Private Equity Fast Pitch
Consistent with all programs delivered by Northstar, “Private Equity Fast Pitch” podcasts are meaningful, insightful and provide actionable information from leaders in the Private Equity community that will help you connect with the speaker in an efficient way. Each Tuesday, Jeff Henningsen from Lockton will spend time talking with his friends in the private equity community while they share insight into their world. Similar to an introductory meeting, Private Equity and Investment Banking guests will talk about their firms, recent activities, target industries, desired acquisition profile or companies they are prepping for sale, advice to aspiring professionals and their “closing pitch”. If you would like to be considered for a Private Equity Fast Pitch interview please email jhenningsen@lockton.com
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Harvard Alumni on Private Equity Fast Pitch® - Career Advice For Private Equity & Investment Banking
04/30/2026
Harvard Alumni on Private Equity Fast Pitch® - Career Advice For Private Equity & Investment Banking
THE ADVICE THAT ACTUALLY HOLDS UP There is no shortage of advice in this industry Most of it sounds good... Not all of it lasts With graduation season here, I wanted to do something a little different on Private Equity Fast Pitch. These clips come from guests who share a common university. What they don’t share is how they got there: Different paths Different careers Different firms What stood out to me was not where they went. It was how consistent the advice was ⚾️ Play the long game Careers are built over decades, not quarters ⚾️ Protect your reputation Your word and how you show up compound over time ⚾️ Do the hard things early That’s where real confidence and capability are built ⚾️ Be intentional Who you work for and what you learn matters more than title These are not theories. They are patterns from people who have built across multiple cycles and environments. The fundamentals are simple. They’re just not easy. And they don’t change. If you’re early in your career or even if you’re not, this is a valuable episode to listen too. Featured Harvard Graduate Guests: Adam Blumenthal - Blue Wolf Capital Partners Bob Grady - Summit Partners Nik Shah - Cohere Capital Brandon Bethea - Aterian Investment Partners Steve Lebowitz - Brand Velocity Group Alex Western - Terminus Capital Partners Arthur Hollingsworth - Lone Star Investment Advisors Clay Hunter - Broadview Group David Iverson - Iverson Consulting Services Ralph Manning - Coltala Holdings Jerry Johnson - Ariel Alternatives Victor Vescovo - Caladan Capital Brett Hickey - Star Mountain Capital Brad Brennerman - Breck Partners Brent Humphries - AB Private Credit Investors Dr. Chris Kersey - Havencrest Capital Management Scott Kolbrenner - GISI Doug McCormick - Oridian Capital Partners Tom O’Rourke - BayPine Mark Sotir - Equity Group Investments Pardis Nasseri - Palm Tree Devon Kirk - Portage Capital Solutions Bogdan Gogulan - NewSpace Capital Erik Brooks - Ethos Capital
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Ignacio Jayanti - Corsair Capital
04/16/2026
Ignacio Jayanti - Corsair Capital
Ignacio Jayanti is the Chief Executive Officer of Corsair and serves as Chairman of the Buyouts Investment Committee and as a member of the Infrastructure Investment Committee. He joined Corsair in 1993 when the first Corsair fund was launched and is based in New York. Ignacio is a director of Corsair portfolio companies IDnow and ZEDRA. Prior to spinning off Corsair as an independent business from J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in 2006, Ignacio played a key role as a senior member of the investment team of the predecessor Corsair funds and also was responsible for managing the operations of the Corsair business from 1994 onwards. From 1994 to 1999, Ignacio was also a senior member of the Investment Banking Department of J.P. Morgan, where he headed the Emerging Markets Financial Institutions group. Prior to J.P. Morgan, Ignacio worked at Credit Suisse First Boston in the Financial Institutions group both in New York and London. His investment banking experience includes complex advisory assignments in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Ignacio holds both a B.A. and an M.A. in Economics from Queens’ College, Cambridge University. He is a Fellow of the inaugural class of the Finance Leaders Fellowship Program and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Ignacio is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hotchkiss School, a member of the RAND Global and Emerging Risks Advisory Board, and a member of the International Advisory Board of British American Business.
