Gary Steele
Gary Steele became the CEO of Shield AI on May 13, 2025, bringing over 30 years of experience in scaling global technology enterprises. He is tasked with leading the defense tech company's expansion, particularly after a recent $240 million investment round. Steele's proven track record includes leading Splunk to profitability and a $28 billion acquisition by Cisco, and founding Proofpoint, which he grew to a $12 billion enterprise.
Career Milestones
- Gary Steele became CEO of Shield AI in May 2025, bringing over 30 years of experience in scaling global technology enterprises.
- As founding CEO of Proofpoint from 2002 to 2022, he grew the company from a startup to a publicly traded cybersecurity leader, culminating in a $12.3 billion acquisition.
- From 2022 to 2024, Steele served as President and CEO of Splunk, leading it to 58% revenue growth and profitability before its $28 billion acquisition by Cisco.
- He also received the Washington State University Alumni Achievement Award in 2025 for his impact in tech and contributions to the university.
- His proven track record in building and scaling high-growth software companies aligns with Shield AI's mission to deliver state-of-the-art autonomy.
About Shield AI
Shield AI, founded in 2015, is an aerospace and defense technology company. They develop AI-powered fighter pilots and drones, primarily for the US military and allied nations. Their core product, Hivemind, enables autonomous flight in contested environments. Benefits include protecting service members and enhancing national security.