Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Robert “Bo” Parfet attended the Kellogg School of Management, Colorado State University, and University of Michigan. In his early years, Robert “Bo” Parfet pursued a career in high-profile finance.

He first worked with the Financial Accounting Standards Board and as an investment banker for J.P. Morgan. During his time with the company, Parfet decided to pause his finance career and climb the world’s tallest mountain peaks. Soon, he embarked on a successful quest of conquering the “Seven Summits.” In 2010, Denali Venture Philanthropy was founded by Parfet and his wife Meredith. Denver, Colorado’s suburban City of Boulder was picked for the company’s location. The company invests in and follows organizations from all over the country that are dedicated to bringing positive social and ecological change around the world.

Parfet calls Colorado home. He also is the recipient of several awards. He received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for completing 4,000 hours of volunteer service around the globe. In addition, he received the J.P. Morgan Leadership award for extraordinary leadership.