Mountain View, California – Alphabet, Inc. made a significant announcement on Wednesday, appointing Anat Ashkenazi as its new Chief Financial Officer to oversee operations at Alphabet and Google.
Ashkenazi, a former executive at Eli Lilly with over two decades of experience at the pharmaceutical company, has been offered a lucrative compensation package for joining Alphabet. In addition to a $9.9 million signing bonus and a $1 million annual salary, she will also receive stock options valued at $13.1 million in the form of restricted stock units.
Before transitioning to her new role at Google, Ashkenazi will continue to serve as senior vice president and CFO at Eli Lilly until the end of July. A successor is currently being sought for her position at the pharmaceutical company, where she has held various roles in strategy, finance, and as the senior vice president, controller, and CFO of Lilly Research Laboratories.
Anat Ashkenazi is a renowned figure in the corporate world, having graduated from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with a degree in finance and economics, and subsequently earning an MBA from Tel Aviv University. Her impressive career trajectory includes working in financial services in Israel before joining Eli Lilly in 2001, where she played pivotal roles in the company’s financial success.
Throughout her tenure at Eli Lilly, Ashkenazi oversaw significant achievements, particularly in the company’s global sectors, such as manufacturing and research and development. Notably, her leadership contributed to the success of key products like Mounjaro and Zepbound, which have bolstered Eli Lilly’s market cap to over $800 billion.
As Alphabet focuses on investing in artificial intelligence, Ashkenazi’s appointment as CFO comes at a crucial time for the tech giant. Her extensive experience and stellar reputation in the financial sector make her a valuable addition to Alphabet during this period of growth and transformation.
Dan Ives, managing partner at Wedbush Securities, expressed confidence in Ashkenazi’s appointment, emphasizing her strong CFO experience and reputation. Her predecessor, Ruth Porat, who previously served as CFO before becoming chief investment officer, has paved the way for Ashkenazi to take on this new role at Google.
Despite multiple requests for comments from Google and Eli Lilly, representatives have yet to provide statements regarding Ashkenazi’s appointment. The transition of leadership from Porat to Ashkenazi reflects Alphabet’s strategic vision for the future, as the company continues to innovate and expand its influence in the tech industry.