Michael Newcomer

Michael helps founders and C-suite leaders at high-growth startups find clarity and alignment during change by bringing PhD-level analytical rigor and deep operating experience in talent and human capital to every engagement.

Riviera Partners

CEO · leading talent advisory firm
for high-growth technology companies

Yale

MS & PhD in Biophysics,
4.0 GPA

Yale University

MS & PhD in Biophysics (4.0 GPA)

Georgetown College · Valedictorian, 4.0 GPA

BS in Chemistry

Overview

Michael's career spans science, finance, and entrepreneurship. After earning his PhD in Biophysics from Yale he moved into talent advisory, serving as Head of Talent for the growth equity, venture capital, quant investment, and data teams at one of the ten largest hedge funds in the world. He then founded and built talent consulting businesses focused on high-growth startups before becoming CEO of Riviera Partners in 2023.

He has been a Coach and Investor at Talentism since 2021, bringing a data-driven orientation to human capital problems and particular strength in helping analytically-minded founders and finance-adjacent leaders find clarity during periods of disruption and change.

Outside of work

Michael runs through Central Park, goes to Knicks games, walks his dog, and remains deeply invested in the American rugby community even if his body has other ideas.

Engagements at

First Reserve

NinjaTrader

GemspringPrivate Equity

Jain Global

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