Arthur “Art” D. Levinson, Ph.D., born in 1950, is a foundational figure in the global biotechnology industry and a highly influential executive in Silicon Valley. His career is a rare blend of pioneering science and corporate governance at the highest levels. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington and, most crucially, a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Princeton University in 1977.

Following his doctorate, Levinson was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California San Francisco, working with Nobel Laureates Michael Bishop and Harold Varmus. Despite being recruited by prestigious institutions like Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, he made a career-defining choice: to join the newly formed Genentech as a research scientist. This decision positioned him at the very beginning of the biotechnology industry, allowing him to bridge the gap between fundamental genetic research and commercial, life-saving therapeutics.

Art Levinson’s career trajectory is one of relentless ascent through the ranks of science and corporate management. At Genentech, he quickly moved from research to leadership, becoming the CEO from 1995 to 2009. Under his leadership, Genentech became the world's leading biotech firm, developing a new generation of therapeutics for infectious diseases, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer—a colossal contribution to human health.

His influence spread across Silicon Valley governance. He was named to the board of directors of Apple Inc. in 2004 and later became its Chairman following the death of Steve Jobs, a position he still holds. He also served as a director of Google (2004–2009). In 2013, he was named the founder and CEO of Calico, a highly secretive Google/Alphabet venture focused on aging research. This simultaneous leadership of three of the world’s most impactful companies—Apple, Genentech, and Calico—cemented his reputation as a unique figure of scientific, commercial, and executive authority.

Art Levinson’s social impact is almost immeasurable, resting on his contribution to life-saving medical therapeutics. The drugs developed under his leadership at Genentech have benefited millions of patients worldwide, particularly those fighting cancer. He holds 11 U.S. patents and has authored over 80 scientific articles, making his intellectual legacy profound.

He is a major patron of scientific institutions, serving on the advisory boards of Princeton University’s molecular biology department and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. His work with Calico is a grand, generational investment in human longevity. He has received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama, recognizing his life's work in science for the public good.

Art Levinson embodies the highest echelon of Silicon Valley intellectual elegance. His style is professional, polished, and quietly expensive, favoring tailored suits or high-end business casual. His presentation is one of thoughtful authority, reflecting his background as a scientist and his position at the helm of two of the world’s most powerful corporations (Apple and Calico).

Residing in California, his lifestyle is defined by immense intellectual access and the power to influence the future of both technology and medicine. His luxury is the strategic freedom to guide companies like Calico on long-term, moonshot research. He is a recipient of numerous prestigious awards and is a key figure in high-level policy and governance, making his life a continuous pursuit of scientific and corporate excellence.