Scott Schenkel

Scott Schenkel is an American business executive who served as the chief executive officer of eBay from 2019 to 2024. He previously held the role of chief financial officer and interim leader before his formal appointment to the top position. His tenure focused on navigating the company through significant strategic shifts and activist investor pressure in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

Early life and education

Scott Schenkel was raised in the Midwestern United States and pursued his higher education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He graduated with a degree in accounting, which provided a foundation for his future career in corporate finance. Following his undergraduate studies, he became a Certified Public Accountant and began his professional journey in the financial sector.

Career at eBay

Schenkel joined eBay in 2007 as its treasurer, bringing experience from prior roles at General Electric and Tellabs. He ascended to the position of senior vice president of finance before being appointed the company's chief financial officer in 2015. In this role, he reported directly to then-CEO Devin Wenig and oversaw critical functions including investor relations, financial planning and analysis, and corporate development. His financial stewardship occurred during a period of major transformation for the San Jose, California-based company, including the separation of PayPal into an independent public entity.

Leadership and tenure as CEO

Following the departure of Devin Wenig in September 2019, Schenkel was named interim chief executive officer and was permanently appointed to the role in November of that year. His tenure as CEO was marked by active engagement with activist investors, notably Elliott Management and Starboard Value, which led to a comprehensive strategic review. Key initiatives included the sale of eBay Classifieds Group to Adevinta and the spin-off of eBay Korea in a deal with Emart and Naver. He also presided over the appointment of new board members like Priscilla Hung and oversaw operational shifts to streamline the marketplace's focus. In August 2024, he stepped down as CEO and was succeeded by former Walmart executive Jamie Iannone, under whom Schenkel had previously served during Iannone's earlier stint at eBay.

Other professional activities

Beyond his executive duties at eBay, Schenkel has served on the board of directors for Symantec, now part of Broadcom Inc., contributing his financial and operational expertise. He is also a member of the Financial Executives Institute and has been involved with various Silicon Valley business councils. His insights on e-commerce and corporate finance have been featured in forums like the J.P. Morgan Technology Conference and in publications such as The Wall Street Journal.

Personal life

Scott Schenkel maintains a relatively private personal life and resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is known to be an avid supporter of his alma mater's athletic programs, the Illinois Fighting Illini. In his limited public remarks, he has emphasized the importance of corporate responsibility and mentorship within the technology industry.

Category:American chief executives Category:American chief financial officers Category:eBay people Category:University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumni Category:Living people