SAS Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

SAS has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, information technology, finance, technology development, human resources, and legal affairs.

Committed to advancing data-driven decision-making, SAS delivers sophisticated analytics software that empowers global organizations to manage, analyze, and report on complex data sets with precision.

Leadership Roles at SAS

  • Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer - James Goodnight
  • Regional Chief Financial Officer, , Korea & Greater (Japan, China) - Masa Murakami
  • Director, Chief Financial Officer Operations and Programs - Kristina Manley
  • Chief Operating Officer - Richard Skorupan
  • Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer - Gavin Day
  • Chief Information Officer - Jay Upchurch
  • Principal Advisor, FSI, Chief Technology Officer Office - Sameer Das
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer - Jenn Mann
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer - Bryan Harris
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer - Patricia Brown
  • James Goodnight - Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    James Goodnight, the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer at SAS, directs the overarching vision for the analytics software suite. By prioritizing innovation in data management and reporting, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the company maintains a competitive edge in the global software market. Goodnight oversees the strategic direction of the organization, fostering a culture that emphasizes research and development to solve complex business problems. Through consistent focus on high-performance computing, the Chief Executive Officer drives the evolution of the product portfolio to meet modern enterprise needs. James Goodnight maintains alignment between technical advancements and market demands, ensuring the software remains a standard for decision-making tools. This leadership approach secures long-term stability while expanding the reach of the analytics platform across diverse industries worldwide, ultimately reinforcing the position of the firm as a leader in the software sector.
    James Goodnight

    Masa Murakami - Regional Chief Financial Officer, , Korea & Greater (Japan, China)

    Masa Murakami, the Regional Chief Financial Officer, , Korea & Greater (Japan, China) at SAS, manages the financial health and fiscal strategy for operations across East Asia. By overseeing regional budgeting and revenue reporting, the Regional Chief Financial Officer, , Korea & Greater (Japan, China) ensures that the company maintains strong economic performance in these critical markets. Murakami directs the allocation of resources to support the marketing and distribution of analytics software within the region. This role involves analyzing market trends to inform financial planning and risk management. Masa Murakami drives the financial stability of the regional branch, ensuring alignment with the global corporate strategy. By monitoring fiscal metrics, the Regional Chief Financial Officer, , Korea & Greater (Japan, China) provides the necessary oversight to sustain growth in competitive environments. This leadership function supports the expansion of the software suite by ensuring that regional operations remain profitable and well-funded.

    Kristina Manley - Director, Chief Financial Officer Operations and Programs

    Kristina Manley, the Director, Chief Financial Officer Operations and Programs at SAS, manages the operational programs that support the financial department. By overseeing the administrative and programmatic functions of the finance team, the Director, Chief Financial Officer Operations and Programs ensures that fiscal reporting and resource management remain efficient. Manley directs the implementation of internal programs that improve the accuracy of financial data analysis. This role involves coordinating with the finance leadership to streamline the processes that support the overall business model. Kristina Manley drives the operational excellence of the finance division, ensuring that the company maintains rigorous standards for fiscal accountability. By optimizing the internal programs, the Director, Chief Financial Officer Operations and Programs supports the broader financial health of the organization. This leadership function ensures that the financial infrastructure is capable of supporting the global scale of the analytics software business.

    Richard Skorupan - Chief Operating Officer

    Richard Skorupan, the Chief Operating Officer at SAS, manages the internal business processes that support the delivery of analytics software. By optimizing operational workflows, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the development and marketing teams function with maximum efficiency. Skorupan oversees the integration of internal systems to streamline data reporting and management services. This role involves coordinating across departments to maintain the high standards of the software suite. Richard Skorupan drives the execution of corporate initiatives, focusing on the scalability of internal infrastructure to support global market expansion. By refining operational protocols, the Chief Operating Officer enhances the ability of the company to respond to shifting industry requirements. This leadership function directly impacts the bottom line by reducing friction in the product lifecycle, ensuring that the organization remains agile while delivering robust analytical solutions to clients across various international markets.

