BIO:
- Name: Michelle Zatlyn
- Title/Position: Co-founder, President & COO of Cloudflare Inc.
- Industry: Cybersecurity, Tech Infrastructure, Internet Services
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
- Age: Born 1979
- Net Worth: $1.9B (2025)
As seen on Michelle Zatlyn’s LinkedIn
Michelle Zatlyn’s Story
Michelle Zatlyn is the only female founder running a public infrastructure company today. She is the brain behind one of the most powerful internet security platforms in the world: Cloudflare.
A Canadian-born entrepreneur with a background in science and business, Michelle co-founded Cloudflare in 2009 with a clear mission—to help build a better internet. Her journey started in Saskatchewan, Canada, where she grew up far from the Silicon Valley buzz. But she was always driven by a love for solving big problems. While earning a science degree from McGill and an MBA from Harvard Business School, she met her cofounders, Matthew Prince and Lee Holloway. They teamed up to launch Cloudflare.
What began as a startup idea during business school is now a multi-billion-dollar company. The company now protects about 20% of websites and prevents more than 182 billion cyberattacks each day. She owns around 2% of Cloudflare’s stock and sits on the board of collaboration software firm Atlassian.
Michelle’s story is a reminder that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere and that with purpose and grit, they can scale beyond imagination.
Career Highlights
Key Milestones:
- 2009: Co-founds Cloudflare, focused on improving internet performance and security
- 2019: Leads Cloudflare through its IPO on the NYSE
- 2021: Named to Forbes’ America’s Richest Self-Made Women list
- 2023–2024: Continues expanding Cloudflare’s services to include AI protection and developer tools
Achievements:
- Co-founded and scaled Cloudflare, which now secures over 25 million internet properties
- Serves as President & COO, overseeing global operations and innovation
- Recognized by Forbes, Bloomberg, and Fast Company for leadership and tech impact
- Frequently advocates for women in STEM, speaking at events and mentoring founders
- Serves on boards and policy panels focused on digital trust, privacy, and inclusion
Michelle Zatlyn Net Worth
Michelle Zatlyn’s net worth is estimated at $1.9B million as of 2025, according to Forbes. Her wealth is largely tied to her equity in Cloudflare, which went public in 2019 and has since seen significant growth.
As one of the few female founders of a publicly traded tech company, she holds a prominent financial and leadership role. In addition to her Cloudflare shares, Michelle is known to invest in tech startups and serve as an advisor, further diversifying her portfolio.
Michelle Zatlyn in the News
- In 2024, Cloudflare launched new tools to protect against AI-generated cybersecurity threats, with Michelle leading the announcement
- Named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Tech by Forbes
- Advocated for open internet policies at the 2024 World Economic Forum panels in Davos
Quotes by Michelle Zatlyn
“The best companies solve real problems. That’s what makes them stick.”
“I think the problem is that people evaluate too much. People don’t take opportunities because the timing is bad, or the financial side is insecure. Too many people are overanalyzing and becoming paralyzed. Sometimes you just have to go for it,” she said to CNBC.
“It’s okay to be underestimated. Just don’t underestimate yourself.”
FAQs: Most Asked Questions About Michelle Zatlyn
How many kids does Michelle Zatlyn have?
Michelle Zatlyn is a mother, though she keeps her family life private.
How much is Michelle Zatlyn worth?
Her estimated net worth in 2024 is $1.9B.
Who is the female founder of Cloudflare?
Michelle Zatlyn is the co-founder and president of Cloudflare, an internet infrastructure and security company. She co-founded Cloudflare in 2009 along with Matthew Prince and Lee Holloway.
