Peter Gassner: Pioneering the Future of Cloud Software in Life Sciences

Peter Gassner, born in 1965, is a distinguished American entrepreneur renowned for his significant contributions to the software industry, particularly within the life sciences sector. As the CEO and founder of Veeva Systems, Gassner has been instrumental in transforming how pharmaceutical and biotech companies manage their operations through innovative cloud-based solutions.

Gassner’s journey began in Portland, Oregon, where he was raised as the third of six children to Swiss immigrant parents. His father owned a machine shop, instilling in him a strong work ethic from a young age. Demonstrating entrepreneurial spirit early on, Gassner undertook various jobs, including working as a paperboy, mowing lawns, and even running a roofing business during his high school years. A pivotal moment came when a math teacher recommended he take a computer science class, sparking his interest in technology. Despite taking extended breaks to travel and work abroad, Gassner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Oregon State University in 1989.

Gassner’s professional career is marked by roles at several leading technology companies. He began at IBM’s Silicon Valley Lab, contributing to the development of DB2, and also worked at IBM Research’s Almaden Research Center. At 30, he joined PeopleSoft, serving for nine years as both Chief Architect and General Manager of PeopleTools. He then transitioned to Salesforce as Senior Vice President of Technology, where he played a crucial role in building the Salesforce platform.

In 2007, recognizing a gap in the market for industry-specific cloud solutions, Gassner founded Veeva Systems alongside Matt Wallach. With a focus on the life sciences industry, Veeva provides cloud-based software solutions that help pharmaceutical and biotech companies manage their drug development and commercialization processes. Under Gassner’s leadership, Veeva has grown to serve over 1,000 life sciences companies, including industry giants like AbbVie and Pfizer.

Beyond his role at Veeva, Gassner is a strong advocate for corporate social responsibility and employee rights. He led Veeva to become a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), emphasizing the company’s commitment to serving society, not just shareholders. Additionally, he has taken a firm stand against non-compete agreements, viewing them as restrictions on employees’ freedom to change jobs.

Gassner extends his expertise through board memberships at prominent technology companies. Since October 2015, he has served on the board of directors for Zoom Video Communications, contributing to the company’s strategic direction. He also served on the board of directors of Guidewire Software from 2015 to 2019.

Residing in Pleasanton, California, Gassner is married with two sons. Despite his professional achievements, he maintains a grounded lifestyle, often riding his bike to work and choosing to fly coach on international trips.

As of January 21, 2025, Peter Gassner’s net worth is estimated at $3.6 billion, ranking him #948 among the world’s billionaires. This financial standing reflects the sustained growth and success of Veeva Systems under his leadership.

Peter Gassner’s visionary approach and dedication to innovation have not only propelled Veeva Systems to the forefront of the cloud software industry but have also set new standards for corporate responsibility and employee advocacy. His journey from a young entrepreneur in Oregon to a leading figure in the tech industry serves as an inspiration, highlighting the impact of combining technical expertise with a commitment to societal well-being.