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I’ve also enjoyed building businesses that bring people together: Ebay built a community of sellers Evite helps people get together with people they love Skype allows people to connect with each other even if they are on the opposite side of the planet. Financial services and communications are in the midst of major transformation and both Skype and Amex are well positioned to lead the charge. If you look at American Express and Skype, they both operate in massive, pervasive, critical industries that touch the lives of everyone on the planet. There is a common thread among all the businesses I’ve led. What are the big ideas behind the businesses you have run? In my time at Greylock I saw the partners investing in entrepreneurs who are passionate about customers and products and nurturing them to become great leaders. What perspectives will you bring with you from Silicon Valley?Ī real passion for customers and products, and that has to come from the top. After peeling hundreds of pounds of potatoes I was rewarded with washing pots and pans.Īfter years of running start-ups and spending time at Greylock, I imagine American Express will be a big change. I mowed lawns, was an usher at a movie theater and worked at a Greek restaurant. What I’ve learned is that to be an entrepreneur is to be a leader-you are driving change and getting people to join your dreams with their dreams.

After a while I realized I could reach more people and have a more immediate impact on the world if I joined the private sector. I got my degree in public policy and then went to work for Bill Bradley. I started in politics thinking that was the best way to make an impact on the world. Josh has also served as CEO of, held senior executive roles at eBay and was Co-Founder and CEO of Evite.

Previously, Josh was the CEO of Skype, which sold to Microsoft for $8.5 billion in May 2011. Josh joins American Express in July from Greylock Partners, where he is an executive in residence. Josh Silverman is an entrepreneurial executive who has built and run a number of consumer businesses.