Justin Purnell

Summary

I bring a combination of finance, product, and hands-on engineering execution:

  • Finance and strategy: 7 years at Goldman Sachs advising institutional investors and company leadership; marketed primary and secondary offerings totaling $6B+ and published 400+ research reports across Energy and Gaming, Lodging & Leisure. In 2006, I cautioned on leverage/housing risks ahead of the crisis.

  • Product and operations: As Head of Product at Hotels at Home, led the full re-platform of technology supporting 70+ global e-commerce sites across 40+ hospitality brands and managed a 14-person global team. At NBCUniversal’s Seeso, led retention initiatives that increased Customer Lifetime Value by 40%.

  • Technical innovation: Built an LLM-driven pipeline to harmonize product data for 14,000 SKUs in four languages (~2 hours, under $5), and prototyped Swift middleware that cut vendor onboarding from four months to two weeks. Led delivery of the Seeso Apple TV app with Big Nerd Ranch; built an internal Swift app in one month, enabling a distribution shift that increased the subscriber base by 33%.

I excel at aligning cross-functional teams, simplifying complex systems, and delivering measurable results.

Experience

Ledge Partners

Hotels at Home, Inc.

New Business Design and Launch

Head of Product

2020 - 2023

  • Led full re-platform of front- and back-end stack powering 70+ sites across 40+ hospitality brands (NA, EU, APAC)

  • Managed a 14-person global team across internal and third-party engineering resources

  • Set product strategy and roadmap with the CEO; negotiated and managed ~10 platform and vendor contracts (commerce, payments, tax, comments)

  • Built AI/LLM software to harmonize product data for 14,000 SKUs in four languages, cutting effort by >99% (~2 hours, under $5

  • Developed testing tools for order generation and tax calculation verification to improve reliability and QA speed

  • Scoped and negotiated contracts for ~10 systems ranging from comments to payments

Balance Agent, LLC

NBCUniversal Content Commerce

Project Manager, Product Lead

2018 - 2020

  • Assumed Lead role for stalled $10mm e-commerce marketplace and brought it to launch in 8 months

  • Introduced agile software development process, focused team goals, managed senior internal stakeholders

  • Led communication bewteen internal team and third-party vendors to influence decision-making

  • Renegotiated primary platform relationship, and project managed third-party deliverables

  • Designed and product managed development of two applications, reducing onboarding from four months to two weeks

Comcast NBCUniversal

NBC Digital Enterprises

Interim Vice President, Strategy & Business Development

2017 - 2017

  • Directed business development initiatives focused on strategy for NBCU Digital

  • Presented audio industry analysis to CFO, CEO, leading to company-wide partnership

  • Developed NBCU OKRs and KPIs for new investments, identifying ten potential new business lines

  • Managed all project deliverables and advised senior leadership

Seeso

Director, Content Strategy & Operations

2015 - 2017

  • Appointed to lead; delivered a 40% increase in customer Lifetime Value via a RICE-prioritized program spanning product, editorial, and marketing

  • Led delivery of the AppleTV app with Big Nerd Ranch; built an internal Swift app in one month, enabling a distribution shift that increased the subscriber base by 33%

  • Built taxonomy/metadata for UX and analytics; launched multiiple third-party distribution partnerships (including Amazon Channels

  • Developed clustering analysis to guide content and savings; hired and managed a 4-person content operations team

  • Drove development of analytics platform as a standalone business now utilized by NBCU and third parties

NBC News Group

Director, Business Development

2014 - 2015

  • Built strategies for MSNBC/News Group’s YouTube and younger audiences; established KPIs and OKRs

  • Developed budgeting process for long-term strategic planning

Comcast.com

Director, Digital Marketing Analytics and Strategy

2014 - 2014

  • Led procurement of digital attribution vendor; negotiated MSA between Google and Comcast

  • Introduced new KPIs and testing frameworks across digital sales channels; ran A/B tests to improve campaign performance

  • Co-led strategic reorganization to establish a marketing center of excellence; built trusted dashboards to improve team numeracy and decision-making

NBCUniversal Converged Media Group

Director – Strategy

2013 - 2013

  • Ran a pilot program that lifted returning uniques by 300%, hiring comedians to host chat rooms in a second-screen app; made permanent by the product team.

