Derek K. Rapp
St. Louis, Missouri
Joined in 2019

I am thrilled to work with RiverVest’s outstanding team as we continue to make impactful investments in companies that will generate excellent returns and provide solutions to profound human health needs.
Derek joined RiverVest in 2019, bringing broad healthcare experience, along with strong entrepreneurial, deal-making, and strategic skills. In addition to being involved in RiverVest’s investment process, Derek works closely with the management team on strategy, operations, fundraising and investor relations. He also serves as liaison to the St. Louis region’s growing innovation system.
Prior to RiverVest, Derek served as president & CEO of JDRF, the world’s largest non-government funder of diabetes research and a major advocacy group for the type 1 diabetes community, and as CEO for life sciences start-up Divergence, Inc., which he led to a successful exit. He also served as Monsanto Company’s head of mergers and acquisitions, where he led transactions totaling more than $7 billion, and as the company’s director of investor relations. Derek began his career in mergers and acquisitions with Lazard Freres & Co. in New York.
Derek is a current member of the board of directors and the executive committee of Research!America, chairman of the board of directors of WeedOUT, and a member of the Global Mission Board of JDRF. He has served on numerous other boards, including chairing each of the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation Board of Directors, the Plant and Life Sciences Working Group in St. Louis, and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Friends Board.
Derek earned an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an A.B. from Brown University.
Personal Interests: playing many sports, cooking, and traveling with his family
A father of a young man with Type 1 diabetes and past president & CEO of JDRF, the world’s largest non-government funder of diabetes research and a major advocacy group, Derek is passionate about advocating for the diabetes community.
Committed to Doing Business the Right Way to Deliver the Best Outcomes for Patients, Entrepreneurs, and Investors
St. Louis, San Diego & Cleveland
Our Team
A Strong Partnership Built to Last

SchmelterCo-Founder & Managing Director

McKearnManaging Director

O'DonnellManaging Director

MelzerCo-Founder and Managing Director

HongManaging Director

RappManaging Director

SpilizewskiVice President

WeitzmanChief Financial Officer

CatheyDirector of Administration

ZikeSenior Associate

KroteeSenior Associate

BermanConsultant and Venture Partner

RotherSenior Analyst

KleiboekerAnalyst

MesianoMarketing & Communications Specialist

KellerConsultant

SlavichController

ShortExecutive Assistant
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Scientific Advisors

BorchardtDistinguished Professor Emeritus

DiPersioChief, Division of Oncology and Deputy Director, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine

RutterProfessor of Biochemistry and HHMI Investigator

TontonozFrancis and Albert Piansky Professor of Pathology, Professor of Biological Chemistry
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