Finastra Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

Finastra has 10 executives leading key functions including technology, operations, finance, and revenue.

Driven by innovation, Finastra provides comprehensive digital banking solutions, focusing on collaborative design, implementation, and client advisory services to enhance financial services globally.

Leadership Roles at Finastra

  • Chief Financial Officer - Carissa Kell
  • Lead Finance Business Partner & Deputy Chief Financial Officer, CRO - Shivani Thanalapati
  • Chief Operating Officer - Donovan Baptiste
  • Chief Information Officer - Sanjay Jain
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer - Michael Stawchansky
  • Chief of Staff To the CTO - Valerie Saari
  • Chief Revenue Officer, Retail Lending - Michael Kinney
  • Chief Revenue Officer, Universal Banking - Keith Redding
  • Chief Technology Officer & General Manager, Payments (Israel) - Boaz Krelbaum
  • Global Project Management Office Leader & Technology Governance Office, Enterprise Technology Chief Technology Officer & Chief Information Officer - Jaison Varghese
  • Carissa Kell - Chief Financial Officer

    Carissa Kell, the Chief Financial Officer at Finastra, directs the company's financial strategy, planning, and reporting. Kell manages all aspects of financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and capital allocation to support Finastra's global expansion and product development initiatives. This critical role ensures the financial health and stability of the organization, enabling investments in digital banking services and client advisory capabilities. Carissa Kell's leadership is instrumental in driving profitable growth and optimizing financial performance across all business units. The Chief Financial Officer oversees treasury functions, investor relations, and risk management, safeguarding the company's assets and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. Kell's strategic financial guidance underpins Finastra's ability to deliver innovative software solutions and maintain strong client relationships. By meticulously managing financial resources, Carissa Kell supports the company's long-term vision and market impact in the financial technology sector.
    Carissa Kell

    Shivani Thanalapati - Lead Finance Business Partner & Deputy Chief Financial Officer, CRO

    Shivani Thanalapati, the Lead Finance Business Partner & Deputy Chief Financial Officer, CRO at Finastra, provides crucial financial partnership and support to revenue-generating functions. Thanalapati collaborates closely with the Chief Revenue Officer and other business leaders to drive financial performance and strategic decision-making. This role involves analyzing financial data, developing forecasts, and identifying opportunities for revenue optimization and cost efficiency within the company's sales operations. Shivani Thanalapati's financial acumen is essential for aligning business strategies with financial realities, ensuring sustainable growth for Finastra's software and services. The Lead Finance Business Partner & Deputy Chief Financial Officer, CRO plays a key part in financial planning and analysis, supporting the company's overall financial health. Thanalapati's contributions are vital for enhancing profitability and ensuring robust financial management across Finastra's global operations.

    Donovan Baptiste - Chief Operating Officer

    Donovan Baptiste, the Chief Operating Officer at Finastra, orchestrates the company's operational efficiency and service delivery across its global footprint. Baptiste manages the execution of Finastra's strategic initiatives, ensuring seamless implementation and upgrading of digital banking services for clients worldwide. This executive position involves optimizing client advisory services, knowledge services, and managed services to meet evolving market demands. Donovan Baptiste's oversight extends to refining internal processes for collaborative design engagement and support services, thereby enhancing overall client satisfaction. By driving operational excellence, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that Finastra consistently delivers high-quality solutions and maintains its competitive edge in the financial services software sector. Baptiste's leadership is crucial for scaling operations and supporting the company's growth objectives. The Chief Operating Officer's role involves close collaboration with other C-suite leaders to align operational capabilities with corporate strategy, ensuring robust delivery of Finastra's comprehensive software portfolio.
    Donovan Baptiste

    Sanjay Jain - Chief Information Officer

    Sanjay Jain, the Chief Information Officer at Finastra, directs the company's information technology strategy and infrastructure. Jain oversees the development and implementation of robust IT systems that support Finastra's global operations and digital banking services. This leadership role involves ensuring the security, scalability, and efficiency of all technology platforms, directly impacting the delivery of client advisory services and managed services. Jain's focus remains on leveraging technology to optimize internal processes and enhance the client experience. By managing the company's digital backbone, Sanjay Jain ensures seamless integration of new solutions and maintains the integrity of existing financial software offerings. The Chief Information Officer's responsibilities extend to managing data governance and compliance, critical for a financial services software provider. Jain drives technological advancements that align with Finastra's mission to transform financial services through digital innovation.
    Sanjay Jain

    Michael Stawchansky - Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer

    Michael Stawchansky, the Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at Finastra, spearheads the company's technological vision and product innovation. Stawchansky leads the engineering and development teams responsible for creating cutting-edge digital banking solutions and enhancing Finastra's software offerings. This senior technology leadership role involves driving the architecture and implementation of scalable, secure, and advanced platforms that power the company's global services. Michael Stawchansky's expertise is crucial for maintaining Finastra's position at the forefront of financial technology, ensuring product roadmaps align with industry trends and client needs. The Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer oversees research and development, guiding the evolution of digital banking, payments, and lending technologies. Stawchansky's strategic direction ensures that Finastra's technology infrastructure supports robust implementation, optimization, and managed services for its diverse client base worldwide.
    Michael Stawchansky

