Lightspeed Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Lightspeed has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, technology development, revenue generation, operations, human resources, and legal compliance.

Focused on empowering global commerce, Lightspeed delivers cloud-based software and payment solutions that enable retailers and restaurants to manage operations, engage consumers, and scale business across international markets.

Leadership Roles at Lightspeed

  • Chief Executive Officer - Ruth Garcis
  • Founder & Chief Executive Officer - Biju Kulathakal
  • Chief Financial Officer - Asha Bakshani
  • Chief Operating Officer - Kyle Mahan
  • Chief Technology Officer - Bhawna Singh
  • Chief Revenue Officer - Gabriel Benavides
  • Chief People Officer - Shirvani Mudaly
  • Chief Legal Officer - Daniel Micak
  • Ruth Garcis - Chief Executive Officer

    Ruth Garcis, the Chief Executive Officer at Lightspeed, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the organization. Garcis manages the expansion of cloud-based software subscriptions across North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom. By aligning product development with the needs of multilocation retailers and restaurant operators, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the platform remains competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Ruth Garcis maintains constant communication with the Board to drive sustainable growth and shareholder value. Through rigorous market analysis, the Chief Executive Officer identifies emerging opportunities for payment solution integration. This leadership role requires balancing immediate operational demands with the pursuit of global market dominance. Ultimately, Garcis secures the company's position as a premier provider of commerce technology by fostering a culture of innovation and operational excellence across all international business units.

    Biju Kulathakal - Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Biju Kulathakal, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Lightspeed, architects the foundational mission and strategic trajectory of the enterprise. Kulathakal oversees the evolution of the core software platform, ensuring the technology effectively supports golf course operators and diverse retail businesses. By driving high-level partnerships and identifying new market segments, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer expands the company's footprint in Australia and New Zealand. Biju Kulathakal maintains a focus on long-term product viability and user experience, ensuring the software remains intuitive for complex business environments. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of the competitive landscape to maintain technological superiority. Through strategic foresight, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer guides the organization toward achieving its mission of simplifying commerce for businesses worldwide. Kulathakal ensures that the company remains agile while scaling operations to meet the demands of a global customer base.
    Biju Kulathakal

    Asha Bakshani - Chief Financial Officer

    Asha Bakshani, the Chief Financial Officer at Lightspeed, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the entire organization. Bakshani oversees financial reporting, budgeting, and investor relations to ensure transparency and growth. By analyzing revenue streams from cloud-based software subscriptions and payment solutions, the Chief Financial Officer optimizes the company's financial performance across North America and international markets. Asha Bakshani collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align resource distribution with strategic business objectives. This leadership role involves mitigating financial risks while supporting aggressive expansion into new geographic territories. Through disciplined fiscal management, the Chief Financial Officer provides the stability necessary for the company to invest in product innovation and market penetration. Bakshani ensures that all financial operations support the overarching goal of delivering value to customers and shareholders alike, maintaining a robust balance sheet throughout the fiscal year.

    Kyle Mahan - Chief Operating Officer

    Kyle Mahan, the Chief Operating Officer at Lightspeed, manages the internal processes and operational efficiency required to support the company's global business model. Mahan oversees the execution of service delivery and customer support functions, ensuring that retailers and restaurants receive consistent value from the software platform. By streamlining workflows across North America and international regions, the Chief Operating Officer improves organizational productivity and service quality. Kyle Mahan collaborates with the executive team to implement operational strategies that facilitate rapid scaling and market entry. This leadership role involves monitoring key performance indicators to ensure that all departments operate in alignment with corporate goals. Through rigorous process optimization, the Chief Operating Officer reduces friction in the customer journey and enhances overall operational resilience. Mahan ensures that the company's infrastructure remains capable of supporting the increasing demands of a global, multi-location client base.

    Bhawna Singh - Chief Technology Officer

    Bhawna Singh, the Chief Technology Officer at Lightspeed, directs the engineering and development teams responsible for the company's cloud-based software platform. Singh architects scalable infrastructure that supports payment processing and operational management for retailers and restaurants globally. By overseeing the integration of new features and security protocols, the Chief Technology Officer ensures the platform remains reliable for businesses in North America, Europe, and beyond. Bhawna Singh collaborates with product teams to translate market needs into technical solutions that drive customer engagement. This leadership role involves managing the technical roadmap to maintain a competitive edge in the software industry. Through continuous innovation, the Chief Technology Officer enhances the platform's ability to handle complex transactions and data analytics. Singh ensures that the technology stack remains robust, secure, and capable of supporting the company's rapid growth and international expansion efforts.
    Bhawna Singh

    Gabriel Benavides - Chief Revenue Officer

    Gabriel Benavides, the Chief Revenue Officer at Lightspeed, drives the global sales strategy and customer acquisition efforts across all business segments. Benavides oversees the sales teams responsible for promoting cloud-based software subscriptions and payment solutions to retailers, restaurants, and golf course operators. By focusing on market penetration in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, the Chief Revenue Officer expands the company's reach and increases recurring revenue. Gabriel Benavides collaborates with marketing and product leaders to ensure sales initiatives align with the company's value proposition. This leadership role involves optimizing the sales funnel and improving conversion rates to support aggressive growth targets. Through data-driven decision-making, the Chief Revenue Officer identifies new opportunities for revenue generation and customer retention. Benavides ensures that the sales organization remains highly effective at delivering the company's commerce solutions to a diverse and growing international client base.

    Shirvani Mudaly - Chief People Officer

    Shirvani Mudaly, the Chief People Officer at Lightspeed, directs the human resources strategy and talent management initiatives for the global workforce. Mudaly oversees recruitment, employee development, and organizational culture to ensure the company attracts and retains top-tier talent. By fostering an inclusive environment, the Chief People Officer supports the diverse teams operating across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Shirvani Mudaly collaborates with leadership to align workforce capabilities with the company's strategic objectives in the software and payments industry. This leadership role involves designing programs that promote professional growth and employee engagement. Through effective talent management, the Chief People Officer ensures that the organization maintains the human capital necessary to drive innovation and operational success. Mudaly focuses on building a high-performance culture that empowers employees to contribute to the company's mission of simplifying commerce for businesses worldwide.
    Daniel Micak, the Chief Legal Officer at Lightspeed, manages all legal affairs, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance matters for the organization. Micak oversees the legal framework governing cloud-based software subscriptions and payment solutions across multiple international jurisdictions. By ensuring adherence to regional regulations in North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom, the Chief Legal Officer mitigates risk and protects the company's intellectual property. Daniel Micak collaborates with the executive team to provide legal guidance on strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. This leadership role involves navigating complex legal landscapes to support the company's global expansion and operational integrity. Through proactive legal strategy, the Chief Legal Officer ensures that all business activities remain compliant with evolving industry standards. Micak provides the necessary legal foundation for the company to operate securely and effectively while pursuing its mission of empowering commerce on a global scale.
    Daniel Micak

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Lightspeed Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Lightspeed?
    Lightspeed is led by Ruth Garcis (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Biju Kulathakal (Founder & Chief Executive Officer) and Asha Bakshani (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Lightspeed’s executive team?
    The executive team of Lightspeed includes leaders such as Ruth Garcis (Chief Executive Officer), Biju Kulathakal (Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Asha Bakshani (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Lightspeed have?
    Lightspeed has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Lightspeed’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Lightspeed includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer.