AriaNova Global

meet leadership team

Drawing inspiration from the intricate interactions of musicians at work, and the beautiful harmonies they create, we’ve built a firm where otherwise distinct aspects of business work tightly in unison to craft tailored solutions and drive unparalleled results.

At AriaNova, this is our core ethos. Every strategy we devise, every solution we craft, is a testament to this philosophy of unity and cohesion. In a world often divided by silos and specialization, we champion interconnectedness, ensuring that our clients always experience the power of collective expertise and integrated innovation.

AriaNova is more than a name – it's a philosophy.

Clarity. Communication. Collaboration. Coherence. This is the AriaNova way.

AriaNova Global is a subsidiary of the Connexus Capital Group,llc – a New York-based corporate venture studio that is in the business of building businesses.

We're not just here to serve; we're here to transform. Our goal is to bridge divides that have historically hampered progress and growth. Through this bridging, we ignite transformative changes, bringing forth an era of economic inclusivity.

The AriaNova Mission

At AriaNova, our mission is born out of a desire to reshape the business landscape by tapping into the immense power of innovation and technology. 

In a world that’s increasingly interconnected, we see ourselves as the maestros orchestrating collaborations. These collaborations are designed not just to meet immediate business demands but to also lay robust foundations for sustainable growth and holistic progress.

Our multidisciplinary approach – like the blended instruments of an orchestra – ensures any enterprise of any size can compete and win in today's increasingly competitive global business ecosystem.


EXPLORE OUR SERVICES

At AriaNova, our values don’t merely define us. As a registered public benefit company, they form the very backbone of our work – and our approach to it.

Our Values: The AriaNova Ethos

Harmonious Collaboration

Our belief mirrors that of an orchestra, where the sound of every instrument, and the efforts of every player, merge to create a beautiful and cohesive note – skillfully strung together by a conductor in moment after moment of skillful execution to create something truly magnificent… It is this same concept that drives our solutions in business.


Technological Innovation

Technology is a force multiplier. As a CONNEXUS company, we at AriaNova embrace innovation and draw inspiration, tools, technology, and talent where appropriate from across the corporate ecosystem – delivering that value directly to our clients.

Economic Inclusivity

Deeply rooted in our ethos is the principle of economic inclusion. From fine-tuned technology solutions to human-centered design, we champion a world in which businesses and individuals alike have ever greater access and opportunity to achieve their goals. 

Enduring Integrity

Trust is not just an asset, it’s foundational. We hold an unyielding commitment to transparency, accountability, communication, and collaboration. We do what we say, and we say what we do. Period.

Sustainable Growth

Our sight extends beyond the immediate. With focus on building a foundation for growth that is both robust and sustainable, we work to ensure a legacy that future generations can bank on.

Client-Centric Approach

We don’t just listen, we resonate. Every service-solution we craft has our client at its core, ensuring we meet their unique aspirations and business needs. We lead through empathy, and work collaboratively, ensuring we always genuinely understand and prioritize our clients’ perspectives and objectives.

Adaptive Excellence

In a dynamic world, agility is the key. Our ability to adapt with precision ensures we're always ahead, setting benchmarks and delivering consistent excellence no matter the situation.

Leadership Team

William T. Whitaker

meet william

Andreas Jaeger

meet andreas

VP Partnerships

Founder & CEO

Lee Blackwell 

meet lee

CFO

Dave Fitzjarrell

meet dave

TECHNICAL LEAD

William T. Whitaker

Founder & CEO

Prior to founding CONNEXUS, William was an award-winning instructor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong as a Fellow with the Yale-China Association, before later running a publishing company on Hong Kong Island as Managing Editor. Returning to the U.S., William would lead the Los Angeles division of a Hong Kong-based big-data startup before joining a boutique management consulting firm in Denver, and ultimately moving to New York – where he drove enterprise sales and digital solutions design for a digital marketing & IT consulting agency.

