The current CEO and the role

Dara Khosrowshahi has been Uber's Chief Executive Officer since August 2017. He replaced Travis Kalanick, who founded the company in 2009 and stepped down after a period of internal conflict and public criticism over workplace culture and business practices.

The CEO's job at Uber is to set overall strategy, manage the company's relationship with regulators and governments worldwide, oversee major business decisions, and represent Uber publicly. Because Uber operates in more than 70 countries and runs multiple business lines — ride-sharing, food delivery (Uber Eats), freight, and others — the CEO manages a complex global operation with hundreds of thousands of drivers and millions of users.

Khosrowshahi came to Uber from Expedia, where he had been CEO for 12 years. His appointment marked a shift in how Uber presented itself: the company moved toward emphasizing regulatory compliance and workplace reform after years of conflict with cities, drivers, and employees.

Key Takeaways

  • Dara Khosrowshahi became Uber's CEO in 2017 and replaced founder Travis Kalanick, who left amid workplace culture and regulatory disputes.
  • The CEO oversees Uber's ride-sharing service, Uber Eats, Uber Freight, and other business lines across more than 70 countries.
  • Khosrowshahi's background in hospitality and travel (from his time at Expedia) shaped his approach to driver relations and regulatory strategy.
  • The CEO reports to Uber's Board of Directors and answers to shareholders, though Kalanick retained significant influence as a major shareholder after stepping down.

What changed when Khosrowshahi took over

When Khosrowshahi arrived, Uber faced lawsuits from drivers, investigations by city governments, workplace harassment allegations, and a damaged public reputation. His first moves included settling disputes with drivers in some markets, committing to better background checks, and pledging to improve workplace culture.

He also shifted Uber's regulatory approach. Instead of fighting cities and regulators, Khosrowshahi pursued negotiation and compliance. This included working with governments on driver classification, insurance requirements, and licensing rules — areas where Kalanick had often taken confrontational stances.

The company also went public in May 2019 under Khosrowshahi's leadership, which meant the CEO had to answer to public shareholders and face quarterly earnings scrutiny. This changed how Uber reported its finances and how transparent it had to be about its operations and losses.

How the CEO's decisions affect drivers and riders

The CEO sets policies that directly shape the driver and rider experience. Decisions about commission rates, surge pricing algorithms, driver benefits, and safety features all flow from the executive leadership. For example, Khosrowshahi's team decided to offer certain driver benefits (like accident insurance in some markets) and to invest in safety features like in-app emergency buttons and driver ratings visibility.

The CEO also decides which cities Uber enters or exits, which services to launch or shut down, and how aggressively to compete in each market. These choices determine whether Uber operates in your city, what services are available, and how much drivers earn relative to what riders pay.

Khosrowshahi has also been the public face of Uber during crises — from the COVID-19 pandemic (which devastated ride-sharing demand) to regulatory battles in cities like London and California. His statements and decisions during these moments shaped how Uber responded and what concessions it made.

The relationship between the CEO and the board

Khosrowshahi reports to Uber's Board of Directors, which includes representatives from major investors and shareholders. The board can remove the CEO, set compensation, and approve major strategic decisions like acquisitions or major new business lines.

Travis Kalanick, the founder, remained Uber's largest shareholder after stepping down and held a board seat for several years. This created a situation where the CEO had to work alongside the person he replaced — a dynamic that eventually shifted as Kalanick's influence at the company decreased over time.

The board also includes independent directors who represent other shareholders' interests. These directors vote on major decisions and can push back against the CEO's proposals if they believe they harm shareholder value.

CEO compensation and incentives

Uber's CEO receives a salary, bonus, and stock awards. The exact amounts vary year to year and are disclosed in Uber's annual proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Like most large public company CEOs, Khosrowshahi's compensation is tied partly to company performance — stock price, profitability targets, and other metrics.

This compensation structure means the CEO has financial incentive to grow Uber's value and reach profitability. It also means the CEO's interests are aligned with shareholders, though not necessarily with drivers or riders.

How CEO decisions connect to your Uber experience

If you use Uber as a rider, the CEO's decisions affect your prices, which cities have service, what safety features are available, and how the app works. If you drive for Uber, the CEO's decisions set commission rates, determine which benefits you receive, and shape how the company treats driver complaints and disputes.

For example, when Khosrowshahi decided to invest in safety features, that came from the CEO level. When Uber decided to offer certain driver benefits in some countries but not others, that reflected CEO-level strategy. When Uber chose to fight California's Proposition 22 (which classified drivers as independent contractors rather than employees), that was a CEO decision with real consequences for how drivers are treated and paid.

The CEO also decides how Uber responds to regulatory pressure. In some cities, Uber has negotiated driver minimum earnings guarantees; in others, it has fought such requirements. These choices come from the top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the CEO own Uber?

No. Dara Khosrowshahi owns a portion of Uber through stock compensation and personal investment, but he does not own the company. Uber is publicly traded, meaning thousands of shareholders own pieces of it. Khosrowshahi is an employee hired by the board to run the company on shareholders' behalf.

Can the CEO change how much drivers earn?

Yes. The CEO and executive team set commission rates, surge pricing algorithms, and driver incentive programs. However, in some cities, regulators or labor laws limit how much the company can reduce driver pay or change terms. The CEO must work within those legal constraints.

What happens if the CEO leaves?

The board would appoint a new CEO. Uber's operations would continue, though the new CEO might change strategy, policies, and priorities. Drivers and riders might see changes in pricing, benefits, or service availability depending on the new CEO's decisions.

Does the CEO decide which cities get Uber service?

Yes, the CEO and executive team decide which cities to enter, stay in, or exit. These decisions are based on profitability, regulatory environment, and competition. If a city's regulations become too restrictive or unprofitable, the CEO can decide to pull Uber out.

How much does the CEO make?

Uber discloses the CEO's compensation in its annual proxy statement filed with the SEC, which is public information. The exact amount varies by year and includes salary, bonus, and stock awards. You can find this information by searching for "Uber proxy statement" on the SEC's website.