Kalungi Announces Leadership Transition, Appoints Antoine Vial as Chief Executive Officer

Seattle, WA — 03/16/2026 — Kalungi, the B2B SaaS growth company, today announced a significant leadership transition designed to support the company’s next stage of growth.

Antoine Vial has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, assuming full strategic and operational leadership of the firm. The transition reflects Kalungi's continued evolution, helping B2B SaaS companies build durable growth engines.

The transition reflects that Kalungi’s Founder and Chairman, Stijn Hendrikse, who returned to work full-time at Kalungi last year, will remain actively involved in the company, focusing on strategy, client work, and thought leadership while supporting the leadership team as Kalungi enters its next phase.

Antoine Vial Named CEO

Antoine Vial steps into the CEO role after playing a central role in Kalungi’s growth, culture, and operating model, maximizing the potential and impact of combining Kalungi’s superpowers with AI for many years to come.

"Kalungi has always been about doing meaningful work with remarkable people," said Antoine Vial. "This transition is a natural step in our journey. We are building a company that can grow faster, serve our clients better, and create long-term value for our team. I am deeply grateful to Fadi and Stijn for their trust and to Brian and Yusuf for their partnership as we move into this next chapter."

Stijn Hendrikse, founder of Kalungi, described the transition as a deliberate step in the company’s long-term leadership evolution.

"When you build a company, one of the most important decisions you make is who will lead it next," said Hendrikse. "Antoine has earned the trust of our team, our clients, and our leadership group through his judgment, discipline, and commitment to building something meaningful. He represents the next generation of leadership at Kalungi, and I am excited to support him as he takes the company forward."

Brian Graf Joins the Board of Directors and Returns to Executive CMO

Brian Graf, who has served as CEO for the past three years, will join Kalungi’s Board of Directors while returning to client work as an Executive CMO.

During his tenure as CEO, Brian helped stabilize the business, strengthen operations, and guide the company through an important period of transition. His move back into a client-facing leadership role reflects both his passion for building growth engines and his belief in Kalungi’s model.

"Handing off a company in great shape is the best thing a CEO can do," said Brian Graf. "I am proud of what we accomplished together and excited about what comes next. Getting back into the CMO seat as an owner and board member is exactly where I want to be."

Yusuf Mahmoud Moves to Executive CMO

Yusuf Mahmoud, who has served as Kalungi’s Chief Operating Officer, will transition into a full-time Executive CMO role. He has been instrumental in shaping the company’s operating foundation and growth, and will now lead strategic client engagements, steward some of Kalungi’s most important partnerships, and continue to serve on Kalungi’s leadership team. Over the past several years, Yusuf has been instrumental in deepening long-term client relationships and scaling Kalungi’s client portfolio and long-term growth, with a strong focus on operational rigor and on building durable growth systems.

"What excites me most is the opportunity to work closely with B2B founders and leadership teams who are serious about building real growth engines," said Yusuf Mahmoud. "Kalungi’s model works because we’re not just ‘consulting’ or ‘doing,’ we’re embedded within our client’s teams, helping turn strategy into execution and execution into real growth."

About Kalungi

Kalungi is a B2B SaaS growth company that embeds senior marketing leadership and specialist teams directly into high-growth technology companies. Through its fractional operating model and T2D3 proven playbook, Kalungi helps SaaS founders and CEOs build the marketing foundation they need to scale from early traction to market leadership.

Learn more at www.kalungi.com

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All roles and titles are effective as of 03/16/2026.