FOUNDING PARTNER

Jess previously lead enterprise teams at Intuit Quickbooks, Wolters Kluwer (CCH), and Ceridian HCM. In her consultancy, Jess built networks of leaders in cloud accounting; partnering with big data and AI experts to demystify advisory services for large and national CPA firms. She has unparalleled data mining experience in the Intuit app ecosystem wherein she lead big data and AI pilots with Google, Microsoft, Tableau, Qlik, and IBM. Jess collected sandbox data of Intuit's global app ecosystem, analyzing more than 500,000 entrepreneurial teams in Canada to identify what made the most successful teams stand out. Using that research, she developed a proprietary data mining app to extract powerful API data 'hidden' from the Quickbooks interface.

When she is away from Ablaze, Alberta's wilderness is her playground. Hiking, camping, and snowboarding are her go-to activities, and she’s been sharing the thrill of snowboarding with her founding partner when she visits from Toronto. Together, they ride the slopes before unwinding with an IPA in Canmore, sharing their love of beer from when they worked together at Molson Coors as promotional models during their undergrad. These moments of exploration not only recharge her but also strengthen their partnership, blending the best of work and play.

For the full bio, check out her press release here.

FOUNDING PARTNER

Mary, a silent founding partner based in Toronto, has a strong track record with tech startups, especially through her work with Kleiner Perkins and IBM's Watson AI. She's known for her ability to spot and nurture innovative technologies that have the potential to transform industries. Mary's journey as a silent angel investor has been marked by a series of strategic investments in startups that are at the forefront of technology and social impact. Her approach is not just about financial backing; it's about mentoring and guiding young companies towards sustainable growth and market leadership. Convinced by Jess's pre-existing fintech community and network, Mary decided to bring her wealth of experience as an angel investor to the table, aiming to grow the fintech startup into a thriving community.

During her downtime, Mary loves exploring the natural beauty of Toronto, from sailing on Lake Ontario to hiking in Rouge National Urban Park. Her frequent trips to Calgary for team meetings also allow her to enjoy the Rocky Mountains. Recently, Jess introduced her to snowboarding, and she swiftly graduated from the beginner's bunny hill. After a day on the slopes, they're likely to be found at Lake Louise's après-ski spots, where they’re telling business stories with IPAs in hand. Mary takes stories over IPAs very seriously.

For the full bio, check out her press release here.

FRACTIONAL CTO

Viktor Shevchenko is the visionary technologist behind Ablaze Collective’s cutting-edge platform that revolutionizes how CPA firms manage their cloud accounting portfolios. As the fractional CTO of Ablaze Collective, Viktor has masterminded the creation of our app using atomic computing architecture, enabling the rapid and scalable mining of Intuit and Xero APIs. His innovative approach to duplicating API calls has eliminated the need for custom apps for each firm, setting a new standard in efficiency and technological advancement. Viktor’s expertise ensures that Ablaze Collective delivers unparalleled insights and holistic management-level views for CPA firms, redefining how data is harnessed and utilized.

When Viktor isn’t revolutionizing the backend architecture at Ablaze Collective, he dedicates his spare time to building custom drones, refining his 3D printing skills, and exploring advancements in machine learning algorithms. A self-proclaimed tech enthusiast, Viktor enjoys contributing to open-source AI projects and occasionally mentors aspiring software engineers in coding bootcamps. When he's not deep in his tech pursuits, you'll find him paddleboarding at Lake Louise or hiking the trails of Banff with his camera in tow, capturing the perfect landscape shot.

FRACTIONAL CFO

Shannon, Ablaze Collective's CFO and finance operating partner in Toronto, is renowned for her fintech expertise, especially in tax and accounting software. She enhances financial and operational performance for Ablaze and its portfolio companies, leveraging her extensive experience and deep understanding of Canada's accounting scene, honed over 20+ years as a CPA and her time at Wolters Kluwer. With a Bachelor's degree from the Haskayne School of Business in Calgary, Shannon is recognized for her leadership, networking, and talent management in finance and accounting. Shannon is not only a powerful storyteller but also an advocate for change in the accounting landscape.

When Shannon isn’t guiding the financial strategy of Ablaze Collective, you’ll find her enjoying the vibrant arts and food scene in Toronto with friends and family. A lover of live music, she often attends local concerts or takes in a new exhibit at the AGO. While her founding partners Jess and Mary are all about IPAs, Shannon proudly goes against the grain, opting for a classic whiskey sour instead. Whether she’s exploring Toronto’s latest speakeasy or unwinding with a good book, Shannon brings the same sharp focus to her downtime as she does to her work—just with a little extra citrus.

FRACTIONAL CMO

Jamie leads the enterprise sales channel for Ablaze Collective based in Toronto. Jamie is a dynamic leader in enterprise channel sales and fractional executives, renowned for her innovative approach to building net new business development channels. With a wealth of experience in navigating the complexities of enterprise landscapes, Jamie excels in driving growth and forging impactful partnerships. Her expertise spans various industries, with a particular focus on Human Capital Management (HCM) software solutions within accounting channel sales at ADP and Ceridian HCM, wherein she was mentored by Jessica Kentch, founding partner at Ablaze Collective.

When she’s not driving enterprise success at Ablaze, Jamie enjoys exploring Toronto’s food scene, often seeking out the newest fusion restaurants or hidden gems in the city. A fitness enthusiast, she also loves taking early morning runs along the lakeshore or squeezing in a yoga session to unwind after a busy day. On weekends, Jamie spends time with her family, usually at local parks or catching a Raptors game whenever possible. Whether she’s closing deals or enjoying downtime with her loved ones, Jamie approaches life with the same energy and focus that makes her a standout leader.

