The team behind the gate.
Governance built by people who understand consequential systems — from veterans courts to global university networks.
James DeBacco, MSW, DSW(c)
James DeBacco is the founder of DeBacco Nexus and the creator of its patent-pending Governedware framework for accountable AI-assisted work.
A Marine Corps veteran, Accredited Veterans Service Officer, and Doctor of Social Work candidate at USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, James brings experience across veteran services, human systems, research, and technology leadership. His work is also informed by lived experience and a longstanding commitment to people navigating high-stakes systems.
James founded DeBacco Nexus around a simple belief: when AI helps people make consequential decisions, organizations should be able to show how that work was governed, reviewed, and recorded.
He leads the development of the DeBacco Nexus governance and Carbon Footprint Passport framework, which checks configured conditions before AI work begins and creates a signed record when governed work is released.
His goal is practical: help universities, public agencies, care organizations, and businesses use AI with greater clarity, human responsibility, and environmental awareness.
Ruby Guillen
Research analyst specializing in the investigation of fatal child abuse with substantial experience in emergency response and crisis intervention. Managed over 7,000 child abuse cases and facilitated interdisciplinary collaboration among medical professionals, law enforcement, and social service agencies. Collaborates with NGOs and academic institutions to develop evidence-based technologies that enhance emergency intervention systems.
Dr. Kim DeBacco
Higher-education curriculum consultant, coach, and learning-design leader whose career spans five universities across Australia and the United States. Kim retired from UCLA in 2025 after six years as a faculty and academic developer and lead instructional designer for learning-spaces pedagogy.
Her work includes academic development, instructional design, and flexible and online teaching and learning. At DeBacco Nexus, Kim brings an educational perspective: technology should make learning, judgment, and human connection stronger—not more complicated.
Cameron Cook
Cameron Cook, Ed.D., is an executive leader and strategist with more than 15 years of experience across the public, private, nonprofit, and higher-education sectors. His expertise includes strategic planning, operations, administration, program development, organizational leadership, performance management, and cross-sector collaboration.
As Chief Strategist for DeBacco Nexus, Dr. Cook supports organizational strategy, operational development, strategic partnerships, and long-term growth, helping translate complex ideas into practical, sustainable initiatives.
Adam Silver
Software engineer trained across behavioral science, data science, and neural architecture. Leads technical implementation, conducts infrastructure reviews, and ensures the TriStack holds under real-world conditions.
Dima Puchkarev
Behavioral health and strategic-growth leader with nearly a decade of experience across addiction treatment, mental health, recovery services, and community-based care. His work is grounded in social work, lived experience, and a commitment to helping people navigate complex barriers to stability and well-being.
At DeBacco Nexus, Dima builds partnerships, identifies practical opportunities, and helps organizations understand how responsible AI can support better decisions, stronger operations, and more human-centered services. He believes technology works best when it strengthens—not replaces—human connection, professional judgment, and lived experience.