Early Life
Peter Gassner was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1965, to Swiss immigrant parents. His father was an entrepreneur, and Gassner developed a strong work ethic from a young age. He worked various jobs, including paperboy and roofing, which helped shape his early life. His interest in computer science was sparked by a high school math teacher.
Rise to Success
Gassner earned a degree in computer science from Oregon State University in 1989. He began his career at IBM, working on database technology. He then moved to PeopleSoft, where he became Chief Architect and General Manager of PeopleTools. Later, he was Senior Vice President of Technology at Salesforce.com. In 2007, Gassner co-founded Veeva Systems with Matt Wallach, recognizing an opportunity for software focused on life sciences built on Salesforce's platform. He led Veeva through its successful IPO in 2013.
Key Business Strategies
Veeva's success stems from a focus on providing industry-specific solutions for the life sciences sector. This involves building cloud-based software for pharmaceutical and biotech companies, addressing their unique regulatory requirements. Gassner's emphasis on customer success and product quality has been fundamental to Veeva's growth. Veeva became the first U.S. public company to convert to a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), legally committing to balance shareholder interests with broader stakeholder benefits.
Philanthropy
Details of Peter Gassner's specific philanthropic activities are not widely available. However, his leadership in a Public Benefit Corporation demonstrates a commitment to broader stakeholder benefits beyond just profit, aligning with the goals of advancing innovation in life sciences and promoting ethical business practices.