  • Developed a $120mm model, labor plan, and GTM strategy via non-linear optimization for 17 potential Google Glass applications

  • Produced regression analysis of promotion versus activity, working with Insights and Media Strategy team

Hulu

Content Acquisition

MBA Intern

2012 - 2012

  • Supported strategy, analytics, and negotiations; analyzed consumption behavior and navigation to inform product strategy in comedy and news

Fuse Television

Creative Services Department

Manager

2008 - 2008

  • Directed production of over 1,800 on-air promos; managed a 20-person on-air, print, and graphics team.

  • Streamlined workflow and budgeting to reduce backlogs and improve on-time delivery

ON Networks

Smart Girls at the Party

Director

2008 - 2008

  • Directed first season (eight episodes) of new web series meant to empower pre-teens

  • Media mentions on CNNMoney, Charlie Rose, New York Observer, Wall Street Journal

  • Series awarded 2010 Webby Special Achievement Award for Best Actress (Amy Poehler)

Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre

Don't Think Productions, LLC

Director of New Media and Development

2007 - 2008

  • Developed and launched UCBComedy.com

  • Produced over 50 digital shorts from a pool of 300 performers, 2,000 students

  • Wrote, shot, directed, performed, edited, distributed and/or promoted 200+ digital shorts

UCB Theatre

Performer, Producer, Writer

2002 - 2016

  • Created, hosted, and produced long-running variety show, "School Night."

  • Launched diversity program

  • Co-produced theater’s signature show “ASSSSCAT 3000,” booking over 600 shows

  • Produced and coordinated major events for the theater, including “Saturday Night Live - On Strike!”

  • Awarded first-ever "Upright Citizen of the Year" for contributions in 2005

  • Created longest-running variety show in New York City, “School Night”

  • Performed in over 400 shows

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Fixed Income Research

Associate

2002 - 2007

  • Published over 200 individual research reports across four industries

  • Met regularly with C-level management of covered companies

  • Presented daily to sales force and traders on market moving developments

  • Built and developed models on 20 companies in Gaming, Lodging, and Leisure industries

  • Initiated coverage on 15 companies in the Energy and Gaming, Lodging, and Leisure industries

  • Advised institutional investors on bond and credit derivative opportunities

  • Successfully advised corporate leadership and marketed primary and secondary offerings in excess of $6 billion

Credit Risk Management & Advisory

Analyst

2000 - 2002

  • Risk analyst for Interest Rate Products and Credit Derivatives and 350 counterparts in 5 industries: Aerospace and Defense, Brokerage, Capital Goods, Exchanges, and Transportation

  • Advised on credit rating impact of a variety of debt, equity, and hybrid capital structures

  • Managed credit risk for Broker Dealers, Asset Managers, Exchange counterparties

  • Product oversight included Credit Derivative Swaps, Interest Rate Swaps, Municipals

  • Initiated credit coverage of new counterparties, assigning trading limits and reviewing creditworthiness

  • Assessed collateral and margin requirements across asset product lines

  • Analyzed and structured ISDA Master Agreements and CSAs

  • Structured deal terms, working with Legal and Compliance departments

  • Modeled trades, evaluated risk/reward of proposed trades, structured risk mitigation, and approved trades

  • Developed fully-integrated model used by the department to evaluate pro-forma scenarios

  • Developed emergency management plan for swaps product group

  • Responsible for development of department web site

  • Co-coordinator for departmental social events

New York Times Neediest Cases Fund

Firmwide Co-Chair

2000 - 2004

  • Coordinated 32 analysts in cross-divisional fundraising effort

  • Increased donations by 372%, participation by over 600% from 2000-2002

  • Campaign featured in January 30, 2002 issue of The New York Times

Princeton University

Nassau Weekly Magazine

Publisher

1997 - 2000

  • Managed editorial, graphic, and business staff of 48

  • Conceived, designed and executed online edition in 3 weeks

  • Increased advertising revenue by 200%, page content by 25%, throughput by 50%

  • Created endowment fund, re-established graduate board of directors

Office of Computing and Information Technology

Residential Computing Consultant

1996 - 2000

  • Responsible for the maintenance of all upperclass, faculty, and staff computers

  • Initiated pilot program for campus computing consultation, reduced re-work by 70%

