Kenneth Alan Howery, born on November 4, 1975, in Texas, has carved a remarkable path through the worlds of entrepreneurship and diplomacy. As a co-founder of PayPal alongside notable figures like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, he played an instrumental role in shaping online payment systems that revolutionized e-commerce. His tenure as CFO from 1998 to 2002 marked the beginning of his ascent within Silicon Valley's elite circle known as the 'PayPal Mafia.' After eBay acquired PayPal in 2002 for $1.5 billion, Howery transitioned into corporate development at eBay before rejoining Thiel at Clarium Capital Management.
In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Howery’s commitment to public service is noteworthy. He served as the U.S. ambassador to Sweden from late 2019 until early 2021 under President Donald Trump—a position where he advocated for stronger economic ties and increased defense spending between Sweden and the United States.
On December 22, 2024, it was announced that he would be nominated again by Trump as ambassador to Denmark; this nomination was confirmed by the Senate on October 7, 2025.
Howery's net worth is estimated at around $1.5 billion—an impressive figure reflecting both his success in venture capital with Founders Fund (which manages over $3 billion) and his strategic investments across various sectors including technology startups like Zocdoc and Quantcast.
His influence extends beyond business; he's recognized for fostering innovation through education initiatives at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School and Stanford University while also contributing significantly to charitable organizations like Kiva.
As we look ahead into Ken Howery’s future endeavors—whether they lie within diplomatic corridors or venture capital boardrooms—it’s clear that his journey exemplifies how one can blend entrepreneurial spirit with civic responsibility.