BetterWorld Technology

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer

General Manager

Vice President of Operations

Director of Customer Operations & Training

Forbes Technology Council

Official Member

Working Excellence

Senior Director

Robert Morris University, Chicago, IL

Adjunct Professor Of Business

Staffing Network LLC

 Vice President , Information Systems

V&V Supremo Foods Inc

Senior Manager, Information Systems

Easter Seals Inc.

Senior Director Information Technology

Director IT Operations

IT Operations Manager

Recall

Regional IT Operations Analyst 

Knightsbridge Solutions LLC

IT Operations Analyst

Baker and McKenzie

Team Lead Desktop Support Analyst

Transforming IT Landscapes as Co-Founder & COO | Certified VCISO | Thought Leader in Cybersecurity & Managed IT

As the COO of BetterWorld Technology, I leverage extensive experience in the nonprofit sector and a proven track record as a VP of Technology to deliver operational excellence. As a certified VCISO, I specialize in providing strategic cybersecurity solutions alongside Managed IT and IT Consulting, helping organizations of all sizes stay secure, efficient, and innovative.

BetterWorld Technology is a nationwide, 24/7 Managed IT, Cybersecurity, and IT Consulting provider, delivering enterprise-grade solutions for organizations of all sizes. We’re big enough to offer robust, scalable technology and security services, yet small enough to provide personalized care and attention, ensuring tailored support that drives success.

John Jordan

The vCISO role is evolving faster than most boardrooms can keep up with.

Not long ago, cybersecurity was a line item, a compliance box to check. Now, it’s a board-level conversation—sometimes a heated one. I’ve sat in those meetings where the question isn’t "Do we have a policy?" but "Are we actually safe?"

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: AI and machine learning are rewriting the rules. Autonomous agents can spot threats in milliseconds, but they can also be used to launch attacks that move just as fast. The same tools that protect us can be turned against us. It’s a chess match, and the board keeps changing.

For executives, this isn’t just about tech. It’s about risk, reputation, and resilience. Are you asking the right questions? Do you know what your AI is doing—and what it could do if it went rogue? Are you ready for the next regulatory curveball, like the EU AI Act?

At BetterWorld Technology, we’re seeing clients rethink their entire approach. Not just patching holes, but building security into the DNA of their business strategy. It’s messy, sometimes frustrating, but it’s the only way forward.

So, what’s your next move? Are you leading the conversation, or waiting for the next breach to force your hand?

#vCISO #cybersecurity #AI #governance #compliance #TechStrategy #betterworldtech

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Trusted Leader in IT & Cybersecurity | Co-Founder & COO | Certified VCISO | MBA | Proven Leader in IT, Cybersecurity 🛡 & Business Transformation | One of Newsweek’s Most Reliable Companies for 2025 | Let’s Connect

AI is the new intern. 

Except this intern never sleeps, learns at warp speed, and sometimes makes decisions you didn’t ask for. 

I’ve watched organizations rush to deploy AI tools, hoping for a silver bullet. But here’s the catch: every new capability is a new attack surface. 

Autonomous agents can optimize workflows, sure. But they can also be hijacked, manipulated, or simply go rogue. (If you’ve ever seen an AI write a 3 a.m. email, you know what I mean.) 

The real opportunity? Leaders who ask, "How do we govern this?" not just "How do we use this?" 

At BetterWorld Technology, we’re helping clients build AI governance frameworks that align with business goals and risk tolerance. It’s not glamorous, but it’s what keeps innovation from turning into chaos. 

If you’re not already mapping out your AI risks, you’re behind. But it’s not too late to catch up. 

What’s your biggest AI headache right now? Let’s swap stories—maybe we’ll find a solution together. 

#AI #cybersecurity #TechStrategy #governance #vCISO #betterworldtech

Quantum computing used to sound like something out of a Marvel movie. Now, it is a real threat to the encryption we all rely on. 

