Important Update: Alex Chriss is no longer the CEO of PayPal. On February 3, 2026, PayPal announced that Enrique Lores (former HP Inc. CEO and PayPal Board Chair) would succeed Chriss as President and CEO, effective March 1, 2026. Chriss served as PayPal CEO from September 27, 2023 to February 28, 2026. The information below reflects his tenure.
Alex Chriss served as President & CEO of PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) from September 27, 2023 through February 28, 2026. Before joining PayPal, Chriss spent nearly two decades at Intuit, where he rose to lead the Small Business & Self-Employed Group — a $7 billion revenue division responsible for QuickBooks and Mailchimp. During his tenure at PayPal, Chriss led the company through a period of cost restructuring and improved profitability, with FY2024 revenue reaching $31.8 billion and total payment volume hitting $1.68 trillion. However, PayPal’s board opted for a leadership change in February 2026, appointing Enrique Lores to accelerate the company’s AI-driven transformation.
Read on for Alex Chriss net worth, PayPal CEO salary and compensation details, career history, education, personal life, and more.
Alex Chriss — Quick Facts
| Alex Chriss — At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Alexander Chriss |
| Position | Former President & CEO, PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) |
| Tenure | September 27, 2023 – February 28, 2026 |
| Successor | Enrique Lores (effective March 1, 2026) |
| Age | 46 years old |
| Born | Upstate New York, United States |
| Education | B.A. Economics, Tufts University |
| Previous Role | EVP & GM, Small Business & Self-Employed Group, Intuit |
| Net Worth (Est.) | ~$51 Million (as of late 2025) |
| [email protected] (former) | |
| Headquarters | San Jose, California |
Career Highlights
- Co-founded two startups in the late 1990s before joining Intuit in 2004
- 19 years at Intuit — rose from early leadership roles to EVP & GM of the Small Business & Self-Employed Group (QuickBooks, Mailchimp)
- Grew Intuit’s SB&SE division at a compound annual growth rate of 20% (customers) and 23% (revenue)
- Appointed PayPal CEO on September 27, 2023, succeeding Dan Schulman
- Led PayPal’s FY2024 results: $31.8B revenue (+7% YoY), $1.68T total payment volume (+10%)
- Oversaw $6B in shareholder returns through share repurchases during FY2024
- Replaced by Enrique Lores effective March 1, 2026, after PayPal’s board sought to accelerate transformation
Alex Chriss Net Worth & Salary
As of late 2025, Alex Chriss’s estimated net worth is approximately $51 million, based on his reported stock holdings across Intuit and PayPal, according to SEC insider trading filings. The bulk of his wealth came from his long tenure at Intuit and his substantial stock-based compensation package at PayPal.
PayPal CEO Compensation Breakdown
| Component | FY2024 | FY2023 (Partial Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $1,250,000 | $302,885 |
| Annual Bonus / Incentive | $4,975,000 | $164,384 |
| Stock Awards | — | $41,140,000 |
| Other Compensation | $433,527 | $311,840 |
| Total Compensation | $6,658,527 | $41,919,109 |
Key Insight: Chriss’s first-year package of ~$42 million was heavily front-loaded with stock awards to attract him from Intuit. His FY2024 compensation of $6.66 million reflects ongoing pay without the initial sign-on equity grant. His annual bonus target was 200% of base salary ($2.5M), with the FY2024 payout of $4.975M indicating near-maximum performance achievement.
PayPal Financial Summary Under Alex Chriss
| Metric | FY2025 | FY2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Revenue | $33.2B | $31.8B | ▲ +4.3% |
| Net Income | $5.2B | $4.1B | ▲ +26% |
| GAAP Operating Income | — | $5.3B | ▲ +6% |
| Total Payment Volume | — | $1.68T | ▲ +10% |
| Active Accounts | — | 434M | ▲ +8.8M |
| Free Cash Flow | — | $6.8B | — |
| GAAP EPS | — | $3.99 | ▲ +4% |
Performance Note: Despite improved financial results — including a $15 billion share buyback authorization and 434 million active accounts — PayPal’s board determined the pace of transformation was insufficient, leading to the CEO change in February 2026.
Alex Chriss Education & Early Life
Alex Chriss (born James Alexander Chriss) grew up in a small town in upstate New York. He attended Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, graduating in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
After college, Chriss pursued an entrepreneurial path, co-founding and selling two startups in the late 1990s and early 2000s before joining Intuit in 2004. His early career demonstrated the product and business acumen that would define his nearly two-decade tenure at Intuit.
