Early Life
Safra Ada Catz was born in December 1961 in Holon, Israel. At the age of six, she immigrated with her family to Brookline, Massachusetts, where she later graduated from Brookline High School. She pursued higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor's degree from the Wharton School in 1983 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1986.
Rise to Success
Catz began her career in investment banking at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ), eventually becoming a managing director. In 1999, she joined Oracle Corporation as a senior vice president. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a member of the board of directors in 2001, president in 2004, and CFO in 2005. In 2014, she was named co-CEO alongside Mark Hurd, and after Hurd's death in 2019, she became the sole CEO. As CEO, Catz played a key role in Oracle's strategic acquisitions and its transition to cloud computing. In September 2025, she stepped down as CEO and became Executive Vice Chair of the Board of Directors.
Key Business Strategies
Catz is known for her role in driving Oracle's acquisition strategy, spearheading over 130 acquisitions, including the $10.3 billion takeover of PeopleSoft. Her leadership was crucial in Oracle's transition to cloud services, which significantly boosted the company's revenue and market position.
Philanthropy
While specific amounts are difficult to pinpoint due to the lack of direct data, Catz has been involved in philanthropic efforts. In 2020, she and her husband donated $250,000 to President Trump's fundraising committee. She was also a global ambassador for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation in 2009-10.