Deel Welcomes Joe Kauffman as President & Chief Financial Officer

Deel Welcomes Joe Kauffman as President & Chief Financial Officer

We’re thrilled to welcome Joe Kauffman as Deel’s new President & Chief Financial Officer. Joe joins us after more than a decade at Credit Karma, where he served as CFO, President, and CEO. Joe’s exceptional career and notable experience in international growth, compliance, and public markets will strengthen Deel’s leadership team as it continues on its path to becoming a generational company.

Alongside this transition, Philippe Bouaziz, who has served as Deel’s CFO since day one, will continue his work as Executive Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer.

Strengthening for the Next Phase of Growth

Under Philippe’s leadership, Deel has grown at an exceptional pace – from an early-stage startup to a trusted global platform now serving more than 37,000 businesses across 150+ countries. The company has been profitable for more than three years and recently surpassed $1 billion in annual recurring revenue. Deel has also secured over $1 billion in funding from leading investors, with a valuation now exceeding $17.3 billion.

“Watching Deel grow into what it is today has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come – the team we’ve built, the trust we’ve earned, and the mission we’re driving forward,” said Philippe Bouaziz, Executive Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer. “Joe brings incredible experience and energy that will help shape Deel’s next milestones.”

Welcoming Joe Kauffman to Deel

Joe joins Deel after more than a decade at Credit Karma, where he led with the precision of a CFO and the instinct of a founder. He scaled the business internationally and grew it from $100 million+ to $2.3 billion while expanding profitability to reach operating margins of 37 percent.

Before that, he held CFO and corporate development roles at two NYSE-listed companies, where he developed deep expertise in managing disciplined, high-growth businesses within the public market framework. His experience and perspective will be pivotal as Deel continues to scale globally and strengthen its financial foundation.

“What Alex and Shuo have built is truly exceptional. It’s not just great payroll and HR technology – it’s a movement transforming how people work and get paid around the world,” said Joe Kauffman, President and Chief Financial Officer of Deel. “I was drawn to Deel because of its unique culture – a market leader obsessed with innovation and customer success, growing at an exceptional pace, and yet, still operating with the speed and flexibility of a startup. You can feel the ambition and energy in every conversation here. It’s an exciting time to join, and I’m looking forward to helping fuel the company’s next chapter of growth.”

Over the past year, we’ve also expanded our leadership team across key areas of the business to prepare Deel for the opportunities ahead. These appointments include Harish Sharma as Chief Risk Officer, Anthony Luis Rodriguez as Chief Compliance Officer, and DeAnn Work as General Counsel.

Looking Ahead

For Deel, this transition marks an intentional evolution toward sustainable global scale – and a sign of the momentum still to come.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built: a truly global solution that will revolutionize how people get hired and paid,” said Alex Bouaziz, Co-Founder and CEO. “Welcoming a leader of Joe’s caliber is a huge milestone – his experience, credibility, and leadership speak volumes about where Deel is today and the opportunities ahead. Joe brings a rare combination of leadership acumen, operational expertise, and a genuine passion for people – qualities that align perfectly with our culture and mission. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on board as we continue building the future of global work.”

With a strengthened leadership team and a clear vision for the future, Deel remains focused on its mission: simplifying global work for everyone, everywhere.

Here’s to the next chapter of growth – together.