81. Marc Benioff

In the fast-paced world of Formula 1, speed, precision, and innovation are everything. It’s no coincidence that Salesforce, a major sponsor of Formula 1, shares these same values. At the helm of Salesforce is Marc Benioff, a trailblazer in cloud computing and one of the most influential leaders in global business.

Benioff co-founded Salesforce in 1999 with a bold vision: not just to revolutionize enterprise software, but to build a company rooted in purpose. Under his leadership, Salesforce has become the world’s largest provider of enterprise applications and the third-largest enterprise software company. With over 70,000 employees, the company is driven by five core values — trust, customer success, innovation, equality, and sustainability — values that resonate deeply with the high-performance ethos of Formula 1.

Much like a top F1 team, Benioff has consistently pushed boundaries. Named “Innovator of the Decade” by Forbes, he’s also earned accolades from Fortune, Harvard Business Review, and CNN. In 2024, he received both the Yale Legend in Leadership Award and the Colin Powell Distinguished Leadership Award, recognizing not only his business acumen but also his commitment to social progress.

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From the start, Marc Benioff embedded philanthropy into Salesforce’s DNA with the 1-1-1 model: 1% of equity, product, and employee time dedicated to communities. This model has since inspired over 20,000 companies to follow suit through the global Pledge 1% movement.

As a proud co-owner of TIME and a recipient of France’s prestigious Légion d’honneur, Benioff’s influence spans far beyond Silicon Valley. His passion for equality and civic engagement has earned recognition from GLAAD, the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, and Points of Light.

Salesforce’s sponsorship of Formula 1 is more than a branding opportunity — it’s a partnership built on shared ideals. Just as F1 redefines what’s possible on the track, Benioff and Salesforce are redefining what it means to lead in business, technology, and social impact.