The People Behind the Platform

Led by experience. Driven by purpose. Focused on your success. Founded in 2003 with a simple goal—to help mission-driven teams do more good, with less stress—our roots are in nonprofit finance, and our passion is community impact.

Sparkrock began in 2003 with a simple idea: that technology should make it easier for people to do meaningful work. 

Founders James Faw and Nicola Dickinson spent years helping for-profit companies solve complex challenges with smart systems. But they noticed an even greater demand for solutions within organizations serving the public good. Nonprofits, school boards, and human service agencies were working under tight constraints with outdated tools. So, they took a leap. 

What started in the basement of James’ home grew into a global team of over 100 people, united by a mission to support those who serve. Today, Sparkrock supports hundreds of organizations across North America and powers the work of hundreds of thousands of users. 

In 2022, Sparkrock joined the Ionic Partners family. That partnership brought new momentum, but the purpose remains the same: to help mission-driven teams spark lasting impact with confidence, clarity, and technology that understands them. 

In 2024, Sparkrock acquired Edsembli, strengthening our commitment to the K–12 sector with a modern student information system. In 2025, we welcomed School-Day to the Sparkrock family, expanding our reach into student payments and activity management.  

Andy Tryba

Chief Executive Officer

Suraj Nekram

Chief Financial Officer

Akshay Sardeshpande

Chief Customer Officer

Randy Lenaghan

Chief Revenue Officer

Abhinav Gupta

SVP of Product

Bethany Francis

VP of People & Culture

Robin Rosi 

Chief of Staff

Engin Onder

VP of Platform Development

Gerardo Gonzalez

VP of Operations

Nika Nikabadze 

VP SaaS Operations & Infrastructure

Natansh Sharma

Director of Professional Services

Colin Dickinson

Board Advisor

Nicola Dickinson

Board Advisor

James Faw

Board Advisor

Donald Park

Board Advisor

Curious about what goes on behind the scenes at Sparkrock? Our team spotlight blog series introduces you to the people who make it all happen. From consultants and customer success leaders to engineers and marketers, each post highlights the role they play and the impact they make. 

They share what they do, why they do it, and how their work supports mission-driven organizations across North America. It’s a closer look at the heart behind the platform and the people who bring it to life. 

Headshot of Bethany Francis, VP of People and Culture at Sparkrock, featured in the Employee Spotlight series highlighting leadership and company culture.

Sparkrock’s ERP is the result of decades of experience from people who have worked in the same sectors we serve. With team members who bring 20 to 30 years of hands-on experience in education, human services, and nonprofit work, we understand the realities you face every day because we’ve lived them too. 

Our goal is to bring clarity and confidence to your daily operations. Whether it’s finance, HR, payroll, scheduling, student information, or activity and funds management, we build systems that support your mission and give your team space to focus on what matters most. 

At Sparkrock, customer success is our core purpose. We’re here to make sure the software does the heavy lifting, so you can keep driving impact without the stress of disconnected tools or manual processes. 

Let us help you spark confidence in every decision you make. 

Leading a Global, Remote-First Organization 

At Sparkrock, we’re proud of our dynamic global workforce: a diverse, mission-driven team united by a shared passion for delivering exceptional impact to our customers. We draw on top talent from around the world and combine it with deep local expertise, bringing together a rich mix of skills, perspectives, and experiences. This diversity fuels innovation, agility, and a strong understanding of our customers.

Our culture thrives on collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to purpose. That foundation enables us to deliver powerful, human-centered solutions with speed and precision. We don’t just work across borders—we go beyond them to bring our customers the very best. 

Just like the rest of our work, we continually adjust our values and strive to make them better. Sparkrock values are a living document. In many instances, they have been documented, refined, and revised based on lessons learned (and scars earned) in the course of doing business.

Make It Easy For Each Other

We simplify the tough tasks so our customers can focus on what matters most—making a difference—while we remain reliable, accountable partners in their success. 

Co-Create Trust

We foster a safe, respectful, and empowering environment where informed decisions, personal accountability, and compassionate relationships are at the heart of everything we do. 

Own It

We build trust through transparency, honesty, and open dialogue—ensuring clear communication, informed decisions, and a collaborative culture that values every voice. 

Always Improve

We embrace continuous learning, innovation, and diverse perspectives to drive growth, improve our products, and support our customers in achieving transformative success. 

At Sparkrock, we equip purpose-driven organizations with smart, integrated technology that supports your people, processes, and priorities. From simplifying everyday tasks to supporting long-term goals, we are here to help you do more with confidence.

Reach out to start a conversation about how we can support your work.