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Joe Zadeh
Advisor, Investor, Former Airbnb VP of Product & Head of Airbnb Experiences
Joe Zadeh is a notable figure in the tech industry, particularly recognized for his extensive contributions to Airbnb.
Background and Education
- Education: Zadeh holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and a B.S. in Computer Science from Northwestern University.1
- Early Career: He began his career as a software engineer at Mint.com before joining Airbnb as its third engineer when the company was just starting out in 2010.12
Career at Airbnb
Zadeh has had a significant impact on Airbnb's development and growth over more than a decade:
- Chief Stakeholder Officer: He served as Chief Stakeholder Officer from September 2019 to October 2020, where he led initiatives focused on stakeholder capitalism, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to support housing for frontline workers.12
- Head of Airbnb Experiences: Before that role, he was the VP and Head of Airbnb Experiences from February 2017 to February 2020, where he was instrumental in scaling this business unit globally.1
- VP of Product: He also held the position of VP of Product from September 2015 to June 2017, overseeing product management and leading major initiatives that shaped Airbnb's offerings.12
Contributions and Philosophy
Zadeh has been an advocate for integrating stakeholder principles into corporate governance at Airbnb. His leadership in establishing a stakeholder committee reflects his commitment to ensuring that the company benefits all its stakeholders, including employees, customers, and communities.23
Recognition
Zadeh has been recognized in various capacities throughout his career, including being featured in Fortune's "40 Under 40" list in 2016.1
Overall, Joe Zadeh's journey at Airbnb illustrates his evolution from a software engineer to a key executive leader, shaping both product strategy and corporate philosophy within the company.