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Omar Jaffrey - Palistar Capital
04/02/2026
Omar Jaffrey - Palistar Capital
Omar Jaffrey has been involved in technology, media and telecommunications (“TMT”) investments, mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, public and private capital raises, restructuring and bankruptcies for over 30 years. Mr. Jaffrey founded Palistar Capital (formerly, Melody Investment Advisers, “Palistar”) in 2019 as a specialist digital infrastructure investor as his go-forward investment platform and created Symphony Wireless, an affiliated easements origination platform (“Symphony”). The team successfully raised a $2 billion dedicated digital infrastructure fund at the end of 2021, has built out a specialist team with deep investment and operating expertise and has invested in a number of macro tower investments including Harmoni Towers, Parallel Infrastructure, CTI Towers, and an easements and tower portfolio originated by Symphony. Prior to Palistar, Mr. Jaffrey co-founded Melody Capital Partners (“Melody”) in 2012 where he was also a Managing Partner. The team at Melody raised two fund families – a Structured Credit platform with $1 billion assets under management (“AUM”) and a digital infrastructure platform with $700 million AUM (“Melody Wireless Infrastructure”). Mr. Jaffrey crafted the strategy, built Melody Wireless Infrastructure as its CEO and successfully exited Melody Wireless Infrastructure in 2021. Melody is now actively harvesting its remaining investments and is no longer making new investments or fundraising. Prior to Melody, Mr. Jaffrey was a Managing Director of UBS Investment Bank, most recently serving as Americas Co-head of the Special Situations Group. Mr. Jaffrey was an advisor to some of the leading telecommunications and technology companies globally covering over 50 global clients in the TMT space for their strategic and financing needs. Mr. Jaffrey also helped build UBS’s Telecommunications Media and Technology Investment Banking practice and was Global Head of Satellite Investment Banking while specializing in the convergence of TMT sectors between 2003 and 2009. Prior to joining UBS, Mr. Jaffrey was a Managing Director at Merrill Lynch where he built the Global Satellite Investment Banking practice. In the early 1990s, Mr. Jaffrey helped build Bear Stearns’ Investment Bank in Asia, and was a founding member of Bear Stearns’ Telecommunications sector Investment Banking practice. Mr. Jaffrey holds a BS magna cum laude in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University and an MBA from Stanford University, and is a member of Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu honor societies.
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Daphne Dufresne - Awani Capital
03/19/2026
Daphne Dufresne - Awani Capital
Daphne Dufresne is the Founder and Managing Partner of Awani Capital. She leads the firm’s strategic direction, investment decisions, and value creation initiatives across the portfolio. With over 25 years of private equity experience, Daphne has a long-standing track record of building scalable businesses in the business and industrial services sectors. She plays an active role in all phases of the investment process—from deal sourcing and thesis development to portfolio company growth and exit strategy. Before founding Awani, Daphne was a Managing Partner at GenNx360, a $2.2 billion middle-market private equity firm based in New York. She served on the investment, valuation, and exit committees, and led direct investments in GenServe, Precision Aviation Group, Aero 3, and Whitsons Culinary Group, completing 31 add-on acquisitions across these platforms. Daphne was also a founding Managing Director at RLJ Equity Partners. Earlier in her career, she also held senior roles at Parish Capital Advisors, Weston Presidio, and the Bank of Scotland’s Structured Finance group, and began her career at Accenture. Daphne is on the board of directors of NYSE (UNFI) where she chairs the Compensation Committee. Daphne earned a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
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Advice to Young Professionals and College Students from Female Private Equity Professionals
03/12/2026
Advice to Young Professionals and College Students from Female Private Equity Professionals
