The current Chief Executive Officer of Uber Technologies, Inc. is Dara Khosrowshahi. He has held this position since August 2017, when he was appointed by the board of directors to succeed the company’s co-founder and former CEO, Travis Kalanick. Khosrowshahi transitioned to Uber after a successful twelve-year tenure as the CEO of Expedia Group, where he was credited with significantly expanding the company’s global footprint and financial valuation.

Under the leadership of the current CEO, Uber has undergone a fundamental shift in its operational philosophy, moving from a period of aggressive, unregulated expansion to a focus on corporate governance, platform synergy, and sustainable profitability. As of 2024, the company operates in more than 70 countries and has expanded its services far beyond its original ride-sharing roots to include delivery, freight, and advertising.

The Tenure and Professional Background of Uber Leadership

Dara Khosrowshahi’s arrival at Uber marked a pivotal moment for the technology giant. In 2017, the company faced significant internal and external challenges, including legal disputes, regulatory scrutiny in major markets like London, and a need for cultural reform. Khosrowshahi’s background in engineering and finance provided a stabilizing influence during this transition.

Prior to joining Uber, Khosrowshahi served as the CEO of Expedia from 2005 to 2017. During his leadership at Expedia, the company’s annual revenue grew from approximately $2.1 billion to $8.7 billion. This growth was largely driven by a series of strategic acquisitions, including Travelocity, Orbitz, and HomeAway (purchased for $3.9 billion). His experience in managing a large-scale, two-sided marketplace prepared him for the complexities of Uber’s mobility and delivery ecosystem.

In addition to his role at Uber, Khosrowshahi serves on the board of directors of Expedia and has previously served on the board of The New York Times Company. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Brown University, which informs his data-driven approach to product development and algorithmic efficiency.

Strategic Shift Toward Sustainable Profitability

For much of its early history, Uber prioritized market share over net income, resulting in billions of dollars in annual losses. However, the current leadership has successfully pivoted the company toward fiscal responsibility.

The Path to the 2019 IPO and Beyond

One of the first major objectives of the new CEO was to prepare Uber for its initial public offering (IPO). In May 2019, Uber went public on the New York Stock Exchange with a valuation of roughly $82 billion. While the stock initially faced volatility, the management team focused on improving the underlying unit economics of each trip and delivery.

By 2023, Uber achieved a historic financial milestone: its first full year of operating profit. The company reported an operating profit of $1.1 billion and a net profit of $1.9 billion for the fiscal year 2023, a stark contrast to the $1.8 billion loss reported in 2022. This turnaround was achieved through rigorous cost-cutting measures, divestiture of non-core or loss-making assets (such as the sale of the ATG self-driving unit to Aurora), and the optimization of the company’s take rate.

Optimization of the Multi-Platform Model

The current CEO has championed the "One Uber" strategy, which seeks to integrate the company’s various services into a single, cohesive user experience. By cross-selling services—such as offering Uber Eats promotions to ride-sharing users—the company has reduced customer acquisition costs and increased the lifetime value of its users.

The introduction of Uber One, a cross-platform membership program, has been a cornerstone of this strategy. Members of Uber One tend to spend significantly more on the platform than non-members, providing a predictable and recurring revenue stream that appeals to institutional investors.

Diversification of Business Segments: Mobility, Delivery, and Freight

The leadership team has organized Uber into three primary business segments, each contributing to the company’s total gross bookings.

Mobility and Global Transportation

The Mobility segment remains the core of Uber’s business. Under the current CEO, Uber has focused on expanding its offerings to include more than just standard car rides. The platform now integrates public transit data, provides bike and scooter rentals, and offers premium services like Uber Black and Uber Reserve.

A significant focus has also been placed on regulatory compliance and driver relations. In 2023, the CEO participated in an undercover driver program, completing roughly 100 trips under an alias to gain firsthand insight into the challenges of the gig economy. This initiative led to several product updates designed to improve the driver experience, including more transparent upfront pay and better navigation tools.

Uber Eats and the Delivery Revolution

The Delivery segment, primarily Uber Eats, saw exponential growth during the global pandemic. While many ride-sharing platforms struggled during lockdowns, Uber’s diversified portfolio allowed it to capture the surge in demand for food and grocery delivery.

The current leadership has also overseen the acquisition of Postmates and Drizly to consolidate Uber’s position in the delivery market. Today, Uber Eats is not only a food delivery service but a comprehensive logistics platform for groceries, alcohol, and retail goods. The segment’s focus has now shifted from pure volume to achieving higher margins through advertising and retail partnerships.