I have had more than one conversation lately where someone says, "We will worry about quantum when it gets here." But by then, it is too late. The data you are protecting today could be vulnerable tomorrow. 

The smart move? Start planning for post-quantum security now. Inventory your critical assets. Understand which systems rely on vulnerable encryption. Build a roadmap for migration, even if it feels early. 

At BetterWorld Technology, we are helping clients future-proof their security strategies. It is not about panic—it is about preparation. 

And let’s be honest, if you are still using "password123," quantum is the least of your worries. 

What steps are you taking to get ready for the next wave of tech disruption? Share your thoughts. #cybersecurity #quantumcomputing #TechStrategy #vCISO #betterworldtech

Sometimes I wonder if we’re all just one compliance update away from a collective meltdown.

Regulations are coming at us from every direction—GDPR, CCPA, the EU AI Act, and who knows what’s next. It’s enough to make even the most seasoned execs want to hide under their desks. But here’s the thing: compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines. It’s about building trust, protecting your reputation, and keeping your business in the game.

I’ve seen organizations treat compliance like a fire drill—scramble, check the boxes, breathe a sigh of relief, and move on. But the real leaders? They use compliance as a catalyst for better governance and smarter risk management. They ask tough questions: Are we ready for the next wave of regulation? Do we have a plan for when—not if—something goes wrong?

At BetterWorld Technology, we help clients turn compliance from a headache into a competitive advantage. It’s not always pretty, but it works.

What’s your biggest compliance challenge right now? Let’s swap stories and maybe even a few survival tips.

#compliance #governance #riskmanagement #cybersecurity #vCISO #betterworldtech

AI is the shiny new toy in every boardroom, but let’s not kid ourselves—most organizations are still figuring out how to use it without breaking something.

I’ve seen leaders get excited about autonomous AI agents, only to realize their data is a mess and their security controls are stuck in 2015. The opportunity is massive, but so is the risk. AI can spot anomalies faster than any human, but it can also amplify mistakes at the speed of light.

Here’s my advice: before you chase the next big thing, get your fundamentals right. Do you know where your sensitive data lives? Are your teams trained to spot AI-driven phishing attacks? Are you tracking the right metrics, or just the ones that look good in a report?

At BetterWorld Technology, we help clients cut through the noise. It’s not about having the fanciest tech—it’s about building a culture that can adapt, learn, and recover when things go sideways. Because, let’s face it, they will.

How are you balancing innovation with security? What’s the biggest AI headache you’ve faced so far?

#AI #cybersecurity #TechStrategy #vCISO #betterworldtech

Here’s a hard truth: most security incidents don’t start with a zero-day exploit. They start with a missed patch, a reused password, or a well-meaning employee clicking the wrong link. 

It’s not glamorous, but operational excellence in cybersecurity is about sweating the small stuff. 

I’ve seen organizations invest in the latest tech, only to be undone by basic hygiene failures. It’s like buying a state-of-the-art alarm system and leaving the front door wide open. 

At BetterWorld Technology, we focus on fundamentals: regular risk assessments, clear incident response plans, and relentless user education. 

If you want to build a security culture that lasts, start with the basics—and never stop. 

What’s the most overlooked security habit in your organization? I’m curious to hear what slips through the cracks. 

#cybersecurity #operationalexcellence #riskmanagement #vCISO #betterworldtech

The vCISO role is not what it was five years ago. 

Honestly, it barely resembles what it was last year. 

AI is rewriting the rules, and not always in ways that make life easier. Autonomous agents, deepfake phishing, quantum threats on the horizon... it feels like the plot of a sci-fi movie, except the budget is your reputation and the stakes are your business. 

Boards and executives ask me, "What should we be worried about?" I tell them: worry less about the next shiny tool, and more about the questions you’re not asking. 

Are we mapping our risk appetite to our actual business goals? Do we have a plan for when—not if—AI-generated attacks slip past our defenses? Are we tracking the right metrics, or just the ones that look good in a report? 

It’s not about fear. It’s about readiness. 

