Craig S. Donohue served as the CEO of CME Group Inc., one of the largest financial exchanges in the world, from January 2006 until his retirement in May 2012. He was key in navigating significant mergers, including the acquisition of...

Craig S. Donohue served as the CEO of CME Group Inc., one of the largest financial exchanges in the world, from January 2006 until his retirement in May 2012. He was key in navigating significant mergers, including the acquisition of CBOT Holdings, which transformed CME into a powerhouse in the financial services industry. He was known for tying his pay to performance, focusing primarily on how well the company did financially. For instance, he earned a salary of $937,692 in 2012 and received a substantial bonus of over $600,000 based on the company hitting 86% of its performance targets. Donohue has a rich background in finance, having held various leadership positions before becoming the CEO. Even after his retirement, his strategic vision and approach were evident in how CME continued to grow. His agreements ensured he would receive benefits and bonuses aligned with the company’s success, reinforcing a culture where leaders share in the ups and downs of the business. Donohue's legacy is marked by an era of significant growth and strategic direction for CME Group.