Rachel Stein

Rachel Stein is the Manager of Strategic Initiatives at Blackford Capital. She joined the firm in 2018 and is responsible for implementing operational programs to drive equity value creation. Rachel works with Blackford’s investment team, portfolio company leadership, limited partners, operating partners, and independent board members to improve the financial performance of the portfolio companies and the firm overall.

History

Prior to joining Blackford, Mrs. Stein worked with a leading West Michigan high-tech software startup, Blue Medora. During her tenure at Blue Medora, Mrs. Stein was responsible for developing the financial projections for the firm, supporting capital raises, improving accounting processes, and providing financial and operational reports to limited partners. Blue Medora raised over $25 million across three funding rounds and, in the process, driving an increase in annual revenue and equity value in excess of 200% in less than 18 months, making Blue Medora one of the most highly valued software start-ups in West Michigan history.

Prior to Blue Medora, Mrs. Stein worked for Tier 1 automotive supplier GHSP in Grand Haven, MI for 13 years. While at GHSP, Mrs. Stein worked within the engineering, program management, operations, accounting, and sales departments. She spent for her final seven years focused in the FP&A and customer quoting disciplines where she implemented an industry leading financial and operational forecasting and reporting infrastructure, during which time the company quadrupled its revenues.

Education

Mrs. Stein received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from Grand Valley State University. She also studied abroad at Krakow University of Economics in Poland, where she majored in economics and international studies. Mrs. Stein worked as a professional ballet instructor for two decades and has over a decade of competitive dance experience.