Accertify Signals Growth Push with New CEO and Executive Team

ITASCA, IL – January 14, 2026 – In a decisive move signaling a new era of aggressive growth, unified risk decisioning provider Accertify today announced the appointment of Greg Dukat as its new Chief Executive Officer. The announcement is coupled with a significant expansion of its executive team, a strategic overhaul designed to accelerate the company’s trajectory following its 2024 carve-out from American Express by private equity firm Accel-KKR.

This leadership transformation is the first major public step Accertify has taken as an independent entity, underscoring a clear mandate from its new owners to seize a larger share of the booming fraud prevention market. With a seasoned growth specialist at the helm and a newly assembled team of industry veterans, Accertify is positioning itself to become a more agile and formidable competitor.

A New Era of Independence and Ambition

The foundation for this strategic shift was laid in May 2024, when Accel-KKR finalized its acquisition of Accertify from American Express in a deal valued at approximately $530 million. The carve-out transformed Accertify from a division within a financial services giant into a standalone company with a singular focus on risk technology. This independence, backed by a technology-focused private equity firm managing over $19 billion in capital, is intended to unleash the company's full potential.

Accel-KKR’s investment thesis is centered on capitalizing on the explosive growth in the digital fraud detection market, which is projected to expand from $44 billion in 2023 to over $182 billion by 2030. By providing dedicated capital and operational expertise, the firm aims to fast-track Accertify’s product innovation, particularly in AI and machine learning, and expand its market footprint.

“Accertify has spent the past several years building a strong foundation for innovation, and long-term growth,” said Mark Michelon, who continues in his role as President of Accertify. “As we move into our next phase, expanding our leadership was a deliberate decision to increase focus and execution. Greg’s experience scaling technology businesses and leading high-performing go-to-market organizations strengthens our executive team and positions us to continue delivering value to our clients while investing in the future of the platform.”

Critically, the company maintains its strategic partnership with its former parent, with American Express remaining a key client. This ensures a stable revenue base and a deep data relationship as Accertify charts its independent course.

The Transformation Specialist Takes the Helm

At the center of this new chapter is CEO Greg Dukat, a leader with over three decades of experience steering technology companies through pivotal growth phases. His resume is notable for successful tenures at the helm of companies backed by private equity, making him a natural fit for Accertify’s current ownership structure. Dukat’s primary mandate is to drive strategic go-to-market initiatives and scale the business globally.

Previously, as CEO of Revel Systems, a cloud-based POS provider, Dukat led a significant turnaround, secured new funding, and refocused the company on product innovation. His career also includes CEO roles at StarCite, a meetings management tech company he guided to a successful acquisition, as well as at Comverge and Campus Management Corp. This consistent track record of transforming and growing enterprise software and SaaS businesses is precisely what Accel-KKR sought for Accertify’s next stage.

Dukat will lead the company’s commercial strategy, working in tandem with President Mark Michelon, who will maintain his focus on client relationships and product innovation. This dual-leadership structure is designed to accelerate commercial expansion without sacrificing the product depth that has attracted a blue-chip customer base, including 40% of the top 100 global retailers.

“Accertify has a strong team, a world-class platform, and long-standing relationships built on deep trust with its clients, many of whom are globally recognized brands,” said Dukat. “I’m looking forward to working closely with Mark and the leadership team to build on that foundation and accelerate growth while amplifying our impact across the industry.”

Assembling a Growth-Focused 'A-Team'

Supporting Dukat is a newly appointed executive suite, with each member bringing expertise directly aligned with the company’s hyper-growth ambitions.

• Trey McCall joins as Chief Sales Officer, tasked with leading global enterprise sales. His decades of experience scaling revenue organizations at security and identity firms like Sectigo and Ping Identity, as well as enterprise giants like Dell, signal a clear intent to aggressively pursue new large-scale clients.

• Maryling “Mare” Yu has been named Chief Marketing Officer. With over 20 years in B2B SaaS marketing at companies including CCC Intelligent Solutions and Backstop Solutions, Yu will be responsible for sharpening Accertify’s brand identity as a standalone leader and driving its global marketing strategy.

• Emma Lindley takes on the dual role of Managing Director, EMEA, and Chief Development Officer. An internationally recognized leader in digital identity and fraud from her time at firms like GBG and Visa, Lindley will spearhead both international expansion in the key EMEA region and global growth through strategic partnerships and corporate development.

• Sara Schroeder is appointed Global Head of Human Resources. Her experience leading HR for global SaaS organizations like TalentNeuron and Maropost is critical for building the internal culture and talent pipeline required to support rapid scaling and organizational change.

This handpicked team represents a significant investment in human capital, providing Accertify with the specialized leadership required to execute on sales, marketing, international expansion, and talent strategy simultaneously.

Navigating a Competitive and Evolving Market

The leadership overhaul comes at a critical time in the digital commerce landscape. As e-commerce volumes surge and fraudsters deploy increasingly sophisticated AI-driven tactics, businesses are demanding more powerful and integrated risk management platforms. Accertify operates in a highly competitive space against major players like Visa’s CyberSource unit and specialized AI-powered platforms such as Forter and Riskified.

Accertify's advantage lies in its unified platform, which combines fraud prevention, chargeback management, account protection, and payment gateway solutions. This comprehensive approach, combined with its deep well of community data, is highly valued by large merchants seeking to manage risk across the entire customer journey. Now, with the agility afforded by its independence and the strategic capital from Accel-KKR, the company is poised to innovate faster and respond more nimbly to market demands.

The strategic appointments are a clear declaration that Accertify is no longer just a reliable component of a larger corporation but an ambitious, standalone contender aiming for market leadership. With a new playbook and a handpicked leadership team, Accertify is now positioned to redefine its role in the global fight against digital fraud.