Experience

UPROAR

• Online Audio and Video Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Cofounder

  • Aug 2023 - Present

  Chicago, Illinois, United States Uproar is a digital design-build studio, partnering with both startups and global brands. We’re part venture studio, part transformation engine. For insurgent startups: we trade our product development expertise for equity and sometimes invest our own capital in startups For global companies: we validate new ideas and maximize investment by engaging real users to test ideas and features For established brands: we optimize their entire conversion funnel, driving millions of dollars of… Show more Uproar is a digital design-build studio, partnering with both startups and global brands. We’re part venture studio, part transformation engine. For insurgent startups: we trade our product development expertise for equity and sometimes invest our own capital in startups For global companies: we validate new ideas and maximize investment by engaging real users to test ideas and features For established brands: we optimize their entire conversion funnel, driving millions of dollars of additional revenue to both top and bottom lines. We’re a team of entrepreneurs and experts with a global footprint. Show less



OurFamilyWizard

• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Jun 2023 - Present

  Chicago, Illinois, United States OurFamilyWizard is a technology company on a mission to help families thrive across all of life’s circumstances. We bring together two leading family management brands: OurFamilyWizard, the world’s most trusted coparenting application, and Cozi, the #1 family organizing app.



Self Employed, Special Projects

• Computer Networking Products
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Growth Advisor and Fractional Executive

  • Mar 2023 - Present

  Chicago, Illinois, United States Executive advisor and fractional executive at multiple startup and growth-stage companies including: - Fractional CFO at Our Family Wizard and Cozi (a Spectrum Equity-backed co-parenting app): led strategic analysis to understand LTV/CAC and support marketing/product prioritization decisions, drove forecasting model to support annual planning, revamped management reporting to make financial story crisper for the Board and management team, etc. - Growth Advisor and Executive Stakeholder at… Show more Executive advisor and fractional executive at multiple startup and growth-stage companies including: - Fractional CFO at Our Family Wizard and Cozi (a Spectrum Equity-backed co-parenting app): led strategic analysis to understand LTV/CAC and support marketing/product prioritization decisions, drove forecasting model to support annual planning, revamped management reporting to make financial story crisper for the Board and management team, etc. - Growth Advisor and Executive Stakeholder at CFX Labs (a blockchain global remittance company): drove fundraising strategy and investor relations, advised on pricing and go-to-market decision-making, supported business development for marketing partnerships - Special projects to start up new companies Show less



Lower

• Germany
• Retail

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Jan 2022 - Jan 2023

  Chicago, Illinois, United States Lower.com is a fintech whose mission is to build wealth through home ownership by creating a frictionless end-to-end home buying and financing experience for customers. After profitably bootstrapping growth through 2021 to 1500+ employees, the company raised its first external round through Accel. I joined as the company's first CFO and helped the company navigate through a tumultuous year in the mortgage industry. We accomplished several important milestones including: + Launched a… Show more Lower.com is a fintech whose mission is to build wealth through home ownership by creating a frictionless end-to-end home buying and financing experience for customers. After profitably bootstrapping growth through 2021 to 1500+ employees, the company raised its first external round through Accel. I joined as the company's first CFO and helped the company navigate through a tumultuous year in the mortgage industry. We accomplished several important milestones including: + Launched a B2B2C mortgage-as-a-service business with Opendoor as the first partner + Increased market share by 25% + Completed several acquisitions including of Hamilton Home Mortgage in Florida + Streamlined the organization and significantly improved cost efficiency + Raised a large venture debt financing round to maintain strong liquidity and fund growth I remain an advisor and outside supporter of the company. Show less



Rocket Travel, Inc, a Booking Holdings Company

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Jun 2015 - Mar 2022

  Greater Chicago Area Rocket Travel partners with companies around the world to make travel even more rewarding. We operate B2C sites (Rocketmiles.com) and B2B2C sites (Southwest Hotels, T-Mobile Travel, American Airlines Hotels, etc.) where customers can earn and redeem miles, points, and gift cards, or save big with exclusive discounts, for booking travel accommodations and car rental services around the world. The company continues to operate independently after being acquired by Booking Holdings (BKNG)… Show more Rocket Travel partners with companies around the world to make travel even more rewarding. We operate B2C sites (Rocketmiles.com) and B2B2C sites (Southwest Hotels, T-Mobile Travel, American Airlines Hotels, etc.) where customers can earn and redeem miles, points, and gift cards, or save big with exclusive discounts, for booking travel accommodations and car rental services around the world. The company continues to operate independently after being acquired by Booking Holdings (BKNG), who has one of the world's best track records of acquiring and growing internet brands (Booking.com, Kayak, Agoda, Priceline, OpenTable, RentalCars). I manage all operations, finance, and support activities in the company (finance, operations, customer service, HR, legal). I was a core part of rapidly growing the company and exceeding aggressive growth / profitability targets during a successful exit. + Grew revenue over 15x and achieved profitability + Expanded from single B2C product to support 30+ white label sites, 24/7 service in 3 languages, global payments, public company reporting, while reducing ops cost per booking by 70%. + Steered through the COVID-19 crisis, quickly pivoted the business, and doubled market share while achieving record-high customer satisfaction and employee scores + Managed a global team of 150 employees and fostered a people and office culture of urgency, accountability, and humility. Show less