In recognition of International Women’s Month, I’m releasing a montage of advice from some of the most accomplished women in our industry. These remarkable leaders have navigated one of the most demanding and historically male-dominated corners of business and have done it with conviction, resilience, and extraordinary leadership. If you’re a young professional, a student considering this industry, or a leader developing the next generation of talent, this episode is worth your time. Sunaina Sinha - Global Head, Private Capital Advisory, and Senior Managing Director, Raymond James Shannon Zoller - Founder, Tephra Advisors Neha Markle - Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Caroline Stevens - Investor, MPK Equity Partners Chrisanne Corbett - Managing Director, KPMG Deborah Smith - Co-Founder and CEO, The CenterCap Group Devon Kirk - General Partner, Portage Capital Solutions Franny Jones - Partner, Investor Relations, The Sterling Group Gina Luna - Partner, GP Capital Gretchen Perkins - Partner(Origination), Avance Investment Management Kristin Johnson - Managing Director, Altamont Capital Partners Lauren Moohalland - Waypoint Ridge Capital Lucy Heintz - Partner, Head of Energy Infrastructure, Actis Michelle Noon - Founder and Managing Partner, Clearhaven Partners Neda Vakilian - Partner, Actis
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Suzanne Yoon - Kinzie Capital
03/05/2026
Suzanne Yoon - Kinzie Capital
Suzanne Yoon is the Founder and Managing Partner of Kinzie Capital Partners, a Chicago- based private equity firm redefining the lower middle market. With over 25 years of experience, Suzanne founded Kinzie on the conviction that sustainable value is unlocked by integrating people and operational innovation with technology. Under her leadership, Kinzie specializes in founder transitions across the manufacturing, business services, and consumer sectors. Suzanne and her team move beyond traditional oversight to serve as hands-on partners, utilizing tech-driven efficiencies to scale established businesses while honoring their heritage. A recognized industry trailblazer, Suzanne has been honored by The Wall Street Journal as a Top Female Deal Maker and by Mergers & Acquisitions as a leading voice in Mid-Market M&A. Beyond the firm, she serves on the board of NYSE-listed ADT and the Chicago Bears Women’s Advisory Board. An avid outdoorswoman and proud University of Iowa alumna, Suzanne enjoys golfing and fishing with her husband and three children.
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Andy Unanue - AUA Private Equity Partners
02/19/2026
Andy Unanue - AUA Private Equity Partners
Andy Unanue is the founder and Managing Partner of AUA Private Equity Partners, an operationally-focused, lower middle market investment firm with expertise in supporting and growing family-owned and demographic-driven businesses. Andy is a member of AUA Private Equity’s Investment Committee, and under his leadership, AUA has deployed over $800 million of capital to date. AUA’s business model is driven by Andy’s own family background – he is a member of the Unanue family, which owns and runs Goya Foods, the largest producer of Spanish- and Latin-American foods in the United States. Andy’s grandfather, Prudencio, founded the company in 1936, and Andy’s father, Joe, was a legendary CEO of the company himself. Andy was a leader of Goya for many years, ultimately serving as its Chief Operating Officer before founding AUA. Andy currently serves on the boards of Tropical Cheese Industries and Westminster Pet Products, and previously served on the board of Goya Foods. Additionally, he serves on several not-for-profit boards including his family’s charitable foundation, The C&J Unanue Foundation. Andy is a member of the University of Miami’s Dean’s Advisory Committee, the New America Alliance and is on the Columbia University Medical Center’s Board of Advisors. Andy received his M.B.A from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and his B.B.A. from the University of Miami.
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Eric Wiklendt - Speyside Equity
02/05/2026
Eric Wiklendt - Speyside Equity
Eric Wiklendt is a Managing Director at Speyside Equity, where he is responsible for sourcing, executing, managing, and exiting investments. Eric has previously held senior leadership and operational roles, and he currently serves on the Boards of several portfolio companies. Before joining Speyside Equity, Eric was President & CEO of Kelix Heat Transfer Systems. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at Eaton and Hilti Corporation, where he oversaw M&A activities, established a manufacturing plant in Mexico, managed a large marketing team, and directed industrial sales operations. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Eric obtained his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Sam Gaynor - Altamont Capital Partners
01/22/2026
Sam Gaynor - Altamont Capital Partners
Sam Gaynor is a Managing Director at Altamont Capital Partners where he oversees their Financial Services practice. Sam evaluates and underwrites deals in the insurance, asset / wealth management, and specialty finance sectors, working closely with management teams to help maximize the value of their businesses. In particular, Sam has overseen Altamont's efforts to incubate new Financial Services businesses, having launched eight new companies over the last decade.
