The career of Sarah Friar is an exceptional journey at the intersection of leadership and innovation in the financial technology sector. Born in Ireland, she has managed to rise to the top, becoming a central figure in the industry. Before taking on the role of CEO at Nextdoor, she made her mark in corporate finance as the chief financial officer at Square, now known as Block, Inc. It was under her leadership that the company went public in 2015, demonstrating her ability to drive large-scale initiatives. Since 2024, she has joined OpenAI as chief financial officer, continuing her influence on companies that are revolutionizing our daily lives.
Sarah Jane Friar, born on December 24, 1972, is an iconic figure in the Irish-American business world. Her dynamic and varied career has placed her at the heart of financial technology and social networks. Before becoming an essential reference, Sarah held several key positions that shaped her rise in the sector.
Before becoming the CEO of Nextdoor, the largest private social network in the world dedicated to neighborhoods, Sarah served as the Chief Financial Officer at Square (now known as Block, Inc.). Under her financial leadership, Square made a major milestone by launching its initial public offering in 2015. This achievement reflects her strategic vision and her ability to orchestrate significant transformations within companies.
Collaborating closely with the founder of Square and Twitter, Jack Dorsey, from 2012 to 2018, Sarah Friar managed to leave her mark and develop her skills in corporate finance management. Her career is an example for many women business leaders and an inspiration for all those who seek to lead with innovation and boldness in the world of Fintech.
Sarah Friar’s Career Beginnings
At the age of 50, Sarah Friar has become an indispensable figure in the financial and technological sector. Born on December 24, 1972, in Northern Ireland, she pursued brilliant studies that led her to the intellectual hubs of the world, including the prestigious Blavatnik School of Government. She began her career in finance, a field she would later dominate thanks to a masterful blend of economic foresight and visionary ambitions.
Sarah Friar distinguished herself as the Head of Finance and Strategy at Salesforce, where she developed crucial skills before embracing a role that would redefine her career. Her exceptional ability to orchestrate financial strategies opened numerous doors, propelling her into the influential circles of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. At that time, she began to establish her footprint in industrial tech.
Rise at Square
In 2012, Sarah Friar took the leap and joined Square, Inc. as Chief Financial Officer, a strategic role she held until 2018. Under her financial leadership, Square, later renamed Block, Inc., successfully solidified its market position through an initial public offering in 2015 that propelled the company to new financial heights. This achievement established Sarah Friar’s reputation as one of the most respected financial architects in the business world. Her close collaboration with Jack Dorsey, founder of Square, allowed her to gain unique insight into the challenges and opportunities of the Fintech sector.
Leadership at Nextdoor
In early 2019, Sarah Friar took on new responsibilities and became CEO of Nextdoor, the largest private social network dedicated to neighborhoods in the world. In this position, she facilitated the transformation of the platform into a space where millions of users connect, bringing a fresh breath and a revitalized strategy to Nextdoor, demonstrating once again her effectiveness and leadership. For more information about her career, you can visit her Wikipedia page.