At BetterWorld Technology, we see organizations that treat cybersecurity as a living, breathing part of their strategy—not a box to check—are the ones who adapt fastest. 

Truth is, the future will always outpace our playbooks. But the leaders who build cultures of curiosity, transparency, and resilience? They’re the ones who sleep at night. 

What’s the one question you wish your board would ask about cybersecurity? I’d love to hear the ones that keep you up—or help you rest easy. 

#vCISO #cybersecurity #AI #governance #compliance #TechStrategy #betterworldtech

Let’s talk about the elephant in the server room: aligning IT and business goals is harder than it looks.

I’ve seen too many tech projects stall because the business side and IT are speaking different languages. One’s talking about ROI, the other about zero trust architectures. Somewhere in the middle, the real priorities get lost.

The future belongs to organizations that bridge that gap. With AI, automation, and quantum computing on the horizon, the stakes are only getting higher. It’s not enough to have a great tech stack—you need a strategy that ties every IT decision back to business outcomes.

At BetterWorld Technology, we push for conversations that connect the dots. What’s the business problem we’re actually trying to solve? How does this technology move the needle?

If you’re not asking those questions, you’re just collecting shiny objects.

How do you keep your IT and business teams rowing in the same direction? Any tips or war stories to share?

#TechStrategy #cybersecurity #AI #vCISO #betterworldtech

Every time I hear someone say, "We’re too small to be a target," I have to resist the urge to hand them a stack of breach reports.

Cyber threats don’t care about your company size. In fact, smaller organizations are often the low-hanging fruit—less budget, fewer resources, and sometimes, a false sense of security. I’ve seen startups and mid-sized businesses blindsided by attacks they never saw coming.

The good news? You don’t need a Fortune 500 budget to build real resilience. Start with the basics: strong passwords, regular training, and a clear incident response plan. Layer in the right technology, and suddenly you’re not such an easy target.

At BetterWorld Technology, we work with organizations of all sizes to build practical, scalable security strategies. No scare tactics, just honest conversations about what works.

What’s one simple step you’ve taken to boost your security posture? Let’s help each other raise the bar.

#cybersecurity #vCISO #operationalexcellence #riskmanagement #betterworldtech

Let’s talk about the elephant in the boardroom: aligning IT and business strategy. 

Too often, I see tech teams and business leaders speaking different languages. One side talks about uptime and firewalls, the other about growth and market share. 

The magic happens when both sides realize they’re after the same thing: resilience, agility, and trust. 

At BetterWorld Technology, we help bridge that gap. It’s not about translating jargon—it’s about connecting priorities. 

Ask yourself: Are your IT investments driving business outcomes, or just adding complexity? Are you measuring what matters, or what’s easy to count? 

The best strategies are the ones everyone understands—and believes in. 

What’s your biggest challenge in aligning IT and business goals? Let’s get real about what works (and what doesn’t). 

#TechStrategy #cybersecurity #leadership #vCISO #betterworldtech

There is a myth that only big companies need a vCISO. 

I have lost count of the number of small and mid-sized businesses who call us after a breach, wishing they had asked for help sooner. 

Cyber threats do not care about your revenue or headcount. Ransomware, phishing, supply chain attacks—they hit everyone. The difference is, smaller organizations often have fewer resources to bounce back. 

A vCISO is not just a luxury for the Fortune 500. It is a lifeline for any business that wants to survive and grow. We bring strategy, structure, and a little bit of sanity to the chaos. 

At BetterWorld Technology, we have seen firsthand how a tailored security roadmap can turn panic into confidence. It is not about fear—it is about being ready. 

If you think you are too small to be a target, think again. 

What is holding your organization back from investing in cybersecurity leadership? I am all ears. #vCISO #cybersecurity #leadership #betterworldtech #TechStrategy

Here’s a hard truth: most security strategies look great on paper, but reality is messier.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen beautifully crafted policies that never make it past the boardroom. The real world is full of distractions, shifting priorities, and, let’s be honest, a little bit of wishful thinking.

