Who We Are

	"Sustainability now has to be on everyone’s agenda, and that represents a fundamental change." -Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa

The Working Excellence Team has a diverse background and a broad range of specialties but is driven by common goals. Our philosophies and methodologies are unique and based on facts and truth. We challenge each other, our customers, our business associates to reach far beyond the status quo and find innovative technological solutions to corporate sustainability issues.

We are experts in our respective fields. Our experience in Sustainability is renowned cannot be disputed. We have dedicated ourselves to our mission to create and implement sustainable strategy based on the best practices of triple bottom line principles of people, planet and profits and deliver immediate results and lasting value.

Each member of this team is strong and passionate in their belief that we can make a difference by confronting corporate sustainability challenges head on with effective corporate strategies that provide profound results. We believe in speaking on the issues that are affecting our environment, our communities and ultimately our people today. We believe in education and technology and that through our methodologies, change is achievable and within reach.

James F. Kenefick, Founder & Managing Partner

Mr. Kenefick brings his knowledge of sustainable corporate strategy and technology to Working Excellence. He is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 24 years in technology industries as a senior executive.

He has been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist twice. He is the Chair of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) International Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts and former Chapter Chair of the YPO Washington DC chapter. He is a Trustee and Former International Board Member of Entrepreneurs Organization and former Board of Director for the Social Venture Network (SVN).

His career history includes:

• CEO and Co-founding experience includes leading three companies to revenue growth of US$0-15M, $0-30M and $0-70M, raising over $450 m in capital, managing over 650 people to create companies worth over $750 m in market cap all within 10 years. Managing 220+ sales staff in 22 offices with 3 distinct sales channels.
• Co-developing the strategy, fund-raising and sector research for Iron Leaf Capital, a $200M late stage growth for Green Technology/Building Materials/Systems that focus on efficiency and savings.
• Development of the Marquee Board of Directors, Strong Executive Management Team and Exciting Corporate Culture.
• Leadership of the construction of a 10 city state-of-the-art voice/data switch network spanning over 9,000 miles and linking over 12,000 clients in 10 of the largest US cities.

Over the last 10 years, Jim has focused his direction toward advising and investing in sustainable technology companies focused around SAAS, Managed Voice / Data Services, Health care - Electronic Records Management, Nutrition, Paperless Bill Processing Systems, Electronic Ticket Systems that are Positive Impact Companies transitioning to a low carbon economy.



Bonnie Nixon

Ms. Nixon’s 25 Years as a strategic expert in Social and Environmental Sustainability for Corporations, Complex Supply Chains, Government and Communities provides Working Excellence an extraordinary asset.

Proof of her value to Corporate Sustainability was noted in Fast Company’s November 1st, 2009 article entitled “An Interview with a Corporate Green Hero” where the writer states:

After seeing HP on the "Newsweek" list at number one, I was very interested to learn about the woman behind its corporate shift. What was confirmed to me is that behind every major corporate transformation story is a truly heroic man or woman. While I am sure HP has a team of hundreds who have contributed strongly to this position as number one on the "Newsweek" list, I was certain after spending more time with Nixon that she was an integral part of it."

She was also named one of Sustainable Industries “20 Leading Green Executives in 2008” and “one of 10 nationwide women making strides in sustainability” in the Green Economy Post.

Her career history includes:

• The management of vision, strategy, marketing, messaging, employee engagement and stakeholder relations programs for HP as the Director of Environmental Sustainability.
• The implementation of the world’s largest and most complex electronic ethical and sustainable supply chain program as the Director of Ethical Sourcing at HP
• Driving common industry code of conduct and complimentary tools and processes as the founder and Board Member of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC).
• Serving on multiple multi-industry consortiums including global retailers, footwear and apparel, toy, pharmaceutical, chemical, automotive, consumer goods and mining.
• Ownership of an Environmental Planning and Communications Firm, Circlepoint where she managed more than 200 public and private sector projects with business, community and agencies.

Today, Bonnie is a Resident Scholar at Stanford University & Executive faculty at Presidio’s Sustainability MBA.





Stein Laxo

Stein brings 15 years of conceptualizing, selling and managing the delivery of technology based business solutions technology-based business solutions to Working Excellence. As a two time recipient of the Ernst & Young Award of Excellence (1994 and 1996), his experience includes. He has served in senior leadership roles with P&L responsibility in consulting, business development, alliances and finance.

Working Excellence takes pride in the knowledge that Stein is widely recognized as a “thought leader” in IT systems and strategy within the financial services and commercial leasing industries. He is particularly effective in bridging business communities and technical groups.

His career history includes:

• Developed and closed $35M in business and technology consulting opportunities as Vice President of the Western Region for ThoughtWorks, Inc in San Francisco, California.
• Managed program and project-level consulting engagements totaling more than $10M while designing and developing transactional systems for the Financial Services and Bio Technical Industries as Senior Manager of Information Technology at Ernst & Young in San Francisco, California.
• Founding visionary behind Seismiq, Inc., a leading software and services provider for the commercial lending industry. Company developed and delivered the next generation of software products for equipment leasing. Developed the business concept, strategy and alliances reporting to the Board of Directors. Grew the business to over $3M in revenue in less than 2 years.
• Oversight of Operations, Accounting, Customer Service, Information Technology as Executive Vice President of Advantage Enterprises in South San Francisco, California where he reengineered several key processes, reorganized and recast Accounting and Information Technology and managed the budgeting process and P&L.
• Managing Partner for startup consulting and venture partnership focusing on commercialization and investment activities for clean technology companies based primarily in Europe for Norroc Venture Partners in Redwood City, California.

Stein is an accomplished speaker. His speaking credentials include: Equipment Leasing Association Technology Conference 2002, Annual Conference 2001, eLNA 2002, Structured Finance Institute 2001, Microsoft Developer Days 1997.