Get to Know Nikesh Arora, the Second-Highest-Paid CEO in the US for 2023 at Palo Alto Networks with a Package of Rs 1,260 Crore

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Indian-American CEO Nikesh Arora Emerges as Second-Highest-Paid CEO in the US

The Wall Street Journal recently released its 2023 list of the highest-paid CEOs in the US, showcasing the success of 17 executives of Indian descent. Among these notable figures are Sundar Pichai of Alphabet Inc. and Shantanu Narayen of Adobe. However, leading this prestigious group is Indian-origin billionaire businessman Nikesh Arora, who has secured the position of the second-highest-paid CEO in the US, just behind Hock Tan of Broadcom.

Arora currently serves as the CEO and Chairman of Palo Alto Networks, a multinational cybersecurity company based in Santa Clara, California. With a market capitalization of $91 billion (approximately Rs 7.5 lakh crore), Palo Alto Networks has seen significant growth under Arora’s leadership.

In the fiscal year 2023, Arora’s total compensation soared to an impressive $151.43 million (approximately Rs 1,260 crore), as reported by the Times of India. This substantial salary is largely attributed to his stock options, propelling him to the second-highest-paid CEO in the US, surpassing renowned tech leaders like Sundar Pichai and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Palo Alto Networks defended Arora’s substantial pay package by highlighting his exceptional performance. A company representative stated to Mint, “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.”

Prior to his role at Palo Alto Networks, Arora had already made a name for himself in the tech industry. He previously held key positions at SoftBank Group and spent a decade at Google, where he served as Senior Vice President and CBO, President of Global Sales Operations and Business Development, and President of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Arora also served as the CMO at T-Mobile.

During his tenure at Google, Arora became the highest-paid executive in 2012, earning a package of $51 million (approximately Rs 424 crore). By the end of his time at Google, he had accumulated $200 million (approximately Rs 1,664 crore) in stock awards.

Arora’s net worth currently stands at $1.5 billion (approximately Rs 12,486 crore), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index and Hindustan Times. Since joining Palo Alto Networks in 2018, Arora has received a substantial compensation package, including $125 million (approximately Rs 1,040 crore) in stock and options.

Hailing from an Indian Air Force family, Arora completed his schooling at The Air Force School (TAFS) in Delhi. He holds an M.S. in Business Administration from Northeastern University, an M.S. in Finance from Boston College, and a B. Tech. in Electrical Engineering from the Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) in Varanasi.

Nikesh Arora’s remarkable journey from Google to Palo Alto Networks exemplifies his exceptional leadership and business acumen, solidifying his position as one of the top CEOs in the US. His impressive compensation and net worth underscore his significant contributions to the tech industry and his continued success in the corporate world.