Proofpoint Welcomes Former Citrix CEO Mark Templeton to Board of Directors
Sunnyvale, California—April 24, 2025 – Proofpoint, Inc., a leading entity in cybersecurity and compliance solutions, has announced a significant addition to its leadership team. The company has appointed Mark Templeton, the former CEO of Citrix Systems, Inc., to its board of directors, effective immediately. This strategic move aims to facilitate Proofpoint’s accelerated growth during a pivotal stage in the cybersecurity industry.
As organizations navigate the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the need for robust defenses becomes more crucial than ever. Many businesses are moving towards layered security strategies that combine both preventive and reactive measures to protect sensitive data. Proofpoint’s human-centric platform has emerged as a cornerstone of modern cybersecurity infrastructures. The inclusion of Mark Templeton on the board highlights a critical moment in Proofpoint’s evolution, especially as it continues to solidify its position as one of the top five revenue-generating cybersecurity firms, boasting an impressive $2 billion in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2024.
Mark Templeton brings to Proofpoint a wealth of experience in leadership roles within the technology sector. His tenure as president and CEO of Citrix from 2001 to 2015 saw him transform the company from a single-product entity into a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse in the realm of virtual workspace solutions. Templeton’s visionary leadership was pivotal in expanding Citrix’s cloud and virtualization offerings, effectively scaling operations to serve millions of users globally. This legacy of growth and transformation positions him uniquely to contribute to Proofpoint’s mission.
Beyond his notable achievements at Citrix, Templeton has held multiple leadership and advisory roles across a spectrum of tech companies. His recent role as president and CEO at DigitalOcean saw him shape the company’s cloud computing strategy, nurturing its growth and enhancing operational capacity. In addition to his executive roles, Templeton has acted as a board member and advisor for various technology firms, providing crucial strategic insights focused on operational scaling, innovation, and bolstering cybersecurity resilience.
Upon his appointment, Mark Templeton expressed his enthusiasm for joining Proofpoint’s board, stating, “I am thrilled to join the board of directors of Proofpoint, the undisputed leader in human-centric security. Proofpoint is providing organizations with the critical visibility and insights needed to effectively solve today’s sophisticated threats and risks targeting their people. I am honored to be working with Proofpoint’s board of directors to advance the company’s important mission and success.” His commitment to enhancing the visibility and effectiveness of security measures reflects the core values of Proofpoint.
Sumit Dhawan, Proofpoint’s CEO, also voiced his excitement about Templeton’s appointment. “We are delighted to welcome Mark to Proofpoint’s board of directors. Having closely worked with Mark during my time at Citrix, I have seen firsthand his passion for, and deep expertise in, enterprise software, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. His impressive background in scaling global businesses will be invaluable as we continue to expand our leadership in the market and define the future of human-centric security to deliver even greater value to the organizations that rely on us every day.”
Mark Templeton’s academic credentials further bolster his reputation, as he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Product Design from North Carolina State University, coupled with an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. His unique combination of technical knowledge and business acumen positions him well to provide thoughtful guidance to Proofpoint as the company continues its mission.
For further insights into Proofpoint’s evolving business momentum and its positioning as a leader in human-centric security, readers can explore the latest updates on their official blog.
About Proofpoint, Inc.
Proofpoint, Inc. is at the forefront of cybersecurity and compliance, protecting organizations by focusing on their most valuable assets: their people. As a provider of an integrated suite of cloud-based solutions, Proofpoint aids companies in combating targeted threats, safeguarding sensitive information, and reinforcing user resilience against cyber attacks. With 85 percent of Fortune 100 companies trusting Proofpoint for their security and compliance needs, the organization remains dedicated to mitigating critical risks encountered across the email, cloud, social media, and web platforms.
To learn more about Proofpoint and its offerings, interested parties are encouraged to visit www.proofpoint.com and connect on LinkedIn.