Stephen Kaufer, who served as the CEO of TripAdvisor, is an experienced leader in the technology and travel sectors. He co-founded TripAdvisor back in 2000, shaping its journey into one of the largest travel platforms worldwide. A Harvard graduate, Kaufer...

Stephen Kaufer, who served as the CEO of TripAdvisor, is an experienced leader in the technology and travel sectors. He co-founded TripAdvisor back in 2000, shaping its journey into one of the largest travel platforms worldwide. A Harvard graduate, Kaufer has a strong background in technology, which he leveraged to grow TripAdvisor into a household name. His leadership was marked by notable achievements, including significant growth in revenue and scaling the company's operations. However, his tenure ended in 2022 when he stepped down, closing a chapter after 22 years at the helm. In 2021, Kaufer's total compensation was reported at over $1.2 million, highlighting his financial stake in TripAdvisor's success. Throughout his career, he received recognition for performance-based compensation, aligning his interests with those of shareholders. He made strategic moves to enhance the company's offerings but ultimately resigned amid changing market dynamics. His journey reflects both the challenges and victories of leading a major tech company in a competitive landscape, making his story a valuable lesson for aspiring leaders.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

T

Stephen Kaufer

Founder and CEO of TripAdvisor

Education

B.A. in Computer Science from Harvard University

Field of Expertise

Technology & Engineering - Technology

Sector of Economy

Consumer Cyclical

Born

June 1, 1962 - 62 years ago

CEO of TripAdvisor for

25 years 2 months (Feb 2000 - Present)

Previous Experience

Co-Founder of TripAdvisor

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Stephen Kaufer

E

Peter Kern

CEO of Expedia Group, Inc.

2023 Compensation

Stock

$800.00K

Salary

$1.00M

Bonus

$500.00K

Other

$300.00K

Total Holdings

$75.53M

B

Glenn Fogel

CEO of Booking Holdings Inc.

2023 Compensation

Stock

$33.98M

Salary

$750.00K

Bonus

$5.00M

Other

$41.04K

Total Holdings

$110.54M

A

Brian Chesky

Founder and CEO of Airbnb

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.00

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$295.12K

Total Holdings

$1.49B

Holdings

See how much did Stephen Kaufer make over time.

Stephen Kaufer has held significant stock positions throughout his time at TripAdvisor, reflecting his deep investment in the company's future. At peak moments, like in 2016, his stock options were valued at over $42 million, demonstrating the alignment between his...

Stephen Kaufer has held significant stock positions throughout his time at TripAdvisor, reflecting his deep investment in the company's future. At peak moments, like in 2016, his stock options were valued at over $42 million, demonstrating the alignment between his financial incentives and the company's performance. Over the years, he exercised various stock options, realizing substantial gains, including significant cash inflows from options in 2018. However, his stock holdings fluctuated, especially after resigning in 2022, which shifted the focus from active management to potential long-term investment strategies. As of his departure, his equity in TripAdvisor encompassed millions of shares, underscoring the outcome of his years of leadership and dedication to the company's growth and success. This transition points to the intricate relationship between executive compensation, stock performance, and overall company strategy.

Mar 17, 2025

C

shares

CARG @ $31.13

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shares

TRIP @ $14.45

Total Stock Sold

$25.28M

CARG

$25.28M

700,000 CARG shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Stephen Kaufer didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra CARG700,000 shares worth $12.43M.
This is -50.85% and $12.86M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Charitable Transactions

CARG

500,000 shares

CARG

Recent Charitable Transactions

CARG

500,000 shares

CARG

Sep 13, 2018

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Stephen Kaufer.

CARG

7,033 shares

CARG

Jun 5, 2024

Received

CARG

8,750 shares

CARG

Jun 6, 2023

Received

CARG

6,804 shares

CARG

Jun 7, 2022

Received

TRIP

6,002 shares

TRIP

Jun 8, 2021

Received

CARG

5,504 shares

CARG

Jun 2, 2021

Received

CARG

5,474 shares

CARG

Jun 2, 2020

Received

TRIP

$965.77K

TRIP at $21.73/share

Mar 5, 2020

Purchase

CARG

3,745 shares

CARG

May 7, 2019

Received

CARG

$2.26M

CARG at $37.64/share

Dec 3, 2018

Sale

CARG

$2.40M

CARG at $40.01/share

Nov 29, 2018

Sale

Compensation History

See how much did Stephen Kaufer make over time.

Stephen Kaufer's compensation varied considerably during his tenure at TripAdvisor. In the later years, he earned significant income, with a total of around $1.26 million in 2021, including a salary of $850K and a performance bonus. His approach emphasized performance metrics, ensuring his pay was closely tied to TripAdvisor's success. However, in 2022, following his resignation, his compensation changed drastically, falling to approximately $497K, primarily reflecting his salary and severance package. Notably, he did not receive bonuses or stock grants in 2022 due to his early exit from the company. This highlights how executive compensation in tech companies often fluctuates based on company performance and individual contributions. Kaufer's compensation illustrates the balancing act of rewarding success while managing the company's financial health.

Year

2022

Total Compensation

$497.54K

Salary

$441.35K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy emphasizes a pay-for-performance approach, aligning executive compensation with company performance and shareholder interests.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

Mr. Kaufer did not receive an annual bonus for 2022 due to his resignation during the year.

Other

$56.19K

Board Justification

This includes severance benefits and other compensation paid to Mr. Kaufer upon his resignation.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 N/A)

Board Justification

No stock awards vested in 2022 as Mr. Kaufer resigned before any awards could vest.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics considered for compensation include revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA.