Podium Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Podium has 6 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, operational scaling, organizational alignment, product development, executive coordination, and legal governance.

Focused on empowering local businesses through communication, Podium delivers a robust platform that drives user-generated content and streamlines customer interactions across diverse industries like healthcare, retail, and automotive.

Leadership Roles at Podium

  • Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer - Austin Heder
  • Chief Financial Officer - Samuel Simmons
  • Chief Operating Officer - Chance Olson
  • Chief of Staff - Meenal Khare
  • Chief of Staff - EPD - John Latimer
  • Chief Administrative Officer and GC - Mariam Sattar
  • Austin Heder - Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer

    Austin Heder, the Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer at Podium, directs the strategic priorities and executive communications for the office of the CEO. Overseeing the flow of information to the executive team, the Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer ensures that critical business decisions receive the necessary attention and data. This leadership role involves managing the CEO's agenda and facilitating high-level meetings that shape the company's market impact. By synthesizing complex information into actionable insights, Austin Heder directly impacts the effectiveness of the leadership team. Heder coordinates with other C-suite members to ensure that the company's mission remains the central focus of all strategic initiatives. Through the management of executive projects, the Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer provides the support required for the CEO to lead the organization effectively. The office under this leadership maintains a high level of operational readiness. Ultimately, Heder drives executive alignment, ensuring that the company remains focused on its long-term goals.

    Samuel Simmons - Chief Financial Officer

    Samuel Simmons, the Chief Financial Officer at Podium, directs all fiscal planning and capital allocation strategies. Overseeing the financial health of the organization, the Chief Financial Officer ensures alignment between budgetary constraints and long-term growth objectives. This leadership role involves managing investor relations and optimizing revenue streams across the diverse industries supported by the platform. By implementing rigorous financial controls, Samuel Simmons directly impacts the scalability of the business model. Simmons secures the necessary resources to support expansion into new markets while maintaining operational efficiency. Through precise forecasting and risk management, the Chief Financial Officer provides the stability required for sustained innovation. The financial department under this leadership maintains transparency and accountability, ensuring that every investment supports the core mission of enhancing business-to-consumer communication. Ultimately, Simmons drives the financial trajectory of the company, ensuring robust performance in a competitive software landscape.

    Chance Olson - Chief Operating Officer

    Chance Olson, the Chief Operating Officer at Podium, directs internal processes and cross-functional execution. Overseeing the daily operations of the platform, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that service delivery remains seamless for clients in the auto, retail, and healthcare sectors. This leadership role involves streamlining workflows to improve user-generated content acquisition and communication efficiency. By optimizing operational infrastructure, Chance Olson directly impacts the speed and reliability of the software solutions provided. Olson manages the integration of new features into existing service frameworks, ensuring that the company maintains a high standard of performance. Through strategic oversight of internal teams, the Chief Operating Officer fosters a culture of productivity and excellence. The operational department under this leadership focuses on removing bottlenecks and enhancing the overall customer experience. Ultimately, Olson drives the operational success of the organization, ensuring that internal capabilities align with the evolving needs of the market.

    Meenal Khare - Chief of Staff

    Meenal Khare, the Chief of Staff at Podium, directs organizational alignment and strategic initiatives. Overseeing the execution of high-priority projects, the Chief of Staff ensures that departmental goals remain synchronized with the broader corporate vision. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between executive leadership and various business units to maintain operational focus. By managing complex cross-functional workflows, Meenal Khare directly impacts the agility of the organization. Khare coordinates the implementation of key business strategies, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support growth. Through the management of internal communications and project tracking, the Chief of Staff provides the structure necessary for rapid decision-making. The office under this leadership maintains a clear view of company-wide objectives, ensuring that every team contributes to the mission of improving business communication. Ultimately, Khare drives organizational cohesion, ensuring that the company remains responsive to the demands of the diverse industries served.

    John Latimer - Chief of Staff - EPD

    John Latimer, the Chief of Staff - EPD at Podium, directs the strategic coordination of engineering, product, and design functions. Overseeing the development lifecycle, the Chief of Staff - EPD ensures that technical roadmaps align with the company's mission to facilitate user-generated content. This leadership role involves bridging the gap between product vision and engineering execution to accelerate feature deployment. By managing the operational cadence of the EPD organization, John Latimer directly impacts the quality and innovation of the platform. Latimer facilitates collaboration across technical teams, ensuring that product updates meet the specific needs of clients in sectors like financial services and home services. Through the optimization of development processes, the Chief of Staff - EPD provides the necessary support for rapid iteration. The department under this leadership maintains a focus on technical excellence and user-centric design. Ultimately, Latimer drives the product evolution, ensuring that the software remains at the forefront of the industry.

    Mariam Sattar - Chief Administrative Officer and GC

    Mariam Sattar, the Chief Administrative Officer and GC at Podium, directs legal governance and administrative operations. Overseeing the legal framework of the company, the Chief Administrative Officer and GC ensures that all business activities comply with regulatory standards across the various industries served. This leadership role involves managing corporate risk, intellectual property, and contractual obligations to protect the organization's interests. By providing legal counsel on strategic initiatives, Mariam Sattar directly impacts the company's ability to expand into new markets safely. Sattar manages the administrative functions that support the company's growth, ensuring that internal policies remain robust and scalable. Through the oversight of legal and administrative teams, the Chief Administrative Officer and GC provides the foundation for ethical and compliant operations. The department under this leadership maintains a focus on risk mitigation and operational integrity. Ultimately, Sattar drives the legal and administrative strategy, ensuring that the company operates with stability and foresight.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Podium Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Podium?
    Podium is led by Austin Heder (Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Samuel Simmons (Chief Financial Officer) and Chance Olson (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Podium’s executive team?
    The executive team of Podium includes leaders such as Austin Heder (Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer), Samuel Simmons (Chief Financial Officer), Chance Olson (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Podium have?
    Podium has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Podium’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Podium includes roles such as Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff - EPD.