About me

I’m Jody Jankovsky

Entrepreneur, triathlete, pilot, and systems thinker. For over 45 years, I’ve been helping leaders navigate the intersection of technology and transformation. I founded Blackline to turn digital chaos into clarity—and developed the Technology Intelligence (TQ) framework to help leaders reclaim agency in a world that thrives on confusion.

Whether I’m on a bike, in a cockpit, or in a boardroom, I believe this: hard things are the path. Technology should serve your mission—not distract from it. And real leadership starts with the courage to build something that lasts.

A Look at My Journey

From the moment I helped my dad build a rudimentary computer in our garage at 12, I knew technology had the power to change everything. That early curiosity led me to study Computer Science at Illinois State University, while simultaneously offering software development services to small businesses. After graduation, I cut my teeth at Arthur Andersen and later Greenbrier & Russell, where I witnessed firsthand how traditional IT firms often failed to serve the needs of smaller organizations.

In 1993, I stepped into the unknown and founded Blackline—driven by the belief that technology should empower business leaders, not frustrate them. A pivotal lesson came years later, when I realized it wasn’t enough to just “make IT work.” I needed to build a framework that helped companies align tech investment with real business outcomes. That led to our proprietary Hierarchy of Innovation—and eventually, the Technology Intelligence (TQ) Framework, which now shapes how we guide clients into AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

Another turning point came in 2017, when I turned 50 and launched our “Moonshot” mission: to be the best technology company to work for, to establish Blackline as the “gold-standard” of technology providers, and “serve the underserved” locally, regionally, nationally. This shift gave us the clarity and courage to walk away from a seven figure contract that clashed with our values—and to double down on radical transparency, operational alignment, and technological optimism.

Today, as CEO of Blackline, I’ve guided over 500 businesses through three decades of digital evolution—from infrastructure and app development to cybersecurity and AI readiness). My leadership philosophy is simple: serve people first, use technology with intention, and create space for others to grow. That’s what it means to lead with clarity, courage, and soul—while turning complexity into clarity, and vision into velocity.

Quick Snapshot

45+ years in tech (since age 12)
Founder of Blackline
Creator of the TQ Framework
Triathlete, pilot, father, spiritual builder
Speaker + strategic coach

What I Believe

I believe the mind, body, and spirit are inseparable—and how you train one shapes the others. As a triathlete and pilot, I’ve learned that hard things expand our sense of what’s possible. Whether I’m cycling 1,200 miles up the Eastern Seaboard or training for my next race, I’m not chasing medals—I’m taming my mind to move through doubt, pain, and limitation with clarity and intention.

I bring that same mindset into business and technology. TQ was born from the belief that leaders shouldn’t accept chaos as normal—that they can navigate complexity with courage and vision. I don’t lead from fear. I lead from optimism, from the spiritual conviction that the future is shaped by those willing to explore it boldly. Like any worthy journey, the breakthroughs aren’t just at the finish line—they’re found in every mile, every meeting, and every moment where we choose progress over comfort. That’s how I live. That’s how I lead.

What Drives Me

Founder of Blackline – 30+ years helping leaders turn chaos into clarity
Creator of the Technology Intelligence (TQ) framework; turning chaos into clarity
Triathlete & general aviation pilot; doing hard things to challenge myself physically and intellectually
I Love deeply my two children, my family, friends and those I work side-by-side with helping to change our small corner of the world.
Obsessed with frameworks, spiritual clarity, and radical personal growth

Let’s Stay Connected

I share reflections on leadership, technology, and doing hard things with intention. If something here resonates, I’d love to hear from you or keep you in the loop