KeenStack Taps Political and Industry Heavyweights for Growth Push

CHANDLER, Ariz. – April 09, 2026 – In a clear signal of its aggressive growth ambitions, ServiceNow consulting firm KeenStack has announced the formation of a high-profile advisory board featuring former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. The move, aimed at accelerating the company’s push into the enterprise, public, and healthcare sectors, combines strategic leadership with a surge in client wins and a fast-track plan to achieve top-tier partner status within the burgeoning ServiceNow ecosystem.

The Chandler-based firm, which helps companies implement and optimize the powerful ServiceNow workflow platform, is betting that the deep networks and C-suite experience of its new advisors will be a critical differentiator in a highly competitive market.

A Board Built for Enterprise Scale

KeenStack’s newly formed advisory board is a strategic blend of political influence, healthcare IT leadership, and private equity acumen. Alongside former Gov. Doug Ducey, the board includes Deanna Wise, the former Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Banner Health, and David Rutchik, a seasoned private equity advisor and managing partner of The Dorzac Group.

"We are building a company that can operate at enterprise scale, and that requires the right guidance and network," said Thiru Thangarathinam, founder and CEO of KeenStack, in the company's announcement. "We were intentional about bringing on leaders who each expand our reach in different ways."

The appointments are far from symbolic. Each member brings a specific strategic advantage:
* Doug Ducey, who served as Arizona’s governor from 2015 to 2023 and was previously the CEO of Cold Stone Creamery, provides a direct line into the public sector. His extensive experience navigating state and local government contracts and his business background in scaling a major brand are expected to open doors for KeenStack in government digital transformation projects.
* Deanna Wise offers deep credibility within the complex healthcare industry. As the former CIO of major health systems like Banner Health and Dignity Health, she has firsthand experience overseeing large-scale technology implementations, including Electronic Health Records (EHR). Her influence within CIO networks is a significant asset as KeenStack targets a sector increasingly reliant on workflow automation.
* David Rutchik contributes over two decades of experience in the high-stakes world of private equity, M&A, and large-scale enterprise deals. As an advisor to Fortune 500 companies and private equity firms, his expertise will guide KeenStack’s strategy for securing major contracts and navigating complex corporate structures.

This assembly of power players underscores a deliberate strategy to move beyond mid-market engagements and compete for the largest and most complex digital transformation projects available.

The Race to Elite Status in a Booming Market

The board's formation coincides with KeenStack’s aggressive pursuit of ServiceNow’s ‘Elite Partner’ status, a coveted designation that separates top-tier consultancies from the rest of the pack. The ServiceNow partner program is a key indicator of a firm’s capability, with the Elite tier reserved for partners who demonstrate deep expertise across at least five ServiceNow products, maintain high customer satisfaction scores, and have a proven track record of successful enterprise-scale implementations.

Currently a ServiceNow Premier Partner, KeenStack has already amassed over 800 ServiceNow certifications—a significant technical achievement that lays the groundwork for its Elite ambitions. The company has publicly set a target to achieve this top status by the end of 2026.

This ambition is set against the backdrop of a booming market. The global ServiceNow consulting services market is projected to skyrocket from $4.5 billion in 2023 to over $13 billion by 2033. As enterprises from finance to manufacturing rush to digitize their operations, the demand for skilled ServiceNow experts is far outstripping supply. This skills gap creates a massive opportunity for firms that can prove their expertise. Achieving Elite status would not only validate KeenStack's technical prowess but also give it preferential access to ServiceNow resources and a significant competitive advantage when bidding for major projects.

Beyond Implementation: Specialization as a Strategy

KeenStack's strategy appears to recognize a fundamental shift in the ServiceNow landscape. The platform has evolved far beyond its origins in IT service management. Today, it is a comprehensive enterprise-wide tool for automating workflows in HR, customer service, finance, and legal departments—a trend known as Enterprise Service Management (ESM). Furthermore, the recent integration of powerful generative AI tools, such as the ‘Now Assist’ platform, has made implementation more complex and the potential rewards for businesses even greater.

This evolution demands a new breed of consulting partner—one that offers not just technical implementation but deep industry-specific knowledge and strategic guidance. KeenStack is positioning itself to be that partner. The recruitment of Wise for healthcare and Ducey for the public sector is a direct reflection of this specialized approach.

The company’s recent client momentum further illustrates this strategy in action. Its client roster includes diverse enterprise players such as the modular space provider WillScot, the major regional laboratory system Sonora Quest Laboratories, and the international law firm Kirkland & Ellis. These engagements reflect a growing demand for specialized ServiceNow expertise across a variety of complex industries.

"Everything we are doing comes back to execution and delivering value for our clients," noted Elevsis Delgadillo, SVP of customer success at KeenStack. This focus on execution, combined with the strategic door-opening power of its new board, forms the core of the company's plan. By aligning its deep technical bench with high-level strategic guidance, KeenStack is making a calculated bid to not just participate in the ServiceNow ecosystem, but to become a leading force in shaping its future.

The firm's calculated assembly of leadership, its relentless pursuit of top-tier certification, and its focus on high-value industries signal a clear intent to scale rapidly. As organizations continue to invest heavily in digital transformation, KeenStack's playbook could serve as a model for how specialized firms can leverage strategic human capital to compete and win in the enterprise technology arena.