Surging Demand Exposed a Critical Need for Scalable, Trusted Infrastructure
Forge Global, a leading private securities marketplace, connects buyers and sellers of pre-IPO company shares. As the private market ecosystem rapidly expanded, Forge faced a surge in demand from institutional investors and employees seeking liquidity. But with growth came new challenges: the need for robust risk oversight, scalable technology, and trusted governance to maintain its leadership position.
Navigating growth in the private market ecosystem.
Growth Was Stalling Without Deep Technology Leadership
Despite its momentum, Forge recognized that its existing board lacked the specialized technology expertise required to scale securely and efficiently. The company risked falling behind as trading volumes and investor expectations soared. Forge needed a proven leader to guide its next phase of growth and ensure its platform could handle increasing complexity and scrutiny.
Appointing a Veteran Tech Executive to Unlock the Next Level
To address this urgent gap, Forge partnered with Christian & Timbers to find a board director with world-class technology and operational experience. The result: the appointment of Debra Chrapaty in April 2023. With over 35 years in senior roles at Toast, Amazon Alexa, Microsoft, Cisco, Zynga, and Wells Fargo, Debra brought the expertise Forge needed to strengthen risk management, scale infrastructure, and align with institutional standards.
Debra Chrapaty joins Forge to drive innovation and growth.
Immediate Impact: Revenue Up 13%, Assets Hit $15.6B
Debra’s appointment delivered rapid, measurable results:
- April 2023: Debra Chrapaty joins Forge Global’s Board, bringing critical oversight and technical vision.
- Q4 2023: Revenue climbs to $18.9 million, a 13% year-over-year increase.
- Q4 2023: Trading volume jumps to $250.4 million, up 7% from the previous quarter.
- Year-End 2023: Assets under custody reach $15.6 billion, a 5% year-over-year increase.
Her leadership enabled Forge to scale its platform, enhance risk oversight, and meet the rising expectations of institutional investors—turning surging demand into sustainable growth.
Strategic Oversight Transforms Growth Trajectory
In less than two years, Debra’s presence on the board has driven a strategic shift at Forge Global. Her expertise in technology infrastructure and risk management has elevated board oversight and innovation, positioning Forge to lead the next era of private market liquidity.
Debra drives innovation and leadership at Forge Global.
Christian & Timbers’ involvement was instrumental in this transformation. Their track record—over 2,000 CEO and board placements for global corporations, 5,000+ C-suite assignments across the tech sector, and a commitment to diversity with 100% of board searches in the past year filled by women—ensured Forge Global found a leader uniquely suited to its needs.
The partnership brought not just a new board member, but a catalyst for growth and resilience, helping Forge Global realize its vision at a pivotal moment in its journey.
