The leadership team at Upgrade is the driving force behind the company's strategic direction and key decision-making. They are committed to aligning every choice with the company's mission, ensuring that each step taken fosters innovation and growth.
Bringing together expertise from various fields, this team excels in operational excellence and collaboration. Their diverse backgrounds and unified vision create a dynamic environment where new ideas thrive and the company continues to evolve.
1) Renaud Laplanche
Renaud Laplanche is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Upgrade, where he oversees the company's strategic direction and daily operations. His leadership ensures that Upgrade remains at the forefront of innovation in the financial technology sector.
Under Laplanche's guidance, Upgrade has introduced several groundbreaking products that have significantly enhanced customer experience. His focus on data-driven decision-making and personalized outreach has been instrumental in the company's growth.
Laplanche's extensive background includes founding and leading multiple successful companies, such as Lending Club and MatchPoint. With an MBA in Finance from HEC / London Business School, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Upgrade. For more details on his career, visit the Upgrade CEO dossier.
2) Myles Reaz
Myles Reaz serves as the Chief Credit Officer at Upgrade, where he is responsible for overseeing the company's credit risk management and lending strategies. His expertise in risk assessment and consumer finance plays a crucial role in maintaining Upgrade's financial stability and growth.
Reaz's professional journey includes significant roles at major financial institutions such as Bank of the West - BNP Paribas, Wells Fargo Bank, Citibank, and HSBC. His extensive experience in strategic risk management and consumer finance has equipped him with the skills necessary to lead complex projects and drive innovation in credit products.
At Upgrade, Reaz's leadership in credit risk management has been instrumental in developing robust lending solutions that enhance customer experience. His strategic insights and data-driven approach ensure that Upgrade continues to offer competitive and reliable financial products.
3) Sudip Lahiri
Sudip Lahiri is the Chief Accounting Officer at Upgrade, where he oversees the company's financial reporting, accounting policies, and compliance. His contributions ensure that Upgrade maintains high standards of financial integrity and transparency.
With a career spanning over two decades, Lahiri has held significant roles at GE Capital, Celanese, and American Express. His expertise in finance and accounting, coupled with his experience in managing complex financial operations, makes him a valuable asset to Upgrade.
At Upgrade, Lahiri leads a team of accounting professionals and is involved in various strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing financial processes. His leadership and technical skills play a crucial role in driving the company's financial strategy and operational efficiency.
4) Paresh Gangodker
Paresh Gangodker is the Chief Technology Officer at Upgrade, where he is responsible for leading the company's technology strategy and overseeing the development of innovative financial products. His expertise in software engineering and technology management ensures that Upgrade remains at the cutting edge of fintech innovation.
Gangodker's professional background includes significant roles at companies such as Lending Club, AppDirect, and Uvamo, where he held various leadership positions in technology. At Upgrade, he leads a team of engineers and is involved in key projects that drive the company's technological advancements and operational efficiency.
5) Jeff Bogan
Jeff Bogan is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer at Upgrade, where he oversees the company's financial strategy and operations. His leadership ensures that Upgrade maintains financial stability while driving growth and innovation in the fintech sector.
Bogan's extensive career includes significant roles at Lending Club, Morgan Stanley, and Greenhill & Co., where he honed his expertise in corporate development and financial management. His academic background includes an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BBA in Finance and Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia.
6) Thomas Curran
Thomas Curran is the Chief Risk Officer & Chief Compliance Officer at Upgrade, where he oversees the company's risk management and compliance strategies. His expertise ensures that Upgrade adheres to regulatory standards while effectively managing financial risks.
Curran's career includes significant roles at Promontory Financial Group, LLC, and the US Treasury, where he honed his skills in risk assessment and compliance. With a BS in Finance from Arizona State University, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role at Upgrade.
7) Adam Ajlouni
Adam Ajlouni serves as the General Counsel at Upgrade, where he oversees all legal matters and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. His expertise in corporate law and risk management is crucial in guiding the company's legal strategies and operations.
Ajlouni's career journey includes roles as Deputy General Counsel and Senior Corporate Counsel at Upgrade, as well as positions at O'Melveny & Myers LLP and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. His contributions include managing complex legal projects and providing strategic legal advice that supports Upgrade's growth and innovation.
8) Matt Wierman
Matt Wierman is the Co-Founder and Executive Vice President at Upgrade, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the company's strategic initiatives and driving growth. His expertise spans across various domains, including financial technology and corporate development.
Before joining Upgrade, Wierman served as Senior Vice President at Lending Club from 2011 to 2016, where he was instrumental in leading key projects and teams. His significant achievements in the fintech industry highlight his ability to innovate and manage complex financial operations effectively.
9) Visar Nimani
Visar Nimani is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Upgrade, where he is responsible for leading the company's technology strategy and overseeing the development of innovative financial products. His key skills include software engineering, technology management, and strategic planning, which ensure that Upgrade remains at the forefront of fintech innovation.
Nimani's extensive background includes significant roles at companies such as Uvamo and Lending Club, where he held various leadership positions in technology. At Upgrade, he leads a team of engineers and is involved in key projects that drive the company's technological advancements and operational efficiency.
10) Adelina Grozdanova
Adelina Grozdanova is the Co-Founder and Head of Investor Group at Upgrade, where she is responsible for managing relationships with institutional investors and driving investment strategies. Her expertise in financial engineering and operations research, honed at Princeton University, plays a crucial role in her leadership at Upgrade.
Grozdanova's professional background includes significant roles at Lending Club, Morgan Stanley, and advisory positions at Cardless and MightyOwl. Her extensive experience in investment banking and capital markets has been instrumental in shaping Upgrade's investor relations and financial growth.
Upgrade Org Chart
At the top of Upgrade's organizational chart is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Renaud Laplanche, who oversees the company's strategic direction and daily operations. Reporting directly to him are key executives including the Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Bogan, and the Chief Technology Officers, Paresh Gangodker and Visar Nimani, who collaborate to ensure financial stability and technological innovation.
Supporting this leadership team are specialized roles such as the Chief Credit Officer, Myles Reaz, and the Chief Risk Officer & Chief Compliance Officer, Thomas Curran, who work together to manage credit risk and regulatory compliance. Additionally, the Chief Accounting Officer, Sudip Lahiri, and the General Counsel, Adam Ajlouni, ensure financial integrity and legal compliance, while the Head of Investor Group, Adelina Grozdanova, manages investor relations and drives investment strategies.