SAS Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

SAS has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, finance, technology, human resources, sales, and legal.

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 and clarity.

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 Vice President & Chief Technology Officer - Bryan Harris
  • Principal Advisor, FSI, Chief Technology Officer Office - Sameer Das
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer - Jenn Mann
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer - Riad Gydien
  • 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 strategic vision and long-term innovation roadmap for the organization. Goodnight architects the development of advanced analytics software, ensuring the product suite remains the industry standard for data management and reporting. By fostering a culture of continuous research and development, the Chief Executive Officer maintains the competitive edge of the company within the global software market. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to align corporate objectives with emerging technological trends. James Goodnight directly influences the trajectory of the firm, driving growth through the delivery of high-impact decision-making tools. Through rigorous oversight of product evolution, the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer secures the market position of the company as a leader in business intelligence and data analytics.
    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, oversees the financial health and fiscal strategy across key Asian markets. Murakami manages regional budgeting, financial reporting, and investment planning to ensure alignment with the broader corporate objectives of the company. By analyzing market-specific economic trends, the Regional Chief Financial Officer, , Korea & Greater (Japan, China) mitigates financial risks while identifying opportunities for revenue expansion in the region. This leadership position involves coordinating with global finance teams to maintain compliance and fiscal transparency. Masa Murakami drives the financial performance of the organization within these critical territories, supporting the deployment of analytics software through disciplined capital management. Through strategic oversight of regional assets, the Regional Chief Financial Officer, , Korea & Greater (Japan, China) ensures the long-term sustainability of operations in the Asia-Pacific market.

    Kristina Manley - Director, Chief Financial Officer Operations and Programs

    Kristina Manley, the Director, Chief Financial Officer Operations and Programs at SAS, manages the internal processes and strategic programs that support the finance department. Manley optimizes financial operations, ensuring that reporting, compliance, and resource management functions operate with maximum efficiency. By overseeing the execution of key financial programs, the Director, Chief Financial Officer Operations and Programs facilitates the alignment of departmental activities with the broader fiscal goals of the company. This role involves coordinating with cross-functional teams to streamline data-driven financial decision-making processes. Kristina Manley monitors the performance of financial initiatives, driving improvements that support the overall stability and growth of the organization. Through the rigorous management of operational programs, the Director, Chief Financial Officer Operations and Programs ensures that the finance function provides the necessary support for the continued expansion of the analytics software business.

    Richard Skorupan - Chief Operating Officer

    Richard Skorupan, the Chief Operating Officer at SAS, manages the internal business processes and operational efficiency required to support global software delivery. Skorupan optimizes the organizational infrastructure, ensuring that cross-functional teams execute projects with maximum productivity. By streamlining workflows across the enterprise, the Chief Operating Officer facilitates the seamless integration of analytics solutions for clients worldwide. This role requires close collaboration with other C-suite leaders to translate strategic goals into actionable operational plans. Richard Skorupan monitors performance metrics to identify areas for improvement, driving excellence in service delivery and internal resource allocation. Through the implementation of robust operational frameworks, the Chief Operating Officer sustains the scalability of the company, ensuring that internal systems support the complex demands of the modern data analytics landscape.

    Bryan Harris - Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer

    Bryan Harris, the Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at SAS, leads the technical vision and engineering efforts for the entire software portfolio. Harris architects scalable cloud infrastructure and advanced machine learning capabilities that define the core value proposition of the company. By directing the research and development teams, the Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer ensures that the software suite remains at the forefront of data science innovation. This role involves setting the technical standards that guide product development and integration across the global enterprise. Bryan Harris collaborates with other executives to align technological advancements with customer needs, driving the evolution of the analytics platform. Through the continuous refinement of software architecture, the Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer empowers clients to extract actionable insights from massive data volumes.
    Bryan Harris

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

    Sameer Das, the Principal Advisor, FSI, Chief Technology Officer Office at SAS, provides specialized technical guidance for the financial services industry sector. Das translates complex analytics requirements into functional software solutions that address the unique regulatory and operational challenges faced by financial institutions. By advising the Chief Technology Officer Office, the Principal Advisor, FSI, Chief Technology Officer Office ensures that product development remains highly relevant to the needs of the global banking and insurance markets. This role involves bridging the gap between technical engineering teams and industry-specific client demands. Sameer Das drives the adoption of advanced data management tools, supporting the strategic growth of the company within the financial services vertical. Through deep domain expertise, the Principal Advisor, FSI, Chief Technology Officer Office enhances the competitive utility of the software suite for high-stakes financial decision-making.

    Jenn Mann - Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

    Jenn Mann, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at SAS, directs the global talent strategy and organizational culture initiatives. Mann architects programs focused on employee development, recruitment, and retention to ensure the company attracts top-tier talent in the competitive software industry. By overseeing human capital management, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer fosters an environment that supports innovation and high performance across all departments. This role involves aligning workforce capabilities with the strategic goals of the organization to drive long-term success. Jenn Mann collaborates with the leadership team to implement policies that promote diversity, equity, and professional growth. Through the cultivation of a strong corporate culture, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the workforce remains equipped to deliver world-class analytics solutions to a global client base.
    Jenn Mann

    Riad Gydien - Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer

    Riad Gydien, the Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer at SAS, directs the global sales strategy and revenue generation efforts. Gydien architects the go-to-market approach, ensuring that the analytics software suite reaches key enterprise clients across diverse industries. By overseeing the international sales force, the Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer drives market penetration and customer acquisition on a global scale. This role involves building strong relationships with major accounts and aligning sales initiatives with the product roadmap. Riad Gydien collaborates with other C-suite leaders to identify emerging market opportunities and expand the footprint of the company. Through the implementation of effective sales methodologies, the Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer secures the revenue growth necessary to support ongoing innovation and the delivery of high-value data management solutions to the global marketplace.
    Riad Gydien
    Patricia Brown, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer at SAS, oversees the legal strategy, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance for the organization. Brown architects the framework for intellectual property protection, ensuring that the proprietary analytics software remains secure and legally defended in global markets. By managing complex legal matters, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer mitigates risk and supports the ethical conduct of business operations. This role involves providing critical counsel to the Board and executive leadership on matters of corporate policy and international law. Patricia Brown drives the development of compliance programs that align with the evolving regulatory landscape of the software industry. Through the diligent management of legal affairs, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer protects the assets and reputation of the company, enabling sustainable growth and innovation.
    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 9 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 Vice President & Chief Technology Officer.