Avast CEO and leadership

Ondrej Vlcek serves as Chief Executive Officer for Avast. Together with his senior management team, he executes on Avast’s vision to deliver people-centric security and spearheads the Company's product innovation program for emerging consumer technology categories, including the Internet of Things and 5G security. Mr. Vlcek was previously President of Avast Consumer, the largest business within the Company, and directed the development of Avast’s artificial intelligence-based cloud security network. Mr. Vlcek was also a key member of the executive team that took the company public on the London Stock Exchange in May 2018. Previously, he held the combined position of Executive Vice-President & General Manager, Consumer, and Chief Technology Officer. In this role, he led Avast’s transformation from a traditional PC antivirus vendor to the leading provider of a full portfolio of protection, privacy, and performance products for consumers. Prior to that, Mr. Vlcek was chief developer, heading the team that developed one of the first ever antivirus programs for Windows. Mr. Vlcek holds an MS in Mathematics from Czech Technical University in Prague. He is a recognized industry speaker having delivered keynotes at a number of highprofile events including RSA, Web Summit, Black Hat and SXSW.

Michal Pechoucek joined Avast as CTO in September 2019. Mr. Pechoucek leads the core technology and R&D teams supporting the work of the Avast Threat Labs, Big Data and innovation teams. He is also responsible for the company’s scientific research in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity. Before joining Avast, Mr. Pechoucek spent over twenty years as a professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Czech Technical University (CTU) in Prague, during which time he led the Department of Computer Science and founded the Artificial Intelligence Center in 2001. He also co-founded a research-oriented study programme, Open Informatics, which offers a choice of different subjects, combines different areas of informatics and approaches and continues to be taught today. Mr. Pechoucek has authored more than 400 high impact publications and contributed numerous innovative AI applications to research in computer science. Before joining Avast, he was the prime mover behind the creation of the Avast Chair of Cybersecurity at CTU, and in 2019, he also helped to establish the Avast funded joint CTU/Avast AI and Cybersecurity Laboratory. Today, Mr. Pechoucek continues to lecture at CTU and lead the Artificial Intelligence Center.

Rebecca Grattan joined Avast as Chief People and Culture Officer in February 2020. She is responsible for the Human Resources and Facilities functions within the company.

Ms. Grattan brings extensive global human resources and transformation experience through a career which includes executive, interim, consultancy and non-executive positions in the UK, as well as internationally.

Ms. Grattan is adept in designing and implementing strategies which enhance the employee experience and develop a high performance culture. She has an extensive background in operating models and organizational design through work with start-ups, through M&A and publicly listed businesses, and has worked successfully through and with global teams.

Ms. Grattan has particular interests in creating an organizational climate and culture where people thrive and where under represented groups can be supported to achieve their potential. She has championed programs to highlight and tackle gender, LGBTQ+ mental health and wellbeing, and has been involved in a range of ‘Women in Tech’ initiatives.

Jaya Baloo is a cybersecurity expert who is currently the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Avast Software. Baloo was named as one of the top 100 CISO's in 2017, and one of Forbes 100 Women Founders in Europe To Follow in 2018.

Julio Bezerra is Avast’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. He is responsible for developing, communicating, and executing the company’s strategy including leading major transformation projects. His responsibilities also include Corporate Development and M&A. Prior to joining Avast, Mr. Bezerra served as Managing Director and Partner at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in London, United Kingdom. At BCG he was a core member of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications practice, a global expert in Sales and a pioneer in Big Data Analytics. Mr. Bezerra began his career launching new businesses, including four mobile operator start-ups.

Mr. Bezerra has deep experience in articulating strategies in fast moving technology, customer and competitive contexts and in translating strategies into operational plans. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for the delivery of a number of large cross-functional programs.

Lisa Carey is Avast’s Chief Marketing Officer, and joined the company in April, 2020. Prior to joining Avast Ms. Carey served as CMO at Visionable Global, a technology startup for the healthcare industry, based in London, United Kingdom. Before joining Visionable, Ms. Carey was based in Silicon Valley and held a variety of leadership positions as a senior marketer at global technology companies, including Twitter, Facebook, and eBay. Ms. Carey brings more than 20 years of marketing expertise to Avast, having built world-class brands and businesses across all stages of growth, with strategic rigor, keen intuition and creativity. Ms. Carey holds a BA in English from the University of California, Davis.

Ondrej Vlcek serves as Chief Executive Officer for Avast. Together with his senior management team, he executes on Avast’s vision to deliver people-centric security and spearheads the Company's product innovation program for emerging consumer technology categories, including the Internet of Things and 5G security. Mr. Vlcek was previously President of Avast Consumer, the largest business within the Company, and directed the development of Avast’s artificial intelligence-based cloud security network. Mr. Vlcek was also a key member of the executive team that took the company public on the London Stock Exchange in May 2018. Previously, he held the combined position of Executive Vice-President & General Manager, Consumer, and Chief Technology Officer. In this role, he led Avast’s transformation from a traditional PC antivirus vendor to the leading provider of a full portfolio of protection, privacy, and performance products for consumers. Prior to that, Mr. Vlcek was chief developer, heading the team that developed one of the first ever antivirus programs for Windows. Mr. Vlcek holds an MS in Mathematics from Czech Technical University in Prague. He is a recognized industry speaker having delivered keynotes at a number of highprofile events including RSA, Web Summit, Black Hat and SXSW.