BlackLine appoints Sam Balaji to Board for global growth drive

BlackLine has announced the appointment of Sam Balaji to its Board of Directors.

Sam Balaji joins the Board with more than 30 years of global leadership experience in technology, including a recent role on Deloitte's Global Executive team. His expertise encompasses enterprise software, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the development of global go-to-market strategies.

During his 28-year tenure at Deloitte, Balaji most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte Consulting. He played a leading role in developing and executing strategies focused on growth and market presence through targeted investments in key areas such as Cloud, AI, and cybersecurity. Under his leadership, Deloitte pursued over 100 mergers, acquisitions, and investments, which contributed to the firm's expansion in various global markets.

Balaji was also instrumental in establishing go-to-market relationships with established technology companies and organisations considered to be innovators in the field, supporting Deloitte's position in a competitive technology landscape.

Board expansion

Owen Ryan, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair of BlackLine, commented on the appointment and highlighted Balaji's range of experience.

"Sam's exceptional breadth of experience across enterprise technology, M&A, and executive leadership is a strong addition to BlackLine's Board. His expertise in scaling businesses, creating and executing global strategies, and advising CXOs will play a pivotal role as we expand our platform, deepen our partnerships, and continue to deliver transformative outcomes for the Office of the CFO," said Owen Ryan, BlackLine's Co-CEO and Board Chair.

Therese Tucker, Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of BlackLine, also emphasised Balaji's background and the expected impact of his appointment.

"Sam's track record speaks for itself—but what impressed me most was his ability to think big while staying grounded in what truly creates value for customers. He's not just a strategic thinker—he's a builder, a mentor, and a leader who understands how to navigate complexity and unlock growth. I'm thrilled to welcome him to the Board as we write the next chapter of our journey,"  said Therese Tucker, Founder and co-CEO of BlackLine.

Looking ahead

Sam Balaji commented on his new role and expressed enthusiasm regarding his involvement with the company at this stage of its development.

"I'm honored to join BlackLine's Board at such a pivotal time. BlackLine's cutting-edge platform, compelling vision, and accelerating AI-driven momentum in digital finance transformation are unmatched. I look forward to helping guide the company through its next phase of growth and innovation," said Balaji.

Balaji's appointment comes as BlackLine continues to focus on expanding its offerings for the office of the Chief Financial Officer, strengthening partnerships, and capitalising on developments in digital finance and artificial intelligence. His track record in managing large-scale transformation initiatives and navigating strategic partnerships is expected to inform board-level guidance and company strategy moving forward.

BlackLine anticipates that Balaji's addition will support its aims to deliver on business transformation and client outcomes in the financial operations sector in the coming period.