Uber Freight and Logistics Technology

Uber Freight represents the company’s move into the $4 trillion global logistics industry. By applying the same marketplace technology used for ride-sharing to the trucking industry, Uber Freight aims to connect shippers with carriers more efficiently. This segment has focused on automating the freight brokerage process, reducing "empty miles," and providing real-time tracking and pricing for enterprise customers.

Future Outlook: Autonomous Vehicles and Artificial Intelligence

Looking ahead, the CEO of Uber has positioned the company as a key player in the autonomous vehicle (AV) revolution. Rather than building its own self-driving cars, Uber has adopted a partnership-led approach.

Strategic Partnerships with Waymo and Wayve

Uber has entered into significant agreements with AV leaders like Waymo to offer autonomous ride-hailing and delivery services directly through the Uber app. By integrating third-party AV fleets into its massive demand network, Uber avoids the capital-intensive costs of hardware development while maintaining its role as the primary interface for consumers.

In 2024, the company announced investments in Wayve, a UK-based AV startup, further signaling its commitment to AI-driven transportation. The CEO has emphasized that AI will not only drive the vehicles of the future but also optimize the existing marketplace by improving map accuracy, predicting demand patterns, and enhancing customer support through generative AI models.

AI and the Future of Work

The leadership team is also exploring how AI can create new opportunities for its global workforce of drivers and couriers. This includes "knowledge work" tasks such as labeling maps and grading AI responses, which can be performed by contractors to supplement their earnings from mobility and delivery.

Corporate Governance and the Executive Management Team

The success of Uber is not solely the result of its CEO but also the broader leadership team and board of directors. The current management structure is designed to balance technical innovation with financial discipline.

Key Executive Leadership

  • Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah (Chief Financial Officer): Appointed to oversee the company’s global finance functions and drive continued margin expansion.
  • Jill Hazelbaker (SVP, Marketing and Public Policy): Responsible for the company’s global brand, communications, and its complex relationship with regulators and governments.
  • Nikki Krishnamurthy (Chief People Officer): Focuses on the company’s internal culture and talent acquisition, ensuring that the post-2017 cultural values are upheld across global offices.
  • Andrew Macdonald (President, Mobility and Business Operations): Manages the global ride-sharing business and the company’s corporate development efforts.

The Board of Directors

The Uber Board of Directors provides oversight and strategic guidance. It is composed of experienced leaders from diverse industries:

  • Ronald Sugar (Independent Chairman): Former CEO of Northrop Grumman, bringing expertise in large-scale corporate governance.
  • Robert Eckert: Former CEO of Mattel and Kraft Foods.
  • Ursula Burns: Former CEO of Xerox, known for her leadership in technology and operational transformation.
  • Yasir Al-Rumayyan: Representing the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, one of Uber’s largest early investors.

Summary of Uber’s Current Leadership Direction

The tenure of Dara Khosrowshahi as CEO of Uber has been defined by a transition from volatility to stability. By focusing on three key pillars—profitability, platform synergy, and strategic partnerships—Uber has moved beyond its origins as a disruptive startup to become a mature, diversified technology leader. The company’s ability to navigate the pandemic, achieve its first operating profit, and pivot toward an autonomous future suggests a leadership strategy focused on long-term resilience rather than short-term growth.

With a management team that balances engineering expertise with financial rigor, Uber is well-positioned to lead the next phase of the global mobility and logistics industry. As the company continues to integrate AI and autonomous technology, the focus remains on leveraging its massive scale to provide reliable, efficient transportation for people and goods worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions About the CEO of Uber

Who is the current CEO of Uber?

The current CEO of Uber is Dara Khosrowshahi, who has led the company since August 2017.

What was the CEO of Uber's previous job?

Before joining Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi was the CEO of Expedia Group for 12 years, from 2005 to 2017.

How much is the CEO of Uber's salary?

As of recent filings, the total yearly compensation for Uber’s CEO is approximately $39.4 million. This figure includes a base salary, bonuses, and a significant portion of stock options and equity awards.

Has Uber become profitable under the current CEO?

Yes. Under the current leadership, Uber achieved its first full year of operating profit in 2023, reporting an operating profit of $1.1 billion.

What is Uber's strategy for self-driving cars?

Uber’s current strategy is based on partnerships. Instead of developing its own hardware, the company partners with AV leaders like Waymo to offer autonomous rides through the Uber app, leveraging its existing network of riders and drivers.

How did the current CEO change Uber's culture?

Upon taking office in 2017, the CEO introduced new corporate values centered on ethical practices, transparency, and "doing the right thing." This replaced the previous "growth at all costs" culture and helped stabilize the company’s reputation with regulators and the public.