Meet The Team
Behind every innovation at Payara is a diverse, talented, and passionate group of people. We’re more than colleagues; we’re collaborators, problem-solvers, and builders shaping the future of enterprise software together.
We are Payarans!
From over 20 countries and speaking 30+ languages, our team brings unique perspectives and shared energy to everything we do. Get to know the people who make Payara what it is.
Grow
Support. Solve. Strengthen
Our Grow unit is where customer success meets long-term impact. Focused on partnership, not just support, this unit helps Payara customers thrive from onboarding to optimisation and beyond. They take ownership of challenges, work collaboratively and bring smart, solution-driven thinking to every interaction. This unit empowers customers to evolve.
Acquire
Connect. Guide. Deliver.
The Acquire unit is our global new business sales function, focused on connecting customers to the right Payara solutions. With a consultative, insight-led approach, they act as trusted guides. Their impact lies in creating meaningful relationships, uncovering customer needs, and enabling confident decisions. They don’t chase quotas they shape partnerships.
Create
Build. Innovate. Improve.
The Create unit is the engine room of Payara’s product innovation. Bringing together engineering, product, and design, they own the process of building secure, scalable software that solves real developer problems. Collaboration is at the heart of everything they do, from shaping roadmaps to launching features. They don’t just ship code they shape the future.
Operate
Enable. Empower. Abide
The Operate unit ensures Payara’s foundations are strong, secure, and ready for future proof business growth. From finance to legal, operations to people, they take ownership of the systems that ensure compliance and deliver a stable and secure remote workspace so everyone can fulfil their potential. They collaborate across the business to create clarity, reduce risk, and unlock scale making sure everyone at Payara can do their best work.
The Board
Lead with purpose. Shape the Future.
Our Board sets the mission and long-term vision for Payara. They guide us with clarity of purpose and a commitment to sustainable growth, ensuring we stay true to our values. With their leadership, we’re shaping a future that’s bold, transparent, and rooted in long-term impact.
Steve Millidge
Steve is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Payara. A respected leader in the Java community, he launched Payara to provide robust, supported Java runtimes and build a company culture defined by innovation, transparency, and long-term impact. Under his leadership, Payara has evolved into a global, people-first organisation where collaboration fuels innovation and every individual is empowered to make a difference.
Julia Millidge
As Co-Founder and long-serving Chief People Officer, Julia has been instrumental in shaping Payara’s inclusive, remote-first culture from the very beginning. Now a member of the Board, she applies her expertise in people, culture, and organisational development to guiding Payara’s mission and long-term vision. Julia continues to champion an environment where trust, growth, and global collaboration remain at the heart of how Payara operates.
Senior Leadership Team
Shape the strategy. Bring the vision to life.
Our Senior Leadership Team turns vision into action. They design the strategies that help Payarans do their best work, fostering collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. By empowering teams and creating space for growth, the SLT ensures that everyone at Payara has the opportunity to make a real difference for our customers and community.
Mark Boote
Mark is Payara’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), responsible for financial strategy, planning, and operational governance. Mark leads forecasting, compliance, and commercial decision-making, providing the financial stewardship behind Payara’s global expansion.
Valentina Kovacic
Valentina is Payara’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), driving global strategy, brand growth, and community connection. She leads with creativity, clarity, and a passion for making complex technology accessible and compelling.
Paul Salazar
Paul is Payara’s Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), leading global sales and customer success. With a focus on sustainable growth and meaningful partnerships, he drives commercial strategy while championing customer value and team collaboration.
Daniel Jeal
Daniel is Payara’s Chief of Staff (CoS), aligning people, priorities, and strategy across the business. He works to keep the organisation running smoothly, supporting leadership and enabling units to focus on what matters most.