8th Light is led by curious and experienced industry professionals, and powered by a global team of innovative developers, designers, and technologists. Together, we partner with clients to craft software solutions that unlock a wide range of opportunities.
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Jenny Farver
Chief Executive Officer
Jenny Farver is 8th Light’s CEO. She joined 8th Light as co-CEO alongside founder Paul Pagel in 2020. Prior to that she served on 8th Light’s Board of Directors and has been a CTO or VP of Engineering at several Chicago tech startups.
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Paul Pagel
Chairman, Founder, and President
Paul Pagel founded 8th Light in 2006, and has been a driving force in the software development community ever since. He has grown 8th Light from a small consultancy into a brand that is recognized by software developers worldwide.
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Cheryl Moss
Vice President of Finance
Cheryl Moss oversees all aspects of financial management for 8th Light and provides strategic financial guidance to the company’s management team and board.
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Kate Hamilton
Vice President of Growth
As a trained storyteller and creator, Kate Hamilton serves as 8th Light’s Vice President of Growth. Kate specializes in driving strategy, building teams and developing a lead-generating function supportive of 8th Light's growth. She helps our teams tell authentic stories about the amazing work we do with our clients and help engage prospective buyers, clients, talent, and the industry at large in compelling ways.
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Michelle Markus
VP of People
As 8th Light’s VP of People, Michelle Markus brings to her role extensive experience as a steward and architect of organizations’ most critical imperatives across people, business, operations, and strategy domains during times of change and growth. Known for her open-hearted leadership, Michelle is a builder of engaged and inclusive teams and has a unique talent for connecting people, ideas, and strategies to deliver impactful and sustainable results.
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Rich Feller
Vice President of Client Service
Rich Feller has spent his career in IT leading and developing technology teams. His expertise in driving business and technology transformation serves him well as 8th Light’s Vice President of Client Service.
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Brad Ediger
Head of Technology
A staple in the Chicago tech scene since 2005, Brad Ediger serves as our Head of Technology with a focus on growing 8th Light's profile as a software consultancy. He joined 8th Light in 2019 when he merged his independent consultancy with the company.
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Jon Wettersten
Head of Design
Jon Wettersten serves as 8th Light’s Head of Design, leading 8th Light’s design strategy and overseeing 8th Light’s design team and capabilities.
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Kristin Kaeding
Head of Delivery
Serving as Head of Delivery, Kristin Kaeding is an experienced technology professional who delivers high-quality software solutions in a wide range of technologies, industries, and countries. Throughout her career, Kristin has consulted on and delivered solutions that span from education technology to web applications for clients and nonprofits.
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Pia Opulencia
Head of Product
Pia Opulencia has been a product executive at multiple technology companies and has taught Product Management for AI at Northwestern Kellogg University's MBA in AI program. With more than 15 years of experience working with teams and companies of all sizes, Pia specializes in creating valuable, tech-forward products and the operating systems for the teams that build them.
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Kevin Kotowski
Executive Consultant
Kevin Kotowski has been a driving force in software development across a wide range of industries and roles for more than 25 years. Currently serving as 8th Light's Executive Consultant, Kevin partners with clients as a successful advisor rooted in his fundamental belief that people are happier when their work is connected to their organization's vision in an authentic way.
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Amanda Graham
Senior Director, Strategic Solutions
As an experienced software consultant, Amanda Graham has built a number of organizations from the ground up and helped numerous companies leverage technology and deliver stellar customer-focused programs.
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Brett Mackie
Manager, Strategic Solutions
With more than 15 years experience as a consultative sales leader, Brett Mackie brings deep knowledge in all aspects of end-to-end custom software design, development, and strategy for web and mobile products and a unique ability to connect complex business and user challenges to innovative digital solutions.
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Nick Dyer
UK/EU Regional Director
Nick Dyer is an experienced software professional with more than a decade of experience managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering high-quality technical products. Nick serves as UK/EU Regional Director, bringing a passion for building high-performing teams and growing technical careers.
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Jeff Mielke
Design Director
Jeff Mielke serves as 8th’s Light’s Design Director, bringing a wealth of experience from his work with both prominent and emerging brands over the years. His expertise lies in tackling intricate challenges and infusing a user-centric approach to his design practices. His portfolio spans across a range of applications, from consumer-oriented to enterprise-level solutions.
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Ryan Verner
Director of Operations
Ryan Verner, 8th Light’s Director of Operations, is an experienced software engineer and business leader dedicated to enhancing organizational systems and processes. With a focus on improving efficiency and fostering growth, Ryan guides cross-functional teams and projects toward excellence. Specifically, Ryan works with leaders throughout 8th Light to support organizational initiatives, often focusing on the collection and organization of data and the processes that support various teams across the company. In support of 8th Light’s vision and mission, Ryan helps craft the strategy for how the organization gets where it’s trying to go.
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Tina Indalecio
Director of Learning & Development
Tina Indalecio is passionate about people and creating inclusive and high-performing cultures that drive business outcomes. As 8th Light’s Director of Learning & Development, she leverages her extensive experience in organizational development, learning strategy, and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging), to build capabilities that benefit our people, business and clients.
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Doug Gapinski
Account Director
With over a decade of experience as a team lead and project manager, Doug Gapinski is a Seattle-based Account Director managing long-term product builds with volatile scope. He advocates for quality, transparency, and a shared understanding of project constraints while applying agile methodologies across decentralized teams.
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Steve Hennegan
Account Director
As a dedicated sales leader, Steve Hennegan has a successful track record selling software solutions to a wide range of organizations. With a focus on solution/consultative selling approaches, Steve develops long-term partnerships with his clients where he drives revenue by solving complex technical challenges.
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Tom Kowal
Project Director
At 8th Light, Tom Kowal brings a blend of technical expertise and leadership to his role as Project Director. His decade-long journey in full-stack programming has been marked by significant contributions across a diverse array of tech stacks. An experienced software professional, Tom has a passion for not just improving software systems, but also the processes that create them. From a new platform for the U.S. Department of Defense to APIs at the heart of international entertainment companies, Tom has worked with a variety of clients.
Board
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Paul Pagel
Chairman, Founder, and President, 8th Light
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Rich Bartell
Former Chief Financial Officer, 8th Light
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Carl Erickson
Founder, Atomic Object
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Tari Haro
Managing Director, Chief Marketing Officer, Erie Street Growth Partners
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Courtney Hemphill
Product and Technology Executive, Board Member, Advisor
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Raj Joshi
Adjunct Professor, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Co-founder, Noodle.ai
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David Sheehan
Founder and Managing Partner, Athru Partners