Laura Alber
SalesforceAbout Laura Alber
Laura Alber, age 56, has served on Salesforce’s Board since 2021 and is President & CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (President since 2006; CEO since 2010). She brings deep expertise in digital commerce, global branding, and profitable growth strategies, and holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania . She currently serves on Salesforce’s Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, reflecting governance-focused credentials .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williams‑Sonoma, Inc. | President (since 2006); CEO (since 2010) | 2006–present (President); 2010–present (CEO) | Executive leadership in digital commerce and brand-driven growth |
| Fitbit, Inc. | Director | 2016–2021 | Corporate governance experience in consumer tech |
| RealD Inc. | Director | 2013–2015 | Board oversight in media/tech |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williams‑Sonoma, Inc. | Director | Since 2010 | Public company governance (current) |
| University of Pennsylvania | Board of Trustees | Current | Non‑profit governance |
Board Governance
- Committee assignments: Member, Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee; the committee met 5 times in FY2025 and is composed entirely of independent directors .
- Independence: Alber is an independent director (independence affirmed in 2024 proxy and all Governance Committee members deemed independent under NYSE/SEC rules). Salesforce’s Audit, Compensation, and Governance Committees are fully independent; Board nominees are 75% independent .
- Attendance: The Board held 10 meetings in FY2025; all directors attended at least 75% of Board and assigned committee meetings, with average Board attendance of 97% .
- Lead Independent Director oversight: Arnold Donald elected Lead Independent Director in March 2025 with expanded duties over agenda, materials, evaluations, and shareholder engagement .
| Committee | Role | FY2025 Meetings |
|---|---|---|
| Nominating & Corporate Governance | Member | 5 |
| Audit | Not a member | 8 |
| Compensation | Not a member | 18 |
| Cybersecurity & Privacy | Not a member | 4 |
| Business Transformation | Not a member | 4 |
Fixed Compensation
| Fiscal Year | Fees Earned (Cash) | Equity Awards (RSUs) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | — | $374,900 | $374,900 |
| Grant Date | Type | Grant‑date Fair Value ($) | Vesting Dates | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2024 | RSUs | ~$375,000 (reported as $374,900) | Feb 22, May 22, Aug 22, Nov 22, 2024 (equal installments) | 2013 Equity Incentive Plan |
Notes: Cash fees in FY2025 were paid only to the Lead Independent Director and committee chairs; Alber did not receive chair/LID fees .
Performance Compensation
| Metric | Weight | Applies to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| None disclosed for directors | — | Director compensation | Non‑employee director pay comprised time‑vested RSUs and any leadership role cash fees; no performance metrics or options disclosed for directors |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Company | Role | Status | Interlocks/Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williams‑Sonoma, Inc. | Director | Current (since 2010) | No Salesforce interlocks disclosed |
| Fitbit, Inc. | Director | Former (2016–2021) | — |
| RealD Inc. | Director | Former (2013–2015) | — |
Expertise & Qualifications
- Extensive background in business management, digital commerce, and global branding, with experience in profitable growth strategies and global expansion .
- Talent development and succession planning experience, including founder‑led leadership transitions .
- Public board governance across retail and technology sectors .
Equity Ownership
| As of | Shares Beneficially Owned (#) | Percent of Class (%) | RSUs Settling within 60 Days (#) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2024 | 4,760 | <1% | Not specified for 2024 in excerpt |
| Mar 31, 2025 | 5,969 | <1% | 274 (included in footnote) |
- No non‑employee directors held unvested stock awards as of end of FY2025 (i.e., RSUs granted in FY2025 fully vested on quarterly schedule) .
- Stock ownership policy exists for directors and executive officers (specific multiples not disclosed in excerpt) .
Governance Assessment
- Board effectiveness: Alber adds relevant operating expertise from a technology‑enabled consumer brand and serves on the Governance Committee, which oversees director nominations, board evaluations, succession planning, sustainability, and stockholder engagement—areas central to investor confidence .
- Independence and engagement: Independent director; Governance Committee is fully independent; Board attendance strong at 97% on average, with all directors meeting minimum thresholds .
- Pay alignment: Compensation is equity‑heavy via time‑vested RSUs ($374,900 in FY2025) with no cash retainer or meeting fees (absent chair/LID roles), supporting alignment though without performance linkage; no options or PSUs disclosed for directors .
- Ownership: Beneficial ownership is modest (5,969 shares; <1%) with an ownership policy in place, but individual compliance details not provided; RSUs to settle within 60 days totaled 274 shares as of Mar 31, 2025 .
- Potential conflicts and RED FLAGS: Her son is a non‑executive employee (Analyst, Operations & Strategy) hired Aug 2023, total comp < $150,000 in FY2025; Audit Committee reviewed and approved under Related Party Transaction Policies; low dollar and non‑management role, but familial employment is a governance sensitivity worth monitoring (mitigated by formal oversight) .
- RED FLAG (contextual): Family employment could be perceived as nepotism risk; mitigants include committee review, market‑consistent pay, and non‑executive status .
Overall signal: Governance role and independent status support board effectiveness; compensation structure aligns via equity but lacks performance metrics; familial employment is a minor, mitigated risk requiring continued oversight .