Bill Ready

Bill Ready is an American business executive known for his leadership in the financial technology and e-commerce sectors. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the social media company Pinterest. Ready previously held senior roles at major technology firms including Google, where he was President of Payments & Commerce, and at PayPal, where he served as Chief Operating Officer.

Early life and education

Bill Ready was raised in Kentucky and developed an early interest in technology and entrepreneurship. He pursued his higher education at the University of Kentucky, where he earned a degree in computer science. His academic background provided a foundation for his future career in the software and internet industries, leading to his first professional ventures in the startup ecosystem.

Career

Ready began his career as a co-founder of iPay Technologies, a company specializing in online bill payment services for community banks and credit unions. Following the successful growth of iPay Technologies, the company was acquired by Jack Henry & Associates in 2010. Ready then joined the e-commerce platform Google Shopping as a key executive, focusing on merchant services and online advertising. In 2013, he was recruited by PayPal, where he initially led the company's merchant and next-generation commerce initiatives. His responsibilities expanded significantly, and he was promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer, overseeing global operations and the integration of strategic acquisitions like Braintree and its subsidiary Venmo. In 2020, Ready moved to Google, assuming the position of President of Payments & Commerce, where he reported directly to Sundar Pichai and was tasked with expanding the search engine giant's footprint in digital wallets and retail services. In June 2022, he was appointed CEO of Pinterest, succeeding Ben Silbermann and taking the helm of the visual discovery engine during a period focused on enhancing its shoppable content and advertising technology.

Personal life

Bill Ready maintains a relatively private personal life. He is married and has children, with the family residing in California. An avid supporter of entrepreneurship, Ready has participated as a mentor and advisor for various technology incubators and venture capital firms. He is also known for his interest in the intersection of technology and financial inclusion.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Bill Ready has received numerous accolades from the business and technology communities. He has been named to Forbes' list of America's Most Promising CEOs under 40 and has been recognized by Fortune magazine in its 40 Under 40 ranking. The Electronic Transactions Association honored him with its Payments Pioneer award for his contributions to the fintech industry. His leadership at PayPal and Google has also been highlighted in reports by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal.

Category:American chief executives Category:American technology company founders Category:University of Kentucky alumni