David Lively, CEO

David lives in the sky-high mountains of Colorado & the flatlands of Florida when Colorado snows him out.

He is the epitome of an entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience owning, running and selling companies and helping others do the same.

He built the 23rd largest retail home furnishings company in the USA, and sold it to a publicly traded company in 2001. He then founded a Software as a Service (SaaS) ecommerce company with partner Rafferty Pendery and together they grew it to over 3,000 customers in 46 states and 6 countries globally.

While he is passionate about business, the most important work in his life is his incredible and happy 35+ year marriage to wife, Amy.

Emma Fenimore, President

About Me — Work

I’m the President of Studio98, where I oversee strategy, operations, and product direction across our software and services platforms. I focus on building scalable systems, aligning teams, and pushing the company forward with an AI-first mindset. In short: I connect big ideas to execution and make sure we actually ship.

Outside of Work

When I’m not working, I’m very much out living life—staying active, traveling when I can, and spending time with people who make me laugh. I like a full calendar, great food, and experiences that don’t involve a screen or a meeting—unless it’s getting lost in a really good book, which is my favorite way to unplug.

Sarmad Makhdoom, VP of Custom Software

Sarmad lives in Lahore, Pakistan, and has done a master’s in Computer Science. He is a born programmer, started very early with computers, and was curious about how things work under the hood. He wrote his first program in 1998 in school and since then he is crazy about it. His passion, study, and job revolve around the same thing after that.

He is working in the industry for the last 14 years during the time of his studies and since then he is continuously learning new skills unfolding new adventures in his life and expanding his vision about the domain. He is a loving father of two and after work, his life just spins around them.

He considers himself a person with a hunger for knowledge and always looking for new ideas to improve his skills and help people around him to outgrow in their areas.

Melissa Klidies, VP of Finance

Melissa is the VP of Finance at Studio98 LLC, where she leads financial strategy, cash flow management, and operational discipline for a growing digital and AI-focused business. Melissa focuses on turning financial data into decisions that actually move the business forward.

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys reading and spending time outdoors hiking trails and exploring waterfalls. She lives for summer, when she can be found paddleboarding the lakes in her area and soaking up as much time on the water as possible.

Claudio Machine, VP of Account Services

At Studio98, I leverage my extensive background in customer service and management to build meaningful connections and ensure our clients’ journeys are successful. I’m a firm believer that every interaction is an opportunity to learn something new and help others reach their goals. Outside of work, I am a passionate history buff and amateur archaeologist who has spent time on various dig sites, always eager to uncover the stories of the past.

Jodee Heyder, Director of Operations

Jodee, affectionately known as “JoJo” by her family, is the ultimate family manager and party host, always bringing people together with her talent for organizing and celebrating life’s moments.

With over 38 years of experience in retail management, specializing in back end and operations, she has played a pivotal role in helping businesses grow and thrive.

Outside of her professional achievements, Jodee’s greatest joy is found in her family, her love of Christmas, where she decorates with multiple trees throughout her home, and her favorite hobbies like bowling, karaoke, and binge-watching Netflix.

Known for her impeccable organization skills and signature style of matching her reading glasses to her outfit of the day, she brings creativity, passion, and a touch of fun to everything she does.

Her signature trait is her contagious laugh, the kind that fills a room and makes everyone laugh along with her.

Yolene Heenen

At Work: As an Account Specialist, I specialize in managing e-commerce websites at Rave Retailer, where I ensure our clients’ brands stay active and accessible in the digital marketplace. My focus is on meeting store goals while making the technical side of business feel effortless for the people I work with. I love being the person who makes a client’s day a little lighter and reminds them why they love what they do.

Outside Work: My personal time is usually fueled by a great cup of coffee; I’m currently deep-diving into the art of making different styles at home. When I’m not perfecting my latte art, I’m usually in the garden learning how to keep my growing plant collection thriving. Nothing beats a quiet weekend at home spent with my family.

Louise Ackermann

Professional (The “”What I Do””)
I am a SaaS Account Manager and AI Specialist at Studio98. My mission is to bridge the gap between human intuition and machine intelligence; I build and refine proprietary AI agents, ensuring every brand voice is pinpoint accurate while leading our multi-channel marketing strategies, from email and social to high-performance websites. Beyond the strategy, I am a technical builder at heart, specializing in building robust e-commerce websites and troubleshooting the complex technical hurdles that stand in the way of growth.

Personal (The “”Who I Am””)
Outside of work and at the center of my life is my faith in God; He is the foundation of my strength and the compass for everything I build. My most cherished role and true “calling” is being a Mother and Partner.

