“Make It Happen.”
With more than twenty-eight years of professional experience spanning cybersecurity, governance, compliance, engineering, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and technology leadership, James Barnard has established himself as a trusted executive who excels at helping organizations navigate complexity while building sustainable growth. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an exceptional ability to combine strategic thinking with practical execution, enabling businesses to strengthen security, improve operational efficiency, and embrace innovation without compromising governance. His personal motto, “Make It Happen,” reflects both his proactive leadership philosophy and his unwavering commitment to delivering measurable results for organizations, customers, and stakeholders alike.
James currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Kerson Wallaw Consulting Firm Inc., where he oversees several specialized business divisions focused on cybersecurity auditing, governance, risk management, compliance, and professional consulting services. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded its expertise through Ubitrak, a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) company providing PCI DSS, SOC 2, ISO 27001, INTERAC, penetration testing, and risk assessment services, as well as Accel PCI, a cloud-based compliance platform designed to simplify cybersecurity obligations for organizations. By combining technical excellence with customer-focused service, James has helped businesses across numerous industries strengthen their security posture while successfully navigating increasingly complex regulatory environments.
James’s professional journey reflects remarkable versatility and continuous growth across multiple industries. Before founding and leading his own organizations, he held executive and senior leadership positions with respected companies including Softvoyage, TELUS, Cardinal Health, EXFO, Targray Technology International, and OMP North America. Throughout these roles, he successfully led enterprise software implementations, product development initiatives, operational improvements, customer engagement strategies, marketing transformations, and complex project management efforts. His experience spans information technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, travel technology, hospitality, and public sector organizations, giving him a uniquely broad understanding of how businesses operate across diverse markets.
Cybersecurity and governance have become defining elements of James’s career. Over more than a decade specializing in audits and regulatory compliance, he has developed extensive expertise in PCI DSS, SOC 2, ISO 27001, governance frameworks, risk assessments, and cybersecurity strategy. His credentials reinforce this expertise, including Qualified Security Assessor (QSA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Harvard University’s Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age certificate, and professional registration as an Engineer with the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. These accomplishments demonstrate not only his technical knowledge but also his commitment to lifelong learning and professional excellence in an industry that continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace.
Beyond his technical expertise, James is an accomplished entrepreneur with firsthand experience building, operating, and scaling successful businesses. His entrepreneurial ventures include founding Kerson Wallaw Consulting Firm, launching Global Vessel Assessment Program (GVAP), leading Ubitrak and Accel PCI, and previously creating ScooterBag, an innovative startup focused on travel products. Each venture has strengthened his understanding of innovation, commercialization, branding, customer acquisition, operational leadership, and strategic planning. Even the challenges encountered throughout entrepreneurship have become valuable learning experiences, reinforcing his belief that resilience, adaptability, and thoughtful risk management are essential ingredients of long-term business success.
Corporate governance has also become an important pillar of James’s professional identity. As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and an experienced board director with approximately nine years of governance experience, he understands the critical role boards play in shaping organizational strategy while maintaining accountability, ethical leadership, and effective oversight. His governance philosophy emphasizes balancing innovation with disciplined risk management, ensuring organizations remain both competitive and resilient. As he prepares to transition from actively operating his businesses toward serving additional corporate boards, James brings valuable insight into executive leadership, governance, cybersecurity oversight, succession planning, and sustainable organizational growth.
International experience has significantly enriched James’s leadership perspective. Throughout his career, he has worked with organizations and clients across Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and other European markets. Fluent in both English and French, he has successfully collaborated with multicultural teams, international customers, technology partners, and executive stakeholders while navigating varying regulatory environments and business cultures. This global perspective enables him to identify opportunities, mitigate risk, and foster collaboration across geographic and cultural boundaries while maintaining a consistent focus on delivering exceptional results.
One of James’s greatest strengths is his ability to connect with people. Colleagues frequently describe him as a genuine people person, an optimistic leader, a creative problem solver, and an exceptional mentor who naturally encourages others to succeed. Throughout his career, he has developed strong customer relationships, led diverse cross-functional teams, spoken at cybersecurity conferences, and volunteered his leadership through organizations such as the Air Cadet League of Canada. Whether working with executive leadership teams, customers, regulators, or employees, James consistently creates an environment built on trust, transparency, accountability, and mutual respect.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, James maintains a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle that reflects his appreciation for lifelong learning and meaningful experiences. He is an avid sailor who enjoys navigating waters both close to home and abroad, embracing the strategic thinking and adaptability that sailing demands. He also enjoys beekeeping, an interest that mirrors his appreciation for organization, sustainability, and collaborative ecosystems. In addition, James owns and operates Restaurant-Motel L’Étoile du Nord in Québec, further demonstrating his entrepreneurial versatility while remaining deeply connected to his local community. Most importantly, he treasures spending quality time with his two sons, whom he considers his greatest inspiration.
As James prepares for the next chapter of his career, his motivation for board service is both purposeful and inspiring. While planning his eventual exit from operating his own businesses, he remains deeply committed to contributing his knowledge, strategic insight, and mentoring abilities to organizations seeking experienced leadership. He believes that decades of executive management, entrepreneurship, governance, cybersecurity expertise, and business transformation have equipped him to provide valuable guidance at the board level. His desire is not simply to advise companies, but to help leaders grow, strengthen governance, improve resilience, and position organizations for lasting success. Companies seeking an accomplished executive who combines technical expertise with practical leadership and genuine concern for people will find in James Barnard a trusted advisor capable of making an immediate and meaningful impact.
Character:
James demonstrates integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to helping others achieve success. His positive outlook, mentoring mindset, and collaborative leadership style have earned the trust of colleagues, clients, and business partners throughout his career.
Knowledge:
With nearly three decades of experience spanning cybersecurity, governance, engineering, compliance, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership, James brings exceptional multidisciplinary expertise to every organization he serves. His extensive certifications, international experience, and continuous pursuit of professional development ensure his knowledge remains both relevant and forward-thinking.
Strategic:
James possesses the rare ability to balance innovation with governance, helping organizations pursue growth while effectively managing risk. His entrepreneurial background and executive leadership experience enable him to identify opportunities, solve complex challenges, and develop practical strategies that create sustainable long-term value.
Communication:
Fluent in both English and French, James communicates with clarity, confidence, and authenticity across technical and executive audiences alike. His experience leading teams, presenting at cybersecurity conferences, mentoring professionals, and serving on boards reflects his ability to foster collaboration, inspire confidence, and build lasting relationships.
