Klaviyo Names Chano Fernández Interim Executive Officer to Drive AI Strategy and Global Growth

Klaviyo Names Chano Fernández Interim Executive Officer to Accelerate AI and International Expansion

Klaviyo Inc. (NYSE: KVYO) has appointed board member Chano Fernández as Interim Executive Officer, effective September 1. Fernández brings a track record in scaling enterprise software from executive roles at Eightfold.ai and Workday. The move signals a push to deepen AI capability, strengthen execution, and sharpen retention in a crowded market. Tony Weisman will transition to Chairperson of the Compensation Committee as part of this change.

Why this matters for operators and boards

Interim or not, leadership shifts at growth-stage SaaS companies are about pace and focus. Fernández's background suggests an emphasis on enterprise rigor: repeatable go-to-market, stronger post-sale motion, and disciplined product sequencing. Expect attention on talent strategy and compensation design given Weisman's new role and the pressure to retain top technical and commercial leaders.

Strategic focus: AI, international, and customer growth

Klaviyo is doubling down on three fronts: international expansion, new AI-powered products, and net new customer acquisition. The recent launch of its AI-powered Service suite is positioned to widen the product footprint and deepen account value. Execution risk sits in localization, partner ecosystems, and support infrastructure as the company scales across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC.

Targets and execution math executives care about

• Revenue: $1.9B by 2028 implies ~21.4% annual growth from today's base.
• Profitability: a shift from a $66.7M net loss to $88.3M in earnings-about a $155M swing.
• Operational levers: net revenue retention, attach rates on the AI Service suite, global quota productivity, and onboarding quality to compress time-to-value.

Operating playbook: where the impact should show up

• Product: ship AI features tied to clear service metrics (resolution time, deflection rate, CSAT) and maintain strict model governance and data quality.
• GTM: localize pricing and packaging, build regional partner programs, and align enablement around AI use cases by segment.
• Customer success: proactive expansion motions around service workflows; measure ARPU lift and churn reduction per AI module adopted.
• People and incentives: retention packages for AI, data, and enterprise sales talent; comp plans balanced between new ARR and expansion ARR.
• Board oversight: with a new Compensation Committee chair, tie incentives to NRR, gross margin, and AI adoption KPIs-not just top-line growth.

What to watch next

• First 90 days: organizational changes, product sequencing, and any adjustments to international leadership.
• KPIs: NRR trend, enterprise win rate, AI Service attach, and gross margin as AI support costs scale.
• Capital allocation: mix between AI R&D, go-to-market headcount, and regional investments.

For official updates and filings, see Klaviyo investor relations.

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