Alex Chriss Career History
Career Timeline
| Period | Role | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Late 1990s–2004 | Co-Founder (two startups) | Various |
| 2004–2017 | Various leadership roles | Intuit |
| 2017–2019 | Chief Product Officer, Small Business Group | Intuit |
| 2019–2023 | EVP & GM, Small Business & Self-Employed Group | Intuit |
| Sep 2023 – Feb 2026 | President & CEO | PayPal Holdings, Inc. |
At Intuit (2004–2023)
Chriss spent 19 years at Intuit, steadily rising through the organization. He created Intuit’s Partner & Developer Platform and later led the Self-Employed Solutions team. From 2017 to 2019, he served as Chief Product Officer for the Small Business Group. In 2019, he was promoted to Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Small Business & Self-Employed Group, overseeing QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and related products. Under his leadership, the division grew customers at a 20% CAGR and revenue at a 23% CAGR, generating approximately $7 billion in annual revenue.
At PayPal (2023–2026)
Chriss was appointed President and CEO of PayPal on September 27, 2023, succeeding Dan Schulman. His mandate was to revitalize the payments giant and refocus on its core merchant and small business customer base — leveraging his Intuit expertise. During his tenure, he led cost restructuring initiatives, improved branded checkout performance, and strengthened Venmo. However, PayPal’s share price remained under pressure (down approximately 80% from its 2021 peak), and the board determined the pace of change was insufficient. On February 3, 2026, the board announced Enrique Lores as his successor.
Alex Chriss Personal Life
Alex Chriss is married to Sasha Rose Schamber (since October 2003), and the couple has children. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Outside of work, Chriss is known as an avid traveler who has visited more than 50 countries. He is a sports fan, supporting the San Francisco Giants and the Golden State Warriors, and enjoys golf, tennis, and skiing.
How to Contact Alex Chriss / PayPal
| Contact Information | |
|---|---|
| Email (Former) | [email protected] |
| linkedin.com/in/alexchriss | |
| PayPal HQ | 2211 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95131 |
| Investor Relations | investor.pypl.com |
| Current CEO | Enrique Lores (as of March 1, 2026) |
PayPal Competitors
PayPal operates in the highly competitive digital payments and fintech industry. Key competitors include:
- Block, Inc. (Square, Cash App) — small business payments and P2P
- Stripe — online payment processing for internet businesses
- Apple Pay / Google Pay — mobile wallet and digital payments
- Adyen — global payment processing platform
- Klarna — buy-now-pay-later and consumer finance
- Shopify Payments — integrated e-commerce payments
- Visa / Mastercard — global card networks and payment technology
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the current CEO of PayPal?
As of March 1, 2026, the CEO of PayPal is Enrique Lores, former CEO of HP Inc. and PayPal Board Chair. He replaced Alex Chriss, who served as CEO from September 2023 to February 2026.
What is Alex Chriss’s net worth?
Alex Chriss’s estimated net worth is approximately $51 million as of late 2025, based on SEC insider trading filings reflecting stock holdings in both Intuit and PayPal.
What was Alex Chriss’s salary as PayPal CEO?
In FY2024, Chriss earned total compensation of $6.66 million, including a $1.25 million base salary and $4.975 million bonus. His first-year package (FY2023 partial year) was approximately $41.9 million, front-loaded with a $41.1 million stock award.
What is Alex Chriss’s email address?
During his tenure at PayPal, Alex Chriss’s corporate email was [email protected]. PayPal’s general email format is [email protected]. He can also be found on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/alexchriss.
Why was Alex Chriss replaced as PayPal CEO?
PayPal’s board stated that while progress had been made in several areas during Chriss’s tenure, the pace of change and execution was not in line with the board’s expectations. The company’s share price remained significantly below its 2021 highs, and the board sought to accelerate PayPal’s AI-driven commerce transformation under new leadership.
What did Alex Chriss do before PayPal?
Before PayPal, Chriss spent 19 years at Intuit where he rose to EVP & GM of the Small Business & Self-Employed Group, overseeing QuickBooks and Mailchimp with approximately $7 billion in annual revenue. He grew the division’s customer base at 20% CAGR and revenue at 23% CAGR.
Article last updated: March 5, 2026
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including SEC filings, official company press releases, and reputable news outlets. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Net worth figures are estimates and may vary by source.