Ankota Leadership Team | Meet Our Industry Experts

Ken Accardi - CEO

Ken was born with a leg issue and couldn't walk until he was 14. The medical attention and surgeries from his childhood led to a passion for healthcare. Ken was a Chief Information Officer at GE Healthcare (NYSE:GE) and VP at Tele Atlas (sold to TomTom (AMS:TOM2)). Ken has also served as CTO for iGetBetter, MedNest, iHope Network and IkaSystems (sold to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan). Ken has been a keynote speaker at numerous national conferences (Medtrade, DecisionHealth, Connected Health), and a lecturer at Harvard, MIT, Bentley University, Babson College and UMass. Ken has an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Babson College, an MS in Computer Science from Virginia Tech, and a BS in Engineering from Bucknell.

Carmen Popa - CTO

Carmen leads Ankota's core software development. In addition to her top-notch programming and technology leadership skills, Carmen is a fantastic customer advocate and provides unparalleled support.

Sharon Dodge - Chief Systems and Strategy Officer

Sharon Dodge - Chief Systems & Strategy Officer

As Chief Systems and Strategy Officer, Sharon is leading the efforts that enable profitable scalability of the company. She is in charge of AI implementation across all functions, tools, processes, and operating mechanisms. A seasoned professional with 20+ years of experience, Sharon is known for building processes that deliver results. She is also still looking for the perfect chocolate.

Francene Vendetti - Director of Implementation

Francene leads Ankota's implementation team. With more than 10 years of experience in the home care industry and over fifteen years as a business owner, Francene brings a wealth of knowledge in operations, leadership, and client service. Before joining Ankota, Francene served as an administrator for a school and worked for several years in the legal field. At Ankota, she helps home care agencies streamline their operations and fully leverage their software tools. Known for her professionalism and approachable style, Francene takes pride in brining great value to every project.

Maria Wallbaum - Director of Customer Support

Maria is a dedicated professional with over five years of experience in both healthcare and customer service. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, combining her academic background with hands-on expertise in supporting and caring for others. Outside of work, Maria enjoys life as a proud mom and dog owner, balancing family, career, and personal passions.

Kirstin White - Chief Revenue Officer

As Chief Revenue Officer at Ankota, Kirstin has dedicated her career to the home care industry, beginning as a caregiver and working her way through agency operations and leadership before joining Ankota. Her career has always been guided by a passion for helping others, building meaningful relationships, and taking on challenges that create positive change.

Outside of Ankota, Kirstin is the founder of the Paws & Wellness Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting pets and the families who love them through community pet food assistance, wellness initiatives, and programs designed to help keep pets in loving homes. She also serves as the active President of her children’s Parent-Teacher Foundation, where she works alongside families, educators, and the community to support students and strengthen her local school.

A proud mom of three, Kirstin stays busy balancing work, family, nonprofit leadership, and life with her three lively dogs. When she finds a little downtime, she loves traveling, exploring new places and enjoying the simple pleasure of a really good, iced coffee on her front porch swing.

Mike Valmoria – Implementation Specialist

Mike brings a strong background in operations, administration, and technology to Ankota’s implementation team. With over a decade of experience supporting healthcare, business services, and client operations, he specializes in streamlining processes and ensuring agencies fully leverage Ankota’s software tools. Known for his structured, impact‑driven approach, Mike partners closely with clients to deliver reliable solutions and measurable results. Outside of work, he is a devoted husband and father with personal passions including cooking.

Marcella de Guzman- Implementation Specialist

Marcella is an accounting graduate with experience across operations, marketing, and executive support in fast-paced startup environments. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with founders and leadership teams, building a strong foundation in problem-solving, organization, and client support. As an Implementation Specialist, she helps ensure that the client's needs are understood, their environment is thoughtfully configured, and their teams are prepared for a successful launch. Outside of work, Marcella enjoys swimming, playing table tennis. She's also a proud cat lady with five cats, who definitely keep life interesting.