David Bruce "Dave" Goldberg (October 2, 1967 – May 1, 2015) was an American businessman and technology executive. He was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University in 1989. Over a career that linked early digital media and web-based product companies, Goldberg became widely known for his leadership style and focus on workplace culture.

Career and enterprises

Goldberg began his entrepreneurial work in online music and media when he co-founded LAUNCH Media with Bob Roback, building one of the early web properties aimed at music fans and artists. After LAUNCH became part of the broader consolidation of media and technology companies, Goldberg went on to serve as a senior executive within the industry and worked at Yahoo! for a period following LAUNCH's integration into larger platforms.

In 2009 Goldberg joined SurveyMonkey, a web-based survey company, and later became its chief executive. During his time as CEO he emphasized product improvement, scalable engineering practices, and an employee-first culture. Colleagues and observers noted his informal management approach, mentoring of younger leaders, and advocacy for combining business growth with humane workplace policies.

Personal life and legacy

Goldberg was married to Sheryl Sandberg, who is well known for her leadership roles in the technology sector and for her work on gender and leadership issues; Sandberg has written and spoken publicly about their life together and the grief she experienced after his death. The couple had two children. Goldberg took part in philanthropic activities and mentorship within the technology community, and after his passing many peers paid tribute to his personal warmth and professional integrity.

Goldberg died on May 1, 2015 while on vacation at a resort in Punta Mita, near Puerto Vallarta in southwest Mexico. The medical findings attributed his death to head trauma and blood loss sustained after an accident involving a treadmill. His passing prompted conversations about sudden accidental injury and generated an outpouring of remembrances from friends and the wider tech industry.

  • Co-founder of LAUNCH Media with Bob Roback
  • Former industry executive and leader at consumer web companies
  • Chief executive of SurveyMonkey from 2009 until his death
  • Married to Facebook executive Facebook leader Sheryl Sandberg

For further context on companies and people associated with his career, readers can consult contemporary accounts and business profiles that document the growth of online media and survey platforms during the 2000s and early 2010s. Additional resources and tributes also discuss the way Goldberg shaped team culture and supported colleagues across the technology sector.