Arnold Donald
Former President and CEO
Miami Connection
As former CEO of Carnival Corporation, headquartered in Miami, Florida, Arnold Donald oversaw operations for its ten cruise brands, including Carnival Cruise Lines, which maintain a major presence in Miami as a key homeport for departures to the Caribbean and beyond. His leadership boosted the company's market value and solidified Miami's status as the cruise capital of the world, generating substantial economic impact through jobs, tourism, and port activity in South Florida. Carnival's Miami base supports over 12 million annual guests, enhancing the region's hospitality and travel sectors.
About
Born in 1954 in New Orleans to parents without high school diplomas, Arnold W. Donald earned a BA in economics from Carleton College, a BS in mechanical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He began his career as an intern at Monsanto in 1976, advancing over 23 years to roles including president of the agricultural and nutrition sectors, driving significant revenue growth. After Monsanto, he led Merisant as CEO and chairman, then served as president and CEO of the Executive Leadership Council and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In 2013, he became president and CEO of Carnival Corporation, also serving as chief climate officer until transitioning to vice chair in 2022; he now sits on boards including Salesforce and Bank of America. Donald chaired the World Travel and Tourism Council and has been honored as a lifetime achiever in business.