Board Portfolio
Jess Keeney, JD
Board Director | Independent Director
B2B SaaS | AI & Technology Governance | Enterprise Transformation
Value Proposition
Governance informed by operating experience.
Enterprise technology executive and attorney with a track record of steering B2B SaaS companies through transformative growth, PE-backed transitions, and AI-driven product strategy. Combines legal and fiduciary rigor with deep product and technology leadership to provide boards with informed governance across risk, compliance, digital transformation, and long-term value creation. Proven ability to oversee enterprise-scale revenue portfolios, guide M&A integration, and navigate complex regulatory environments. Approaches governance with a bias toward disciplined growth — balancing innovation investment with fiduciary accountability, informed by both legal training and hands-on operating experience.
Board & Advisory
Current board experience.
Board Member — BillTrust (EQT Portfolio Company)
2026 — Present
Advisor — Veridical Ventures
2025 — Present
Competencies
Board-ready across governance, strategy & technology.
Governance & Risk
- Fiduciary Oversight
- Regulatory & Compliance Navigation
- Risk Management & Mitigation
- Audit & Financial Stewardship
- Corporate Governance Frameworks
- Stakeholder & Shareholder Engagement
Strategy & Growth
- Enterprise Transformation
- M&A Due Diligence & Integration
- PE-Backed Growth Acceleration
- International Market Expansion
- P&L Accountability
- Talent & Succession Planning
Technology & Innovation
- AI & Agentic Technology Governance
- Product-Led Growth Strategy
- Data Governance & AI Ethics
- Cybersecurity & Data Privacy
- SaaS Platform Architecture
- Digital Transformation Oversight
Expertise
Governance-relevant depth.
PE Transactions & Public-Private Transitions
- Navigated multiple PE-backed transitions: Vista Equity Partners acquisition of Duck Creek Technologies; Hellman & Friedman take-private of Ultimate Software and subsequent merger forming UKG
- Drove long-term growth strategy and product alignment through both transactions
- Aligned product, technology, and operational strategy to PE value-creation objectives across pre- and post-acquisition cycles
AI & Technology Oversight
- Guided the full arc of enterprise technology transformation — monolithic systems to multi-product platforms to intelligent data foundations to agentic AI
- Partnered with Microsoft and Vista Equity Partners to develop industry-specific AI solutions across insurance and workforce technology
- Informed perspective on AI governance, responsible deployment, data strategy, and technology risk at the board level
M&A Integration & Revenue Expansion
- Guided 10+ acquisitions driving inorganic growth across insurance, HCM, and revenue operations platforms
- Launched 30+ organic products and new revenue streams, expanding reach across Europe, India, and Australia
- Hands-on experience in due diligence, integration planning, and post-acquisition value realization
Enterprise Risk, Regulatory Compliance & Data Governance
- JD-credentialed executive with direct experience in regulatory research, compliance programs, and legal risk management across insurance, financial services, and HR technology
- Established data governance frameworks for responsible AI deployment, data quality, and privacy compliance
- Legally informed perspective on emerging AI regulation, algorithmic accountability, and enterprise data stewardship
Operational Scale & Financial Stewardship
- Driven enterprise value creation through EBITDA improvement, margin expansion, and disciplined revenue growth across multiple B2B SaaS organizations
- P&L oversight for large-scale portfolios, aligning cost structure to PE and public-company financial targets
- Balanced growth investment with profitability, scaling global teams and translating operational performance into shareholder value
Leadership History
Executive track record.
Chief Executive Officer
2025 — 2026
AbsenceSoft · Denver, CO
- Guided strategic pivot to an intelligence-first model leveraging agentic AI for product-led and sales-led growth
- Implemented cross-functional revenue visibility and performance accountability
- Launched customer voice program to improve retention and service efficiency
Chief Product & Technology Officer
2022 — 2025
Duck Creek Technologies · Boston, MA
- Oversaw product and technology strategy through Vista Equity Partners acquisition and public-to-private transition
- Delivered 3-year strategic roadmap with 90%+ execution; expanded APAC growth by 30%+
- Partnered with Microsoft and Vista to pioneer insurance-specific agentic AI
- Improved margins by seven points through operational efficiency
Senior Vice President, Product
2021 — 2022
ZoomInfo · Waltham, MA
- Oversaw B2B SaaS product portfolio powering revenue operations across sales, marketing, recruiting, and data platforms
- Guided organic growth strategy while integrating multiple acquisitions into a unified platform vision
Senior Vice President, Development
2014 — 2021
UKG (Ultimate Software) · Weston, FL
- Progressive leadership across Product Strategy, Engineering, and Development for UKG Pro HCM SaaS portfolio
- P&L accountability for $1.5B+ revenue portfolio with 1,000+ team members
- Scaled global operations across US, Canada, Europe, and India
- Transitioned architecture from monolithic to multi-product platform
Earlier Career
Lead Consultant — ThoughtWorks, New York, NY
2013 — 2014
Product Management — Ascend Learning, Jones & Bartlett Learning
2011 — 2013
Product & Compliance Leadership — Wolters Kluwer
2007 — 2011
Compliance Attorney — Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
2005 — 2007
Education & Industry
Juris Doctorate
— American University, Washington College of Law, 2005
BBA, Management
— University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2002
Board Readiness
Functional committee fit.
Audit Committee
P&L oversight, EBITDA improvement, capital allocation, budget governance
Compensation & Talent
Scaled teams to 1,000+, talent strategy, performance culture design
Technology & Innovation
AI governance, agentic technology strategy, digital transformation
Risk & Compliance
JD credential, regulatory navigation, enterprise risk management
Governance & Nominating
PE transition governance, stakeholder alignment, organizational transformation
Interested in connecting?
I welcome conversations about board service, advisory roles, and governance leadership.