Robert B. Goergen, Jr. Chair, WG’00
Founder & Chairman, G5 Capital
Professional Bio:
Rob is the Chairman of G5 Capital, founded as a growth equity firm focused on early stage investing and providing advisory services to high growth, powerfully branded, fast moving consumer products, technology and services companies.
Prior to his leadership of G5 Capital, Rob served for 15 years as a member of the management team of Blyth, Inc., ultimately as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. From 1994 through 2015, Blyth was a leading, publicly-traded, multinational holding company, which at its peak achieved revenue of over $1.5 billion. Blyth specialized in the management and growth of direct selling, internet retail and direct marketing companies. In 2015, Rob led the successful sale and privatization of Blyth to the Carlyle Group.
Before joining Blyth, Rob served as Account & New Media Director for McCann-Erickson, where he oversaw E-commerce development and Internet marketing efforts for consumer products and services accounts. Prior to that, he competed on the ATP / ITF professional tennis tours from 1993 to 1994.
Rob graduated in 2000 with an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1993 with a B.A. from the University of Richmond. He currently serves on the board of Oura, Silver Star Brands, Stringr Media, and the American Commerce Marketing Association.
Professional Bio:
Rob is the Chairman of G5 Capital, founded as a growth equity firm focused on early stage investing and providing advisory services to high growth, powerfully branded, fast moving consumer products, technology and services companies.
Prior to his leadership of G5 Capital, Rob served for 15 years as a member of the management team of Blyth, Inc., ultimately as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. From 1994 through 2015, Blyth was a leading, publicly-traded, multinational holding company, which at its peak achieved revenue of over $1.5 billion. Blyth specialized in the management and growth of direct selling, internet retail and direct marketing companies. In 2015, Rob led the successful sale and privatization of Blyth to the Carlyle Group.
Before joining Blyth, Rob served as Account & New Media Director for McCann-Erickson, where he oversaw E-commerce development and Internet marketing efforts for consumer products and services accounts. Prior to that, he competed on the ATP / ITF professional tennis tours from 1993 to 1994.
Rob graduated in 2000 with an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1993 with a B.A. from the University of Richmond. He currently serves on the board of Oura, Silver Star Brands, Stringr Media, and the American Commerce Marketing Association.
Ravi Viswanathan, ENG’90, WG’98
Founder & Managing Partner, NewView Capital
Professional Bio:
Ravi is an experienced company builder and dedicated partner to entrepreneurs and investors. In 2018, Ravi raised $1.35B to found NewView Capital, architecting an innovative portfolio acquisition of 31 companies from NEA. Today, with $3B under management, NVC invests in high-potential technology companies on a primary, secondary, or hybrid basis, complementing flexible funding with the operational impact and trusted connections needed to realize scale and build value.
Prior to founding NVC, Ravi was a General Partner at NEA, where he oversaw investment in enterprise software and fintech companies and co-led the firm’s Technology Venture Growth Equity effort. His investments of note include Braintree (acquired by PayPal), MuleSoft (acquired by Salesforce), GlobalLogic (acquired by Apax Partners), TeleAtlas (Euronext: TA, acquired by TomTom), Cyence (acquired by Guidewire), Acquia (acquired by Vista Equity Partners), Scout (acquired by Workday), Plaid, and Forter. Ravi spent several years at Goldman Sachs in the Private Equity Group before joining NEA. He began his career in consulting at McKinsey & Co and as a scientist at Raychem Corporation.
Ravi holds an MBA from Wharton, a PhD in Chemical Engineering from University of California Santa Barbara, and a BS in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He is on the Wharton Executive Alumni Board and is the Chair of the Wharton Entrepreneurship Advisory Board.
Professional Bio:
Ravi is an experienced company builder and dedicated partner to entrepreneurs and investors. In 2018, Ravi raised $1.35B to found NewView Capital, architecting an innovative portfolio acquisition of 31 companies from NEA. Today, with $3B under management, NVC invests in high-potential technology companies on a primary, secondary, or hybrid basis, complementing flexible funding with the operational impact and trusted connections needed to realize scale and build value.
Prior to founding NVC, Ravi was a General Partner at NEA, where he oversaw investment in enterprise software and fintech companies and co-led the firm’s Technology Venture Growth Equity effort. His investments of note include Braintree (acquired by PayPal), MuleSoft (acquired by Salesforce), GlobalLogic (acquired by Apax Partners), TeleAtlas (Euronext: TA, acquired by TomTom), Cyence (acquired by Guidewire), Acquia (acquired by Vista Equity Partners), Scout (acquired by Workday), Plaid, and Forter. Ravi spent several years at Goldman Sachs in the Private Equity Group before joining NEA. He began his career in consulting at McKinsey & Co and as a scientist at Raychem Corporation.
