# François Locoh-Donou

> François Locoh-Donou is the Seattle-based chairman, president and CEO of F5, co-founder and chairman of Togolese cashew processor Cajou Espoir, and a Capital One director. His career spans optical engineering, international sales and operations at Ciena, and F5’s shift toward software and application security.

- **Role:** Chairman, President and CEO at F5
- **Organizations:** F5, Cajou Espoir, Capital One, Ciena, Photonetics
- **Nationality:** French-Togolese
- **Education:** Diplôme d’ingénieur in physics engineering, École Centrale de Marseille (now Centrale Méditerranée), Master’s in optical telecommunications, Télécom ParisTech (now Télécom Paris), MBA, Stanford Graduate School of Business
- **Known for:** Led F5’s transition toward software and SaaS in application delivery and security., Co-founded a cashew processor creating employment in rural Togo., Leadership approach examined in a 2025 Kellogg management case.

## Career timeline

- **1997** — Joined Ciena after research and development work at Photonetics.
- **1998** — Established a poultry farm in southern Togo.
- **2000–2002** — Attended Stanford’s MBA program, then returned to Ciena.
- **2004** — Co-founded Cajou Espoir with Maurice Edorh.
- **2005–2011** — Ciena vice president and general manager for EMEA.
- **2011–2015** — Led Ciena’s Global Products Group.
- **2015-11** — Became Ciena chief operating officer.
- **2017-04** — Became F5 president, CEO and director.
- **2019** — Joined the Capital One board.
- **2026-03** — Became chairman of F5’s board.

## Achievements

- Led F5’s transition toward software and SaaS in application delivery and security.
- Co-founded a cashew processor creating employment in rural Togo.
- Leadership approach examined in a 2025 Kellogg management case.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Published a Cajou Espoir update describing production challenges and diversification.
- **2026-06** — F5 launched its AI Security Platform and announced the acquisition of SurePath AI.
- **2026-03** — Added chairman of the F5 board to his president and CEO roles.

## Links

- Website: https://www.f5.com/company/leadership/francois-locoh-donou
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fldonou

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/francois-locoh-donou
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-24