William graduated from Yale University with dual degrees in Political Science and International Studies, where he also served as an editor for the Yale Daily News. A lifelong musician, William also enjoys jamming on his violin whenever time allows.



CONNEXUS founder William T. Whitaker is also CEO of the Groups’ principal subsidiary, ARIA NOVA Global. A steward and a strategist adept at navigating uncertainty, William is passionate about building businesses and using the tools of capitalism to increase access & opportunity across every layer of society. Based in New York, ARIA NOVA serves clients across various sectors, including financial services, renewable energy, law, education, and not-for-profit.

Under William's leadership, ARIA NOVA has undertaken notable engagements, including a custom software project for one of the world's largest asset management firms, an EV project to install charging stations across a transportation corridor in the Upper Midwest funded part by the Department of Energy, and a cybersecurity initiative for the Parliament of a government in Sub-Saharan Africa.


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Andreas Jaeger

VP Partnerships

Andreas is fluent in German, English, and French, a reflection of his international upbringing and general love for travel. He is also a lifelong martial artist and a strong advocate for marine conservation.

Andreas Jaeger brings a rich and diverse background to his role as VP Partnerships. With roots in life science and marine biology, he transitioned into SaaS/IT over 15 years ago. From swimming with sharks and wrangling snakes to implementing corporate-wide operational initiatives, Andreas’ journey includes both startups and large corporations, giving him a deep understanding of business and client/customer needs at every level.

As VP Partnerships, Andreas drives strategic relationships and collaborations. He is responsible for identifying new opportunities, cultivating strong relationships, and ensuring the company's growth through meaningful and impactful partnerships.



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Lee Blackwell

cfo

Lee Blackwell has 30+ years working with various large companies as well as private equity and venture capital backed companies. He has held various management positions from Corporate Controller, Chief Financial Officer to Chief Operating Officer. Some career highlights include The New York Times Company, State Farm Insurance, Kemper Group and Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. His career has been a consistent change agent with being part of the turnaround management of underperforming divisions/business units, to upgrading processes, enhancing management reporting, upgrading technology, implementing cost containment measures, to changing strategic direction. Lee’s experiences include global companies as well as domestic companies with a presence in every state in the lower forty-eight states.

Lee holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Illinois State University and a MBA from University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. He is also a certified public accountant (CPA).

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Dave Fitzjarrell

TECHNICAL LEAD

David Fitzjarrell is an accomplished engineer and product leader with over 20 years of experience spanning diverse industries such as MSP, DOD, start-ups, and consulting. His contributions to the privileged access management (PAM) space in particular have been significant, as he played a crucial role in the success of OverWatchID, which emerged as a leader in the industry and was later acquired by Sailpoint – which retained Dave after the purchase. A repeat startup founder, David brings the necessary expertise to build high- performing engineering and product teams that deliver high-impact and highly secure products. For his most recent venture, Expert Coders LLC, David assembled a team of skilled experts who delivered modern, in-demand solutions for clients across the business landscape.

David spends his free time with family and friends, trail running in the mountains, tinkering with new technology, and reading good books.


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Kayla Chapman

OPERATIONS ADMIN

Joining the AriaNova team in July 2022, Kayla brings a wealth of experience and a passion for helping people to her role as Operations Admin. Her journey began with 15+ years in retail, starting as a Cashier and progressing to Human Resource Manager, where she honed valuable skills and a dedication to building meaningful relationships.

Life took a transformative turn when Kayla became a mother, motivating her to pursue her true passion. She cherishes spending time with her family and creating precious memories with them. Kayla's commitment to people and her role as Operations Admin exemplify her dedication to enhancing the AriaNova experience for all.

Meet our Advisors

Michael Geffrard

meet Michael

Mary Ashiruka

meet mary

Our Partners

At AriaNova, our values aren't just principles - they are promises.

We make these promises to ourselves and to our clients every day.

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 They guide our actions, fortify our commitments, and they will define our legacy.