Klaviyo said on Monday that Erica Smith will become its chief financial officer effective September 1, 2026, a move that coincided with a 2.4% rise in the company's shares.
Smith arrives from CyberArk, where she served as chief financial officer. CyberArk was recently acquired by Palo Alto Networks. Klaviyo named Smith as the successor to Amanda Whalen, who had disclosed in May that she planned to step down from the CFO role.
According to the company, Smith brings more than 20 years of experience in financial leadership and investor relations at high-growth technology firms. During her tenures at CyberArk and earlier at Demandware, she led investor relations programs, helped expand sell-side research coverage, and supported both public companies through financings and strategic communications with the investment community.
In her role at Klaviyo, Smith will oversee the company’s global financial operations. That remit includes financial planning and analysis, accounting, tax and treasury, internal audit, and investor relations.
Whalen will remain employed at Klaviyo until September 4, 2026. After that date she will serve in an advisory capacity through November 2026 to assist with the leadership transition.
Klaviyo describes itself as an autonomous B2C CRM platform. The company said it is expanding internationally, shifting further upmarket to larger customers, and building out a multi-product platform.
Context and implications
The CFO appointment comes at a time when Klaviyo is pursuing international growth and broadening its product footprint while targeting larger customers. Smith’s background in investor relations and experience navigating public-company financings and communications were highlighted as relevant to the responsibilities she will assume.
What happens next
- Smith will take up the CFO duties on September 1, 2026 and lead the finance and investor relations functions going forward.
- Whalen will continue with the company through September 4, 2026 and then provide transition support as an advisor through November 2026.
The company’s shares reacted positively on the announcement, rising 2.4% on the trading day it disclosed the appointment.