Aneel Bhusri reclaims Workday CEO post as Carl Eschenbach steps down

Aneel Bhusri, Co-Founder and current Executive Chair of Workday is set to return as the company’s CEO, taking charge from current CEO, Carl Eschenbach.

Having founded the company more than 25 years ago alongside Dave Duffield, the AI platform for managing people, money, and agents is focused on “leading” the charge “in the rapidly evolving AI era”.

Bhusri will be stepping into the role immediately as the 2027 fiscal year begins.

Prioritizing Workday’s “vision, conviction, and deep connection”

After leading the business through “a period defined by global growth,” Eschenbach will be stepping down from his role as CEO and as a member of the board, but will continue to support Workday as a strategic advisor to the CEO.

"As we enter a defining moment shaped by AI, there is no one better than Aneel to lead this next chapter,” Mark Hawkins, Workday’s Vice Chair and Lead Independent Director shared in a statement.

He continued to explain that Aneel’s “vision, conviction, and deep connection” to the business’s culture positions Workday to continue changing the landscape it’s in.

"Carl stepped in at a pivotal time and helped Workday mature into a more global, disciplined organization," Hawkins explained. "He strengthened the company's operational foundation while leading with integrity and heart.

“We're grateful for his leadership and the impact he's had on the company. And we're pleased that he will continue to support Aneel and the company as a strategic advisor.

Describing his last three years as Workday’s CEO a “privilege,” Eschenbach reflected on his achievements, stating he’s helped to instill “greater operational discipline”, broadened the company’s “industry focus”, laid “meaningful groundwork in AI, and facilitated global expansion.

"I could not be more grateful to Aneel and to our board for the trust they placed in me to lead this special company, and I look forward to supporting Aneel and Workday in this next chapter," he concluded.