[vc_custom_heading text=”PIERRE NAUDÉ”][vc_custom_heading text=”Coastal climber” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left”]
60, CEO, nCino
Wilmington
Alma mater
Upper Iowa University, B.S.
Since the South African moved to the U.S. in 1987, he’s focused on financial technology. As nCino’s CEO since 2012, he’s joined co-founder Chip Mahan of Live Oak Bancshares to develop one of the nation’s fastest-growing fintech companies. Making the loan-making process more efficient has helped attract $150 million in capital from Wellington Management, Insight Venture Partners, Salesforce Ventures and others. nCino’s payroll has more than tripled to about 600 in the last three years. Most of them work in Wilmington.
What is North Carolina’s key challenge?
In my travels around the country, I’ve found that many people outside of North Carolina vastly underestimate our great state. This is an issue not with North Carolina, but with branding and perception. A key challenge will be to change that perception, which will help us attract innovative companies due to our great quality of life, favorable business climate and access to strong talent.
What is your proudest moment?
When I see individuals at nCino do great things, I feel an incredible sense of pride in the company we’ve built. If you create a culture where people can thrive and grow, it doesn’t matter what educational or social background they have. The only thing that matters is what they can accomplish today, and how we as a company can give them the tools and support to succeed. Our people combined with our culture has been a sort of grand social experiment, and it has created extraordinary results.
What advice do you share with newcomers?
Embrace our culture of empowerment, take informed risks and pursue your dreams.
Share an insight about your community.
Wilmington isn’t actually a “beach town.” Rather, it’s a great, medium-sized city that happens to be near the beach. As such, it offers the infrastructure, talent and resources to build a successful, innovative company.
What is something people don’t know about you?
I came to America from South Africa when I was 29 with my wife and our 8-month-old baby. I started out as a programmer and business analyst, and those skills helped me establish myself and find my purpose. I’ve traveled all over the world, but I’ve found that nothing compares to the energy, drive and opportunity in America.
