As an Advisory Board member with Capitala, Doug brings a wealth of knowledge to supporting our technology-based portfolio companies. As founder & CEO of Lending Tree, Doug is an expert on the consumer finance industry and mortgage markets and provides insight and analysis on the current and future state of consumer lending, and how FinTech companies, such as LendingTree, are using cutting-edge technology to change financial services.
As passionate entrepreneur, Doug left business school (which he would return to nearly 20 years later) to start LendingTree during the dot-com era after experiencing his own frustrations with trying to obtain a mortgage. Doug believed that the lack of transparency and confusing process of obtaining a mortgage at the time needed to change.
In the twenty years since, LendingTree has become a leader in empowering consumers and changing how people shop for financing. Doug has a continued passion for entrepreneurship, investing in various business opportunities and start-ups. In addition to his expertise in consumer finance, Doug actively provides expert advice, insight and interviews on entrepreneurship and business development. He currently co-teaches an entrepreneurship class at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, his alma mater.
