Building Strong Impact on Society: Christopher Salis

My professional journey has never been a straight line. It has been a gradual evolution shaped by complex enterprises, fast-moving technology markets, high-stakes decisions, and a growing sense of responsibility beyond profit alone.

Looking back, I see a consistent thread that connects every stage of my career: a desire to build systems that work, teams that thrive, and solutions that last. This is what defines me today as Christopher Salis, not just my titles or the companies on my résumé.

I did not set out to become an enterprise leader, a startup advisor, or a nonprofit co-founder. Each chapter emerged from opportunity, curiosity, and the willingness to step into roles that stretched my capabilities. What follows is not a corporate timeline but a reflection on how experience transformed my thinking about leadership, innovation, and impact.

Forming Professional Identity in Large Organizations

My foundation was built inside global companies where decisions carried real operational weight. Working at this scale taught me that leadership is less about individual brilliance and more about creating structures that allow others to perform at their best.

Learning Discipline Through Procurement and Operations

My early years at Adecco Employment Services immersed me in the complexity of global operations. Managing IT procurement across hundreds of locations forced me to think beyond short-term deals. Every negotiation, contract, and vendor decision sharpened my analytical mindset.

Later roles at Gap Inc. and eBay expanded this perspective. I learned how digital businesses scale, how supply chains react under pressure, and how strategic sourcing can become a competitive advantage rather than a back-office function. These experiences quietly shaped the leader I would later become known as Christopher Salis.

A strategic awakening at Business Objects

Joining Business Objects in 2006 marked a turning point. I moved from procurement into enterprise strategy, working directly with executive leadership. As Chief of Staff to the CEO, I gained a front-row view of how billion-dollar divisions operate, how priorities are set, and how large organizations navigate uncertainty.

Leading global forecasts, managing partner ecosystems, and engaging with C-level executives taught me how strategy connects to execution. I began to see technology not just as tools but as platforms capable of reshaping entire industries.

How SAP Transformed My Approach to Innovation and Scale

When I entered SAP in 2010, I stepped into a global stage where every decision affected thousands of customers and millions in revenue. My focus shifted from operations to transformation, from managing processes to redefining business models.

Building a modern SaaS engine

As Vice President and later Global General Manager for procurement solutions, I worked to modernize how SAP went to market. I helped commercialize the digital business unit and introduced a B2B SaaS model that dramatically shortened time-to-revenue.

Seeing innovation translate into measurable growth reinforced my belief that structure and creativity can coexist. Turning zero-revenue products into a $41 million business was not luck; it was the result of disciplined strategy, customer focus, and cross-functional collaboration.

This period solidified my reputation internally and externally as Christopher Salis, a leader who could bridge technology, strategy, and revenue.

Leading through the Ariba era

The acquisition of Ariba in 2012 marked one of the most defining moments of my career. I helped shape the strategy that led to the deal and later led integration efforts post-merger. My goal was simple: build a unified platform that delivered real value to customers.

I assembled global product teams, embedded Agile methodologies, and pushed for a customer-first mindset. Watching SaaS revenue grow to represent the majority of the business proved that long-term vision beats short-term tactics.

How My Purpose Expanded Beyond Corporate Leadership?

Leaving SAP did not mean slowing down; it meant broadening my impact. I wanted to apply what I had learned in new contexts, from startups to social causes.

Advising Founders and Scaling Young Companies

As Managing Partner at Catapuult Consulting, I now help enterprises refine their procurement strategies while guiding startups from zero to their first million dollars in annual recurring revenue. I focus on helping founders build repeatable systems rather than chasing quick wins.

In these roles, I often draw on the lessons that shaped me as Christopher Salis: clarity in goals, discipline in execution, and empathy in leadership.

Creating Safer Schools Through Technology

In 2022, I co-founded Secure Our Schools Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving safety in K–12 environments. Working with educators, administrators, and technology partners, we developed solutions for active shooter prevention, medical emergency response, and incident management.

Serving more than 250,000 students has reminded me that leadership is ultimately about people, not profits. This mission deepened my sense of responsibility and purpose.

How I Lead Today Across Business and Impact?

My leadership style now blends enterprise rigor with entrepreneurial agility. I believe strong systems enable human creativity, and that technology should simplify rather than complicate.

Systems, People, and Meaningful Outcomes

I prioritize clear processes, transparent communication, and empowered teams. Whether advising a startup or supporting a nonprofit, I ask the same questions: Does this scale? Does it serve people? Does it create lasting value?

Being recognized today as Christopher Salis reflects not just what I have done, but how I think and what I stand for.