Thompson Financial Securities Data

Venture Capital Research

Intern

1999 - 1999

  • Researched new and existing venture capital firms and venture-backed companies

  • Produced preliminary due diligence reports for corporate clients

  • Presented results of research weekly to senior analysts

St. Albans School

Summer Programs

Senior Counselor

1997 - 1998

  • Taught Science to 5-13 year-olds

  • Assisted camp director in administrative duties

  • Managed early-morning, after-hours care program

Volunteer

Princeton University

Princeton Alumni Council Executive Committee

Communications & Technology Chair

2023 - 2027

  • Chair, Communications & Technology Committee

  • Class Affairs Committee Member

  • Chaired Class Traditions working group

  • Hosted two webinars on class governance best practices

Princeton Class of 2000

President

2022 -

  • Lead 1,143 alumni from the Class of 2000

  • Responsible for annual giving campaign, leading all classes in both dollars raised ($6.5mm) and participation (62.9%)

  • Successfully organized record-breaking 2,000-person, $1mm+ reunion with 30-volunteer committee

  • Developing novel continuing education program for all alumni in conjunction with Princeton University

Princeton Class of 2000

Reunions Committee – Entertainment Chair

2009 - 2020

  • Identify and book DJs and/or bands for one to three nights as desired

  • Submitted contracts and proof of insurance to Risk Management Office

  • Booked student entertainment groups and other reception/headquarters entertainment

  • Served as host and coordinator to entertainment groups during the reunion

Tuck Club of New York

Tuck Club of New York

Co-President

2018 -

  • Lead largest regional alumni chapter for graduate business school

  • Organize educational and networking events for ~1,000 alumni

St. Albans School

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Comittee

Board Member

2022 -

  • Governing Board-level subcommittee for DEI Initiatives

  • Updated diversity statement for decennial reaccreditation

  • Developed framework for ongoing institutional progress

Black Alumni Alliance

Co-Chair

2021 -

  • Institutionalized affinity alliance for full alumni body

  • Organized intergeneraltional alumni events

Headmaster's Counselor

Board Member

2006 -

  • Advisory Board member for school administration

  • Provide advice on curriculum, teacher pay, housing issues

  • Developed fundraising plan for $80 million capital campaign

Class of 1996

Class Secretary

1996 -

  • Write bi-annual column for classmates

  • Organize reunions, other events

826NYC

Storytelling & Bookmaking, Choose Your Own Adventure

Senior Volunteer

2009 - 2012

  • Taught writing skills to school-age children

  • Tutored students in a variety of subjects including English, math, science

  • Volunteered ~25 hours per month

Project Ezra

Volunteer

Volunteer

2009 - 2011

  • Volunteer at Lower East Side Jewish senior center

Celebrate the World

Volunteer

Teacher

2009 - 2011

  • Taught children, ages 4-10, in a local halfway house about different countries

  • Developed monthly curriculum, led exercises

New York Cares

Bucket of Truth Brigade

Site Captain

2005 - 2011

  • Organized and led 70+ volunteers in public school rehabilitation effort

  • Coordinated school administration, on-site artist and three teams to revitalize a Brooklyn public school

  • Advocated on behalf of school with New York Cares organization

  • Top 10 fundraiser of over 400 groups

Cents-Ability

Co-Founder

Curriculum Committee

2003 - 2005

  • Created non-profit organization to teach financial principles to high-school students

  • Developed curriculum, lesson plan, and activities for multiple class scenarios

  • Instructed classes as a model for new teachers

Projects & Publications

BusinessMath: Open-Source Library for Modeling, Analysis, Simulation, and Optimization

GitHub - Aug 23, 2025

  • Comprehensive Swift package for financial modeling, statistical analysis, simulation, and optimization

  • Build Production-Grade Models in Swift: DCF, Monte Carlo, Scenario Analysis, Black-Scholes, CDS Pricing

  • Portfolio Optimization at Scale: Efficient Frontier, Sharpe Maximization, GPU-Accelerated

  • Strategic Finance Tools: Capital Budgeting, Investment Analysis, Financial Planning

  • Financial Calculations as a Library: Embed NPV, Portfolio Optimization, Risk Analytics

  • Model Context Protocol (MCP) server enables AI assistants to perform calculations and statistical analysis

  • Swift 6 strict concurrency with modern language features

  • Exhaustive documentation with runnable examples and executable test suite

Reunions 2025: A Conversation with President Christopher L. Eisgruber '83

Princeton University - May 24, 2025

  • Facilitated public, alumni-wide conversation with University President.

  • Engaged in thoughtful dialogue on the transformational growth and challenges faced by Princeton University.

