The Coolest Privileged Access Management CEOs of 2021

The editors at Solutions Review have examined the top vendors in the Privileged Access Management (PAM) space and compiled this list of the top PAM CEOs to watch.

The chief executive officer (CEO) is at the top of the food chain within an organization. The CEO undertakes many responsibilities, such as developing a strategy and direction and setting the precedent for their business’ principles, conduct, and culture. The chief executive is also responsible for building an executive leadership team and allocating funds to match the company’s goals and priorities. Some CEOs have even more on their plate, whether they are at the head of the top PAM companies or an emerging startup. Sometimes they can be responsible for more than just the traditional duties and can do anything from brewing coffee to marketing their product.

Solutions Review has compiled this list of the top privileged access management CEOs to watch based on a number of factors, including the company’s market share, growth trajectory, and the impact each individual has had on its presence in what is becoming the most competitive global software market. Some of the top application performance monitoring CEOs have been with their respective companies since day one, while others are serial entrepreneurs. But no matter their background, each CEO brings a diversity of skills and a unique perspective to the table that allows their company to thrive.

CEOs are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Matt Dircks, BeyondTrust

Matt Dircks is the CEO of BeyondTrust, having been with the company since 2014 (when it operated as Bomgar, the company that became BeyondTrust in 2018). He also serves as a board member for IT application developer Appfire and data-first cybersecurity vendor Forcepoint. Previously, he was the Vice President and General Manager of Service Support Products at BMC Software, joining the company after they acquired Numara Software (where he acted as the Vice President of Product). Matt holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Businesses and won the Entrepreneur Of The Year® Southeast Award from EY in 2020.

Andre Durand, Ping Identity

Andre Durand is the CEO and founder of Ping Identity, founding the company in 2002. He is also a board member for Jamf. Previously, he was the founder and general manager for Jabber, Inc. and the founder, CEO, and executive chairman of Durand Communications. Andre founded the Identiverse conference (formerly the Cloud Identity Summit) in 2010 to bring identity security professionals from around the world together; the conference has continued to grow over the past 11 years. He previously founded the Digital ID World conference in 2002, which was sold to IDG in 2008. Andre holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Art Gilliland, ThycoticCentrify

Art Gilliland is the CEO of ThycoticCentrify, joining the company in 2021. He also serves as an advisor for TPG Capital Management. ThycoticCentrify was formed as a merger between Centrify and Thycotic, and Art was installed as CEO of the merged vendor as part of the deal. Previously, Art was the Senior Vice President and General Manager, Symantec Enterprise Division at Broadcom, coming into the company after it acquired Symantec (where Art acted as Executive Vice President and General Manager, Enterprise Business Unit). Art holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Carleton College and received his MBA, General Management from Harvard Business School in 1999.

Udi Mokady, Cyberark

Udi Mokady is the founder, president, and CEO of Cyberark. He has been with the company since 1999, taking over the CEO and president position in 2005. Udi also serves on the board of advisors for Brandeis International Business School. Before founding Cyberark, he specialized in legal management and business development, serving as the vice president and general counsel at Tadiran Spectralink. Udi holds a Masters of Science in Management from Boston University. He also received the Asper Award for Global Entrepreneurship from Brandeis University in 2018 and was named the Entrepreneur of the Year for Technology Security in New England by EY in 2014.

Patrick Nichols, One Identity

Patrick Nichols is the CEO of Quest Software, the company that operates privileged access management vendor One Identity as an independent business. He also serves on the Endowment Committee for St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. Prior to joining Quest, he was the CEO of Corel Corporation (and previously the president and general manager of Corel’s WinZip, Roxio, Pinnacle, and Corel Digital Media divisions), as well as the general manager of Versata and the Director — Automotive BU at Trilogy Software. Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Cornell University.