FOUNDING PARTNER

Jessica began her career by leading enterprise teams at Intuit QuickBooks, Wolters Kluwer (CCH), and Ceridian HCM, where she developed deep expertise in the cloud accounting space and formed a network of leaders committed to transforming data into actionable insights for CPA firms. Her work to "de-mystify" advisory services for these firms led her to collaborate with top AI and big data companies, including Google, Microsoft, Tableau, Qlik, and IBM, piloting projects that pushed the boundaries of API data mining. Through extensive analysis of API data from over 500,000 Canadian QBO users, Jessica identified the core attributes that make high-performing CPA firms stand out—a discovery that fueled her creation of a proprietary app that unlocks “hidden” API data insights within QuickBooks for the small to mid-market.

Initially, Jessica didn’t envision moving into mergers and acquisitions, but she soon recognized how valuable this API-driven insight is to Cloud Accounting Services (CAS) and the venture capital sector. The Ablaze Collective app aggregates and visualizes these insights, offering firms a unique advantage in the API marketplace and making them more attractive to prospective buyers. Notably, every firm that used Ablaze Collective’s app during beta was acquired by a Big 4 firm within 18 months, demonstrating the powerful impact of harnessing API data.

Outside of Ablaze, Alberta’s wilderness is Jessica's playground. She frequently explores the slopes with her founding partner, where they unwind with an IPA in Canmore, combining work and play in true Ablaze Collective spirit.

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

FOUNDING PARTNER

Mary, a quiet but pivotal founding partner based in Toronto, has a remarkable background in tech startups, honed through her work with Kleiner Perkins and IBM's Watson AI. Known for her sharp eye for game-changing technologies, she has built a reputation for spotting innovations that drive industry transformation. Her journey as an angel investor is defined by a hands-on approach: she strategically invests in and mentors emerging startups with a focus on technology and social impact, guiding them towards sustainable growth and market leadership.

Drawn by Jessica's established fintech community and network, Mary chose to bring her investment expertise to Ablaze Collective, seeing it as a prime opportunity to foster a dynamic and impactful fintech community. Her partnership is more than financial—it’s about empowering the company with her experience in nurturing tech ventures to their fullest potential.

Outside of work, Mary embraces Toronto’s natural beauty, sailing on Lake Ontario and hiking in Rouge National Urban Park. Frequent trips to Calgary for Ablaze Collective meetings allow her to unwind in the Rockies, where Jessica recently introduced her to snowboarding. Mary’s rapid progression from the bunny hill to more challenging runs shows her adventurous spirit—and when the day wraps up, you’ll often find them at a Lake Louise après-ski spot, where business ideas flow as easily as the IPAs they enjoy.

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.

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.

JUNIOR DATA ANALYST

Yaroslav Bondarenko is a Data Engineerign Student 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. Now working on his Masters of Computer Science from the University of Guelph, Yaroslav holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the same university, 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.