SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – October 1, 2025 – Okta, the leading independent identity partner, today announced that Ric Smith has joined the company as its President of Products and Technology, Okta. Smith’s appointment is a key component in Okta’s next chapter of growth: securing and transforming Okta’s business with AI.
In his new role, Smith will lead the Okta Platform’s global product, engineering, and technology strategy, advancing the company’s leadership in human and AI identity solutions.
“Ric has an incredible track record of scaling world-class platforms, driving innovation in cybersecurity and enterprise SaaS, and leading global organizations through periods of hypergrowth,” said Todd McKinnon, CEO and Co-Founder of Okta. “We have a moment in front of us to not just react to change, but to drive it. His background will be crucial as we embark on the next chapter of AI transformation for Okta and our customers. With his leadership, we are signaling our clear commitment to securing the AI agent lifecycle and accelerating the next phase of our technology strategy.”
Smith is a seasoned leader with a deep understanding of technology and organizational growth. He has over two decades of experience in leading technology teams to develop and deliver best-in-class solutions that not only address complex next-generation security challenges but also consistently exceed customer expectations and industry standards.
“I’m thrilled to take on this new challenge and work alongside Okta’s talented team to deliver unified identity solutions in a world where AI is rapidly changing how organizations need to protect themselves from threats,” Smith said. “Okta's unparalleled platform is more critical than ever to every company’s security posture, and I look forward to supporting our next chapter of growth.”
About Ric Smith
Smith was previously with SentinelOne, where he served as President of Product, Technology, and Operations, overseeing more than 60% of the company’s operations and helping scale its AI-powered cybersecurity platform. He joined SentinelOne pre-IPO as Chief Technology Officer before advancing to the roles of CPTO and President, helping transform the company into a recognized industry leader.
Before SentinelOne, Smith led product engineering at Medallia, where he played a critical role in taking the company public, spearheaded the introduction of its self-service capabilities, and oversaw the development of Athena, Medallia’s AI agent, advancing the company’s ability to deliver intelligent, scalable customer experience solutions.
