The Wall Street Journal recently published its 2023 list of the highest-paid CEOs in the US, featuring 17 executives of Indian descent, including Sundar Pichai of Alphabet Inc. and Shantanu Narayen of Adobe. Leading this illustrious group is an Indian-origin billionaire businessman who has become the second-highest-paid CEO in the US, just behind Hock Tan of Broadcom.
Meet Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora
Nikesh Arora serves as the CEO and Chairman of Palo Alto Networks, a multinational cybersecurity company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. The firm boasts a market capitalization of $91 billion (approximately Rs 7.5 lakh crore), according to DNA India.
In FY23, Arora’s total compensation reached a staggering $151.43 million (approximately Rs 1,260 crore), as reported by the Times of India. This impressive salary is primarily due to his stock options, making him the second-highest-paid CEO in the US, surpassing notable tech leaders like Sundar Pichai ($8.8 million or Rs 73 crore) and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg ($24.40 million or Rs 203 crore).
Palo Alto Networks justified Arora’s substantial pay package, citing his strong performance: “Because of this significant vested ownership and the amount that Mr. Arora was projected to vest in over the next several years, the Board determined that a meaningful equity award would be necessary to ensure that such award retains and engages Mr. Arora,” stated a company representative to Mint.
Nikesh Arora’s Decade-Long Google Stint
Before joining Palo Alto Networks, Nikesh Arora had already established a formidable reputation in the tech industry. He previously served as President and COO of SoftBank Group and spent a decade at Google, holding various significant positions including Senior Vice President and CBO, President of Global Sales Operations and Business Development, and President of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Arora was also the CMO at T-Mobile.
According to Mint, Arora became the highest-paid executive at Google in 2012, earning a package of $51 million (approximately Rs 424 crore). By the end of his tenure at Google, he had amassed $200 million (approximately Rs 1,664 crore) in stock awards.
Nikesh Arora’s Net Worth and Compensation at Palo Alto Networks
Nikesh Arora’s net worth stands at $1.5 billion (approximately Rs 12,486 crore), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index and Hindustan Times. His substantial compensation package at Palo Alto Networks, which he joined in 2018, included $125 million (approximately Rs 1,040 crore) in stock and options.
Nikesh Arora’s Educational Background
Hailing from an Indian Air Force family, Nikesh Arora completed his schooling at The Air Force School (TAFS) in Delhi. He holds an M.S. in Business Administration from Northeastern University, USA, an M.S. in Finance from Boston College, and a B. Tech. in Electrical Engineering from the Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi.
