Capital Markets & AI: A conversation with David Solomon, Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO

Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins and David Solomon, Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO, discuss the macroeconomic environment, capital markets, and the implications of AI and emerging tech.

Speakers
Goldman Sachs
David Solomon
Chairman & CEO , Goldman Sachs

David is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Previously, he was President and Chief Operating Officer and prior to that, he served as Co-Head of the Investment Banking Division from 2006 to 2016. Before that, David was Global Head of the Financing Group, which includes all capital markets and derivative products for the firm’s corporate clients. He joined Goldman Sachs as a partner in 1999.

Prior to joining the firm, David held leadership roles at The Irving Trust Company, Drexel Burnham Lambert and Bear Stearns and Co.

David is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hamilton College and serves on the board of The Robin Hood Foundation. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and the Paley Center for Media.

David earned a BA in Political Science from Hamilton College.

Cisco
Chuck Robbins
Chair & CEO , Cisco

Chuck Robbins is a seasoned technology executive and the innovative leader driving Cisco’s vision to securely connect everything to make anything possible. He was named Chief Executive Officer in July of 2015, before being elected Chair of the Board on December 11, 2017. During this time, Robbins has driven Cisco’s transformation to redefine the company’s strategic direction and reinforce its position as a global technology powerhouse.

For over 25 years at Cisco, Robbins has demonstrated a keen understanding of the rapidly evolving business landscape and the critical role of technology in addressing both customer and global challenges. The company's recent strategic shift has seen a renewed emphasis on software and services, cloud-native applications, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, sustainability, and the advancement of networking – further solidifying Cisco's relevance in the digital era.

His commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace has also played a key role in shaping Cisco's purpose to power an inclusive future for all. Robbins has championed initiatives across the company to enhance employee experience and culture, contributing to Cisco earning the top spot on World’s Best Workplaces, Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, People’s Companies that Care, and various other lists throughout his tenure.

Prior to becoming CEO, Robbins led Cisco’s global sales organization. He also held various leadership roles in regional sales, as well as Cisco’s partner organization, where he was instrumental in building one of the industry’s most robust partner programs.

Outside of his work at Cisco, Robbins is the current Chair of the Business Roundtable; on the Board of Directors for BlackRock; a Board of Trustees member for the Ford Foundation; Chairman Emeritus of the US-Japan Business Council; a Member of the International Business Council for the World Economic Forum; a Member of the American Heart Association’s CEO Roundtable; a member of the 2019 class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; and Vice Chair on the Corporate Fund Board for the Kennedy Center.

Beyond the boardroom, Robbins is also known for his passion for philanthropy and giving back, particularly in STEM, homelessness, and connecting the unconnected – all supporting his belief in the transformative power of technology. He also balances his professional responsibilities with a strong commitment to his personal life, whether spending quality time with his family, pursuing his love of the outdoors by fishing or golfing, or cheering on his Alma Mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a concentration in computer science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2022. He also received an Honorary Doctorate from Georgia Tech University in December of 2023.

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