Vivek Kundra Joins The Trade Desk as Chief Operating Officer

Vivek Kundra brings a formidable background to The Trade Desk, having held significant leadership roles in both the private and public sectors. His career highlights include serving as the first Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the United States Government from 2009 to 2011. In this capacity, he spearheaded major bipartisan initiatives aimed at improving government performance while reducing operational costs. Kundra managed an impressive $80 billion in technology investments during his tenure, overseeing the government’s transition to cloud computing and enhancing its cybersecurity infrastructure. His efforts also included launching an open government movement that has inspired similar initiatives globally.

After his impactful stint in government, Kundra transitioned to the private sector, where he served as Executive Vice President for Industries at Salesforce from 2012 to 2017. Under his leadership, Salesforce experienced a remarkable quadrupling of revenue, reaching $8.4 billion. Kundra played a crucial role in transforming the company’s focus on key vertical industries and developing tailored cloud-based solutions, which significantly accelerated sales and expanded client relationships.

Most recently, Kundra held COO positions at innovative software companies, including Sprinklr and project44, further solidifying his reputation as a leader capable of driving operational efficiency and growth.

Jeff Green, CEO and Co-Founder of The Trade Desk, expressed his enthusiasm regarding Kundra’s appointment: “Over the last several years, The Trade Desk has experienced significant growth in revenue, personnel, and global reach. To fully realize our potential, it's essential to instill operational rigor across the enterprise. I am thrilled to welcome Vivek to our team; his experience and expertise align perfectly with our long-term growth objectives.”

In his new role, Kundra will oversee global operations and play a key role in driving the company’s operational strategies. His vision aligns with The Trade Desk’s commitment to helping brands leverage programmatic advertising strategies for business growth. “Throughout my career, I have been drawn to opportunities where operational excellence can accelerate growth,” Kundra remarked. “The Trade Desk is at the forefront of the digital transformation in advertising, and I’m looking forward to galvanizing all of the company’s efforts to realize our growth goals.”

Kundra's extensive experience is complemented by his recognition as a Fellow at Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet and Society and the Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics, and Public Policy. He has also been honored as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. His academic credentials include a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in information technology from the University of Maryland, along with a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.

The Trade Desk™ stands as a technology leader that empowers advertising buyers through its self-service, cloud-based platform. This platform enables users to create, manage, and optimize digital advertising campaigns across various formats and devices. With integrations with major data, inventory, and publisher partners, The Trade Desk ensures maximum reach and decision-making capabilities for its clients.

As the company prepares to welcome Kundra, industry observers will be keenly watching how his leadership will shape the next chapter for The Trade Desk, positioning it for continued success in an ever-evolving digital landscape.