Blake Nielsen
Bnielsen@optimarrow.com
Founder, Optimarrow LLC
Chicago, IL
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Board ready executive with legal, risk management, governance/compliance, and operational experience in high growth, regulatory-light, and public company settings. Successful track record building and managing private and public company board structures, committees, and governance frameworks. Uniquely positioned to help high-growth companies navigate complex regulatory environments while enabling rather than hindering growth. Skilled at balancing innovation with sound risk management across front-, middle-, and back-office operations.
Governance Expertise: Experience building and managing public company board structures from 0
Growth Navigation: Successfully scaled a company from 29 to 1,200+ employees across multiple international locations
Regulatory Insight: Deep understanding of complex regulatory environments with focus on enabling rather than hindering growth
Cross-Functional Leadership: Led initiatives across front-, middle-, and back-office operations
Risk Management: Proven track record balancing innovation with compliance in high-growth environments
Technology Focus: Specialized experience in fintech, regtech, and SaaS business models
Growth Driver: Contributed to >1,400% revenue growth while maintaining compliance
International Expertise: Established legal and governance frameworks across 8 global offices in diverse regulatory environments
Capital Markets Experience: Integral role in $367MM IPO and achieving $1.7B market capitalization
Financial Discipline: Helped maintain 76% gross margins and 113% net retention rates during rapid scaling
BOARD RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
ENFUSION INC. (NYSE: ENFN, acquired by Clearwater Analytics 2025)
10/2022 - 1/2023 - Managing Director, Corporate Development
1/2021 - 10/2022 - Executive Director, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
12/2014 - 1/2021 - General Counsel, VP Operations & Corporate Secretary
Helped scale the organization from approximately 30 to 1,100+ employees, with demonstrable business impact:
During tenure supported revenue growth from <$25MM to $157.30MM (>500% increase)
Expanded client base from <50 to ~780 global clients (>1,400% increase)
Expanded international presence to 8 global offices across Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions
Established operations in Hong Kong (2016), Singapore (2017), Ireland (2019), Brazil (2019), India (2020), Australia (2022), and China (2022).
Board & Governance Leadership:
Built and managed private and public company Board structure, committees, and governance frameworks
Served as Corporate Secretary, supporting a public company reporting cadence and governance requirements
Created board training materials and comprehensive governance calendars integrating regulatory deadlines
Established and led Deal, Compliance, and Disclosure Committees
Served as 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
Managed legal compliance across 14 regulatory jurisdictions
Transaction Leadership:
Legal & GRC leader of NYSE IPO ($367MM offering, ~$1.7B market cap), managing all aspects including:
Led S-1 drafting and preparation of all deal documents
Obtained Public Company D&O insurance
Managed offering due diligence process
Created comprehensive corporate governance program
Established public company board of directors and committees
A leader in company's up-C reorganization, implementing tax-optimized corporate structure
Key deal team leader for multiple private equity investments:
ICONIQ Capital (2020) - $1.5B valuation
Hillhouse Capital (2019) – Undisclosed valuation
FTV Capital (2016 & 2019) – Undisclosed valuation
Bulge-bracket bank divestiture (2016) – Undisclosed valuation
Negotiated and closed multiple debt transactions, including a $100MM debt facility
Managed public company board as Corporate Secretary
Technology & Compliance Leadership:
Established company's cybersecurity and data management programs in close partnership with CSO and CTO
Built comprehensive data privacy program addressing global regulatory requirements
Addressed evolving regulations impacting clients including hedge funds and institutional investors
Strategic Growth Leadership:
Played key role in go-to-market strategy for new products with decision-making authority within revenue organization
Created legal and compliance department, scaling from 0 to 7 attorneys and operations staff
Managed expansion to 7 new international locations while navigating complex regulatory requirements
Guided global business operations through COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining governance continuity
EARLY CAREER EXPERIENCE
CHICAGO TRADING COMPANY
6/2014 - 10/2014 - Trading Assistant Intern
Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a proprietary trading firm known for providing liquidity (market-making) in derivatives markets (equities, rates, commodities) using high-tech, quantitative strategies, blending a collaborative, team-oriented culture with a fast-paced, analytically driven environment that values innovation, integrity, and problem-solving.
· Highly competitive quantitative internship providing deep exposure to financial markets and derivatives.
SUN ACQUISITIONS
9/2013 - 5/2014 - Director, Business Development
5/2013 - 9/2013 - Associate Broker
Sun Acquisitions is a Chicago-based mergers & acquisitions (M&A) firm specializing in helping owners of privately held, mid-market businesses confidentially sell, buy, or value their companies.
· Contributed to firm's transition from business brokerage to lower-market investment banking services.
SWEETNAM LLC
Of Counsel, Consumer Fraud Plaintiff Class Action
11/2012 - 5/2013
Sweetnam LLC is a Chicago-based plaintiff-side consumer fraud class action firm.
· Worked on consumer protection litigation and class action cases.
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Chicago-Kent College of Law - 2011
DePaul University - 2009
Licensed Attorney – IL & Federal Bar