The best strategies are the ones that actually get used. That means building security into daily workflows, not just annual audits. It means empowering teams to speak up when something feels off, even if it’s inconvenient. And it means tracking metrics that matter—like time to detect and respond, not just how many boxes you’ve checked.

At BetterWorld Technology, we focus on practical, actionable steps. No silver bullets, no magic wands. Just real progress, one decision at a time.

What’s one small change you’ve made that had a big impact on your security culture? I’d love to hear what’s working (and what’s not).

#cybersecurity #TechStrategy #vCISO #operationalexcellence #betterworldtech

Quantum computing used to sound like science fiction. Now, it’s the elephant in every cybersecurity room. 

We’re not there yet, but the clock is ticking. Encryption standards that feel rock-solid today could be obsolete tomorrow. 

I get it—most executives have enough on their plates without worrying about quantum threats. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: waiting until it’s urgent is a recipe for regret. 

Forward-thinking leaders are already asking, "What’s our post-quantum plan?" They’re mapping out migration paths, evaluating vendors, and building flexibility into their tech stacks. 

At BetterWorld Technology, we’re helping clients future-proof their security strategies, even if the future feels a little fuzzy. 

If you’re not talking about quantum yet, you will be. Might as well get ahead of the curve. 

What’s your take—are we overhyping quantum, or not worried enough? Let’s hear your predictions. 

#cybersecurity #quantumcomputing #TechStrategy #vCISO #betterworldtech

Building a security culture is not about posters in the break room or annual trainings everyone clicks through half-asleep. 

It is about making security part of the daily conversation, from the C-suite to the front desk. I have seen organizations where people are afraid to speak up about mistakes. That is a recipe for disaster. 

The best leaders I know create space for honesty. They reward curiosity, not just compliance. They ask, "What did we learn from this incident?" instead of, "Who is to blame?" 

At BetterWorld Technology, we work with teams to turn security from a checklist into a mindset. It is not easy, and it is never finished. But it is the only way to stay ahead. 

If you want to know how strong your security culture is, ask your newest employee what they would do if they spotted something suspicious. The answer will tell you everything. 

How are you building a culture of security in your organization? Let’s swap ideas. #cybersecurity #leadership #vCISO #betterworldtech #operationalexcellence

The vCISO role is not what it was five years ago. 

Back then, you could get away with a solid risk assessment, a few policies, and a quarterly board update. Now? The job description might as well read: part strategist, part therapist, part fortune teller. 

AI is rewriting the rules faster than most organizations can keep up. Autonomous agents, deepfakes, quantum threats on the horizon... it sounds like science fiction, but it is already knocking on the boardroom door. 

I have conversations with executives who want certainty. They want a checklist, a guarantee. But the truth is, cybersecurity is a moving target. The best leaders I know are the ones who ask uncomfortable questions: Are we ready for the next regulatory curveball? How are we measuring resilience, not just compliance? 

At BetterWorld Technology, we see the shift every day. The vCISO is no longer just a technical advisor. We are business partners, translators, and sometimes, the only ones in the room willing to say, "This risk is bigger than you think."

If you are still treating cybersecurity as an IT problem, you are already behind. 

What is the one question you wish your board would ask about security? I am genuinely curious. #vCISO #cybersecurity #AI #governance #compliance #TechStrategy #betterworldtech

Here is a hard truth: most security incidents are not caused by zero-day exploits or nation-state hackers. They are caused by missed basics. 

Unpatched systems. Weak passwords. Forgotten backups. The stuff everyone knows, but not everyone does. 

I have seen organizations spend big on the latest tech, only to get tripped up by a simple oversight. It is frustrating, but it is fixable. 

Start with a clear inventory. Know what you have, where it lives, and who has access. Set up alerts for the things that matter. Review your incident response plan like it is a fire drill, not a formality. 

At BetterWorld Technology, we help clients focus on what works. Fancy tools are great, but discipline wins every time. 

