Early Life
Arthur D. Levinson was born on March 31, 1950, in Seattle, Washington, to a Jewish family. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington in 1972, followed by a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Princeton University in 1977. He began his career in research, contributing to the field of molecular biology.
Rise to Success
Levinson joined Genentech in 1980 as a research scientist. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, becoming Vice President of Research Technology (1989), Vice President of Research (1990), Senior VP of Research (1992), and Senior VP of Research and Development (1993). He became Genentech's CEO in 1995 and Chairman in 1999. Levinson was also a director of Google from 2004 to 2009. In 2011, he became Chairman of the Board of Apple Inc., a position he still holds. Currently, he is also the CEO of Calico, a health-focused company under Alphabet Inc.
Key Business Strategies
Levinson's strategic approach is rooted in a deep understanding of scientific research, which has enabled him to lead both biotech and tech companies. His leadership style emphasizes a data-driven approach, as demonstrated by his quote, “In God we trust. Everyone else please bring data.”
Philanthropy
Levinson serves on the boards of several scientific and philanthropic organizations, including the Broad Institute and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, demonstrating his commitment to advancing scientific research and healthcare.
