Founder & Solutions ArchitectSteve Topazi
Steve helps turn complex technology and tangled workflows into a clear plan of action. His global enterprise experience spans end-user computing, networking, virtual desktops, identity and cloud platforms. As XenLabz’s founder, he connects business needs with practical architecture, asking the right questions before choosing the tools.
Workflow discoverySolution design
Steve’s LinkedIn profile ↗A little more about Steve
Steve’s technical background includes Citrix, NetScaler and Azure environments. He brings that systems perspective to workflow discovery: understanding dependencies, identifying bottlenecks and defining a focused, testable next step, with documentation and handover built into the plan.
As a StormWind Studios course author and published AI ethics researcher, he also makes complex ideas accessible. His work combines practical technology education with questions about how AI should serve people, organisations and communities.
Technology Strategy & ArchitectureJon Swarbrick
Jon connects technical detail with business priorities. His background spans software development, IT support, network design and security. He focuses on technology roadmaps, helping organisations make clearer decisions about their IT spend and technology portfolio.
Technology roadmappingNetwork architecture
Jon’s LinkedIn profile ↗A little more about Jon
Jon’s experience bridges software development, network architecture, protocol analysis and information security. He helps business and technical leaders find a shared language, connecting technology decisions to operational needs.
His background includes consulting CTO work and infrastructure leadership, with a focus on technology roadmapping, IT strategy and making sense of an organisation’s technology portfolio.
Product Design & User ExperienceIvan Volodkin
Ivan brings 17 years of product and UX design experience to making complex digital tools easier to use. His work connects user research, product strategy and hands-on design, helping teams turn ambitious ideas into clear, useful experiences.
User-centred designInteractive prototypes
A little more about Ivan
Ivan’s background includes lead product UX design roles with Nasdaq, Somos and other digital product teams. His experience spans research, strategic planning, interface design and collaboration with developers and stakeholders.
He works with Figma, design libraries and interactive prototypes to explore how a product should behave before it is built. His approach uses user needs, feedback and iterative design to simplify workflows and align the experience with business goals.
Client Experience & OperationsJessica Topazi
Jessica’s focus is the human side of delivery: clear communication, coordinated next steps and keeping clients informed. Her role supports the journey from the first conversation through a clear, organized handover.
Client communicationCoordination
AI Strategy & Solutions ConsultantEvan Mercer
Evan represents the AI-assisted side of XenLabz: exploring where automation, better workflows and smarter tools could reduce friction without adding unnecessary complexity. His focus is on useful starting points, questions worth asking and ideas for the human team to review.
AI workflow designProcess analysis
How we approach the work
Understand the problem.
Make the next step useful.
Ask before assuming.
Find the real bottleneck, the constraints and the people affected.
Keep the solution practical.
Work with the tools you have and define what success looks like.
Leave the team ready.
Test the process, explain it clearly and hand it over properly.
