Chris Walters
Chris is responsible for leading Finastra, including its strategic direction and growth. He drives the business to continually deliver on customers’ rapidly expanding needs through technological innovation.
A leader of technology and data businesses, Chris is a growth-focused CEO, particularly passionate about customer experience. He has extensive experience guiding teams operating in dynamic markets to deliver revenue growth with a customer and team-centric approach. Throughout his career, he has led both public and private equity-owned businesses to build talented teams and innovative, scalable products.
Chris also focuses on building strong cultures with engaged teams. He’s an advocate for continuous learning and a skills-based approach at all career stages. Under his CEO leadership, Avantax, a tax focused wealth management business, was awarded ‘Great Place to Work’ certification in 2023, ahead of its acquisition by Cetera Financial Group, following a period of strategic transformation and financial excellence.
Chris most recently held the role of CEO at Pluralsight, a leading online workforce development platform. Other senior executive roles in technology, finance and consulting businesses include Chief Executive Officer of Encompass Digital Media, a global technology services firm supporting the aggregation and distribution of video content, Chief Operating Officer for The Weather Company and a stint at Bloomberg L.P. between 2008 and 2012, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer of the Bloomberg Industry Verticals Group.
Chris was also a Partner at McKinsey & Company and a Senior Partner at Activate Consulting, advising technology, data, information services, and investment companies on maximizing growth organically and via M&A.
He currently serves on the Board of PrizePicks, one of the fastest-growing digital sports businesses in North America. Chris previously served on the Boards of Avantax and Year Up Atlanta. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Business from the University of Vermont.
Chris is married to Kati and they have two children. They enjoy travel, concerts and sports (particularly any Boston team).
Connect with Chris on LinkedIn.