Salesforce has announced that Robin Washington will step into the role of Chief Operating and Financial Officer (COFO) effective March 21, 2025. Washington’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as the company focuses on redefining its operations and business model. With a deep background in finance and leadership, Washington will be at the forefront of Salesforce’s transformation into the “Agentic Era,” leading the company’s innovative AI-driven strategies.
Washington’s Role in Salesforce’s Strategic Transformation
In her new position, Robin Washington will oversee Salesforce’s growth and operational excellence, focusing on the integration of AI and the company’s new Agentforce platform. This platform is designed to transform digital labor, making business operations more efficient through advanced technology.
Washington, who has been with Salesforce’s Board of Directors since 2013, has a long track record of leadership in financial strategy and operational excellence. As COFO, she will guide Salesforce’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of Agentforce and establish the company as a leader in the AI-driven business revolution.
A Leader With Decades of Experience
Before joining Salesforce as COFO, Washington held significant roles at other well-known companies, including Gilead Sciences, Hyperion Solutions, and PeopleSoft. She served as Gilead’s Executive Vice President and CFO from 2008 to 2019, where she helped steer the company through rapid growth and innovation.
Washington is also a member of several prestigious corporate boards, including Alphabet, Honeywell International, and Eikon Therapeutics. Her career spans various industries, giving her the unique ability to lead Salesforce through its next phase of technological and business development.
Marc Benioff Applauds Washington’s Leadership
Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, expressed great excitement about Washington’s new role. “Robin has been a trusted partner and a key architect of our strategy,” Benioff said. “Her operational expertise, financial mastery, and strategic vision make her the perfect leader to guide us through this transformation.”
Salesforce’s leadership is counting on Washington to navigate the shift into the agentic era, which is defined by AI tools that optimize efficiency and enable innovation across industries. Washington’s experience in driving large-scale organizational change makes her uniquely suited to help Salesforce reach its ambitious goals.
Salesforce’s Transformation and the Agentic Era
The “Agentic Era” is a new chapter in business that focuses on the application of artificial intelligence to streamline operations and enhance business growth. Washington will be responsible for ensuring Salesforce remains a leader in AI solutions, pushing the boundaries of digital labor through Agentforce. This initiative is set to revolutionize the way businesses operate and how they innovate in an increasingly digital world.
By focusing on AI, Salesforce hopes to help companies drive profitability while enhancing their efficiency and operations. Washington will lead the charge in making this a reality for Salesforce’s global customer base, as she takes on her role as COFO.
Recognized as a Woman of Power
Robin Washington’s impact goes beyond Salesforce. Her transformative leadership earned her a spot as a 2025 Legacy Award honoree at the Women of Power Summit, a major event that gathers top female executives to discuss leadership and professional development. Washington will also be a speaker at the summit, where she will discuss peak performance and the unique challenges and opportunities women face in leadership roles.
This recognition is just one of many accomplishments in Washington’s remarkable career, underscoring her dedication to advancing women in leadership, particularly in the corporate and tech sectors.
A New Era for Salesforce’s Leadership
Washington’s appointment to COFO signals a new era for Salesforce’s leadership team. As part of this transition, longtime Chief Operating Officer Brian Millham will retire after 25 years of service. Millham’s leadership in sales and customer success has been integral to Salesforce’s growth, and he will continue to support the company in an advisory capacity.
With Washington now poised to lead the company’s next phase, Salesforce is set to strengthen its position as a trailblazer in both AI-driven business transformation and corporate leadership.
