Mike Ettling is an international business leader, investor, and advisor with more than three decades of experience in enterprise technology, human capital management (HCM), and cloud software. He is widely recognized for driving large-scale digital transformation and for championing people-centric leadership in global organizations.
He currently serves as Operating Partner at Advent, a leading global private equity firm, where he supports portfolio companies in scaling growth and operational performance. Ettling is also Executive Chairman of Sapiens, a global provider of AI-driven insurance software, and Syspro, a company specializing in digital transformation solutions for mid-market manufacturers and distributors. In addition, he holds board and advisory roles at organizations including NCC Group and HiBob, and actively mentors emerging technology startups.
Ettling was Chief Executive Officer of Unit4 from 2019 to 2025. During his tenure, he led the company’s transition to a cloud-first strategy, strengthening its position as a provider of enterprise software for service-based organizations. His leadership focused on innovation, customer-centricity, and building diverse, high-performing teams.
Prior to Unit4, Ettling served as President of SAP SuccessFactors, where he was responsible for one of the world’s leading cloud HCM platforms, overseeing global operations across Europe and the United States. Earlier, he was CEO of NGA HR (now Strada), a global HR and payroll services provider with approximately $900 million in revenue and 8,600 employees. These roles formed what Ettling describes as a progression in understanding people and technology: “paying people,” “engaging people,” and “enabling people.”
His earlier career includes senior leadership roles at Unisys, where he held positions such as Vice President of Global BPO Strategy and Operations and Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, as well as leadership positions at Synstar and EDS. He began his professional career at KPMG as a consultant in banking and finance.
Ettling also has entrepreneurial roots, having founded and led two businesses early in his career: Studentwise Marketing and Publishing and National Circulation Services in South Africa.
Throughout his career, Ettling has been a strong advocate for diversity, inclusion, and purpose-driven leadership. He believes that technology, particularly cloud computing and HCM platforms, can unlock human potential and transform the workplace. His leadership philosophy emphasizes continuous learning, innovation, and empowering individuals to achieve long-term success.
With a track record spanning consulting, entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, and private equity, Ettling continues to play a significant role in shaping the future of enterprise software and digital transformation globally.