    Valerie Saari - Chief of Staff To the CTO

    Valerie Saari, the Chief of Staff To the CTO at Finastra, provides strategic support and operational coordination for the Chief Technology Officer. Saari facilitates the execution of technology initiatives, ensuring alignment between the CTO's vision and the broader organizational objectives. This role involves managing key projects, streamlining communication channels, and enhancing the efficiency of the technology leadership team. Valerie Saari's responsibilities include driving cross-functional collaboration to accelerate the delivery of digital banking services and software enhancements. The Chief of Staff To the CTO plays a pivotal part in translating strategic priorities into actionable plans, supporting the development and implementation of Finastra's technology roadmap. Saari's contributions are essential for optimizing the operational flow within the technology department, ensuring that Finastra's software solutions continue to meet the dynamic needs of the financial services industry.

    Michael Kinney - Chief Revenue Officer, Retail Lending

    Michael Kinney, the Chief Revenue Officer, Retail Lending at Finastra, drives revenue growth and market penetration within the retail lending sector. Kinney leads the sales and business development efforts focused on Finastra's comprehensive suite of retail lending software solutions. This executive position involves developing and executing strategies to expand market share, forge strategic partnerships, and enhance client acquisition. Michael Kinney's expertise is critical in understanding the nuances of the retail lending market and aligning Finastra's offerings to meet specific client demands. The Chief Revenue Officer, Retail Lending oversees the sales organization, ensuring effective engagement with financial institutions seeking to optimize their lending operations. Kinney's leadership focuses on delivering value-driven solutions that support client success and contribute significantly to Finastra's overall revenue objectives. By championing Finastra's retail lending technology, Michael Kinney solidifies the company's position as a key provider in this specialized financial services segment.
    Michael Kinney

    Keith Redding - Chief Revenue Officer, Universal Banking

    Keith Redding, the Chief Revenue Officer, Universal Banking at Finastra, directs revenue generation and commercial strategy for the universal banking segment. Redding leads the sales force responsible for promoting Finastra's extensive portfolio of digital banking and financial software solutions to a broad range of financial institutions. This senior leadership role focuses on expanding client relationships, driving new business opportunities, and achieving ambitious revenue targets across global markets. Keith Redding's strategic approach ensures that Finastra's universal banking offerings effectively address the complex needs of modern financial services providers. The Chief Revenue Officer, Universal Banking oversees the commercial teams, fostering a culture of performance and client-centricity. Redding's leadership is vital for capitalizing on market opportunities and reinforcing Finastra's market leadership. By driving sales excellence, Keith Redding ensures the sustained growth and profitability of Finastra's universal banking division.
    Keith Redding

    Boaz Krelbaum - Chief Technology Officer & General Manager, Payments (Israel)

    Boaz Krelbaum, the Chief Technology Officer & General Manager, Payments (Israel) at Finastra, leads technology development and business operations for the payments division in Israel. Krelbaum oversees the strategic direction and execution of Finastra's payment solutions, ensuring technological innovation and market competitiveness within the region. This dual role involves managing both the technical roadmap and the commercial aspects of the payments business, driving growth and operational excellence. Boaz Krelbaum's leadership is critical for adapting global payment technologies to local market requirements and opportunities. The Chief Technology Officer & General Manager, Payments (Israel) ensures that Finastra's payment platforms are robust, secure, and compliant with all relevant regulations. Krelbaum's focus on innovation and efficient delivery strengthens Finastra's position in the dynamic payments landscape. By integrating technological advancement with astute business management, Boaz Krelbaum drives significant value for Finastra's payment services in Israel.

    Jaison Varghese - Global Project Management Office Leader & Technology Governance Office, Enterprise Technology Chief Technology Officer & Chief Information Officer

    Jaison Varghese, the Global Project Management Office Leader & Technology Governance Office, Enterprise Technology Chief Technology Officer & Chief Information Officer at Finastra, manages critical aspects of enterprise technology governance and project execution. Varghese oversees the frameworks and processes that ensure technology projects align with strategic objectives and are delivered efficiently across the organization. This comprehensive role involves establishing best practices for project management and technology governance, thereby enhancing operational consistency and risk mitigation. Jaison Varghese's responsibilities are key to maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of Finastra's technology deployments, supporting the company's digital banking services. The Global Project Management Office Leader & Technology Governance Office, Enterprise Technology Chief Technology Officer & Chief Information Officer ensures that all technology initiatives adhere to stringent governance standards. Varghese's dedication to structured execution supports Finastra's commitment to delivering high-quality software solutions and managed services globally.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Finastra Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Finastra?
    Finastra is led by Carissa Kell (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Shivani Thanalapati (Lead Finance Business Partner & Deputy Chief Financial Officer, CRO) and Donovan Baptiste (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Finastra’s executive team?
    The executive team of Finastra includes leaders such as Carissa Kell (Chief Financial Officer), Shivani Thanalapati (Lead Finance Business Partner & Deputy Chief Financial Officer, CRO), Donovan Baptiste (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Finastra have?
    Finastra has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Finastra’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Finastra includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Lead Finance Business Partner & Deputy Chief Financial Officer, CRO, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Information Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer.