Ian Sandler, COO of Insight Partners and co-founder of Riley’s Way Foundation, engages in a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation on leadership, venture capital, and building meaningful impact. Ian reflects on his unconventional career path, his philosophy on building organizations, and how a personal tragedy shaped his mission to empower the next generation of kind leaders. He also shares practical advice for founders and young leaders on dreaming big, understanding themselves, and building networks that matter.

In this episode:

[00:58] Ian Sandler’s background and upbringing

[03:59] From law to “wimpy entrepreneur”

[06:05] Building and scaling at Insight Partners

[09:27] Balancing venture capital with purpose

[12:35] What makes great investors today

[17:12] The story behind Riley’s Way Foundation

[31:33] Advice for young leaders: dream big, self-care, network

[36:17] The future of Riley’s Way Foundation

The nonprofit organization Ian is passionate about: Riley’s Way Foundation

About Ian Sandler

Ian Sandler is the Chief Operating Officer at Insight Partners, where he oversees the firm’s non-investment operations and helps scale new strategic initiatives. Over a career spanning roles at Morgan Stanley, The Carlyle Group, and Citadel, he has built a reputation as a “builder of businesses” who specializes in identifying talent and turning ideas into scalable platforms. In parallel, he is the co-founder of Riley’s Way Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to developing kind, community-driven young leaders.

About Insight Partners

Founded in 1995, Insight Partners is a global venture capital and private equity firm focused on high-growth software, internet, and technology companies. The firm manages over $90 billion in assets and has invested in more than 875 companies worldwide, supporting founders from early-stage growth through IPO. Its approach combines capital with hands-on operational support through its “Onsite” team, helping companies scale revenue, build talent, and execute go-to-market strategies.

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