Ryan Welker Chairman & Founder
Natural resources executive and capital markets practitioner with over 20 years of experience across producing operations, development-stage assets, structured financing, and public company governance.
About Ryan Welker
Co-founder and Chairman of Vitrinite Pty Ltd, and an established board director across ASX-listed and private resource companies.
Ryan Welker is a natural resources executive and capital markets practitioner with over 20 years of experience spanning producing operations, development-stage assets, structured financing, and public company governance across Australia and the United States.
As Co-founder and Chairman of Vitrinite Pty Ltd, Ryan has built a producing coal platform employing more than 300 personnel and generating over A$1bn in cumulative revenue since inception. His leadership spans the full asset lifecycle — from entrepreneurial concept through to scaled operating platform with institutional governance.
Ryan is recognised for disciplined capital deployment, counter-cyclical asset acquisition, and the alignment between operators and long-term institutional capital. His cross-border experience across Australia, the United States, and Asia reflects a deep understanding of the global resources landscape.
Background includes investment banking and financial markets experience with FINRA Series 7 & 63 regulatory qualifications, and a Graduate qualification from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Directorships & Active Roles
Current board and executive positions across producing and development-stage resource companies.
Producing coal platform operating in Queensland's Bowen Basin. Over A$1bn cumulative revenue, 300+ employees, multi-asset portfolio encompassing producing and development-stage operations.
ASX-listed gold development company. Board oversight including capital allocation, operational performance review, governance and risk frameworks, and financing strategy.
US-based uranium resource development platform. Strategic guidance on capital structuring, asset progression, and governance oversight for North American operations.
Watauga is Ryan's private company through which he operates directorship mandates and provides advisory services to companies in the mining and resources sector.
Services include board advisory, capital structuring, institutional investor engagement, and strategic transaction support across the mining lifecycle.
Professional Experience
Co-founded and scaled a producing coal company from development-stage concept to a multi-asset platform generating over A$1bn in cumulative revenue with 300+ employees. Operating assets in Queensland's Bowen Basin.
Board experience across ASX-listed and private resource companies, encompassing audit, risk, capital oversight, and governance frameworks.
Roles spanning natural resources advisory, structured finance, and equity markets in the United States and Australia. Foundation for deep capital markets and mining sector expertise.
Past Directorships
Former board roles across listed and private resource companies spanning gold, base metals, and energy minerals.
Capital & Value Creation
Contact
For board advisory, capital structuring, institutional investor engagement, or strategic transaction support — reach out directly via Watauga.