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Quotes and Mottos Montage from Private Equity and Investment Banking Professionals
01/08/2026
Quotes and Mottos Montage from Private Equity and Investment Banking Professionals
Throughout 2025, I sat down with CEOs, founders, investors, and leaders across the private equity ecosystem. In every conversation, I asked a question that I have asked since the very first episode of Private Equity Fast Pitch: What’s the quote, motto, or what drives you? The answers were telling as there were no slogans or catchy buzzwords. What stood out was a shared seriousness about how success is built over time. Intention. Discipline. Mentorship. Compassion. Consistency. A deep respect for people and for the responsibility that comes with leadership. These are not quotes for social media. They are reference points for leadership. I’m incredibly grateful for these guests time and our impactful conversations. And grateful to be able to bring these voices to the private equity community. The Ninth Annual Quotes and Mottos montage features perspectives from our 2025 guests: Erik Brooks – Founder & Managing Partner, Ethos Capital Action over analysis. Grit, discipline, and winning the next 30 minutes. Jeff Aiello – Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Agellus Capital Execution over perfection. Momentum guided by principles. Russ Roenick – Founder & Managing Partner, Transom Capital Group Decisiveness and self-awareness. Knowing your limits and acting accordingly. Michelle Noon – Founder & Managing Partner, Clearhaven Partners Growth through discomfort. Progress comes from moving through challenge. Andrew Weinberg – Founder, CEO & Co-Chair, Brightstar Capital Partners Carpe Diem. Presence, gratitude, and intention, rooted in family. Paul Raphael – Founder & Partner, Aurea Quality and mentorship. Trusting people to figure it out. Parker Weil – Global Co-Head of Investment Banking, TD Securities Long-term thinking. Reputation, relationships, and consistency. Lucy Heintz – Partner, Actis Empathy and perspective. Understanding how others see the world. Chris Rozzell – Managing Partner, Cresta Fund Management Clarity over comfort. Discipline over drama. Truth over ego. Tim Meyer – Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Angeles Equity Partners Focus and simplification. Eliminate noise to intensify impact. Neda Vakilian – Partner, Actis Sharp thinking and grounded execution. Trust and responsibility as leadership. Robert Brown – CEO, Lincoln International Hustle and presence. Showing up and doing the blocking and tackling. Kristin Johnson – Managing Director, Altamont Capital Partners Service and humility. Leading by asking, “What can I do to help?” Sean MacIver – Managing Director, KeyBanc Capital Markets Adaptability. Knowing when the familiar tool no longer fits. John Diggins – Partner, Platinum Equity Risk and growth. Understanding that not taking risk can be the biggest risk. Matthew Sparks – Managing Director, Northleaf Capital Proactivity. Skating to where the puck is going, not where it’s been. Eliot Kerlin – Partner & Managing Partner, Broadwing Capital Presence and forward thinking. Focused on what comes next. Scott Sperling – Co-CEO, THL The ripple effect. Small actions compounding into meaningful impact. Michael Psaros – Co-Founder & Co-Managing Partner, KPS Capital Partners Time, gratitude, and legacy. Using success in service of something larger.
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Eliot Kerlin - Broadwing Capital
12/18/2025
Eliot Kerlin - Broadwing Capital
Eliot serves as Managing Partner of Broadwing Capital, which he co-founded after 20 years of operational private equity experience. He is responsible for overall direction of the firm and ensuring Broadwing achieves its investment objectives in a manner consistent with the firm’s mission and core values. He originates and leads investment opportunities, partners with management post-acquisition to achieve transformative results, and serves as primary contact at the firm for investors. Eliot has been a private equity investor since 2000, and has significant expertise in mergers and acquisitions, corporate strategy, performance improvement, and realizations through sales, public offerings and dividend recapitalizations. Prior to founding Broadwing in 2022, Eliot was a Managing Partner of Insight Equity, a private equity firm with $1.4 billion under management. During his 17 years at Insight, Eliot led numerous investments and exits, working with management teams to create significant value across pre-fund investments, three equity funds and one mezzanine vehicle. He was responsible for all stages of the investment process, collaborating closely with management to identify and implement strategic and tactical improvement opportunities. Eliot served as Director and Chairman of multiple portfolio company boards, acted as Chief Restructuring Officer at a portfolio company during the great recession, and led acquisitions and greenfield expansion efforts throughout the United States and in seven countries. Before joining Insight, Eliot acted as turnaround manager for Bay State Paper Company. Earlier in his career, Eliot worked for three years at Jupiter Partners, a New York-based private equity fund focused on domestic manufacturing, distribution and services companies. Previously, Eliot worked as an investment banker in Merrill Lynch’s Global Communications Group advising public and private companies on corporate mergers, public offerings and bond offerings. Eliot enjoys investing in the lives of his three sons and daughter and his local community. He co-founded and serves as Chairman of Casa Del Lago, an outreach to the Bachman Lake community in Dallas. In addition, Eliot previously served as a long-time board member of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program and other non-profit boards, Director and Chairman of a school board, English as a Second Language teacher, Assistant Scoutmaster, and coach of multiple soccer teams. Eliot co-founded a national impact angel network that invests in young companies and provides advice to their founders. Active in professional circles as well, Eliot was the Chairman of the DFW Private Equity Forum and Director – Private Equity with the DFW Association for Corporate Growth. Originally from Ft. Worth, Eliot roots for the Aggies, enjoys the outdoors, took up tennis to protect his knees from soccer injuries, and can play tunes on several stringed instruments. He lives in Dallas with his wife and their four children. Eliot holds an M.B.A. with distinction from Harvard Business School, and a B.B.A. in Finance with honors from Texas A&M University.
