Key Takeaways
- Grant Thornton US has appointed three senior technology leaders: Salman Taherian (Head of AI), Tom Coulis (Head of Transformation), and Justin Corona (Chief Technology Officer).
- Taherian will drive a firm‑wide AI strategy, embedding artificial intelligence into daily operations and client deliverables.
- Coulis will lead technology adoption and change‑management initiatives across the organization.
- Corona will oversee the overall technology strategy, including enterprise architecture, cloud, data, analytics, infrastructure, and AI.
- The new leaders will work alongside Chief Product Officer Alpa Lally, who joined in late 2025, to advance product‑led innovation.
- These appointments reinforce Grant Thornton’s multi‑year investment in technology modernization and AI‑enabled capabilities.
- The firm plans to upskill its multinational workforce to support the expanded tech agenda.
- CIO Mike Kempe praised the trio’s complementary expertise and their potential to deliver meaningful impact for clients.
Grant Thornton Expands Its Technology Leadership Team
Grant Thornton in the United States has announced a strategic bolstering of its technology leadership through three senior appointments. The professional services firm named Salman Taherian as head of artificial intelligence, Tom Coulis as head of transformation, and Justin Corona as chief technology officer (CTO). These moves are part of a broader effort to deepen the firm’s technological capabilities, accelerate AI integration, and improve service delivery for clients across its global platform. By placing seasoned executives in these pivotal roles, Grant Thornton signals its commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation in the accounting and advisory sector.
Salman Taherian Leads the Firm‑Wide AI Initiative
Salman Taherian joins Grant Thornton with nearly two decades of experience in AI development, data science, and machine‑learning implementation. As the newly appointed head of AI, Taherian will be responsible for crafting and executing a company‑wide artificial intelligence strategy. His remit includes identifying high‑impact AI use cases, overseeing the deployment of AI tools across service lines, and ensuring that AI capabilities are embedded into everyday workflows and client engagements. Taherian’s focus will be on turning AI ambition into measurable outcomes, such as improved audit efficiency, enhanced tax advisory insights, and predictive analytics for risk management.
Tom Coulis Drives Transformation and Change Management
Tom Coulis assumes the role of head of transformation, where he will spearhead technology adoption and change‑management initiatives throughout Grant Thornton. Coulis brings a strong background in leading large‑scale digital transformations, guiding organizations through the cultural and operational shifts required to embrace new technologies. His responsibilities will encompass designing adoption roadmaps, facilitating training programs, and establishing metrics to gauge the success of technology rollouts. By aligning people, processes, and technology, Coulis aims to minimize resistance, accelerate uptake of new tools, and ensure that the firm’s workforce can fully leverage emerging capabilities.
Justin Corona Appointed as Chief Technology Officer
Justin Corona has been named chief technology officer, a position that places him at the helm of Grant Thornton’s overall technology strategy and execution. Corona’s oversight spans enterprise architecture, cloud platforms, data and analytics, IT infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. In this capacity, he will define the firm’s technology vision, prioritize investments in scalable infrastructure, and ensure seamless integration of disparate systems. Corona’s leadership will be critical in creating a unified technology foundation that supports innovation, enhances security, and enables rapid delivery of AI‑driven solutions to clients worldwide.
Collaboration with Chief Product Officer Alpa Lally
The three new technology leaders will work closely with Alpa Lally, who joined Grant Thornton as chief product officer in late 2025. Lally brings expertise in product management, market‑driven innovation, and client‑centric solution design. Together, the leadership team will align technology development with product strategy, ensuring that AI and other emerging technologies are translated into tangible offerings that meet client needs. This collaborative approach aims to bridge the gap between technical execution and market relevance, fostering a culture where innovation is both technologically sound and commercially viable.
Strategic Context: Ongoing Multi‑Year Technology Investment
Grant Thornton’s recent appointments build upon a sustained, multi‑year investment in technology and innovation. The firm has been progressively enhancing its AI‑enabled capabilities, updating service delivery models, and expanding its digital footprint across its global platform. These efforts include modernizing legacy systems, adopting cloud‑native architectures, and expanding data analytics practices. By reinforcing its leadership team, Grant Thornton aims to accelerate the pace of these initiatives, ensuring that technological advancements are not only implemented but also continuously refined to keep pace with evolving industry demands.
Workforce Upskilling and Service Delivery Enhancements
A core component of Grant Thornton’s technology agenda is the upskilling of its multinational workforce. The firm plans to launch comprehensive training programs focused on AI literacy, data analytics, cloud computing, and emerging tech trends. By equipping employees with the necessary skills, Grant Thornton seeks to foster a digitally fluent workforce capable of leveraging new tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and insight generation for clients. Enhanced service delivery is expected to result from faster turnaround times, more sophisticated advisory capabilities, and the ability to offer innovative solutions that address complex business challenges.
Leadership Endorsement and Outlook
Mike Kempe, Grant Thornton’s chief information officer, expressed confidence in the new appointments, stating: “These are exceptional leaders whose experience and vision will help move our technology team and the firm forward. Salman’s ability to turn AI ambition into real‑world results, Tom’s expertise in transformation and change management, and Justin’s leadership in enterprise technology—alongside Alpa’s product leadership—are helping us embed advanced capabilities across our multinational platform and deliver meaningful impact for our clients.” Kempe’s endorsement underscores the belief that the combined expertise of the new leaders will drive the firm’s technological modernization, strengthen its competitive edge, and ultimately create greater value for clients navigating an increasingly digital business landscape.