OptionsHouse

• United Kingdom
• Utilities

• SVP of Strategy and Business Development

  • Nov 2011 - Jun 2015

  Greater Chicago Area SVP OF STRATEGY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (AUG 2014 - JUN 2015) VP OF FINANCE AND STRATEGY (FEB 2013 - AUG 2014) AVP OF FINANCE AND STRATEGY (NOV 2011 - FEB 2013) Senior executive of a high-growth online brokerage and was a core part of helping the company achieve massive growth and a successful exit: + Helped the company triple in revenue and achieve profitability in 3 years. + Delivered a ~10x ROIC to shareholders by initiating a roll up strategy and leading the sale of the… Show more SVP OF STRATEGY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (AUG 2014 - JUN 2015) VP OF FINANCE AND STRATEGY (FEB 2013 - AUG 2014) AVP OF FINANCE AND STRATEGY (NOV 2011 - FEB 2013) Senior executive of a high-growth online brokerage and was a core part of helping the company achieve massive growth and a successful exit: + Helped the company triple in revenue and achieve profitability in 3 years. + Delivered a ~10x ROIC to shareholders by initiating a roll up strategy and leading the sale of the company to a growth equity firm (General Atlantic) in a combination with another online brokerage (TradeMonster). The combined company was subsequently acquired by E*Trade (now better known as the E*Trade Power platform). + Performed CFO role. Managed finance/accounting, strategy/business development, and BI/analytics department. + Drove the planning and launch of new businesses. General manager of international business. + Helped drive P&L into sustained profitability through various revenue growth and cost reduction initiatives. + Completed two high profile M&A deals and several other investments/partnerships. + Led financial diligence for parent company (PEAK6 Investments) in acquiring Penson Financial and forming Apex Clearing, the industry's largest clearing firm. Worked for several months to turn around financial performance: customer profitability, capital/risk position, and pricing/contract structures. + Core leader during post-merger integration between OptionsHouse and TradeMonster: budget, synergy targets, pricing, value proposition, and organizational design. + Post-acquisition, continued to lead strategy, business development and BI/analytics for the new combined PE-backed entity (Aperture Group) and managed interactions with Board of Directors Show less



McKinsey & Company

• Business Consulting and Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Engagement Manager

  • Jul 2006 - Nov 2011

  Greater Chicago Area ENGAGEMENT MANAGER (JUL 2010 - NOV 2011) ASSOCIATE (JAN 2008 - JUN 2010) BUSINESS ANALYST (JUL 2006 - DEC 2007) Led teams to solve complex strategic business problems for executives of Fortune 500 clients. + Drove several high profile strategy engagements including the launch /incubation strategy for a now $100M+ company, a major financial services joint venture deal, a private equity due diligence, and international growth strategy for a bank. + Created $250M+ in cost… Show more ENGAGEMENT MANAGER (JUL 2010 - NOV 2011) ASSOCIATE (JAN 2008 - JUN 2010) BUSINESS ANALYST (JUL 2006 - DEC 2007) Led teams to solve complex strategic business problems for executives of Fortune 500 clients. + Drove several high profile strategy engagements including the launch /incubation strategy for a now $100M+ company, a major financial services joint venture deal, a private equity due diligence, and international growth strategy for a bank. + Created $250M+ in cost savings through Lean transformations at 2 clients, sourcing / procurement initiatives in 4 clients, and several IT and Operations diagnostics. + Orchestrated the re-organization of a 3000+ employee division within a large retailer and re-designed the organizational structure of an international Middle Eastern bank. + Leader in the business technology practice + Top performer with fast-track promotions. Strengths in problem solving and client relationships. Show less



IllinoisVentures

• United States

• Venture Capital Analyst

  • Dec 2004 - May 2006

  Champaign, IL + Among the first class of analysts at a seed and early-stage venture capital firm primarily investing in university research-derived technologies in software, physical and life sciences, and clean technology. + Actively involved in the initial set-up of the fund and led various due diligence analyses (market sizing, competitive analysis, tech evaluation, etc.) + Actively involved in the growth of portfolio companies through product development and go-to-market strategy, including a… Show more + Among the first class of analysts at a seed and early-stage venture capital firm primarily investing in university research-derived technologies in software, physical and life sciences, and clean technology. + Actively involved in the initial set-up of the fund and led various due diligence analyses (market sizing, competitive analysis, tech evaluation, etc.) + Actively involved in the growth of portfolio companies through product development and go-to-market strategy, including a secondment to a music discovery recommendation company. Show less



UBS Investment Bank

• Investment Banking
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Intern

  • May 2005 - Aug 2005

  Stamford, CT



University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Developer for Urban Planning Department

  • Jan 2003 - Dec 2004

  Champaign, IL

• Intern

  • May 2004 - Aug 2004

  Greater Chicago Area