Name: Clara Chung-wai Shih (Chinese: 史宗瑋)
Role:
CEO, Salesforce AI, Chairperson and former CEO of Hearsay Social; Head of Business AI at Meta Platforms; Member of the Starbucks Board of Directors.
Net Worth:
As of March 2025, Clara Shih’s net worth is estimated at $40 million.
Profile Overview:
Clara Shih is an American businesswoman, entrepreneur, and author renowned for her contributions to social media marketing and artificial intelligence (AI). She co-founded Hearsay Social in 2009, a leading digital software company focused on social sales and marketing. Since November 2024, Shih has been leading the Business AI group at Meta Platforms, driving advancements in enterprise AI solutions. Her career spans roles at Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Meta, where she has consistently pioneered innovative technologies. Named one of Fortune’s “40 Under 40” and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Shih is also a bestselling author and advocate for diversity in technology.
Bio:
Born on January 11, 1982, in Hong Kong, Clara Shih immigrated to the United States as a child. She excelled academically, graduating #1 in Computer Science from Stanford University with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. She later earned a Master’s degree in Internet Studies from Oxford University as a U.S. Marshall Scholar.
Shih began her career in corporate strategy at Google before joining Salesforce.com in 2006 as a founding product marketer for the AppExchange. During this time, she developed Faceforce, one of the first business applications on Facebook. This side project inspired her to co-found Hearsay Social with Steve Garrity in 2009. Hearsay became a leading platform for social sales and marketing, serving over 150,000 financial advisors globally. In 2020, Shih transitioned to the role of executive chairperson at Hearsay.
In February 2021, Shih rejoined Salesforce as CEO of Service Cloud CRM software and was later appointed CEO of Salesforce AI in May 2023. She left Salesforce in November 2024 to lead Meta Platforms’ newly formed Business AI group.
Clara Shih’s Role in Artificial Intelligence:
Clara Shih has played a pivotal role in advancing AI technologies for enterprise applications. As CEO of Salesforce AI from 2023 to 2024, she led initiatives to integrate machine learning into customer relationship management tools. Her leadership resulted in significant advancements in predictive analytics and automated customer engagement solutions.
At Meta Platforms, Shih now oversees the Business AI group, focusing on developing scalable AI systems for enterprises. Her work emphasizes leveraging AI to enhance productivity while maintaining ethical standards for data use and transparency.
Nationality:
American
Age:
43 years old (as of March 21, 2025).
Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science from Stanford University.
- Master’s Degree: Computer Science – User Experience and Design from Stanford University.
- Master’s Degree: Internet Studies from Oxford University (U.S. Marshall Scholar).
Sources of Wealth:
- Hearsay Social: Co-founder and former CEO; transitioned to executive chairperson.
- Meta Platforms: Leadership role driving enterprise AI innovation.
- Salesforce: Former CEO roles for Service Cloud CRM and Salesforce AI.
- Books & Speaking Engagements: Author of The Facebook Era, used as a marketing textbook at Harvard Business School.
- Board Memberships: Starbucks Board of Directors since December 2011.
Random Fact:
Clara Shih developed Faceforce, one of the first business applications on Facebook, sparking her journey into entrepreneurship.
Clara Shih’s career reflects her ability to bridge technology with business strategy while championing diversity and ethical innovation in AI development. Her leadership continues to shape the future of enterprise technology globally.
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