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Many of you have seen the announcement we made this morning, but I wanted to take a moment to speak directly with you. Over the past few years, I’ve been in discussions with the board about stepping down as CEO, and today we officially announced that I will be doing so. I’m confident that the company is in great hands with Amar and Andrew, and I have full trust in their ability to lead us forward while we search for a new CEO. I hope either of them might be chosen, and I’ll be here to support them throughout the transition.

I love Autodesk and am incredibly proud of what we’ve built together. But it’s time for me to move on and explore new opportunities. The company is in a strong position—financially, strategically, and culturally. Our leadership team is solid, our shift to a subscription model is progressing well, and we're seeing early success in the cloud. We've also resolved our issues with activist investors, and now feels like the right time for both the company and me to move forward.

I’m not leaving to spend more time with my family—though I do plan to be more present in my shop, working with my robots. I have other plans in the works and will share more about them in the coming months.

It’s been an honor to lead Autodesk, and I’m deeply grateful for the people I’ve had the privilege to work with. Together, we’ve built something truly special—products that have transformed entire industries and helped shape the world around us.

Great, Good, and Important

When I first became CEO, people often asked how I defined Autodesk, and I’d say, “great, good, and important.” In my view, great companies are measured by their financial strength. Good companies are defined by their values, culture, and how they treat employees, customers, and communities. And important companies make a real impact on the world.

Striking a balance between all three is one of the hardest challenges any leader faces. I believe we’ve done well on all fronts:

  • Great: About 14 years ago, we rebuilt our executive team, and since then, we’ve significantly improved every financial metric. After the 2009 crash, our investors have seen six times their returns. At that time, the company was worth just over $2 billion; today, it's more than $18 billion. More importantly, we focused on long-term sustainable growth, which many investors prefer to ignore in favor of short-term gains. As a capitalist, I believe that balancing strong performance with long-term vision builds lasting companies.
  • Good: Beyond money, we’ve always believed in doing the right thing. We’ve created a culture where diversity is valued, and people feel respected and included. We’ve won awards for our culture, but even more meaningful are the everyday actions that reflect who we are. That’s what really matters.
  • Important: Autodesk is the toolmaker behind the innovations that shape our world. From buildings to cars, from movies to manufacturing, our tools help people design and create. It’s humbling to see the incredible things our customers have built using our software. I’m proud of the respect we’ve earned and the trust our users place in us.

My Awards Speech

When I first became CEO, people would ask me what it was like, and I used to joke, “I immediately became smarter and funnier.” Well, starting tomorrow, I’m expecting the opposite. I’ve been honored to lead Autodesk, but I’ve always tried to remember that my job is not who I am.

As I prepare to step down, I want to thank a few people who played a key role in our journey. First, Carol Bartz—she believed in me when others didn’t, and I learned a lot from her. She and the founders laid the foundation we built upon.

Thanks to our customers, who are the reason we exist. We’re proud to be your toolmakers and part of the amazing work you do every day.

Thanks to our global partners, whose dedication has been vital to our success.

Thanks to our long-term shareholders, who have always supported our vision for sustainable growth.

And most of all, thanks to the thousands of talented, passionate employees who make Autodesk what it is. I’ve never forgotten that the real work comes from you. I’ll miss our conversations and the energy you bring every day.

Leadership is about vision and courage. I hope I’ve lived up to that. You’ve all done your part, and I’m proud to have worked alongside you.

Thank you for everything,

Carl

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