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Michael Psaros - KPS Capital Partners
12/04/2025
Michael Psaros - KPS Capital Partners
Michael Psaros is a Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner of KPS Capital Partners, LP (“KPS”) and a member of its Investment and Management Committees. KPS is a leading global private equity firm with approximately $19.4B (as of 6/30/25) of assets under management focused on making controlling equity investments in global manufacturing and industrial companies across an array of industries. KPS generates investment returns by structurally improving the strategic position, competitiveness and profitability of its portfolio companies. The KPS Funds’ portfolio companies generate aggregate annual revenues of approximately $21.6B and operate 211 manufacturing facilities in 21 countries (as of 6/30/25 pro forma for recent acquisitions and exits). Mr. Psaros currently serves on the Board of Directors of 14 KPS portfolio companies and as Chairman of six. He previously served on the Board of 35 former KPS portfolio companies. Prior to joining its predecessor in 1991 and co-founding KPS in 1997, he was an investment banker with Bear Stearns & Co., Inc. He received a B.S.B.A. in Finance from Georgetown University and attended Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. The Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy at Georgetown University, named for and endowed by the Psaros family in 2022, provides non-partisan, unbiased expertise to guide policy and practice. The Center leverages the strength of Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, distinguished faculty and leadership in finance and public policy to convene leaders across the private sector, global capital markets, legislators and regulators to solve problems for the common good. Mr. Psaros served on Georgetown University’s Board of Directors and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of Advisors at McDonough School of Business. Mr. Psaros received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Honorus Causa, from Georgetown University in May 2025. Mr. Psaros created “The Michael and Robin Psaros Endowed Chair in Business Administration” at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business in 2013 and “The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Endowed Orthodox Chaplaincy, Endowed by the Michael Psaros Family” in 2021. Mr. Psaros is the Vice Chairman of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at Ground Zero in New York City. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and is an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and serves on its National Council. He serves on the Board of Trustees of The Leadership 100 Endowment and the Executive Board of The Hellenic Initiative. Mr. Psaros was honored by the Hellenic Republic (Greece), the International Foundation for Greece and the Hellenic Post for his exceptional business achievements and philanthropy. The Hellenic Post placed Mr. Psaros on a limited-edition postage stamp now in circulation throughout Greece. Michael Psaros, Commencement Speech, Georgetown University:
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Parker Weil - TD Securities
11/20/2025
Parker Weil - TD Securities
Parker Weil is Executive Managing Director, Co-Head of Global Corporate and Investment Banking Coverage at TD Securities (TDS), and sits on the CIB Executive Management Committee. He is responsible for overseeing the business’ global strategy, managing key relationships, and leading high-profile transactions to drive business growth and market expansion. Prior to this, Parker was the Co-Head of the Financial Sponsors Group which manages the firm’s relationships with Private Equity firms, Family Offices, and Independent Sponsors. He has over 30 years of experience providing M&A advice and capital raising services to companies in the manufacturing, energy & power, and business services industries. Prior to TD Cowen, Parker served as Managing Director and head of the Industrials and Natural Resources investment banking group for Stifel Financial Corp. He previously held roles at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Salomon Brothers. Parker currently serves on the Board of Directors of 180 Degree Capital Corp. He has also served on Clean Energy Fuels and on the Board of Trustees of the Ridgewood Lacrosse Association. Parker holds a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
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Tim Meyer - Angeles Equity Partners
11/06/2025
Tim Meyer - Angeles Equity Partners
