ABOUT REFRACTION

Refraction Co-Founder and Acting CEO James Quigley is the Former CEO, Co-Founder, and Executive Board Member of GoCanvas, a Virginia-based company that is transforming how companies collect, share and learn about their businesses by automating their remote and mobile workforce.

With over 7000 customers in 70-plus countries, GoCanvas is one of the fastest growing Tech Companies in the US with Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 naming them to their list for the last three years. GoCanvas is also regularly recognized as one of the DC area’s Best Places to Work (Inc 500, Washingtonian) and has a reputation for being a leader in cultural research and workforce development. 

James has a long history of building successful technology companies. Prior to GoCanvas, he was Vice President and Managing Director at inCode Wireless, which was later acquired by VeriSign. Other technology companies he has held senior positions within include Aether Systems, Orbcomm, and Peak Technologies (formerly a division of R.R. Donnelley). 

James has won numerous awards for leadership, innovation and social change, including being named one of Top 50 CEOs by the Center for Innovative Technology, one of the top 20 global executives in his field by CLO Magazine and the World Supply Chain Forum, 40 Top CEO’s/Founders over 40, Regional Tech Titan and was a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. This culminated in Information Week naming James the IT Hero of the Year at their Elite 100 Conference. 

James' background in regional economic development and creating an innovation ecosystem in Northern Virginia / DC Metro area led him to co-founding Refraction – a regional co-working location focused on creating a concentration of start-ups, scale-ups, and facilitating introductions and partnerships with educational institutions, government bodies and capital investors. Refraction has grown to over 100 member companies who have collectively raised over $400M to fuel their growth.

James is also a Commissioner and Vice Chairman for Fairfax County’s Economic Development Agency. Focused on highlighting and growing the business base in the largest county in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the largest business center in the DC Metro Area. Representing technology and innovation for the group during a time period when the Virginia / DC Metro area has seen one of its biggest turnarounds in Technology. James was also part of the strategic team putting together the region's successful bid for Amazon’s HQ2. 

James sees high value in giving back to impactful local organizations and donates his time serving as the Chairman of the Board for The Washington West Film Festival and has served on the boards of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, The Northern Virginia Community College Foundation and Virginia Free.

Robert K. Williams serves as Chief Operating & Innovation Officer and senior day-to-day executive of Refraction Innovation Hub, where he oversees the organization's operations, innovation initiatives, member and partner relationships, programming, communications, and continued growth.

A globally recognized expert in growth marketing and strategic communications, Robert brings more than two decades of experience spanning law, technology, business development, and innovation strategy. His multidisciplinary background includes leading international initiatives, advising on landmark investment disputes, developing impactful digital campaigns, and building coalitions across the public and private sectors.

At Refraction, Robert leads efforts to support technology startups and scale-ups, strengthen strategic partnerships, and expand the organization's role within Northern Virginia's innovation ecosystem and beyond. He also oversees initiatives in entrepreneurship, AI readiness, workforce development, and professional upskilling, bringing together founders, business leaders, advisors, and community partners to create meaningful opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Robert holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Minnesota School of Law, a Master of Science (MSc) from the London School of Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Georgetown University.