Salesforce Hires Robin Washington as its New COFO

Salesforce hired 62-year-old Robin Washington, the board's lead independent director, on Wednesday, stealing its newest senior executive hire from within. Washington may be leaving other boards where she is a director, such as Alphabet and Honeywell International, in order to take on her executive responsibilities as president and chief operating and financial officer.

It seems that Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff focused on lead independent board member Robin Washington after scanning the boardroom.

The tech behemoth needed a new chief operating officer and chief financial officer, and Washington's experience provided both. Washington will assume a new executive position as president and chief operating and financial officer (COFO) beginning in March, according to a Wednesday announcement from the $333 billion Salesforce.

"I am thrilled to welcome Robin as COFO at this incredible moment when Al agents are redefining the workforce," said Marc Benioff, Salesforce's chairman and CEO. "Robin has been a trusted partner, advisor, and key architect of our strategy as we accelerate the growth of Agentforce, the first digital labour platform. Her operational expertise, financial knowledge, and strategic vision make her the ideal leader to guide Salesforce through this transformative shift. As we look ahead, I'm excited to collaborate with Robin in this newly created role, as well as our incredible Salesforce executive bench, to make this significant Agentforce opportunity a reality."

Washington, 62, has been a member of the board since 2013 and its lead director since 2022. She will take on two roles, one of which was previously held by COO Brian Millham, who will retire in May and become an advisor, according to the company. Salesforce announced in August that CFO Amy Weaver would step down as president and CFO once her successor was named. She will serve as Benioff's special advisor until April 2026. 

According to her offer letter, pending board approval, Washington will be offered a compensation package worth up to $38.5 million, assuming maximum payouts, goal achievement, and her continued employment at Salesforce.

The total potential value includes a base salary of $1.1 million, an annual cash bonus of up to $1.9 million, a one-time sign-on bonus of $8.5 million in cash, which she must repay if she leaves within two years, a performance-based equity grant with a potential maximum value of $18 million, and a time-based restricted-stock unit grant worth $9 million. 

Washington's new COFO role is likely to keep her extremely busy, despite her extensive executive track record. She previously worked as CFO at Hyperion Solutions and Gilead Sciences, and she currently serves on the boards of Alphabet, Honeywell International, Vertiv Holdings, and Eikon Therapeutics, a private biotech company. It is unclear whether she will step down from those board positions. 

"I am deeply honored to step into this role at such a defining moment for Salesforce and the entire industry," he said. "Having worked closely with Marc and the executive team for over a decade, I couldn't be more excited to help lead Salesforce and our global community of employees, customers, and Trailblazers into this agent-first era that will fundamentally change how businesses operate, innovate, and grow."

After Washington joins the company on March 21, 2025, Arnold Donald, former CEO of Carnival Corporation, will take over as the new lead independent director, according to Salesforce. Donald joined the Salesforce board in 2023, and he also serves on the Bank of America board.