John Donahoe

John Donahoe recently concluded his first year as Stanford’s Jaquish & Kenninger Director and Chair of Athletics, making an immediate impact following an accomplished career as a chief executive officer for multiple organizations.

Appointed to the role by President Jonathan Levin on July 31, 2025, Donahoe was introduced as the eighth director of athletics in school history and officially began his tenure on Sept. 8, 2025.

Stanford maintained an elite level of success during Donahoe’s first season, notably increasing the most recognizable streak in college athletics. Thanks to victories in men’s gymnastics and women’s golf, Stanford extended its NCAA title streak to 50 consecutive years, the longest such stretch in collegiate history and an achievement that dates back to November 1976.

The Cardinal captured five national team championships overall in 2025-26, winning twice in sailing while adding another crown in artistic swimming.

Stanford, which enters the 2026-27 campaign with an all-time best 139 NCAA titles and 178 national team championships overall, produced a runner-up finish in Learfield Directors’ Cup, maintaining its streak of top-3 finishes in the award presented to the nation’s most successful intercollegiate athletic department. The Cardinal has claimed the trophy in 26 of the possible 32 seasons, including a consecutive 25-year stretch from 1995-2019.

Completing its second full season as a member of the ACC, the Cardinal continued to establish itself as one of the league’s top performers. One of three ACC schools to win two NCAA championships in 2025-26, Stanford secured six conference titles (regular season or tournament) to match Duke and Virginia for the lead in that category.

Stanford’s commitment to academic achievement under Donahoe remained strong, registering an overall graduation rate of 97 percent in the latest Graduation Success Rate (GSR), with 21 varsity teams earning a 100 percent graduation rate. Meanwhile, 17 programs finished the year with an annual team GPA of 3.70 or higher.

Donahoe’s steadying leadership was evident throughout his first year in DAPER (Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation), gathering wide-ranging feedback from listening tours with department personnel and campus constituents to inform the development of a long-term strategic plan. Donahoe was also intentional about restructuring his executive team, assembling a diverse mix of veteran administrators, former student-athletes and professionals from industries outside collegiate athletics.

Among Donahoe’s early focuses were identifying revenue streams and modernizing departmental operations. In addition to launching notable facility upgrades such as Stanford Softball Stadium and Arrillaga Tennis Center, DAPER experienced a consistent wave of fundraising support through endowed scholarships and coaching positions. In Donahoe’s first year, 20 endowed scholarships were funded to support student-athletes, along with one endowed head coachship and three assistant coachships. Additionally, Stanford philanthropist and former trustee, Bradford M. Freeman, committed $50 million to support the football program in October 2025.

Meanwhile, the department significantly expanded its portfolio of corporate partners in 2025-26, reaching multi-year agreements with Acer, Carvana, Ramp, Robinhood, Waymo, Zillow and Zoom. Stanford Stadium once again proved to be a showcase venue for world-class entertainment, welcoming pop royalty BTS for three sold-out concerts, one year after hosting Coldplay for a pair of sold-out shows to begin the band’s North American tour.

Donahoe’s industry influence and meaningful perspective have been key attributes in his ongoing participation with peer leaders addressing college sports reform through federal legislation, including being chosen to attend a College Sports Roundtable summit at the White House last March.

An alumnus of Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, Donahoe arrived on The Farm following his tenure as CEO of NIKE, Inc., from 2020-24 and served on its board of directors beginning in 2013.

He previously served as the CEO of ServiceNow (2017-20), a global software company, and as CEO of eBay (2008-15). Donahoe also served as Chair of the Board at PayPal from 2015-24.

Earlier in his career, Donahoe worked for Bain & Company for nearly 20 years. In addition to becoming the firm’s CEO in 1999, he served as the firm’s Worldwide Managing Director (1999-2005) and Partner, Manager and Consultant (1986-99).

Donahoe also served on the Intel Board of Directors (2009-16) and Bridgespan Board of Directors (2018-24).

Donahoe currently serves on the boards of Aurora Innovation, the leading self-driving freight company, and 1803 Fund, an innovative venture to transform Black Portland.

Donahoe earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Dartmouth College in 1982. Donahoe earned his MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business in 1986 and serves on the school’s Advisory Council.

Donahoe and his wife, Eileen, have four children and six grandchildren and reside in Portola Valley.

Updated July 26, 2026