Jessica Billingsley

About Jessica Billingsley

Jessica is an accomplished innovator, executive, and board member in the international technology sector. Launch of multiple successful businesses. CEO of both public and private companies. Public, private, and non-profit board experience in chair, executive committee, director, audit, and governance roles. Leadership at the intersectionality of culture and performance. Public and private capital markets. Mergers and acquisitions. Growth and scale. Emerging markets and technologies. Global supply chain. Risk management, cyber security, and data privacy. Media and public relations. Recipient of multiple prestigious awards and recognitions. Securities licensed - 7, 79, 63, and 24. Proficient in English, Spanish, and French. Speaker. Author. Rock climber. New Markets, Growth Sectors, and Advanced Technologies • Founder, CEO, and Board Chair of first cannabis software company to list on Nasdaq • Named inventor on patents for supply chain, anti-counterfeit, blockchain, & NFT methods • Innovation in technology growth sectors including software as a service and machine learning M&A, Integration, and Complex Transactions • Over $100M in capital raises to fuel business growth • Seven financially accretive acquisitions sourced, negotiated, and closed • Experience with both deep integration and holding company structure Private and Public Capital Markets • Successful private capital raises, each with 100%+ return on investor value • Innovative capital market instruments leveraged to fund growth with low cost of capital • Leadership of private to public transition including SPAC engagement P&L Ownership and Board Governance • P&L oversight of complex holding company and individual companies • Proven ability to position organizations for 100%+ growth year over year • Fiscal board level governance with multiple director, audit, and governance roles Cyber Security and Data Privacy • Rapid crisis recovery experience following cyberattack with 50% same year revenue growth • Proactive cyber security protection and disaster recovery planning • Experience navigating SOC, SEC, PII, PCI, HIPAA, PIHPA, and GDPR compliance standards Network, Media, and Public Relations Platforms • Ability to leverage diverse and influential global business and government networks • Proven ability to tap into extensive public relations and social media platforms • In demand as innovator, industry thought leader, author, and speaker

Experience

1. Co-founder, CEO, Board Chair

   Akerna Corp

   Jan 2018 — Present

   Publicly listed the first cannabis technology company on Nasdaq • Acquired 5 complementary businesses in targeted inorganic accretive growth strategy • Expansion of global business operations to 15 countries across 6 continents • Achieved 38% revenue increase during Covid in 2020 with Account Based Marketing (ABM) • Led successful elevation of board of directors, with robust assessment and skills matrix

Education

• Harvard Business School Executive Education

  Executive Education

  2024 — 2025

• The University of Georgia

  BS, Communications, Computer Science

  1995 — 1998

• Stanford University Graduate School of Business

  Executive Education, Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies

  2024 — 2025