BLAKE NIELSEN, JD
Founder, Optimarrow LLC
Chicago, IL
BOARD-READY EXECUTIVE
Strategic legal and governance leader with proven expertise in scaling high-growth technology companies from early stage to public markets.
Blake Nielsen is a board-ready executive with proven expertise in corporate governance, regulatory navigation, and operational excellence. Having successfully guided a fintech company from early-stage through international expansion and NYSE public offering, Blake brings boards the rare combination of legal acumen, business leadership, and governance expertise essential for managing growth while mitigating risk. His track record demonstrates an ability to enable innovation within structured governance frameworks—particularly valuable for high-growth companies in complex regulatory environments.
Blake offers boards a distinctive blend of governance expertise and operational leadership that addresses critical challenges facing today's high-growth companies:
Growth Enablement: Proven ability to implement governance structures that facilitate rather than impede innovation and expansion
Risk Navigation: Strategic approach to balancing opportunity pursuit with appropriate risk management
Regulatory Insight: Deep understanding of complex compliance environments across multiple international jurisdictions
Transaction Guidance: Meaningful experience with capital-raising events, including private equity investments and public offerings
Scale Management: Firsthand knowledge of challenges and opportunities at each stage of company growth—from startup to public entity
Technology Governance: Specialized expertise in cybersecurity oversight, AI implementation, and data privacy frameworks
Crisis Leadership: Guided global operations through COVID-19 while maintaining governance continuity
GOVERNANCE EXPERTISE
As General Counsel, Executive Director, Corporate Secretary, and Compliance Officer at Enfusion Inc. (NYSE: ENFN acquired by Clearwater Analytics 2025), Blake built and managed the company's governance structure from the ground up, leading the organization from a private company with no formal governance to a successful public company with robust board and committee frameworks. During his tenure, Blake:
Created and implemented all board and committee structures, including establishing meeting cadences, information flows, and governance protocols
Served as Corporate Secretary, supporting a public company reporting cadence and governance requirements
Developed comprehensive board training materials and company calendars integrating regulatory deadlines
Created and led the Disclosure Committee, ensuring timely and accurate public disclosures
Served as a key knowledge party for PCAOB audits
Led preparation and review of 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, S-8, Proxy Statements and ~24 SEC filings
Established and managed Deal, Compliance, and various other committees
BUSINESS GROWTH IMPACT
Blake's governance leadership supported exceptional business growth at Enfusion:
Revenue growth from <$25MM to $157.30MM (>500% increase)
Expanded client base from <50 to ~780 global clients (>1,400% increase)
Joined as employee #29 and helped scale to 1,100+ employees
International expansion from 3 to 11 global offices across Americas, EMEA, and APAC
Established operations in Hong Kong (2016), Singapore (2017), Ireland (2019), Brazil (2019), India (2020), Australia (2022), and China (2022).
TRANSACTION EXPERTISE
Blake led numerous strategic transactions, bringing both legal expertise and business judgment to complex deals:
Key member of deal team for a bulge bracket bank divestiture
Three private equity investments and $100MM debt facility
Legal leader of company's up-C reorganization optimizing tax structure
Core member of IPO leadership team managing company preparation for $367MM offering culminating in ~$1.7 billion market capitalization
Lead Director & Officer insurance roadshow meetings during IPO preparation
INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
With deep experience in technology, fintech, and SaaS businesses, Blake brings sector-specific knowledge critical to effective board oversight:
Technology Governance: Established cybersecurity and data management programs in partnership with C-suite technical leaders
Regulatory Navigation: Built and managed global compliance frameworks across 14 different regulatory jurisdictions
Cross-Border Operations: Successfully established and scaled operations in Hong Kong (2016), Singapore (2017), Ireland (2019), Brazil (2019), India (2020), Australia (2022), and China (2022)
Crisis Leadership: Guided global operations through COVID-19 while maintaining governance continuity
Product Strategy: Played key role in go-to-market strategy with decision-making authority within revenue organization
As companies face increasing pressure to maintain growth while addressing evolving governance standards, Blake's background provides boards with both the strategic vision and practical experience needed to successfully navigate these competing demands.