Full Name
Lisa Bhathal Merage
Job Title
Co-Founder & Managing Partner and Governor
Company
RAJ Capital and Portland Thorns
Speaker Bio
Lisa Bhathal Merage serves as Co-Founder and Managing Partner of RAJ Capital. The Newport Beach based firm is the alternative asset platform of the Bhathal Family Office.
RAJ Capital was established after successfully selling the family’s 50-year old women’s swimwear business, RAJ Swim, to private equity. Lisa was CEO of RAJ Swim from 2006-2016.
In 2009, she launched LUXE by Lisa Vogel, an upscale and chic swimwear fit solution for the modern beach sophisticate, sold at luxury retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. LUXE by Lisa Vogel was honored as the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim Presents “Designer of the Year” in 2012.
Lisa has appeared in numerous fashion and business television segments including appearances on CBS, E! Entertainment Television, NBC Inside Couture, and FOX’s Good Day LA. She has participated as a panelist for BUZZ: An Executive Women’s Think Tank, and awarded with the inaugural “Rising Leader” Award at Segerstrom Center’s Arts and Business Leadership Award Dinner. Lisa was a recipient of the 2015 “Women in Business” Award from the Orange County Business Journal and was the Keynote Speaker at the event in 2016.
Along with her family, Lisa is co-owner of Sacramento Basketball Holdings LLC. The firm owns the Sacramento Kings franchise of the National Basketball Association (NBA), Golden 1 Center, the Sawyer Hotel and residences, and is the developer of the Downtown Commons entertainment and sports district in Sacramento.
Lisa and her family recently finalized the purchase of the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) where Lisa serves as Governor.
With a philanthropic passion for both the arts and education, Lisa is currently a Trustee and Advancement Committee Chair at JSerra Catholic High School. She has served as a Trustee for both Sage Hill School and St. Mary’s IB World School.
Lisa serves as Treasurer of Angel of the Arts at Segerstrom Center, and previously served as Vice Chair of the Board of the Orange County Museum of Art.
Lisa was also Chair of the Board of Gen Next, a nonprofit aimed at education reform, economic growth, and national security. In 2015, she was awarded the “Altruist of the Year” Award from Modern Luxury magazine.
Lisa is a graduate of USC's Marshall School of Business and holds a certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania. She is married to husband Richard Merage, and resides in Newport Beach with their five boys.
RAJ Capital was established after successfully selling the family’s 50-year old women’s swimwear business, RAJ Swim, to private equity. Lisa was CEO of RAJ Swim from 2006-2016.
In 2009, she launched LUXE by Lisa Vogel, an upscale and chic swimwear fit solution for the modern beach sophisticate, sold at luxury retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. LUXE by Lisa Vogel was honored as the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim Presents “Designer of the Year” in 2012.
Lisa has appeared in numerous fashion and business television segments including appearances on CBS, E! Entertainment Television, NBC Inside Couture, and FOX’s Good Day LA. She has participated as a panelist for BUZZ: An Executive Women’s Think Tank, and awarded with the inaugural “Rising Leader” Award at Segerstrom Center’s Arts and Business Leadership Award Dinner. Lisa was a recipient of the 2015 “Women in Business” Award from the Orange County Business Journal and was the Keynote Speaker at the event in 2016.
Along with her family, Lisa is co-owner of Sacramento Basketball Holdings LLC. The firm owns the Sacramento Kings franchise of the National Basketball Association (NBA), Golden 1 Center, the Sawyer Hotel and residences, and is the developer of the Downtown Commons entertainment and sports district in Sacramento.
Lisa and her family recently finalized the purchase of the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) where Lisa serves as Governor.
With a philanthropic passion for both the arts and education, Lisa is currently a Trustee and Advancement Committee Chair at JSerra Catholic High School. She has served as a Trustee for both Sage Hill School and St. Mary’s IB World School.
Lisa serves as Treasurer of Angel of the Arts at Segerstrom Center, and previously served as Vice Chair of the Board of the Orange County Museum of Art.
Lisa was also Chair of the Board of Gen Next, a nonprofit aimed at education reform, economic growth, and national security. In 2015, she was awarded the “Altruist of the Year” Award from Modern Luxury magazine.
Lisa is a graduate of USC's Marshall School of Business and holds a certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania. She is married to husband Richard Merage, and resides in Newport Beach with their five boys.
Speaking At