James Vanreusel

James’ 20-year finance career has taken him halfway around the world. Born and raised in Belgium, he moved to the UK for a Mathematics & Accounting degree at the University of Kent and then to Rice University Business School in Texas for an MBA in Finance & Marketing. Within 14 months, James had switched coasts to join the new Wall Street office of Bank Of America Securities, where he was promoted to VP at 26. He generated $8 million in annual sales through his relationships with hedge and mutual funds.

During this time, he also leveraged primary and secondary capital markets, selling IPOs to a client base of Wall Street investors. By analyzing deal books and taking offerings out on the road, he learned the ropes of going public – from the dual vantage point of investors and CEOs.

In 2008, James moved into consultancy – specializing in private equity with Grassroots Capital, then asset management with Blue Orchard Finance. His time was spent raising capital, building a portfolio- and holding company models – with a strong focus on microfinance. A year later, he switched from investments to the corporate world. Newly qualified as a CFA Charterholder, he became CFO for SPBD – a microfinance network in the South Pacific. He launched and operated micro-finance banks in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands. He also created a holding company based in Singapore, delivering 600% growth.

In 2014, everything changed again as he moved back to San Francisco and set up Vanreusel Ventures, a team of CFO consultants and financial analysts working with for-profit and non-profit clients headquartered in the US with extensive international operations.

They help emerging companies grow and scale by building teams and systems that will expand with the business. All while developing the finance skills and mindset of the CEO.

Outside the office, James is a father of twins and a die-hard tennis player.  He played at elite student levels, including a final four placement in the UK and Division 1 in the US. Two decades later, he still plays for the Olympic Club in San Francisco and competes annually at the Open 40+ National Championships finals.