What is the one basic security practice you wish every company would take seriously? Let’s talk about the fundamentals. #cybersecurity #vCISO #TechStrategy #betterworldtech

Let’s be honest, most executives would rather get a root canal than talk about compliance frameworks. 

But here’s the thing: ignoring governance is like skipping oil changes and hoping your car makes it across the country. 

With the EU AI Act and new U.S. regulations rolling out, the stakes are higher than ever. It is not just about ticking boxes. It is about building trust—with customers, partners, and your own team. 

I have seen organizations scramble to retrofit controls after a close call. It is expensive, stressful, and usually avoidable. The smart move? Start with the basics: map your data, know your risks, and make sure someone is actually accountable. 

Metrics matter, but so does culture. If your people are afraid to report a mistake, you have a bigger problem than any audit can reveal. 

At BetterWorld Technology, we help leaders turn compliance from a burden into a business advantage. It is not glamorous, but it works. 

What is the most surprising lesson you have learned from a compliance project? I would love to hear your war stories. #compliance #governance #cybersecurity #leadership #betterworldtech #vCISO

Cybersecurity is not a spectator sport. 

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard, "We have a great IT team, so we’re covered." If only it were that simple. 

The reality? Security is everyone’s job, from the boardroom to the break room. Culture eats policy for breakfast. 

At BetterWorld Technology, we see the most resilient organizations are the ones where leaders model good security habits, ask tough questions, and make it safe to speak up about risks. 

Metrics matter, but so does mindset. Are you tracking how quickly your team reports phishing attempts? Are you rewarding curiosity, or punishing mistakes? 

The best security cultures are built on trust, not fear. And they start at the top. 

What’s one thing you wish your leadership team understood about cybersecurity? I’m all ears. 

#cybersecurity #leadership #vCISO #operationalexcellence #betterworldtech #TechStrategy

Sometimes I wonder if the term vCISO is already outdated. Not because the role is going away, but because the job keeps mutating faster than the language can keep up. One week I’m talking to a board about quantum risk, the next I’m fielding questions about AI agents that can write code (and, apparently, phishing emails that sound like your favorite uncle).

It’s a strange feeling, being both the translator and the alarm bell. I’ve learned that most executives don’t want a technical deep dive—they want to know what keeps them out of the headlines, and what keeps their business running when the unexpected hits. Fair enough.

But here’s the catch: the threats are getting weirder, and the regulations are getting stricter. The EU AI Act, for example, is a wake-up call for anyone who thinks compliance is just a checkbox. It’s not. It’s a moving target, and it’s coming for all of us, whether we’re ready or not.

So, what do you actually do? You start with questions, not answers. What data matters most? Who has access? How fast can we recover if something goes sideways? The best security cultures I’ve seen are the ones where people aren’t afraid to ask the uncomfortable questions.

Honestly, I still get surprised by what I don’t know. That’s probably a good thing.

What’s the one risk you wish your team would talk about more openly? I’d love to hear the ones that keep you up at night.

#vCISO #cybersecurity #AI #governance #compliance #TechStrategy #betterworldtech

Azafran Capital Partners

Azafran Capital Partners-  (ACP) - is an early stage Venture Capital fund specializing in  Applied Voice, Acoustic, Imagery Modalities steeped  deep science in (ML) Machine Learning / (AI) Artificial Intelligence technologies focused within the  Health / Wellness, & IoT / Enterprise marketplace. Specifically, we invest in teams that are solving really hard problems within really large markets in a disruptive way. 

Azafran is Spanish for “Saffron” which is known to be the most valuable spice in the world. At one time Saffron was more valuable than gold, used as currency and was viewed as possessing transformational value. Our name Azafran reminds us of our international scope and our mission to find founders who are developing transformational technology and seeking to build extraordinary companies.  We believe our machine learning investment thesis, will transform the way we live and the way we do business.

