AmirAli Talasaz is a co-founder and Co-CEO of Guardant Health, Inc., a company focused on precision oncology. With a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Stanford University, Talasaz has deep expertise in biotechnology. He played key roles in developing genomic technologies during...

AmirAli Talasaz is a co-founder and Co-CEO of Guardant Health, Inc., a company focused on precision oncology. With a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Stanford University, Talasaz has deep expertise in biotechnology. He played key roles in developing genomic technologies during his time at Illumina, where he also served as Senior Director of Diagnostics Research before launching Guardant Health in 2013. In August 2021, he transitioned to Co-CEO after previously being the President and COO. Interestingly, Talasaz has forgone his salary, opting for equity compensation instead, which shows his confidence in the company's future. Despite not receiving cash bonuses or equity awards since 2021 due to specific waivers, he has remained significantly involved in the company’s strategic direction and technical advancements. His focus is on improving cancer patients' journeys, emphasizing the importance of innovation in the company’s mission. Talasaz's leadership has been pivotal in aligning Guardant with market needs and responding to a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Guardant Health CEOs

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AmirAli Talasaz

Founder and CEO of Guardant Health

Education

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University

Field of Expertise

Technology & Engineering - Engineering

Sector of Economy

Healthcare

Born

January 1, 1979 - 46 years ago

CEO of Guardant Health for

3 years 10 months (Aug 2021 - Present)

Previous Experience

Co-founder of Guardant Health

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of AmirAli Talasaz

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Rebecca Chambers

CEO of Veracyte

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$510.00K

Bonus

$388.49K

Other

$3.00K

Total Holdings

$4.42M

Holdings

See how much did AmirAli Talasaz make over time.

Talasaz's financial involvement in Guardant Health is quite telling. He has waived his cash salary since the inception of waivers in 2021, directing his full commitment towards the company's value. In 2023, his reported compensation was limited to around $26,415...

Talasaz's financial involvement in Guardant Health is quite telling. He has waived his cash salary since the inception of waivers in 2021, directing his full commitment towards the company's value. In 2023, his reported compensation was limited to around $26,415 due to these waivers, an amount primarily covering tax reimbursements related to health insurance and travel. Although he owns zero vested stock or stock options, this arrangement exemplifies his belief in the company’s growth and commitment to long-term objectives. Historically, however, he had a significant stake through performance awards tied to the company’s stock price. These awards are intended to motivate and align executives' incentives with shareholders but currently remain in a state of non-vesting pending specific stock price targets.

Total Stock Sold

$384.42M

GH

$384.42M

3,418,511 GH shares

What if they kept their stock?

If AmirAli Talasaz didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra GH3,418,511 shares worth $261.31M.
This is -32.03% and $123.11M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Charitable Transactions

GH

143,505 shares

GH

Recent Charitable Transactions

GH

117,603 shares

GH

Dec 2, 2020

Charity

GH

50,000 shares

GH

Dec 20, 2019

Charity

GH

902 shares

GH

Nov 19, 2019

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of AmirAli Talasaz.

GH

$2.50M

GH at $25.74/share

Mar 13, 2023

Purchase

GH

$10.01M

GH at $95.80/share

Nov 19, 2021

Purchase

GH

$1.12M

GH at $168.73/share

Feb 10, 2021

Sale

GH

$47.53M

GH at $162.35/share

Feb 10, 2021

Sale

GH

$73.63M

GH at $161.95/share

Feb 5, 2021

Sale

GH

$22.62M

GH at $158.88/share

Dec 2, 2020

Sale

GH

$5.29M

GH at $159.49/share

Feb 4, 2021

Sale

GH

$9.40M

GH at $159.23/share

Feb 2, 2021

Sale

GH

$40.63M

GH at $156.01/share

Feb 1, 2021

Sale

GH

117,603 shares

GH

Dec 2, 2020

Charity

Compensation History

See how much did AmirAli Talasaz make over time.

In 2023, AmirAli Talasaz had a total compensation package of $26,415, reflecting his choice to waive salary and bonuses. Instead of traditional pay, he focused on aligning his interests with the company's long-term vision. This approach is a part of his belief in the mission of Guardant Health to change cancer care through innovation. Previously, he also had similar arrangements in 2022 and 2021, where he opted out of annual bonuses and long-term equity awards. While this might seem unusual, it underscores his dedication to the company and its goals rather than to immediate financial gain. Talasaz’s unique strategy illustrates a modern approach to executive compensation, prioritizing equity and commitment over short-term rewards.

Year

2023

Total Compensation

$26.42K

Salary

$1.00

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy emphasizes attracting and retaining talent while aligning executive compensation with company performance and stockholder interests.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

Dr. Talasaz waived his opportunity to receive annual incentive opportunities or payouts under the annual incentive plan for 2023 as part of the Waiver Letters.

Other

$26.41K

Board Justification

Other compensation includes tax reimbursements related to health insurance premiums and travel expenditures under the Company-wide Sabbatical and Travel Award Program.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 RSU)

Board Justification

No stock awards vested in 2023 due to the Waiver Letters.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for determining compensation were not applicable to Dr. Talasaz in 2023 due to the Waiver Letters.

Other Guardant Health CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Guardant Health

Helmy Eltoukhy

Founder and Ex-CEO of Guardant Health

January 2013 - August 2021