Ravi holds an MBA from Wharton, a PhD in Chemical Engineering from University of California Santa Barbara, and a BS in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He is on the Wharton Executive Alumni Board and is the Chair of the Wharton Entrepreneurship Advisory Board.
Shelley Boyce, WG’95
Founder and Executive Chairman, Medrisk
Professional Bio:
Shelley Boyce is the founder of MedRisk. Ms. Boyce pioneered the company’s original managed care concepts and programs in 1994. Her revolutionary approach to managing physical medicine services combined with her dedication to quality care formed the backbone of the company’s culture and the springboard for its future success.
Her innovations changed how the industry views traditional managed care and claims service offerings. She continues to play an active role in advising the board and by providing input and support to the organization’s leadership team.
Professional Bio:
Shelley Boyce is the founder of MedRisk. Ms. Boyce pioneered the company’s original managed care concepts and programs in 1994. Her revolutionary approach to managing physical medicine services combined with her dedication to quality care formed the backbone of the company’s culture and the springboard for its future success.
Her innovations changed how the industry views traditional managed care and claims service offerings. She continues to play an active role in advising the board and by providing input and support to the organization’s leadership team.
Robert Goergen, Sr., WG’62
Founder and Chairman of the Board, The Ropart Group
Honorary Chair, Venture Lab Advisory Board
Professional Bio:
A classic entrepreneurial success story, Robert B. Goergen created an entire industry when he expanded his regional candle business into a global operation and guided Blyth, Inc. to a position as industry leader in candles and home fragrance products, ultimately selling the firm in 2015 to Carlyle Group.
Mr. Goergen is also Founder and Chairman of The Ropart Group, a private equity firm that has invested over $100 million in more than 25 companies since 2001, ranging from startups to buyouts, across an array of industries. Previously, Mr. Goergen was a Partner with McKinsey & Company and was Managing General Partner of The Sprout Group at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Prior to that, he worked with McCann-Erickson and Proctor & Gamble.
Since 1997, Mr. Goergen has served on the Wharton School Board of Overseers of The University of Pennsylvania. He initiated the Goergen Entrepreneurial Management Program with a path-breaking gift of $10 million gift in 1998. This program is one of the largest and most diverse academic programs of its kind in the world. More than 2,000 students and entrepreneurs each year participate in courses that combine theory with practice, allowing students to gain access and insight from the entrepreneurial business community.
Mr. Goergen is currently a member of the National Gallery of Art Collectors Committee in Washington, D.C., and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Whitney Museum in New York City. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. until 2010.
Mr. Goergen received his undergraduate degree in physics, graduating cum laude from the University of Rochester, and received his MBA in Finance from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School.
Honorary Chair, Venture Lab Advisory Board
Professional Bio:
A classic entrepreneurial success story, Robert B. Goergen created an entire industry when he expanded his regional candle business into a global operation and guided Blyth, Inc. to a position as industry leader in candles and home fragrance products, ultimately selling the firm in 2015 to Carlyle Group.
Mr. Goergen is also Founder and Chairman of The Ropart Group, a private equity firm that has invested over $100 million in more than 25 companies since 2001, ranging from startups to buyouts, across an array of industries. Previously, Mr. Goergen was a Partner with McKinsey & Company and was Managing General Partner of The Sprout Group at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Prior to that, he worked with McCann-Erickson and Proctor & Gamble.
Since 1997, Mr. Goergen has served on the Wharton School Board of Overseers of The University of Pennsylvania. He initiated the Goergen Entrepreneurial Management Program with a path-breaking gift of $10 million gift in 1998. This program is one of the largest and most diverse academic programs of its kind in the world. More than 2,000 students and entrepreneurs each year participate in courses that combine theory with practice, allowing students to gain access and insight from the entrepreneurial business community.
Mr. Goergen is currently a member of the National Gallery of Art Collectors Committee in Washington, D.C., and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Whitney Museum in New York City. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. until 2010.
Mr. Goergen received his undergraduate degree in physics, graduating cum laude from the University of Rochester, and received his MBA in Finance from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School.
By subscribing, you'll gain access to exclusive content, tailored advice, and unique opportunities designed specifically for our alumni network. Whether it's the latest industry trends, alumni spotlights, or invitations to special events, our newsletter ensures you're always in the loop.
