Coming Home to eBay in a Changed World

I am thrilled to return to eBay and honored to write this first post as CEO. As I step into this role, I feel as if I’m coming home. It’s been nearly two decades since I first joined the eBay team, and it’s as clear to me today as it was when I first started that eBay is a company of purpose. Today, that purpose is as strong as ever. That is the magic of eBay.

At its core, eBay is a marketplace, a bridge between needs and solutions, connecting people, creating economic opportunities and making a difference around the world. In these unprecedented times, I am especially proud to be able to help drive this purpose.

eBay is a special place for me. It’s where I’ve spent a significant part of my career and where I first learned what it was like to work for a purpose-driven company whose team strives every day toward a shared goal. Looking back, those early experiences would become something I would carry with me throughout my career. 

Now, as much of the world navigates uncharted and increasingly turbulent waters, I am proud to see eBay’s steady purpose manifest itself in new and exciting ways as the company does everything we can to support its buyers and sellers as COVID-19 continues to affect communities and day-to-day life across the country and around the world. 

I see the eBay purpose when I look at the efforts underway in several of our 190 markets around the world through programs like “Up & Running” in North America, “Always Open” in Australia, “Open for Business” in the UK, and “We Are Open” in Germany. These programs were built with the sole purpose of helping small businesses without an ecommerce presence transition to selling online when so many brick and mortar shops are forced to shutter. In the UK, we’re partnering with the NHS, the Department of Health and Social Care, and others to pilot a new platform to supply primary care and social care providers access to PPE for free. I look forward to continuing similar efforts that focus on an improved user experience and provide more tools for sellers and small businesses.

I see the beating, vibrant heart of eBay in each and every person who connects through our marketplace. 

As we celebrate eBay’s 25th anniversary this year, I look back on our journey from Silicon Valley trailblazer and innovator to ecommerce mainstay. That foundation, joined with our purpose, underpins our vision as we push forward. 

I would like to take an opportunity to thank Scott Schenkel for his leadership as interim CEO over the last several months. Scott has led and implemented huge changes in the business all while guiding the company through one of the biggest health crises our society has ever faced. Thank you, Scott, and the entire leadership team for your hard work and diligence. eBay’s future is bright, and I’m enthusiastic for what’s to come in 2020 and beyond.

To everyone at eBay, to all of our buyers and sellers – let’s keep doing what we do best. Let’s keep driving to make a difference.