Steve Krognes is currently the CEO of Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. Since taking on this role in June 2024, he has been involved in pioneering work in the field of pharmaceuticals, focusing on novel treatments that could change lives. Before this,...

Steve Krognes is currently the CEO of Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. Since taking on this role in June 2024, he has been involved in pioneering work in the field of pharmaceuticals, focusing on novel treatments that could change lives. Before this, he was the Chief Financial Officer at Denali Therapeutics from January 2021 until May 2022. During his time at Denali, Krognes played a key role in the company’s financial operations, along with facilitating its growth and development. His compensation saw a massive peak in 2021, where his total earnings reached $1.84 million, largely due to a hefty bonus and stock grants. Interestingly, Krognes transitioned to a non-employee director role recently, which meant stepping away from a sizable salary of $501,150 to $173,750 annually—showing his commitment to the company’s long-term vision over immediate personal financial gain. In addition, he serves on the Audit Committee at Pliant, showcasing his financial expertise in overseeing company audits. Steve's journey reflects a trend in leadership that values long-term goals.