Managing Partner

Yobe Inc

Digital Signal Processing- Voice Biometrics. 
Yobe Inc. develops artificial intelligence powered algorithmic software that enables studio level audio manipulation in a downloadable and/or SaaS application. "Yobe” has designed a portfolio of Intelligent Audio Technologies for both Speech and Multi Media content with applications for: Voice Authentication, Mobile devices, Telecommunications, VoIP, Audio equipment, Gaming, Streaming Media, Bandwidth reduction, and Hearing aids. Yobe stands alone as a real-time automated technology that can intelligently identify, categorize, and manipulate audio content.

Board Member

• Led strategic direction at BetterWorld Technology, driving growth in Managed IT, Cybersecurity, Cloud Services, and IT Compliance Services.
• Implemented innovative solutions like SIEM, RMM, and DaaS to enhance customer experience and increase efficiency.
• Achieved a 99.999% uptime reliability rate for seamless real-time service delivery.

Board Member, Chairman, CEO

At Working Excellence, we speak the language of both business and technology, and are able to serve as translators between those worlds. We navigate leaders through complex corporate challenges as change is inevitable and necessary in any growing company. With our methodology, we can help you promote and embrace this change.

The Working Excellence Compass: We are Purple, bridging both technical and business environments
Purple people - those who possess a mix of business (red) and technology skills (blue) serve as translators between those worlds, focusing on making cognitive systems useful in a business context.

Business people know what data they need and can define requirements, but typically don’t have the skill set to design a data architecture that gives them the data they need.

Technology people typically don’t understand the business requirements, but they can design the data architectures. It’s like the people in IT speak blue, the people in business speak red, but we need people who speak purple in order to create an appropriate solution.

Through our decades of experience our team knows and speaks purple out of the gate with every engagement. We know that digital transformation comes down to applying our talent 4 Key Areas: Technology + Data + Process + Organizational Change Capability. 

​The Working Excellence Compass is our proprietary toolbox which includes tried and true resources, procedures, and processes. Together, we use this model to succeed with balance—building your business by enhancing your value proposition, creating industry leadership, and achieving operational excellence. We develop financial and management strategies for those aspiring to build larger, best-in-class companies.

Young Presidents’ Organization is a global network of young chief executives that connects 25,000 peers and their families in more than 100 countries to learn, exchange ideas and address the challenges leaders face today. Guided by the mission of building Better Leaders Through Education and Idea Exchange™, the organization provides members with access to unique experiences, world-class resources, alliances with top learning institutions, and specialized Networks to enhance their business, community and personal leadership.

YPO- Chair of Social Enterprise Network (SEN), Real Leaders Making a Difference

The Brand Consultancy

The Brand Consultancy is a seasoned team of brand building experts, focused entirely on leveraging brand to drive change and devise solutions from within our client’s core business to ensure a fully vested leadership team.   Our expertise and services cross the full spectrum of brand assessment, strategy, communications, operationalization and management.  We map the touchpoints within your business to its key stakeholders creating relevant, unique and compelling customer experiences. We work with your team to make the case for change inside your organization and equip and motivate employees to understand your strategy and actually deliver on it - in a fun and engaging way.

Senior Sustainable Strategy Partner

Gali Service Industries (GSI)

Based in Rockville, Maryland, GSI offers a wide spectrum of maintenance, repair and operational (MRO) services for its customers — mainly office buildings, apartment complexes, sports arenas and entertainment facilities.  To date, GSI is one of the Washington, DC Metropolitan area’s largest and respected janitorial service companies.  It employs 1,500 workers, is located in 14 states mostly within the mid-Atlantic, Midwestern and Western United States, and is a GS-42 certified company with a steadfast commitment to eco-healthy cleaning.