DEVOPS ENGINEER

Alex is the DevOps Engineer at Ablaze Collective, expertly bridging the gap between our development and operations teams. With a focus on improving deployment processes and automating software systems, Alex ensures that our platform runs smoothly and efficiently. He is skilled in using automation tools like Jenkins and Docker, as well as managing CI/CD pipelines to streamline continuous integration and delivery. His expertise with cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure has been instrumental in optimizing our infrastructure. With experience spanning industries like technology, e-commerce, and finance, Alex plays a vital role in ensuring that Ablaze Collective's systems are scalable, secure, and built for growth.

Outside of Ablaze, Alex channels his problem-solving mindset into gaming, where he’s an avid fan of strategy-based video games and coding side projects to improve his gaming experience. When he's not behind a screen, he’s often tinkering with DIY electronics or building custom PCs for friends and fellow tech enthusiasts. A true multi-tasker, Alex also enjoys learning new culinary techniques, often experimenting with sous-vide cooking and perfecting his espresso-making skills. His diverse hobbies keep him sharp, creative, and ready to tackle the next challenge at work.

SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Vasyl Boyko is the talented software engineer driving the technical backbone of Ablaze Collective. With a deep understanding of cloud accounting systems and a sharp focus on innovation, Vasyl plays a crucial role in designing and implementing the solutions that power our platform. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering from the University of Toronto (class of 2018) and is planning on returning back to the U of T for a Master's in Artificial Intelligence. His expertise in API integration and architecture ensures that Ablaze Collective remains at the forefront of data mining and visualization for CPA firms. Vasyl’s commitment to excellence and his ability to craft scalable, efficient systems make him an invaluable asset to our team, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in financial technology.

When Vasyl isn’t shaping the future of fintech at Ablaze Collective, he’s channeling his creativity into hands-on projects like building custom gaming PCs or exploring the latest in virtual reality tech. A self-taught guitar player, Vasyl often jams with friends on weekends, blending his love of music and tech by experimenting with digital sound engineering. He’s also an avid chess player, known for his strategic mind both on the board and in his code. Whether he’s tinkering with the latest gadget or diving into the world of artificial intelligence, Vasyl’s passion for problem-solving extends well beyond the workplace.

DATA ENGINEER

Yaroslav Bondarenko is the Data Engineer at Ablaze Collective, responsible for architecting and maintaining the data systems that drive our platform's analytics and insights. With a strong background in data pipeline development, Yaroslav ensures that our vast amounts of data are processed efficiently and securely. His expertise in tools like SQL, Python, and Apache Hadoop, combined with his mastery of cloud technologies such as AWS and Google Cloud, allows Ablaze to unlock the full potential of its data for our clients. Yaroslav holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of Guelph, where he honed his skills in data management and cloud computing.

Outside of work, Yaroslav channels his adrenaline into extreme mountain biking, frequently seeking out the most challenging trails across Canada. Whether it’s navigating technical downhill routes or pushing his endurance on long rides, he thrives on the excitement and demands of the sport. When he’s not hitting the trails, Yaroslav enjoys experimenting with craft beer brewing, constantly perfecting his latest IPA recipe. His adventurous spirit, whether on a mountain trail or in the brewery, mirrors the creativity and precision he brings to his work at Ablaze. He approaches every challenge with the same dedication and enthusiasm, whether it's engineering complex data systems or crafting the perfect brew.

COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENT

Amit is a talented software engineering student at Ablaze Collective, currently pursuing his Computer Science degree at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. With a strong foundation in cloud accounting systems and API integration, Amit applies his academic knowledge and innovative thinking to the development and optimization of our platform. His experience and technical skills ensure that Ablaze Collective's solutions are both advanced and scalable. Amit’s dedication to learning and his commitment to excellence make him an invaluable member of our team, as he brings fresh insights and a strong work ethic to the forefront of our technological advancements.

Outside of school and work, Amit has a passion for all things tech, often participating in hackathons to push his coding skills to the next level. An active member of Edmonton's tech community, he enjoys attending local tech meetups and mentoring younger students in programming. Amit also has a talent for photography, frequently exploring Edmonton’s river valley to capture scenic landscapes. On the weekends, you might find him cheering for the Edmonton Oilers with his friends at a local pub.

I-O PSYCHOLOGIST, MSW, RCSW, M.SC, Ph.D

Dr. Rachel Parks, based in Toronto and Oakville, is our industrial-organizational psychologist consultant, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to our team. With a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from University of Waterloo, Rachel has dedicated her career to understanding and optimizing workplace behavior and dynamics. Throughout her career, Rachel has worked with a diverse range of organizations, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, across various industries. Her areas of expertise include employee engagement, leadership development, organizational culture, and talent assessment.

When Dr. Rachel Parks isn’t helping companies optimize their organizational culture at Ablaze Collective, she loves spending time outdoors, whether hiking through the scenic trails of Oakville or taking her two dogs for long walks along Toronto’s waterfront. A lifelong learner, Rachel enjoys reading up on the latest trends in behavioral psychology and occasionally gives guest lectures at her alma mater, the University of Waterloo. When she’s not delving into her academic passions, you might find her perfecting her yoga practice or exploring Toronto’s vibrant food scene, always on the hunt for the best vegan restaurants. Rachel’s blend of professional expertise and personal curiosity keeps her constantly inspired, whether at work or play.

1550 5 St SW #300 Calgary, AB, Canada, T2R 1K3

Announcing early 2025!