Planet Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

Planet has 6 executives leading key functions including strategy, product, technology, finance, and operations.

Driven by a mission to image the Earth daily, Planet leverages its satellite constellations to deliver critical geospatial data, fostering global understanding and enabling data-driven decisions across diverse industries.

Leadership Roles at Planet

  • Chief Executive Officer - Tamaki Nishimura
  • Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer - William Marshall
  • Operations Senior Executive & To The Partner & Chief Executive Officer - Tania Ayala
  • Operations Executive & To Ashley Johnson Partner & President & Chief Financial Officer - Carole Dean
  • President & Secretary - Scott Ayers
  • Chief Product & Technology Officer - Kevin Kirn
  • Tamaki Nishimura - Chief Executive Officer

    Tamaki Nishimura, the Chief Executive Officer at Planet, directs the company's overarching strategy and operational execution. This leadership role involves guiding the organization's mission to provide high-cadence geospatial data worldwide through its satellite constellations. Overseeing all departments, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with the company's core objectives of delivering actionable insights to agriculture, mapping, energy, and government sectors. By focusing on innovation and market expansion, Tamaki Nishimura drives the company's growth and its impact on global data delivery. The Chief Executive Officer's responsibilities include fostering strategic partnerships and ensuring the efficient deployment of resources to maintain Planet's leading position in the satellite imagery market. This executive ensures the company's platform capabilities, including monitoring, basemap, and tasking services, consistently meet evolving customer demands and industry standards.

    William Marshall - Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    William Marshall, the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Planet, spearheads the company's strategic vision and long-term development. As a founder, William Marshall brings deep insight into the company's origins and its mission to revolutionize geospatial data access. This executive guides the expansion of Planet's satellite constellations and the continuous enhancement of its online data delivery platform. Overseeing key initiatives, the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer ensures that the company's offerings, including planet monitoring, basemap, and tasking services, remain at the forefront of technological advancement. William Marshall's leadership focuses on driving innovation, cultivating strategic alliances, and ensuring the company's sustained impact across global markets. The role involves championing the company's commitment to providing high-cadence imagery that supports critical decision-making for agriculture, finance, and government agencies worldwide.

    Tania Ayala - Operations Senior Executive & To The Partner & Chief Executive Officer

    Tania Ayala, the Operations Senior Executive & To The Partner & Chief Executive Officer at Planet, manages critical operational functions and supports strategic partnerships. This executive oversees the day-to-day execution of complex operational workflows essential for delivering high-cadence geospatial data. Tania Ayala ensures seamless integration between satellite operations, data processing, and customer platform delivery, directly impacting the company's service reliability. The role involves optimizing internal processes to enhance efficiency and scalability across the organization. By collaborating closely with leadership, Tania Ayala contributes to strategic decision-making and the execution of key business objectives. This executive's focus on operational excellence supports Planet's mission to provide vital data to agriculture, mapping, and government sectors worldwide, ensuring the consistent availability of monitoring and basemap services.
    Tania Ayala

    Carole Dean - Operations Executive & To Ashley Johnson Partner & President & Chief Financial Officer

    Carole Dean, the Operations Executive & To Ashley Johnson Partner & President & Chief Financial Officer at Planet, supports critical financial operations and executive decision-making. This role involves contributing to the financial strategy and oversight necessary for managing a global satellite data provider. Carole Dean assists in the analysis of financial performance, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure the company's fiscal health and growth objectives are met. The executive's responsibilities extend to supporting the President & Chief Financial Officer in managing investor relations and financial reporting. By ensuring robust financial controls and strategic planning, Carole Dean underpins Planet's ability to invest in its satellite constellations and data platform. This executive's work is vital for maintaining the company's operational capacity and its commitment to delivering high-cadence geospatial data worldwide.

    Scott Ayers - President & Secretary

    Scott Ayers, the President & Secretary at Planet, directs corporate governance and strategic initiatives. This executive plays a pivotal role in overseeing the company's legal and administrative functions, ensuring compliance and operational integrity. Scott Ayers works closely with the executive team to advance the company's mission of delivering high-cadence geospatial data worldwide. The President & Secretary's responsibilities include managing board communications and corporate record-keeping, vital for maintaining strong governance structures. This leadership position supports the strategic deployment of Planet's satellite constellations and the continuous enhancement of its data delivery platform. Scott Ayers's involvement ensures that the company operates with the highest standards of corporate responsibility, facilitating its service to diverse industries including finance, forestry, and mapping.

    Kevin Kirn - Chief Product & Technology Officer

    Kevin Kirn, the Chief Product & Technology Officer at Planet, architects the company's product roadmap and technological infrastructure. This executive leads the development and innovation of Planet's satellite technology and data delivery platform, ensuring cutting-edge capabilities. Kevin Kirn oversees the engineering teams responsible for designing, building, and launching satellite constellations and for developing the online platform that provides monitoring, basemap, and tasking services. The Chief Product & Technology Officer drives the integration of advanced analytics and application programming interfaces, enabling customers to derive maximum value from geospatial data. This leadership role is crucial for maintaining Planet's competitive edge and for expanding its market reach across agriculture, energy, and government sectors. Kevin Kirn's strategic direction ensures the technological foundation supports the company's mission to deliver high-cadence, actionable insights globally.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Planet Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Planet?
    Planet is led by Tamaki Nishimura (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as William Marshall (Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer) and Tania Ayala (Operations Senior Executive & To The Partner & Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of Planet’s executive team?
    The executive team of Planet includes leaders such as Tamaki Nishimura (Chief Executive Officer), William Marshall (Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Tania Ayala (Operations Senior Executive & To The Partner & Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Planet have?
    Planet has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Planet’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Planet includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Operations Senior Executive & To The Partner & Chief Executive Officer, Operations Executive & To Ashley Johnson Partner & President & Chief Financial Officer, President & Secretary.