Vice Chair

Social Growth Technologies, Inc

Digital Marketing and E-commerce Company- Moved over $500 m of goods / services in last 3 years. Value Exchange for the user. Performance Based for the Advertiser. Reaching 55,000 casual games across Facebook, Mobile, and Web.
 -Touching100m US players, 250m globally.
- Casual gamers are in a social and leisure-time mindset. The average demographic is 25-45 head of household earning more than $50,000 annually in USA, Canada, UK and Australia.
- Proprietary ad units & targeting technology deliver highly custom campaigns that deliver a 'performance based' payout so there is no wasted spending
- Target specific  Demographic and Geo-location
- Drive users to Comparison shop, deliver coupons, signup/register, download, complete social actions (likes, follows, shares), watch videos, and more

Chief Strategy Officer

In Ticketing

In Ticketing is a software and solutions company that provides online ticketing and box office services for  live venues throughout the World. The Company is a leader in Mobile technology delivering the first turnkey Box Office application for the Apple and Android marketplace. In ticketing offers value based solutions with a significant savings over the tradition ticket incumbent players. In Ticketing delivers these services through its own proprietary software which provides its clients with real-time, web-based reporting of ticket sales,   proprietary data management and reporting technologies.

Chairman

ConnectSpaceVI

ConnectSpaceVI nurtures relationships with businesses and individuals to develop and put to work a highly-skilled USVI-based workforce. Our approach does not stop here, we also bridge significant gaps while connecting businesses with qualified individuals.

Co-Founder, Program Director

For the past 25 years, James F. Kenefick, an entrepreneur has resided in New York City , Washington D.C., Nosara Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and London, has been using the latest tech innovations to foster growth in business and benefit humanity. From the outset, his ambition was to create a better tomorrow by transforming the way businesses and people interact with technology - from machine learning and AI to MedTech, B2B tech platforms, and digital tools. Fueled by a deep-seated fascination with the subject, James has twice earned recognition as a finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and multiple Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000 awards.

For two decades, James has been an integral part of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) International Board of Directors, and the Washington, D.C. International Board Committee. His career began with a passion for tech and a dream to make an impact. Starting out at EMC Corporation (now Dell EMC), he has since launched three companies, raising over $500M in capital in less than 10 years. To date, James has successfully completed more than $150M in transactions for 10 technology and healthcare-related companies. In addition, he has been part of 8 successful exits.

James is the Managing Partner of Azafran Capital Partners, a venture capital firm established in 2017. Under his guidance, Azafran is leading the way to the future with strategic investments in early-stage health tech and B2B companies focused on transformational digital tools of voice, acoustics, and imagery wrapped in machine learning. The experienced team blends execution, capital formation, and corporate culture to create the perfect environment for visionaries, innovators, and creators that they fund.

With an eye for opportunity and a mind for science, James is not only innovating in the worksite but also constantly searching for new places, experiences, and possibilities. He has taken two year-long sabbaticals to travel the world, from New Zealand to Africa, only to discover more from the within. James strives to maintain a balance between his professional life and favorite pastimes, such as skiing, sailing, fly fishing and golfing. When he isn’t working with the next wave of tech experts, he can be found traveling or exploring festivals like Burning Man, enjoying a glass of fine red wine while cooking in New York, or doing yoga and surfing in Costa Rica.

James F Kenefick

Grateful today—and every day—for the people who make this journey possible.

To our clients and partners: thank you for your trust, candor, and willingness to tackle big, complex problems together. You give us the opportunity to build, experiment, and create real impact—not just slideware.

To our team: I’m especially thankful for your grit, curiosity, and integrity. In a year where AI, security, and technology moved faster than ever, you kept your standards high while still moving at speed. That balance of ambition and discipline is rare, and I don’t take it for granted.

Wishing you and your families a healthy, restful, and Happy Thanksgiving. 🦃
Here’s to recharging now—and coming back ready to build what’s next.

Managing Partner at Azafran Capital Partners - YPO’er. EO'er. Venture Capital. Babson College. B Corp. Inc 500 /5000. E&Y Finalst. Birthing of Giants- MIT.

The service desk is no longer just a support function. It’s evolving into a strategic, risk-aware operating model that strengthens organizational resilience.

By leveraging AI and machine learning, organizations can shift from reactive support to proactive risk mitigation—anticipating issues, adapting swiftly, and delivering actionable insights.

