Introducing the Immersion Fellows Series
Immersion exists at the nexus of venture philanthropy, impact investing and executive education. To scale that mission, we rely on a cadre of Immersion Fellows—seasoned operators who embed their expertise into every retreat, lab and capital vehicle we run. This summer we launch a spotlight series that pulls back the curtain on those leaders. Our inaugural feature: Simit D. Shah, Founder and Managing Partner of Red Lion Advisory (RLA).
Who Is Simit Shah?
Simit is a senior finance and capital‑markets strategist with two decades of experience turning complex balance sheets into engines of growth. From orchestrating the largest private‑student‑loan portfolio sale in U.S. history (~$750 million) to guiding a $3 billion public company through a take‑private transaction, he has built a career at the intersection of treasury innovation, debt capital markets and distressed turnarounds.
Signature Philosophy
“Humble but fearless. Aggressive yet collaborative.”
That mantra, lifted from his LinkedIn bio, captures a leadership style that balances precision with boldness—a mindset Immersion values deeply.
Red Lion Advisory at a Glance
Founded in 2022, Red Lion Advisory delivers F.A.S.T. solutions—Finance, Analytics, Strategy and Transformation—to lower‑middle‑market companies and family offices. The firm reviews more than 100 private‑market opportunities each year, offering fractional CFO services, capital‑raise support and operational turnaround expertise. RLA’s playbook will now inform Immersion’s own investment strategy and due‑diligence engine.
Career Highlights & Impact Metrics
- $1 billion cash stewardship at Apollo Education Group / University of Phoenix, paired with management of a $625 million syndicated facility and a $600 million inter‑company credit line.
- 2.5× expansion of a bespoke collateral‑based private credit facility for a distressed broadband manufacturer, triggering a 3× surge in orders and reclaiming 70 percent market share.
- $175 million insurance‑backed letter of credit that preserved federal accreditation for University of Phoenix during privatization.
- $150 million revolving credit facility originated in under 12 months through direct banking relationships—tripling liquidity overnight.
- Asset‑sale expertise across steel, higher education and renewable‑energy sectors, consistently achieving above‑market multiples.
These numbers are more than résumé lines; they illustrate an ability to unlock dormant value and redirect capital toward durable social outcomes.
Deep Dive: University of Phoenix Playbook
During his seven‑year tenure as Vice President of Finance & Treasurer at University of Phoenix (Apollo Education Group), Simit:
- Cut corporate cash holdings from $1 billion to $500 million while increasing yield each year.
- Engineered and renegotiated every credit agreement on the books, including a cross‑border facility for the university’s UK subsidiary.
- Executed the headline‑making $750 million sale of charged‑off receivables, converting non‑performing assets into immediate liquidity and a long‑tail revenue share.
- Championed data‑driven collections strategies that doubled cash recovery year‑over‑year.
The lesson: strategic finance is not defensive—it is catalytic when aligned with mission.
Why Immersion? Why Now?
Immersion’s 2025 strategy revolves around three capital levers:
- Investment Strategy & Capital‑Stack Innovation: recoverable grants, blended‑finance funds, evergreen donor‑advised fund (DAF) structures.
- Family‑Office Services: translating nuanced impact theses into bankable term sheets for wealth managers and trustees.
- Data‑Driven Governance: dashboards and guardrails that let executives measure what matters in real time.
Simit will chair the new Capital & Stewardship Council, aligning Red Lion’s due‑diligence engine with Immersion’s venture pipeline. Expect him to:
- Blueprint our evergreen DAF architecture, allowing philanthropic capital to recycle through successive innovation sprints.
- Mentor founders and fellows on capital‑markets literacy, risk mapping and values‑aligned exits.
- Curate family‑office roundtables that convert market volatility into mission‑aligned deal flow.
Mountain West Impact & Innovation Retreat
Mark your calendar for July 18th‑20th, 2025. In the Rockies, Simit will lead the workshop “From Balance Sheet to Beneficiaries: Structuring Capital for Compounding Impact.” Participants will dissect live transactions, walk through RLA’s F.A.S.T. rubric and leave with a customizable capital‑stack template ready for Monday‑morning execution.
Beyond the Balance Sheet
When he isn’t structuring nine‑figure financings, Simit mentors entrepreneurs, serves on the University of Michigan Ross School of Business Alumni Board of Governors, and coaches his children’s sports teams. A Villanova chemistry graduate‑turned‑finance polymath, he remains a connector who builds trust through action, not optics.
Looking Ahead
Fellows like Simit Shah bridge Immersion’s human‑centered design labs with the capital‑markets rigor needed to scale breakthrough ideas. His arrival underscores a conviction that purpose needs process—and that disciplined finance amplifies empathy rather than constrains it.
Stay tuned for next month’s Immersion Fellows Spotlight, and if you plan to join us in the mountains, bring your toughest capital challenge. Simit will be ready.
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