Salesforce Appoints Robin Washington as President and COFO to Lead AI-Driven Transformation in the Agentforce Era
In a landmark announcement, Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), the world’s #1 AI-powered CRM platform, has named Robin Washington as its new President and Chief Operating and Financial Officer (COFO), effective March 21, 2025. This newly created role underscores Salesforce’s commitment to driving profitable growth, operational excellence, and financial innovation as the company accelerates its transformation into the Agentforce era, where AI agents are redefining the future of work.
A seasoned executive with decades of experience at the intersection of finance, strategy, and operations, Washington brings unparalleled expertise to this pivotal position. Her appointment comes at a transformative time for Salesforce, as businesses worldwide embrace AI-driven digital labor platforms like Agentforce to revolutionize how they operate, innovate, and grow.
A Visionary Leader for a Transformative Era
Robin Washington is no stranger to Salesforce, having served on its Board of Directors since 2013. During her tenure, she played a critical role in shaping the company’s financial and strategic direction, previously serving as Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee and as Lead Independent Director since 2022. Beyond Salesforce, Washington has held leadership roles at some of the world’s most respected companies, including Gilead Sciences, where she served as EVP and CFO, and Hyperion Solutions and PeopleSoft, where she honed her expertise in financial management and operational strategy.
“Robin has been a trusted partner, advisor, and key architect of our strategy,” said Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce. “As we accelerate the rise of Agentforce — the first digital labor platform — her operational mastery, financial expertise, and strategic vision make her the perfect leader to guide Salesforce through this transformational shift. I’m thrilled to welcome Robin as COFO and look forward to working with her and our incredible executive team to bring this significant opportunity to life.”
Washington’s appointment also marks a smooth transition of leadership within Salesforce. After an extraordinary 25-year career with the company, Brian Millham, Salesforce’s current President and Chief Operating Officer, will retire on May 1, 2025, transitioning into an advisory role. Millham’s contributions have been instrumental in shaping Salesforce’s success, from building its legendary sales organization to pioneering its Customer Success operations and driving operational and financial transformation.
“I want to thank Brian for his unwavering dedication and leadership over the past 25 years,” Benioff added. “From shaping our culture to driving our growth, Brian’s impact will be felt for decades to come.”
Leading Salesforce into the Agentforce Era
In her new role, Washington will spearhead Salesforce’s next phase of transformation, focusing on three key priorities:
- Driving Profitable Growth: Ensuring sustainable financial performance while expanding Salesforce’s market leadership.
- Operational Excellence: Streamlining processes and leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and scalability.
- Financial Strategy: Aligning resources to support Salesforce’s vision of becoming the leading platform for AI-driven digital labor.
“I am deeply honored to step into this role at such a defining moment for Salesforce and the industry,” said Washington. “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. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fundamentally change how businesses operate, innovate, and grow.”
A Smooth Leadership Transition
Following Washington’s appointment, Arnold Donald will assume the role of Lead Independent Director of Salesforce’s Board, ensuring continuity and governance excellence. Meanwhile, Amy Weaver, Salesforce’s current CFO, will transition from the company after a successor is named, marking the culmination of her impactful tenure.
Why This Matters for Salesforce and Its Customers
The appointment of Robin Washington as President and COFO reflects Salesforce’s commitment to staying ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and digital labor. With Agentforce, Salesforce is positioning itself as the cornerstone of the agentic era, empowering businesses to harness AI agents for everything from customer service to operational efficiency. Washington’s leadership will be critical in ensuring that Salesforce not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its global customer base.
Her extensive experience in financial stewardship and operational strategy, combined with her deep understanding of Salesforce’s mission and values, makes her uniquely qualified to lead the company into this new chapter. As businesses increasingly adopt AI-driven solutions, Salesforce’s ability to deliver seamless, scalable, and innovative tools will be a key differentiator in the marketplace.
About Robin Washington
Robin Washington’s career spans decades of leadership in finance and operations. Before joining Salesforce’s Board, she served as EVP and CFO of Gilead Sciences (2008–2019), where she played a pivotal role in scaling the company’s operations and financial performance. Prior to Gilead, she held senior roles at Hyperion Solutions and PeopleSoft, further solidifying her reputation as a strategic thinker and operational expert.
Currently, Washington serves on the boards of Alphabet Inc., Eikon Therapeutics, Honeywell International, and Vertiv Holdings Co. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University.
Salesforce’s Future in the AI-First World
With Robin Washington at the helm as President and COFO, Salesforce is poised to lead the charge in the AI-first, agent-driven economy. By combining cutting-edge technology with a relentless focus on customer success, Salesforce is setting the stage for a future where businesses can unlock unprecedented levels of productivity, innovation, and growth.
For more information about Salesforce’s leadership team and its vision for the future, visit Salesforce’s official website or explore their AI Platform HQ for real-time updates and insights.
