The business plan written by Jeffrey Stuart Skoll served as the operational roadmap for eBay during its transition from a niche start-up into a massive corporate entity. By serving as the company’s first president and full-time employee, he accumulated significant capital, which he later transitioned into extensive philanthropic endeavors and a prolific career as a producer of social-issue cinema.
Early Education and Career
Born in Montreal in 1965 to a Jewish family, Skoll moved to Toronto as a teenager. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto in 1987. During his studies, he co-edited the satirical newspaper The Toike Oike and gained early professional experience by running two local businesses: Skoll Engineering and Micros on the Move Ltd. In 1993, he relocated to California to attend the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he earned an MBA in 1995.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The eBay Years
In 1996, Pierre Omidyar recruited Skoll as eBay's first employee and president. Skoll drafted the five-year business projection that guided the firm through its rapid growth phase. He later transitioned to the role of Vice President of Strategic Planning and Analysis in 1998 following the arrival of Meg Whitman. During his tenure, he established the eBay Foundation, which received pre-IPO stock allocations now valued at approximately $32 million. As one of the company's largest individual shareholders, he ultimately liquidated holdings worth roughly $2 billion.
Cinematic Philanthropy
Skoll launched Participant in 2004 to produce films intended to drive public awareness regarding social and environmental challenges. The company’s inaugural 2005 slate, featuring titles such as Syriana and Good Night, and Good Luck, garnered 11 Academy Award nominations. He served as producer or executive producer on nearly 100 projects, including the 2006 documentary An Inconvenient Truth and the 2015 feature Spotlight, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. By 2019, his production house had secured 18 Oscars and over 70 nominations.
Investments and Academic Support
Beyond film and e-commerce, Skoll maintains a presence in the investment sector as the chairman of the Capricorn Investment Group. His philanthropic efforts extended into academia in 2014 when he funded the Skoll Center for Social Impact Entertainment at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. In recognition of his contributions to both technology and social engagement, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. The Toronto International Film Festival also honored him by renaming its impact award the Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media.
Fast facts
- Born: 1965, Montreal, Canada
- Education: University of Toronto, Stanford University
- First role at eBay: President and first full-time employee
- Net worth (December 2016 estimate): $4 billion
- Investment firm: Capricorn Investment Group
- Notable honor: Officer of the Order of Canada
- Founding company: Participant
Questions readers ask
What was Jeff Skoll's role at eBay?
He was the company's first full-time employee and first president, responsible for drafting the business plan that guided the company during its formative growth years.
What is the primary objective of Participant?
The company was founded to produce films that highlight critical social and environmental issues, encouraging audience engagement and social action.
Achievements
- Educated at University of Toronto, Stanford University and Stanford Graduate School of Business
- Worked as film producer, computer scientist and engineer
