Safra Catz and John Stankey are senior business executives who have spent much of their careers leading large American companies. Catz built her career at Oracle, while Stankey has held several major leadership positions at AT&T and its businesses.
Their professional paths are different, but both have experience managing large organizations, making major business decisions, and working through periods of change in their industries. Understanding their careers also requires looking at their current roles in 2026, because both executives have had important changes in recent years.
Who Are Safra Catz and John Stankey?
Safra Catz is an American business executive best known for her long career at Oracle. She joined Oracle in 1999 and held several senior positions before becoming CEO. She served as Oracle’s CEO from 2014 until 2025.
John Stankey is an American business executive who has spent most of his career at AT&T. He joined the company in 1985 and later held leadership positions covering technology, strategy, entertainment, operations, and telecommunications.
As of 2026, Catz and Stankey hold different positions. Catz serves as Executive Vice Chair of Oracle’s Board of Directors, while Stankey is Chairman and CEO of AT&T.
Safra Catz’s Early Career and Education
Safra Catz was born in Holon, Israel, and later moved to the United States. She studied at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Before joining Oracle, Catz worked in the financial industry. She spent years at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, where she became a managing director.
Her background in finance and law later became useful in her work at Oracle, particularly as the company expanded through acquisitions and developed its cloud and enterprise technology businesses.
Safra Catz’s Career at Oracle
Catz joined Oracle in 1999 and quickly became an important part of the company’s senior management.
Over the years, she served in several executive roles, including Chief Financial Officer and President. She was also closely involved in Oracle’s acquisition strategy.
During her time as CEO, Oracle continued moving toward cloud computing and subscription-based services while maintaining its large enterprise software business.
Catz became Oracle’s CEO in 2014. She later shared the CEO role with Mark Hurd for several years. After Hurd’s death in 2019, Catz continued as one of Oracle’s main leaders.
Her long tenure gave her a central role in Oracle’s financial decisions, acquisitions, and broader business strategy.
What Is Safra Catz’s Role in 2026?
One important update is that Safra Catz is no longer Oracle’s CEO.
In September 2025, Oracle announced that Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia would become CEOs. Catz moved into the position of Executive Vice Chair of Oracle’s Board of Directors.
This means that articles describing Catz as Oracle’s current CEO are outdated.
Her current board role still keeps her connected to Oracle’s corporate leadership, but her position is different from her previous day-to-day role as CEO.
John Stankey’s Early Career
John Stankey joined AT&T in 1985. He studied finance at Loyola Marymount University and later earned an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles.
His career at AT&T has covered many parts of the company. He worked in technology, information systems, strategy, operations, entertainment, and communications.
This broad experience helped him move through several senior positions before becoming the company’s chief executive.
John Stankey’s Rise Through AT&T
Stankey held several important roles at AT&T, including Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer.
He also became CEO of AT&T Entertainment Group and later led WarnerMedia after AT&T acquired Time Warner.
Stankey served as CEO of WarnerMedia from 2018 until 2020. His work during this period included overseeing a major media business that contained well-known entertainment and television assets.
In July 2020, Stankey became president and CEO of AT&T.
He later became Chairman of AT&T in February 2025.
What Is John Stankey Doing at AT&T in 2026?
In 2026, John Stankey serves as Chairman and CEO of AT&T.
His current role covers a company focused on telecommunications and connectivity. AT&T’s business includes wireless services, broadband, fiber, and other communications products.
Recent company updates have placed significant attention on areas such as fiber expansion and advanced connectivity. These developments are part of AT&T’s broader business strategy rather than being the work of one executive alone.
Stankey has also continued to represent AT&T at major investor and industry events during 2026.
Are Safra Catz and John Stankey Related?
There is no reliable public information reviewed for this article that establishes a family relationship between Safra Catz and John Stankey.
They also built their careers at different companies. Catz is associated primarily with Oracle, while Stankey’s career has been closely connected with AT&T.
The two names are sometimes discussed together because both are senior executives with long careers at major American corporations. That does not, by itself, indicate a personal or business relationship between them.
Safra Catz and John Stankey Compared
| Area | Safra Catz | John Stankey |
|---|---|---|
| Main company | Oracle | AT&T |
| Industry | Enterprise technology | Telecommunications and connectivity |
| Major career focus | Finance, technology, corporate strategy | Technology, telecommunications, media, operations |
| Joined company | 1999 | 1985 |
| Former CEO role | Oracle CEO | AT&T CEO; WarnerMedia CEO |
| Current 2026 role | Executive Vice Chair, Oracle Board | Chairman and CEO, AT&T |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania | Loyola Marymount University and UCLA |
The comparison shows that their careers developed in different industries. Catz’s career has been strongly connected to enterprise software, cloud technology, finance, and corporate transactions. Stankey’s career has covered telecommunications, technology, media, and large-scale operations.
Their Professional Backgrounds
One clear difference between the two executives is their starting point.
Catz came into corporate leadership with a background in law and finance. Her Oracle career developed around financial management, acquisitions, and executive leadership.
Stankey developed his career inside AT&T. His background includes technology and operations, and he gradually moved into broader strategic and executive positions.
Both careers also show how senior executives can move through multiple responsibilities before reaching top leadership roles.
Why Their Careers Are Relevant in 2026
Their careers remain relevant because both Oracle and AT&T operate in industries that continue to change.
Oracle is heavily involved in enterprise software, databases, cloud infrastructure, and other technology services. AT&T operates in telecommunications, wireless services, broadband, and fiber connectivity.
Catz’s transition from CEO to board leadership is also an important part of Oracle’s current corporate structure. At the same time, Stankey continues to lead AT&T as chairman and CEO.
Looking at their current roles instead of relying only on older biographies gives readers a more accurate picture of where both executives stand in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Safra Catz still the CEO of Oracle?
No. Safra Catz stopped serving as Oracle’s CEO in September 2025. She became Executive Vice Chair of Oracle’s Board, while Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia became CEOs.
What is John Stankey’s current position?
John Stankey is Chairman and CEO of AT&T in 2026.
Did John Stankey work for WarnerMedia?
Yes. Stankey became CEO of WarnerMedia in 2018 and held the position until 2020.
Did Safra Catz and John Stankey work for the same company?
No. Their main corporate careers developed separately. Catz spent her career at Oracle, while Stankey has spent most of his career at AT&T.
Are Safra Catz and John Stankey related?
No family relationship has been established by the reliable public information reviewed for this article.
What companies are Safra Catz and John Stankey associated with?
Safra Catz is associated with Oracle, where she currently serves as Executive Vice Chair of the Board. John Stankey is associated with AT&T, where he serves as chairman and CEO.
Final Thoughts
Safra Catz and John Stankey have followed different paths to senior corporate leadership. Catz built a long career at Oracle after starting in law and finance, while Stankey developed his career through technology, operations, telecommunications, and media roles at AT&T.
Their current positions are also different. Catz moved from Oracle’s CEO role to board leadership in 2025, while Stankey continues to serve as AT&T’s chairman and CEO in 2026.
For readers researching these two executives, the most important point is to separate their earlier positions from their current roles. Doing so provides a clearer and more accurate view of their careers and their place in the business world today.