  • Emphasized the importance of academic freedom and free speech, and the role they play in fostering an inclusive environment.

The Little Streaming Comedy Platform That Couldn’t

Vulture - Feb 9, 2022

  • A largely positive Oral History of Seeso

Beneficial Media Futures Post-Pandemic

Beneficial Media - May 27, 2020

  • Panelist for Harmony Labs on the Future of Beneficial Media post-COVID-19

WineTaster3

Jan 25, 2020

  • Developed iPhone/iPad app for statistical analysis of blind wine tastings using SwiftUI

  • Modern update to a DOS-era program written by a former Princeton Economics department chair

  • Written in Swift with SwiftUI and Combine frameworks

  • Executed native visionOS version for Apple Vision Pro launch day

  • Created and open sourced statistical and applied math package

  • Published on iOS App Store

Upright Citizens Brigade, Dan Harmon Drive Originals Strategy For NBCUniversal’s Seeso

Variety - Oct 30, 2015

  • Highlighting the development team for Seeso's comedy slate

Sanatorium

Lionsgate - Oct 18, 2013

  • I got to work as an actor in a feature-length film, alongside several friends and working with a great crew.

Comedy Listings for Dec. 7-13

New York Times - Dec 6, 2012

  • Quick note about a show

What Kind of Summer Jam are You?

The Awl - Jun 12, 2012

  • I know Summer Jams. Everyone knows I know Summer Jams.

Watching Every Click You Make

New York Times - Apr 20, 2012

  • A funny story about the handoff of my show, School Night, to its new host

Humor Me

Princeton Alumni Weekly - Jan 19, 2011

  • An article about Princetonians in comedy from our alumni magazine

Why Emotion, Not Knowledge, Is the Catalyst for Change

Fast Company - Jan 11, 2011

  • Highlights how the Ghostbuster's "prank" brought renewed attention to the NYPL and helped stave off budget cuts

Who You Gonna Call?

Improv Everywhere - May 18, 2010

  • I got to dress up like a Ghostbuster and chase ghosts around the New York Public Library. A dream

The Comedy Bus Descends on Washington

New York Times - Jan 19, 2009

  • A NYT journalist joined sent dispatches from a bus trip I organized for the 2009 inauguration

The Colbert Report

Comedy Central - Nov 13, 2008

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

NBCUniversal - May 12, 2004

Evening Hours; The City in Winter

New York Times - Jan 20, 2002

  • I went to an early Cindy Sherman Clowns show and somehow wound up in Sunday Styles. I'll take it

Forbes to supply freshmen grants for summer projects

The Daily Princetonian - Mar 1, 1998

  • Political history: Forbes College Council set up some summer grants

C-SPAN Panelist

National Press Club - Aug 12, 1997

  • I was an occasional panelist on C-SPAN Close Up in high school, and came back after my first-year for a press conference on Youth Issues.

  • Honestly, I should not share this.

Education

Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

Masters in Business Administration, General Management

2013

  • Winner, Charles I. Lebovitz Award

  • Recipient, Julia Stell Award

  • Consortium Fellow

  • Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), MBA Preparation Program Fellow, 2011

  • Student Board–Quality of Life Chair

  • Entertainment & Media Club Co-Chair

  • Diversity Conference Co-Chair

  • Admitted Students Weekend Co-Chair

  • Tripod Hockey Co-Captain

  • Tuck Leadership Fellow

Princeton University

A.B, Economics, Certificates in Finance, Political Economy

2000

  • Thesis Topic: Venture Capital and Long-Run Performance: Theory and Evidence 1971-1999

  • Courses included: Corporate Accounting, Corporate Finance, Financial Engineering, Financial Investments, International Monetary Economics

  • Elected Departmental Representative

  • Elected Residential College Councilor

  • Member, Inter-Club Council

  • Elected Eating Club Officer

St. Albans School

Diploma, Headmaster's List

1996

  • Yearbook Editor-in-Chief

  • Track, Soccer team captain

  • National Achievement Scholarship Finalist

Skills

Spanish | Swift | SwiftUI | A/B Testing | Xcode | macOS | Windows | Unix/Linux | Excel | Powerpoint | Keynote | Bloomberg Terminal | SPSS | R | Stata | Tableau | Photoshop | Final Cut | HTML | CSS

Social

LinkedIn

Instagram

Mastodon

Bluesky

Threads

Facebook

Twitter