• broken image

    Meredith Ruble

    CFO for Noodle Companies since June 2017

    Meredith Ruble is an experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with over 25 years of expertise in financial management, strategic leadership, and business development. Known for her ability to drive growth, optimize operations, and lead complex mergers and acquisitions (M&A), she has made significant contributions across several sectors, particularly in the education and technology industries. She is also recognized for her success in raising capital, having raised over $150 million in funding across numerous rounds. Her leadership has been crucial to the growth and success of multiple venture-backed startups and private equity-funded companies.

     

    Early Career and Foundation in Finance

     

    Meredith began her career in 1993 as an Analyst at CMS Companies in Philadelphia. She quickly advanced to Senior Analyst, where she developed a solid foundation in financial analysis and corporate finance. This role helped her build the skills to navigate complex financial environments, which would later serve her well in senior leadership positions.

     

    In 2000, Meredith joined Stifel Financial Corporation and worked on investment banking transactions for several years. As Managing Director, she played a pivotal role in advising clients in the education sector, focusing on education-operating companies and ed-tech services. Her experience at Stifel was vital in building her expertise in capital markets, M&A, and financial strategy, skills that would prove invaluable in her future roles.

     

    Strategic Leadership at Noodle Partners PBC

     

    Meredith's most notable achievements came during her tenure as CFO of Noodle Partners PBC, where she served from 2019 to 2023. Noodle Partners is an education technology company that provides services to universities. Under her leadership, the company grew from $1 million in revenue to over $90 million in just a few years. This dramatic growth was driven by her strategic vision and ability to implement operational and financial systems that supported the company’s expansion.

     

    One of her key accomplishments at Noodle Partners was overseeing the company’s successful pivot from managing third-party vendors to providing full-service solutions directly to universities. Meredith played a crucial role in this strategic shift, which allowed the company to better align with its client’s needs and position itself for future growth.

     

    Additionally, Meredith was instrumental in leading the company through multiple acquisitions, overseeing four acquisitions, and leading Noodle Partners through four rounds of debt and seven rounds of equity funding, raising $120 million. Her ability to manage complex transactions and investor relations was critical to Noodle Partners’ continued success.

     

    Role at Noodle Companies LLC

     

    Before her work at Noodle Partners, Meredith was CFO of Noodle Companies LLC, which operated businesses including Noodle Markets, Noodle.com, and Noodle Pros. From 2017 to 2019, she led the effort to restructure the company’s financial processes and improve operational efficiency across its portfolio of businesses.

     

    Meredith’s work at Noodle Companies involved streamlining cash forecasting, budgeting, and reporting processes. She also managed the back-office functions, overseeing human resources, IT, legal, and accounting departments. Her ability to build robust financial systems helped the company operate more effectively, laying the foundation for its continued growth.

     

    Leadership at ID Tech Camps

     

    Meredith’s leadership skills were also demonstrated as CFO at ID Tech Camps, a premier provider of technology-focused summer camps for children. From 2013 to 2017, she helped ID Tech expand its revenue from $25 million to $65 million, a growth of 160% over three years.

     

    One of Meredith’s key contributions was implementing financial planning tools, which helped the company manage its expenses and forecast future growth. She also played a pivotal role in transforming ID Tech’s customer service division into a world-class sales operation. These efforts, coupled with her leadership in the company’s minority recapitalization, contributed to ID Tech’s successful sale to Emeritus for $200 million, providing a solid return for its investors.

     

    Core Skills and Expertise

     

    Meredith brings a wealth of expertise in financial management, M&A transactions, and operational leadership. She is skilled in economic forecasting, budgeting, and implementing key performance indicators (KPIs) that align financial strategies with business operations. She has a strong background in investment banking and has demonstrated success in raising capital, having led several funding rounds for companies in the education and technology sectors.

     

    She is proficient in using business intelligence (BI) tools such as Adaptive, Tableau, and NetSuite to support data-driven decision-making and ensure financial operations align with strategic objectives. Meredith’s strategic leadership and ability to collaborate with stakeholders have been critical drivers of success in her career.

     

    Personal Life and Background

     

    Raised in central Pennsylvania, Meredith’s independent streak emerged early in life. She attended Mercersburg Academy before pursuing a degree in economics at the University of Pennsylvania, where she also minored in Japanese studies. This diverse academic background helped shape her global perspective and analytical approach to business.

     

    Outside of work, Meredith enjoys spending time with her dogs, cooking, and pursuing her interests in home design and gardening. These hobbies provide a creative outlet and balance to her demanding professional life.

     

    Meredith Ruble is a highly skilled and effective CFO whose leadership has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of several organizations. With expertise in M&A, capital raising, and operational leadership, she has guided companies through rapid growth and transformation. Her ability to integrate financial strategy with business operations and her proven track record of success have made her an invaluable asset to the companies she has worked with. Her collaborative leadership style and commitment to excellence make her a respected figure in the business community.