock Investors".Nasdaq.2026-02.https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/dara-khosrowshahi-just-delivered-incredible-news-uber-stock-investors.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Uber CEO predicts most rides could be robot-operated within 20 years".Fortune.2026-02-23.https://fortune.com/2026/02/23/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-robotaxis-autonomous-vehicles-diary-of-a-ceo-podcast/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says Uber has a quiet edge in the robotaxi wars".Business Insider.2026-02.https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-eats-freight-could-be-edge-robotaxis-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-2026-2.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Says Companies Are 'Play-Acting' With AI".Yahoo Finance.2026-02.https://finance.yahoo.com/news/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-says-203121736.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ "Diary of A CEO: with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi (Transcript)".The Singju Post.2026-02-23.https://singjupost.com/diary-of-a-ceo-with-uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-transcript/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ "Uber CEO Khosrowshahi calls Khashoggi killing 'mistake'".BBC News.2019-11.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50373852.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ↑ "Uber CEO calls slaying of Jamal Khashoggi a 'mistake,' compares it to self-driving car crash".The Washington Post.2019-11-11.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/11/11/uber-ceo-calls-slaying-jamal-khashoggi-mistake-compares-it-self-driving-car-crash/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  24. ↑ "Individual contributions: Dara Khosrowshahi".Federal Election Commission.https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Dara+Khosrowshahi.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  25. ↑ "San Francisco Business Times Newsmaker 100: Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber".San Francisco Business Times.2026-02.https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/c/bay-area-newsmaker-100-people-to-know/41869/newsmaker-100-dara-khosrowshahi.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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