AKUVO is shaking up its executive lineup in the best possible way—by promoting from within. The company just announced that Melissa Bachman is stepping into the Chief Product Officer role, while Mike Ruggiero is taking the helm as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer.
It’s the kind of move that signals confidence. Both Bachman and Ruggiero have been with AKUVO since 2021, and they’ve spent that time proving they know how to get stuff done. Now they’re getting the titles to match.
Why This Matters
These aren’t just feel-good promotions. AKUVO is betting big on two people who’ve already shown they can deliver. Bachman has been the driving force behind the company’s product organization, turning ideas into actual customer value. Ruggiero built the customer loyalty function from scratch and then pivoted to partnerships, where he’s helped forge more than 40 strategic relationships.
“Melissa and Mike have each made a significant impact on AKUVO through their leadership, expertise, and commitment to our customers and partners,” said Jay Mossman, AKUVO’s Founder and CEO. “They bring deep industry knowledge, strong relationships, and a passion for helping our customers succeed. I’m excited to see them continue expanding their leadership and influence across the organization.”
Meet Your New Chief Product Officer
Melissa Bachman has spent the last few years building AKUVO’s product engine from the ground up. As Chief Product Officer, she’s now officially in charge of the teams that handle product execution, delivery, and operational excellence. Translation: she makes sure what AKUVO builds actually works and actually helps customers.
Under her watch, the company has tightened up its product development processes, sped up execution, improved quality, and kept everyone laser-focused on what matters—customer outcomes. Her superpower? Aligning strategy with execution and making sure people are accountable for results. It’s the kind of leadership that doesn’t just talk about innovation—it ships it.
And Your New Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer
Mike Ruggiero’s career at AKUVO reads like a highlight reel. He started by leading the Customer Loyalty Team and building the kind of customer experience that sets companies apart. Then he switched gears to run Partnerships, where he’s been busy stitching together a network of over 40 strategic partners that bring more value to customers and fuel innovation across AKUVO’s platform.
Now, as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, he’s taking on an even bigger role—shaping product direction, guiding partner strategy, and making sure AKUVO stays tuned in to what financial institutions actually need. His combination of industry chops, customer-first thinking, and proven execution has been a major reason AKUVO has built a solid reputation as a tech partner you can trust.
What’s Next
In their expanded roles, Bachman and Ruggiero will be key players in driving strategic growth, strengthening relationships with customers and partners, and continuing to evolve AKUVO’s collections technology platform. It’s a smart play—rewarding the people who helped get you here and positioning them to help take you where you’re going next.