Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, commended Shantanu Narayen, the Chief Executive of Adobe, for his remarkable leadership as he announced his resignation from the software company. Nadella congratulated Narayen on his significant contributions to building Adobe into one of the world’s most important software companies, expanding opportunities for creators, entrepreneurs, and brands globally.
Expressing admiration for Narayen’s empathetic approach to the creative process and his exemplary leadership, Nadella thanked him for his friendship, mentorship, and transformative impact on Adobe and the industry. Adobe, headquartered in San Jose, announced that Narayen, who has served as CEO for almost two decades, will step down from his role but continue as board chair to facilitate the leadership transition.
A special committee has been established by the board to oversee the selection of Narayen’s successor, considering candidates from both internal and external sources. Frank Calderoni, Lead Independent Director of Adobe, acknowledged Narayen’s role in driving Adobe’s evolution over the past 18 years and positioning the company for success in the era of artificial intelligence.
During Narayen’s leadership, Adobe transitioned from selling traditional software to a subscription-based cloud platform, expanding its offerings in digital media, creative tools, and customer experience services. Flagship products like Photoshop, Acrobat, and Creative Cloud have become essential tools for creators, businesses, and digital publishers worldwide, under Narayen’s guidance.
Reflecting on his tenure, Narayen highlighted the company’s growth from 3,000 to over 30,000 employees, the global impact of their technology on billions of users, and the substantial revenue growth from over $1 billion to approximately $25 billion.