This transformation offers:
- Greater resilience against threats and disruptions
- More efficient operations through predictive analytics
- Faster, more accurate support
- Insights that drive digital growth

Leading organizations are reimagining their support teams as strategic assets. Are you prepared to make this transition?

Threats like credential theft and social engineering remain top attack paths, according to the DBIR. 

That means you can't afford to give broad credentials to anyone without strict controls.  

Regulations are tightening too. The EU AI Act mandates human oversight and thorough documentation for high-risk AI applications — non-negotiable for compliance.  

Frameworks like NIST CSF 2.0 and ISO 27001 are converging, giving leaders a common language to discuss risk, governance, and technical measures across teams.  

Staying current is critical. BetterWorld publishes guidance on emerging risks, like AI cloaking threats, to help leadership anticipate and adapt.  

If you're exploring agentic AI for customer experience, governance, or security and want outcomes that survive audit, I offer a 90-minute briefing and readiness assessment.  

You’ll leave with a prioritized action plan, a governance blueprint, and a pilot-to-scale roadmap aligned to your risk appetite.  

Let’s make your AI strategy resilient and compliant in this fast-changing environment.

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The secret to modern architecture success? Think of it as layers, not silos. 

Infrastructure and platforms set the stage with runtime and event buses. Data defines contracts, lineage, and retention policies. Engineering teams craft adapters for ITSM, CRM, and SIEM, all with CI/CD pipelines and feature flags for safe updates. 

Models and agents sit above, designed for specific tasks and governed tightly by a coordinator. Apps and integrations connect to chat, email, RPA, or EDR systems, creating a seamless ecosystem.

But what ties it all together? A secure, risk-aware layer running across everything. Think policy engines, evidence stores, approval workflows, and risk registries. 

The beauty? Each layer can evolve on its own, yet controls stay consistent. This architecture aligns perfectly with NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework and keeps continuous compliance under ISO 27001.

It’s not just architecture, it’s resilience built into every layer. 

Layered, flexible, secure — the future of enterprise tech.

Autonomy should be boring in a good way.

The goal is simple: reliable, predictable, and part of your everyday service. Agents aren’t just tools—they are an extension of your operations. Observable, governed, reversible, and financially predictable.

They free your team from repetitive work, speed up responses, and strengthen your control environment—not weaken it.

Getting there doesn’t require a moonshot. It needs an operating model that treats AI as just another service—no toys, no lab experiments, no black boxes. Frameworks like NIST CSF 2.0, ISO 27001, the EU AI Act, and Google SRE provide the scaffolding. A composable, agentic architecture gives you the mechanics.

If you want a partner who lives at the intersection of managed services, cybersecurity, and AI, talk to BetterWorld Technology. The goal isn’t chasing the latest model. It’s designing autonomy that serves your customers, your team, and your regulators—without drama.

Most AI programs stumble not on what to build, but on when to build it. 
Teams often focus on shipping flashy features while the data infrastructure is still shaky, or they get stuck perfecting back-office automations and never tackle the truly differentiated offerings. 

The solution isn’t a bigger roadmap—it’s sequencing. 
It’s about orchestrating everyday AI wins — those quick, cash-generating, low-risk projects — to fund and de-risk the bigger, game-changing bets that expand your moat. 

I’ve put together a practical playbook you can take to your board and leaders. 
It pairs a two-speed portfolio approach with hard feasibility scoring and governance that travels with the work, so you move fast and stay accountable. 

Implementing this approach helps you prioritize the right moves at the right time, ensuring sustained progress without sacrificing agility. 
It’s the key to turning AI initiatives into tangible, strategic advantages. 
Would love to hear your thoughts on this approach or how you’re sequencing your AI projects.

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John Jordan

James F Kenefick

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taplio

The Battle

John Jordan

James F Kenefick

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}John Jordan's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJames F Kenefick's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreJohn Jordan's LinkedIn Performance