David Chang is ready for a new adventure.
The former head of PayPal's Boston office has been named CEO of Gradifi, a Boston-based provider of student loan and college saving employee benefit. Announced on Thursday, the appointment is effective immediately.
Chang will replace Tim DeMello, Gradifi’s founder and CEO, who left earlier this year.
As an angel investor, Chang has invested in more than 40 companies, including Cuseum, a digital platform for museums, and Wevo, an online audience insights software. Most recently, he was one of the 21 Entrepreneurs-in-Residence at Harvard Business School and director of the Babson Summer Venture Program, the first non-faculty member to hold the role.
At PayPal Boston, Chang helped lead the resurgence of fintech in Boston's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Earlier in his career, he held positions at Goldman Sachs, TripAdvisor and Verisign.
Acquired by First Republic Bank in 2016, Gradifi provides a series of student loan refinance and college savings plans that employers can offer employees at no cost. Currently, the company works with more than 500 employers and has a team of 57 people.
"Gradifi has an outstanding team, strong momentum, and a clear solution that address a national priority – reducing the burden of student debt," Chang said in a statement. "I look forward to doing my part to accelerate Gradifi’s growth and to support all those who believe education is the key to economic opportunity."
In 2017, Chang (together with the Babson College Summer Venture Program) was one of BostInno's 50 on Fire 'Inno Blazers.'
