Daniel de Sousa is no stranger to the CEO role–he’s spent two decades leading software companies from the top. Now, just over a year into his role at AP automation software company Rillion, he’s deliberately stepped out of his comfort zone to help the company expand into the U.S. market—and to challenge himself in the process.
What drew him to Rillion wasn’t just the product, but the potential. After 30 years in the European market, the company had a proven track record, a strong product, and a clear opportunity to scale. Daniel saw a chance to build on that foundation–bringing his results-driven leadership style to a space still defined by manual workflows and inefficient systems.
As a leader, Daniel is both deeply results-driven and deeply human. He believes in leading with a big heart, and having difficult conversations early on instead of pushing them to the back burner. At Rillion, that translates into a culture built on trust, clarity, and care–where performance is expected, but people come first. He walks the talk–because he knows if leadership doesn’t model the culture, it doesn’t exist.
Tattooed on his chest is a motto that says it all: live every day of your life. That mindset shows up in how he works–engaged, direct, and focused on outcomes. For Daniel, one philosophy has guided him through every stage of leadership: start where you stand. And one belief has stood the test of time: it’s not the projects you start that matter–it’s the ones you finish.
