Press Release
Forge Global Makes Strategic Additions to its Executive Team
Megan Hanley and Adrian Ivanov Join to Further Company’s Revolution of Private Markets
SAN FRANCISCO- Forge Global, Inc. (“Forge”), one of the leading global private securities marketplace, announced today two new additions to its executive team, Megan Hanley as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Adrian Ivanov as Head of Forge Company Solutions.
This announcement comes on the heels of $150M in funding from Deutsche Börse, Temasek, Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, LUN Partners Group and others, which enabled Forge to bring on top talent to lead key areas that enable the growth and execution of its vision to create a private market that is as accessible, transparent and liquid as the public market.
“As we continue to bring data, technology and liquidity at scale to the private markets, our team continues to grow as well,” said Forge CEO Kelly Rodriques. “The expertise that Megan and Adrian bring will enable us to level-up our brand and reach even more companies that are looking to invest in innovation and reward employees while staying private.”
New Leaders Support Next Stage of Growth
Megan Hanley joins Forge from Freedom Financial where she served as CMO. Prior to that, she held various marketing leadership roles at ShopRunner, Microsoft, Helix, and Esurance. In addition, with nearly a decade of experience advising early stage companies, Megan brings a unique founder-focused perspective that will prove invaluable as she builds out Forge’s marketing practice.
"Forge powers the growth economy," said Hanley. "We provide new opportunities to invest in the world’s most innovative companies – accelerating the destinies of companies and their shareholders. As a marketer, it's a dream to share this kind of transformational story at such a pivotal time."
Adrian Ivanov is a seasoned sales executive with over 25 years of experience in enterprise software, including serving as a founding executive team member at FinancialForce where he helped launch the company and grow it to over $100M in annual recurring revenue. His previous experience includes senior leadership roles at Algolia, SmartRecruiters, Oracle and PeopleSoft. Ivanov’s breadth of experience spans direct sales, channels and alliances, customer success, professional services and product management.
"I am thrilled to join the Forge team to help companies invest in transformation and reward stakeholders at the same time," said Ivanov. "I believe Forge can help companies deliver solutions to attract and retain top talent and bring in new investors through custom programs.”
About Forge
Forge serves the complex and emerging needs of the private market ecosystem by forging new connections through our technology, data and expertise. Founded in 2014, the firm empowers investors and shareholders by facilitating liquidity in the private markets. Forge is backed by top Silicon Valley investors and large, global institutions including Deutsche Börse, Temasek, Wells Fargo, BNP Paribas, FT Partners, Draper Associates, Peter Thiel, Munich Re Ventures and LUN Partners Group. Securities related services are offered through Forge Market, LLC (“Forge Markets”) and SharesPost Financial Corporation (“SPFC”), each of which is a member of FINRA/SIPC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Forge Global, Inc. Transactional information includes trades conducted through SPFC, Forge Markets, and Emerson Equity, LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC and a broker dealer for SharesPost, Inc.) in 2011.