From the Idea Stage to the World Stage

Chairman

Kevin Kimberlin

Kevin Kimberlin has co-founded or backed ventures that helped shape modern communications, biotechnology, and medicine. He co-founded Ciena Corporation with Dr. David Huber to commercialize the first dense wavelength division multiplexing system, the foundation of today’s high-capacity fiber-optic networks. Earlier, he provided the capital structure that enabled Millicom, the FCC-selected cellular partner, to form Racal-Millicom, which became Vodafone.

In the life sciences, Mr. Kimberlin co-founded Immune Response Corporation with Dr. Jonas Salk to develop the first FDA-approved cancer vaccine. He also helped found Myriad Genetics, the first human-genome company, known for discovering the BRCA1 breast-cancer gene, and supported Osiris Therapeutics, which achieved the world’s first regulatory approval for a stem-cell-based therapy.

Through Spencer Trask, he continues to invest in companies with the potential to transform industries and improve human health. Beyond his business work, Mr. Kimberlin supports environmental, educational, and cultural initiatives, including long-standing commitments to the Audubon Society and Yaddo, the artist community. He earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.

CEO emeritus

William Clifford

William Clifford previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gartner Group, Inc., the world’s leading IT research and advisory firm. During his tenure at Gartner, Mr. Clifford oversaw a 346% increase in annual revenues and expanded the company into numerous new services and global markets. He brings decades of executive leadership experience in the technology industry and continues to advise Spencer Trask’s strategic initiatives as a senior leader and board advisor.

Managing Director

Paul Latchford

Paul Latchford joined Spencer Trask in 1999 after a successful career in global telecommunications and infrastructure. Prior to Spencer Trask, Mr. Latchford served as Principal Vice President of Global Business Development at Bechtel Group, Inc. from 1997 to 1999. Earlier in his career, he held senior business development roles at Bell Atlantic International, including serving as Vice President of Business Development for the Asia-Pacific region in 1994. Mr. Latchford’s extensive leadership experience provides strategic insight to Spencer Trask’s portfolio companies.

Managing Director

Neil Edwards

Neil Edwards is a strategic operator and investor who helps build and scale high-value ventures at the intersection of healthcare, generative AI, and global markets. As Managing Director at Spencer Trask & Co. he brings over 25 years of executive leadership in growth-stage companies and complex turnarounds. He has led exits, capital raises, and cross-border partnerships, including an AI acquisition that grew a portfolio company’s value from $8 million to $1 billion. An expert in applying generative AI and data to complex problems, Neil has operated across the U.S., EU, China, and Israel. He serves on the board of Vertec BioSolvents and as an advisor to Vesselon.

Chief of Staff

Kerry Safir

Kerry Safir oversees administrative operations and drives strategic initiatives to accelerate the firm’s growth and visibility. With the company since 2010, she brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles in public affairs at Burson-Marsteller and Edelman Public Relations. Ms. Safir recently completed two years as President of the Junior League of Stamford–Norwalk after a decade on its Board, and has also chaired the Stamford Counseling Center’s Board of Trustees.

Chief Communications Officer

Jamie Dunne

Jamie Dunne has over 15 years of experience in public relations and strategic communications leading high-impact branding and media campaigns with global fintech and B2B companies. Mr. Dunne specializes in reputation management, messaging strategy, and media relations, consistently securing top-tier press coverage in outlets including Fast Company, CNBC, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Prior to joining Spencer Trask, he held senior communications roles in both agency and in-house settings and founded an independent consultancy advising technology and healthcare startups on public relations strategy.

Chief Technology Officer

Ron Buesing

Ron Buesing is an entrepreneur and technologist with 30-plus years of strategic technology leadership. He has held CIO, CTO, and COO roles, using disciplined innovation to drive business transformation. In 2007 he co-founded Certus Technologies, a managed-services provider later acquired by Network Solutions & Technology (now Sourcepass). Spotting a widening cybersecurity gap for small and mid-sized firms, he launched Guardian Solutions IT in 2023. Mr. Buesing blends results-driven execution with mentoring teams in automation and AI. Recent projects include robotic process automation, API-based logistics tracking, and AI-powered finance and HR agents that expand human capability. He champions continuous improvement, ethical integrity, and purpose-driven growth.