    Gavin Day - Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer

    Gavin Day, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer at SAS, directs the strategic execution of business operations to enhance the delivery of analytics software. By focusing on the commercial side of the business, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer ensures that the software suite reaches target markets effectively. Day oversees the alignment of sales and service teams to improve customer outcomes and software adoption. This role involves driving the operational strategy to increase market share and revenue growth. Gavin Day coordinates with other executive leaders to refine the go-to-market approach for the analytics platform. By optimizing the commercial operations, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer ensures that the company remains responsive to the needs of the global enterprise sector. This leadership role supports the long-term growth of the firm by streamlining the path from software development to client implementation and ongoing support.
    Gavin Day

    Jay Upchurch - Chief Information Officer

    Jay Upchurch, the Chief Information Officer at SAS, architects the digital infrastructure required to support advanced analytics software development. By managing the internal technology stack, the Chief Information Officer ensures that data access and reporting tools remain secure and performant. Upchurch oversees the implementation of cloud-based solutions that facilitate the delivery of software services to a global client base. This role involves collaborating with technical teams to modernize the internal systems that power the core business model. Jay Upchurch drives the digital transformation strategy, ensuring that the company leverages the latest advancements in computing to maintain its market position. By optimizing the information architecture, the Chief Information Officer supports the broader mission of enabling data-driven decision-making. This leadership role ensures that the technological foundation remains robust, scalable, and capable of handling the increasing complexity of modern data environments across all operational regions.
    Jay Upchurch

    Sameer Das - Principal Advisor, FSI, Chief Technology Officer Office

    Sameer Das, the Principal Advisor, FSI, Chief Technology Officer Office at SAS, provides technical guidance for the financial services industry sector. By analyzing the specific needs of financial institutions, the Principal Advisor, FSI, Chief Technology Officer Office ensures that the analytics software suite addresses complex regulatory and data management challenges. Das oversees the integration of specialized technology solutions that help banks and insurers improve decision-making. This role involves advising the technical leadership on emerging trends in financial data analysis. Sameer Das drives the development of industry-specific features that enhance the value of the software for the FSI market. By bridging the gap between technical capabilities and financial industry requirements, the Principal Advisor, FSI, Chief Technology Officer Office supports the growth of the company in this critical vertical. This leadership function ensures that the software remains a primary tool for financial institutions seeking to leverage data for competitive advantage.

    Jenn Mann - Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

    Jenn Mann, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at SAS, directs the talent strategy that supports the development of analytics software. By overseeing recruitment, employee development, and organizational culture, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the company attracts the expertise needed to maintain its technical leadership. Mann manages the programs that foster innovation and collaboration across the global workforce. This role involves aligning human capital initiatives with the strategic goals of the business. Jenn Mann drives the development of a high-performance environment where employees can excel in creating data management and reporting tools. By focusing on the human element of the software industry, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the organization remains a top destination for talent. This leadership function supports the long-term success of the firm by building a resilient and skilled workforce capable of meeting evolving market demands.
    Jenn Mann

    Bryan Harris - Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer

    Bryan Harris, the Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at SAS, architects the technical roadmap for the analytics software suite. By overseeing the research and development of new features, the Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer ensures that the platform remains at the forefront of data analysis and reporting technology. Harris directs the engineering teams responsible for building scalable and secure software solutions. This role involves collaborating with other executives to align technical innovation with the overall business strategy. Bryan Harris drives the adoption of new computing paradigms to enhance the performance of the analytics tools. By managing the technical vision, the Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer ensures that the company continues to provide high-value solutions for complex data environments. This leadership function is essential for maintaining the competitive position of the firm in the global software market, ensuring that the product remains a standard for decision-making.
    Bryan Harris
    Patricia Brown, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer at SAS, manages the legal and regulatory framework that governs the software business. By overseeing compliance, intellectual property, and corporate governance, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer ensures that the company operates within the legal standards of all global markets. Brown directs the legal strategy to protect the proprietary analytics software and data management tools. This role involves advising the executive team on legal risks and opportunities related to the business model. Patricia Brown drives the development of policies that support ethical data usage and corporate responsibility. By managing the legal affairs, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer provides the necessary protection for the intellectual assets of the firm. This leadership function ensures that the company can continue to innovate and expand its market reach while maintaining a secure and compliant operational environment.
    Patricia Brown

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding SAS Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads SAS?
    SAS is led by James Goodnight (Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Masa Murakami (Regional Chief Financial Officer, , Korea & Greater (Japan, China)) and Kristina Manley (Director, Chief Financial Officer Operations and Programs).
    Who is part of SAS’s executive team?
    The executive team of SAS includes leaders such as James Goodnight (Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Masa Murakami (Regional Chief Financial Officer, , Korea & Greater (Japan, China)), Kristina Manley (Director, Chief Financial Officer Operations and Programs) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does SAS have?
    SAS has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in SAS’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of SAS includes roles such as Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Regional Chief Financial Officer, , Korea & Greater (Japan, China), Director, Chief Financial Officer Operations and Programs, Chief Operating Officer, Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer.