Cloud Pathfinder Services Inc - , Ontario

Leslie H.

Working with Don as the fractional CTO for KeepSaiQ has been one of the most impactful decisions I’ve made on this startup journey. I came in with a deeply personal vision — to create a platform that helps people piece together their stories and preserve their legacy — and Don brought the technical clarity and strategic insight needed to make it real.

From the very beginning, Don helped architect the technical foundation of our MVP, guided me through what it would truly take to build a scalable and secure product, and laid out clear timelines and phased execution plans. He identified areas where we might hit challenges, but more importantly, he always offered thoughtful, practical ways to mitigate risks and move forward with confidence.

Don also played a key role in defining the kind of technical team we’d need — what roles to prioritize, when to bring people on, and how to set up a structure that allows us to scale smartly, not hastily. Because of this work, we now have a solid foundation, a clear roadmap, and the ability to approach investors with structure, confidence, and a strong execution plan.

What I value most about working with Don isn’t just his expertise in cloud architecture, AI, and data security — it’s his ability to be both visionary and grounded. He tells you what’s possible, what’s not, and helps you find the smartest path forward. He’s adaptable, collaborative, and truly invested in the mission — and that has made all the difference.

Don’s leadership has positioned KeepSaiQ not only to build efficiently, but to pivot intelligently when needed — avoiding costly missteps and setting us up with long-term momentum. He’s more than a tech lead — he’s a true thought partner. I couldn't be more grateful to have him on this journey.

— Dr. Leslie Hemedes, Founder & CEO, KeepSaiQ