# Ryan VanGorder

> Ryan VanGorder is the CEO of Opto Investments, a private-markets platform for wealth managers co-founded by Joe Lonsdale and backed by 8VC. A former BlackRock managing director who spent his early career at Seattle hedge-fund-of-funds Quellos, he is also a veteran adventure racer who has competed in more than thirty multi-day expedition races and once survived heat stroke in the Utah desert at 126 degrees.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at Opto Investments
- **Organizations:** Opto Investments, BlackRock, Quellos Group, Avenue A / aQuantive, DirtWorld Adventure Racing Team (DART)
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BA, Accounting, Fort Lewis College
- **Known for:** Led Opto Investments from CFO to CEO during a $145M Series A growth phase, Previously Managing Director at BlackRock, leading finance in the Asia Pacific region, Competed in more than 30 global expedition adventure races

## Career timeline

- **1999** — Began adventure racing
- **2001** — Started financial services career at Quellos Group in Seattle
- **2007** — Joined BlackRock when it acquired Quellos
- **2022-04** — Joined Opto Investments as Chief Financial Officer
- **2022-09** — Opto Investments raised $145M Series A led by 8VC
- **2023** — Transitioned from CFO to Chief Executive Officer
- **2024** — Named to WealthManagement.com's Ten to Watch list

## Achievements

- Led Opto Investments from CFO to CEO during a $145M Series A growth phase
- Previously Managing Director at BlackRock, leading finance in the Asia Pacific region
- Competed in more than 30 global expedition adventure races
- Co-founded DirtWorld Adventure Racing Team (DART)
- Named to WealthManagement.com's Ten to Watch in 2024

## Latest updates

- **2024-11** — Featured on The Healthy Advisor podcast on how adventure racing shaped his life and business
- **2024** — Named to WealthManagement.com's Ten to Watch in 2024

## Links

- Website: https://optoinvest.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-v-6138ba1
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZJKQHx-r84

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ryan-vangorder
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-15