It is with profound sadness that the MSP Summit team shares the passing of Jesse Sanders, CFO of Abacus Group and a respected leader in the managed services community. Sanders died on Sept. 21, 2026, in Chevy Chase, MD, at the age of 48.
Born on Nov. 14, 1977, in Bloomington, IN, Sanders lived a life marked by a deep commitment to his family and friends and to serving others. That commitment extended throughout his distinguished professional career and his profound impact on the technology services industry.
A Distinguished Career in Technology and Finance
Sanders was a pivotal member of the Abacus leadership team, serving as CFO since April 2023. Under his financial stewardship, Abacus Group flourished as a leading IT managed services and cybersecurity provider serving middle market clients in highly regulated industries including financial services and healthcare. Most recently, he had also begun consulting work with Sanders & Co.
His career reflected deep expertise at the intersection of finance and technology services. Before joining Abacus, he served as CFO of CompassMSP from December 2019 to March 2023, where he helped guide the IT managed services provider's growth in the SMB market. His earlier roles included CFO positions at GiGstreem, an internet service provider, and general manager at Compass, the real estate brokerage and technology company.
Sanders’ educational foundation was equally impressive. He earned a B.A. in History and Economics from Indiana University Bloomington, where he was recognized as a Herman B. Wells Scholar. He went on to receive an M.A. in International Economics from Johns Hopkins University and earned an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School, where he was a Palmer Scholar.
A Life of Service Beyond Business
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sanders dedicated himself to serving others in meaningful ways, according to his obituary. For 15 years, he served as executive director of FareShare DC, a nonprofit organization serving homeless veterans. Sanders felt a strong calling to support people experiencing housing instability, and he gave generously to others by mentoring colleagues and volunteering at Foundry United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Caroline (Carrie) Sanders; his children, Anna, Claire, and Ben; his father, Scott; his mother, Ruth; his sister, Eva; and her husband, Matt.
Remembered for Kindness and Leadership
Those who worked alongside Sanders remember him not only for his professional acumen but for the profound personal impact he made on their lives. What follows are comments shared on LinkedIn after Abacus shared the news of Sanders’ passing.
"Jesse was a wonderful man and partner," wrote Jonathan Shapiro, CRO at Abacus. "We joined Abacus together and he was always in my corner. My heart goes out to his family and he will always be remembered for the impact he had as a leader and a friend."
William Lowenstein, who worked under Sanders’ mentorship, reflected: "He was an amazing mentor and an even better man. Very fortunate to have worked for him the past few years."
Josh Kotler, founder of Canyon Point Technologies, shared: "Jesse was a great friend to me and to so many people. I was lucky enough to be his friend for the past 7 years. Our friendship was forged as colleagues at CompassMSP, and grew from there. I learned a lot from him and he tolerated me. So sad that he is gone … but he will live on in our hearts and our memory."
Veronica Calvache, another former CompassMSP colleague, captured the sentiment of many: "Jesse was a great leader, mentor, and friend, but above all, he was a truly kind human being. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to work alongside him at CompassMSP for over three years, and even more grateful that our friendship and mentorship continued long after our time working together. He will be deeply missed, but he will live forever in our hearts."
Gonzalo Gonzalez, CompassMSP senior manager of procurement and vendor management, added: "He was much more than a former colleague and CFO to me. He was a friend, mentor, and someone whose guidance and support had a lasting impact on both my career and my life. I will always be grateful for the lessons he shared, the confidence he placed in me, and the friendship we built over the years."
Tom Cole, senior managing director at Abacus, remembered him simply as "a true gentleman, a quality that's far too rare these days."
Even those who knew Sanders briefly felt his impact. PR pro Shannon Pfrimmer, who interviewed with him, recalled: "Jesse was genuinely kind, warm and personable throughout the entire process. I instinctively knew he was a great leader and an authentic human being. He truly made an impression on me."
Trey F. perhaps summed it up best: "Few leaders I've known were as emotionally intelligent and people-centered as Jesse."
Jim Blenderman, VP of sales and account management at Canyon Point Technologies, shared: "A great friend, and professional. We worked through a lot of challenges together and I will miss him and our conversations."
A Life Well Lived
His obituary shared the following. Sanders loved time with family and friends and enjoyed golf, playing guitar, listening to live music, reading, cooking, and traveling. He was known for his bright smile and for the joy he took in life and brought to those around him. He was loving, kind, smart, caring, curious, and wise.
Jesse lived by a quote from Jack Kornfield that captured his approach to life: "All these things that we do in our lives lead us back to love. And if they don't, I'm not sure that they're worth very much."
Sanders will be remembered for his kindness, authenticity, and the genuine care he showed to everyone he encountered. He was a driving force behind the success and culture of the organizations he served, and his influence—rooted in the joyful purpose and deep connections that shaped his life—will continue to resonate throughout the managed services community and beyond.
The hearts of the entire MSP community are with Sanders’ family during this difficult time. May his memory live on forever.