I find my greatest joy in experiencing life alongside my family, whether we are traveling to new places or exploring local gems together. Lately, I’ve discovered a new love for cooking, and I’ve become quite the chef! Much like building a perfect AI agent or a custom website, I’ve found that the best meals require a mix of precision and soul. I strive to live out the truth of 1 John 3:18, choosing to love not just with words, but through genuine action and sincerity in every part of my life.

Kaeio Alberto Gloria

Kaeio is a core Studio98 team member who supports both operations and revenue growth. He leads establishment work across onboarding, internal systems access, and building the company’s training content, SOPs, and policies to keep teams aligned and consistent. He also serves as a sales specialist, managing inbound inquiries and helping clients adopt AI and digital marketing solutions, with nearly four years at Studio98.

Patrick Bell

At Studio98, I help leaders see where AI truly fits in their business—and where it doesn’t. I map out the AI architecture and frameworks so leadership teams can make clear decisions and build systems that actually scale.

Outside of work, I enjoy building things that last, whether that’s ideas, relationships, or faith. I’m a husband, father, and follower of Jesus, shaped by years of living and working around the world and a focus on long-term impact over quick wins.

Jaen Saunders

At Studio98, I work closely with our clients to solve technical challenges across our software and AI agents, making sure everything runs smoothly and delivers real value. I’m passionate about empowering people through knowledge, and I manage our knowledge base to support clients from onboarding through continuous learning, helping them get the most out of our technology every step of the way.

Outside of work, I’m a highly social person who loves spending time with family and friends and exploring South Africa’s incredible destinations. I’m an avid reader who enjoys constantly learning, a proud Marvel geek, and someone who enjoys staying active through sport, even if I’m not the best, I always bring the enthusiasm.

Ammar Zafar

I guard the Scrum framework for the development team, ensuring disciplined execution across sprints. I coordinate key ceremonies, compile sprint reports, and ensure all task updates are accurately documented in ClickUp and GC.

Outside of work, I value time away from screens and deadlines. I enjoy activities that allow me to reset mentally, spend quality time with people close to me, and maintain balance through routine, reflection, and personal interests.

Juan Jansen

At work, I’m a Senior Software Project Manager and full stack developer, helping deliver software solutions from discovery through launch. I work closely with clients and dev teams to turn business needs into clear requirements, structured execution, and measurable outcomes.

Outside of work, I’m someone who enjoys building things and staying sharp with new tech, tools, and systems. I’m also really into cars, computers, and anything networking-related.

Hayder Ali

Meet Hayder Ali, a talented computer scientist from Sahiwal, Pakistan. With 7 years of experience working with computer programs and new technologies, Hayder is a skilled full-stack developer. With Studio98, Hayder appreciates the company’s culture of accepting new challenges and learning new things every day. He takes pride in being a part of the team and enjoys collaborating with his colleagues to achieve common goals. With a passion for technology and a commitment to excellence, Hayder is always seeking out new opportunities to expand his skills and expertise in the field.

Abdul Jamal

Abdul Jamal, is a dedicated father and husband who resides in a small village in Pakistan. His passion for computers dates back to 2001 when he first started exploring the domain. He pursued his studies in computer science and has been working in the industry for the past 14 years while continuously honing his skills and expanding his vision. As a programmer, Abdul is always exploring new technologies and embracing new challenges. He is committed to learning and adapting to stay on top of the latest trends and advancements in the field.

Saad Ali

Professionally, I am a Senior Developer specializing in building high-performance web applications.

Arham Saqib

I’m a Senior Developer specializing in backend systems, website development, and mobile applications. I focus on building scalable, reliable solutions and collaborating with teams to deliver high-quality products. Outside of work, I enjoy staying active, learning new skills, and focusing on personal development.

Nabeel Ahmed

I work as a Senior Developer and Team Lead, building and improving web-based systems, focusing on scalable features, performance, and smooth user experience. I also support the team with planning, code reviews, and solving complex technical issues.

Outside of work, I enjoy learning new tech, exploring AI tools, and working on personal growth. I like keeping things simple, staying consistent with fitness goals, and spending time with family and friends.

Rizwan Ali

What I do at work
I’m a Full-Stack Software Engineer with over 10 years of experience building secure, scalable web applications. I specialize in Laravel on the backend and React/Next.js on the frontend, delivering end-to-end solutions such as SaaS platforms, APIs, automation systems, and integrations. I enjoy architecting clean, high-performance systems that are built to scale and last.

Who I am outside of work
Outside of work, I enjoy exploring new technologies and continuously improving my technical skills. I’m driven by solving complex problems and creating solutions that bring real value to people and businesses. I also enjoy learning, mentoring, and staying curious about how technology can simplify everyday challenges.