Richard Riley
Experienced Executive
Summary
Accomplished executive with 15+ years in fintech, venture capital, aerospace, and customer experience. Expert in driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence. Proven success in scaling startups, achieving a 30% revenue increase and 40% customer expansion in one year. Experienced in strategic leadership, managing $600M+ portfolios, product development, and securing partnerships. Strong problem-solver with excellent communication skills. Results-driven COO adept at performance improvements and strategic initiatives. Seeking leadership roles in venture capital, product management, or Series B+ startups.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Chief Executive Officer
Ajua Inc.
01.2021 - Current
- Steered the company to profitability within one year, while simultaneously growing revenues by 30% year-over-year and expanding the customer base by 40%
- Spearheaded a successful $4M investment round, managing investor relations and presenting high-quality financials to the Board of Directors
- Led and mentored a team of 20, fostering a culture of high performance and innovation to achieve company goals
- Successfully navigated the company through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring business continuity and employee well-being: Seamlessly transitioned the entire team to remote work
- Led a strategic pivot to adapt services to changing market demands, resulting in a 30% increase in new customer acquisition.
Chief Operating Officer
Ajua Inc.
New York, New York
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Drove the company to achieve its first $1.5M in annual recurring revenue and a net customer retention rate of 109% by restructuring Sales and Operations teams and optimizing the product integration process
- Negotiated and secured partnerships with two major regional Telcos to distribute SaaS enterprise tools to SMEs at $2/month, significantly expanding market reach
- Orchestrated the successful launch of Platform 2.0, leading a cross-functional team through the end-to-end development lifecycle
- Resulted in a 30% increase in customer engagement and a 25% improvement in customer satisfaction
- Played a key role in expanding the business into new territories, laying the groundwork for international growth.
Director – Finance
Kapor Capital
Oakland
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Managed all finance, analysis, and reporting activities for a portfolio with over $600M assets under management, including capital calls, follow-on investments, forecasting, and investment analysis
- Developed comprehensive internal and external investment reports across the Kapor Capital portfolio and investment funds
- Oversaw the implementation of Adaptive Insights, a cloud-based FP&A solution that streamlined VC planning activities
- Designed key metrics dashboards that drove partner decision-making, enhancing the firm's investment strategy.
Director – Finance, Emerging Products
VISA Inc.
San Francisco, California
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Led cross-functional and regional teams to evaluate emerging products and new venture deals, resulting in over 15 deals signed or implemented
- Collaborated with business development teams to develop strategies for partnerships with issuers, digital partners, MNOs, and third parties, identifying over $2B in new revenue opportunities
- Monitored and analyzed key new business performance indicators to determine product market performance, operational impact, and contribution to profit and margin targets.
Principal, Strategy and Strategic Planning
VALE S.A
Sao Paulo, Brazil
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Led M&A, due diligence, and model development process for the $3B logistics division spin-off, identifying $800M in new business opportunities
- Drove quantitative analysis and scenario planning around new Brazilian government intermodal logistics regulatory framework, presenting recommendations to the executive board and regulatory agencies
- Strategized and executed action plans to support the strategic planning cycle, assessing $20B in venture opportunities and modeling analysis for volume, capacity, and pricing of existing products.
Finance Portfolio Manager - GE Energy
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Atlanta, GA
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Provided strategic financial support for a $1B South Gas turbine sales portfolio, optimizing performance throughout the GE financial cycle and driving growth initiatives
- Oversaw a dynamic operations team managing 61 long-term service contracts, collaborating with 3 operational managers and 10 contract performance managers to ensure contract compliance and maximize operational efficiency
- Coordinated and delivered comprehensive financial estimates for sales and margin rollup, effectively communicating insights to divisional leads and facilitating data-driven decision-making
- Analyzed contract performance metrics to identify areas for improvement, leading to a 10% reduction in operational costs and enhancing overall service delivery.
Senior Analyst Business Development - Commercial Engines Finance
UNITED TECHNOLOGIES (RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES)
Harford, CT
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Developed comprehensive financial models and analyses that directly supported proposals leading to $4B in sales, enhancing profitability and market competitiveness
- Spearheaded financial support for New Engine and Aftermarket (MRO) commercial sales campaigns, resulting in a 15% increase in revenue within two years
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams—including Aftermarket, Marketing, Contracts, Legal, and Operations—to formulate innovative aircraft engine sales strategies that drove market penetration in the Asia Pacific region
- Analyzed market trends and competitive landscape to identify growth opportunities, influencing strategic decision-making and long-term planning.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance And Strategy
MIT SLOAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Cambridge, MA 04.2001 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Science (BA) - Finance
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
Syracuse, NYSkills
Strategic Partnership Development
Financial Management
Revenue Growth & P&L Management
Client Relationship Management
Team Leadership & Coaching
Product Management
Strategic Planning
Negotiation
Alumniorganization
- MIT
- Syracuse Universities
Volunteer Experience
- Peralta Community Colleges, Oakland, CA, Board and Director/Finance Committee, 2018, 2021
- Cidadao Promundo, Sao Paulo, Math and English Instructor, 2012, 2014
- Highville Mustard Seed Charter School, Hamden, CT, Board of Director/Treasurer, 2005, 2008
Languages
Portuguese
Professional Working
Timeline
Chief Executive Officer
Ajua Inc.
01.2021 - Current
Chief Operating Officer
Ajua Inc.
01.2019 - 01.2022
Director – Finance
Kapor Capital
01.2017 - 01.2019
Director – Finance, Emerging Products
VISA Inc.
01.2014 - 01.2016
Principal, Strategy and Strategic Planning
VALE S.A
01.2011 - 01.2014
Finance Portfolio Manager - GE Energy
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
01.2008 - 01.2009
Senior Analyst Business Development - Commercial Engines Finance
UNITED TECHNOLOGIES (RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES)
01.2003 - 01.2007
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance And Strategy
MIT SLOAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
04.2001 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Science (BA) - Finance
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
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