David Duffield's Biography

David Duffield is a celebrated American software entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known for co-founding PeopleSoft and Workday, two of the most influential enterprise software companies in the world. Born on September 21, 1940, Duffield's career began with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, after which he quickly rose through the ranks of the technology industry. His first major success came with the founding of PeopleSoft in 1987, which revolutionized human resource management software for businesses. Later, he went on to co-found Workday in 2005, further cementing his legacy as a visionary in cloud-based enterprise solutions. Beyond his professional achievements, Duffield is renowned for his philanthropic work, particularly in animal welfare through Maddie’s Fund, a foundation named after his cherished schnauzer. With an estimated net worth of $12 billion in 2024, Duffield remains one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in tech. He is known for his modest, customer-focused leadership style and a lifelong passion for both innovation and giving back to the community. Duffield’s story is an inspiration to entrepreneurs worldwide, demonstrating the power of perseverance, empathy, and forward-thinking in building not just successful businesses, but a positive legacy.