Yolanda (yolis) Ruiz
Investor at Grindr
San Francisco, California
Overview
Work Experience
VP Finance and Investor Relations, NYSE: GRND
2023 - Current
Grindr is the number 1 social network for the LGBTQ+ community. With more than 13 million monthly active users in virtually every country in the world. High YoY growth and 40%+ Adj EBITDA • Hired after SPAC to build finance and investor relations functions • Spearheaded the restructuring of Grindr’s lending facility, significantly enhancing the company’s balance sheet and profitability • Closely collaborate with the product team to drive monetization strategy
Grindr is a location-based social application for gay, bi, trans, queer people and other members of the LGBT community.
Raised $543,000,000.00 from Capital One.
VP Finance and Business Operations, NYSE: COUR
2020 - 2023
Coursera is now one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, with 162 million registered learners. Backed by top tier investors including Kleiner Perkins and NEA. • Part of leadership team managing IPO. • Recruited to build and scale the finance function in preparation for the company’s IPO. Rapidly scaled and transformed the financial planning and operations teams into an IPO-ready global organization, tripling the team size in 18 months. Enhanced financial processes and systems, significantly improving forecasting accuracy and reducing timelines.
Coursera is an online education company that partners with universities and organizations to offer classes on their platform.
Raised $458,900,000.00 from Second Alpha Partners, The Garage Syndicate and Scale-Up.
Head of Planning & Corporate Finance, NYSE: EB
2019 - 2020
Eventbrite develops an online platform that lets users find and create events.
Raised $557,250,000.00 from Francisco Partners.
VP Finance
2017 - 2019
AI-Powered customer service software. Backed by top tier investors including Greylock, NEA, GGV and Jet Blue Ventures.
Gladly is reinventing customer service with a customer service platform.
Raised $208,000,000.00 from AXA Venture Partners, Notable Capital, Glynn Capital Management, Riverwood Capital, New Enterprise Associates and Greylock.
VP Finance & Operations
2014 - 2017
Zignal Labs is a San Francisco startup that enables users to track real-time digital and social media analytics. Our dashboards and newsrooms showcase trending stories, influence, and sentiment analysis.
Zignal’s real-time intelligence technology helps global organizations protect their people, places, and position.
Raised $74,900,000.00 from Blum Capital Partners and North Atlantic Capital.
Board Member & Investor
2011 - 2014
Support and advise management team on finance and business development areas. While Board Member also acted as the Interim CEO for 6 months while we searched for the permanent CEO.
New Leaf Paper is a marketer and Distributor of high-quality environmentally superior paper products.
Raised $5,000,000.00 from Pacific Community Ventures.
Partner
2008 - 2013
Growth equity investment fund in consumer sector
Pacific Community Ventures is a nonprofit community development financial institution.
Raised $4,248,766.00 from Citi Foundation, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and Tipping Point Fund.
Board Member & Investor
2010 - 2012
Gourmet healthy meal programs delivered to your home
Freshology provides clients with an extraordinarily effective program for weight loss and healthy living.
Associate
2007 - 2008
Boutique investment bank focused on M&A advisory for the beauty, fashion, and food industries
Demeter Spirits Group (DSG) owns and operates a portfolio of premium adult beverage brands inspired by the modern consumer.
Finance and Business Development Manager
2003 - 2006
FP&A partner to all international marketing. Then Project Manager for launching multiple international businesses which included the international franchise operations for Banana Republic and Gap brands and the launch of Banana Republic in Japan.
The Gap is an American worldwide clothing and accessories retailer.
Education
MBA
2001 - 2003
BS
1993 - 1998
High school
1990 - 1993
Jr. High School
1980 - 1990