For Todd McKinnon, success often hinges on unwavering belief—even when doubts creep in. In 2009, he left a secure, high-ranking position at Salesforce to build Okta, an independent identity provider, at a time when cloud security was still evolving. Many questioned his decision, and even McKinnon himself wrestled with uncertainty in the early years. But he remained convinced that identity security would become central to business operations. His persistence paid off. Today, as CEO of Okta, McKinnon leads a global enterprise securing millions of users, proving that conviction in a transformative idea can redefine an industry.
Born in the United States, McKinnon pursued a bachelor’s degree in business from Brigham Young University before earning a master’s degree in computer science from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Before founding Okta, he built a strong foundation at PeopleSoft and later at Salesforce, where he spearheaded major initiatives like launching the company’s platform-as-a-service. At Okta, he has shaped the company’s vision, scaling it into a publicly traded powerhouse with thousands of employees and a leading role in cloud security. His expertise in both engineering and business has positioned him as a key figure in digital identity management.
McKinnon’s leadership has always been about recognizing opportunities others overlook. When he founded Okta, he saw cloud computing as a seismic shift that would demand entirely new security frameworks. His willingness to step away from comfort and embrace risk underscores his approach to business—identifying change before it happens and having the persistence to see it through. By championing identity security when few saw its potential, he didn’t just build a company—he helped shape the future of cybersecurity.