Why Chris Price Returned to Navan as Chief Information Officer

Navan is excited to welcome back Chris Price as Chief Information Officer (CIO). As CIO, Chris oversees the strategy and implementation of technology systems that drive innovation and operational efficiency across the organization. 

A seasoned leader with deep expertise in driving technological transformation, Chris brings a wealth of experience and, as a boomerang employee, a unique perspective. Team members who come back to Navan bring novel experiences, new perspectives, and even more conviction about the company’s mission and values.

Chris isn’t the first Navan executive to rejoin the team after a brief break: Rich Liu rejoined Navan as the CEO of Navan Travel in May 2024. 

We sat down with Chris to discuss his career, his decision to return, and his vision for Navan’s future.

Q: Welcome back, Chris! Can you tell us about your career journey and how it initially led you to Navan?

Chris Price: My career has been centered on leveraging technology to drive large-scale transformations and business growth. Before I first joined Navan, I worked across industries and helped businesses scale by transitioning from hardware-based operations to subscription-based software models.

I originally joined Navan during a critical stage in its evolution. I was fortunate to lead transformative projects, like implementing NetSuite and overseeing the rebranding from TripActions to Navan — a massive effort involving migrating 400 systems in just six weeks. It was a dynamic and rewarding experience.

Q: What inspired your return to Navan as CIO?

Chris Price: Coming back felt like a natural decision. I had the opportunity to lead an incredible organization at a time when Navan was scaling its operations globally. But ultimately, it was the people that drew me back. I missed my team, and the warm welcome I received reaffirmed why Navan is such a special place.

On top of that, Navan’s mission resonates deeply with me. Travel isn’t just about moving from Point A to Point B — it’s about creating opportunities to connect, share ideas, and build relationships. Being part of a company that values and enables those connections made it an easy choice.

Q: How has Navan changed since you were last here?

Chris Price: The company has matured significantly. It feels like we’ve moved from being a fast-paced startup to a true enterprise organization. Navan’s leadership team, particularly our CEO, has played a huge role in driving this transformation. It’s been amazing to see how the company has scaled and evolved, and I’m excited to contribute to this next chapter.

Q: As a boomerang employee, how does your unique perspective shape your leadership approach?

Chris Price: Having been here before, I know the incredible potential of this team and company. My perspective allows me to hit the ground running and focus on what matters most — aligning technology with business goals, scaling systems to meet global demands, and building a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

I often think of my role as coaching a professional sports team. We need to be fast, agile, and aligned with Navan’s pace of innovation. My goal is to empower our teams and drive operational excellence that supports Navan’s growth.

Q: What’s your vision for the future of your team and the influence you hope to make?

Chris Price: My vision is to build a world-class business technology organization that moves at the speed of Navan’s innovation. That means driving technology solutions that scale globally, fostering collaboration across teams, and delivering systems that empower employees, customers, and partners.

We want to move beyond being seen as just “order takers” — instead, our team will be leaders and enablers of innovation across the company.

Q: Finally, what excites you most about Navan’s future?

Chris Price: Navan is leading the way in redefining travel and expense management — there’s truly no one else in the market doing what we’re doing. The opportunity to be part of a team that’s shaping the future of this industry is incredibly exciting.

What really stands out to me is the talent here. Navan is full of passionate, innovative people building systems for a future that’s not even fully imaginable yet. Being part of that journey — alongside this team — is what drives me every day.

Interested in joining Navan’s mission-driven team? Explore open roles today.