Tim is a co-founder and Managing Partner at Angeles Equity Partners. Tim is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the firm's investment activities. Prior to co-founding Angeles Equity Partners in 2014, Tim co-led the Industrials vertical at The Gores Group with Jordan Katz. Tim was responsible for leading due diligence efforts, driving operational transformation and providing portfolio company oversight. During his tenure at Gores, Tim served as the Chairman and/or Chief Executive Officer of numerous portfolio companies, and was a member of both the Management and Investment Committees. Prior to Gores, Tim spent two years at Gateway, where he was responsible for the revenue and margin performance of Services, Software, and Enterprise Products in the Professional Business Unit. Prior to Gateway, Tim spent more than five years at Bain & Company, where he led numerous strategy, M&A and operational improvement engagements for corporate and private equity clients. Before that, Tim served in various sales leadership and transformation positions at AT&T and began his career with IBM. Tim received a B.A. in Finance from Texas A&M University and an M.B.A. with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Finance from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
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Michelle Noon - Clearhaven Partners
10/23/2025
Michelle Noon - Clearhaven Partners
Michelle is the Founder and Managing Partner of , which she founded in 2019 to build a private equity firm grounded in focus and shared values. She sets the firm’s strategy and direction and chairs Clearhaven’s Investment Committee. Under her leadership, Clearhaven manages more than $1 billion in AUM across multiple funds, investing in growth-oriented software and technology businesses. Michelle is responsible for firm leadership, investment origination, execution, and portfolio management. Prior to founding Clearhaven, Michelle was a member of the investment teams at Thoma Bravo and Riverside Partners; at Riverside she served as a General Partner and member of the Investment Committee. She began her career in investment banking at Morgan Stanley. Michelle holds an MBA, with distinction, from Harvard Business School and a BBA, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame. She also studied at l’Université Catholique de l’Ouest in Angers, France, and taught at Erakommertzkolledz in Tallinn, Estonia. Michelle has been recognized by The Wall Street Journalas one of private equity’s most influential women and by Buyouts as one of ten “Rock Stars of Private Equity’s Future.” She serves on the Advisory Board of . Michelle lives in the Greater Boston area with her husband, two children, and their golden retriever. Michelle is a Christian, a music lover, and a proud alumna of the St. Charles, Illinois state champion dance team (go Saints!). She’s also a novice fly fisher, having recently discovered an unexpected passion for the sport.
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Russ Roenick - Transom Capital Group
10/09/2025
Russ Roenick - Transom Capital Group
As a Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Russ brings an entrepreneurial spirit and a wealth of financial and operational expertise to Transom. He thrives on solving complex problems, and has earned a reputation as a responsive, proactive leader, investor, and business-builder. Russ manages Transom day-to-day, plays an active role in new investment evaluation & execution and with portfolio companies, and is a member of the investment committee. Prior to forming Transom, Russ was a Junior Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he focused on operational transformations across several industries and worked in the firm’s Private Equity Practice. Prior to McKinsey, Russ was a product developer at Microsoft and an investment banker at Credit Suisse First Boston, where he executed corporate finance transactions for technology companies. Russ graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and holds an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Russ is an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, Santa Monica Bay Chapter.
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Sean Maclver - KeyBanc Capital Markets
09/25/2025
Sean Maclver - KeyBanc Capital Markets
Episode 183 of the Private Equity Fast Pitch features Sean MacIver, Managing Director with KeyBanc Capital Markets. He has over 15 years of experience advising both private equity and corporate clientele across the debt capital markets. Sean currently spends most of his time working collaboratively with his industry partners within the Industrial & Business Services, Building Products, and Aerospace & Defense sub-verticals, but also has industry agnostic coverage of KeyCorp’s Colorado and Southern California Commercial Banking markets. Sean has led and executed over 250 unique financings over his career, raising well north of $100BN in capital for both middle market and large corporate clients. For Sean it isn’t just about executing transactions—it’s about forging longstanding trusted partnerships that will endure the test of time (and various market conditions for that matter). Sean is a graduate of the Richard T. Farmer School of Business at Miami University of Ohio and earned his MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Outside of the office (or airport) you will find Sean spending time his with family (Sarah, Charlie, Teddy + Stevie), working on his sub-par golf game, or headlining at CORUS45, a Cleveland-based high-intensity pilates studio. The opinions expressed by the KeyBanc Capital Markets speaker are not necessarily those of KeyBanc Capital Markets, or any of its affiliates. Any opinions expressed are provided for informational purposes only, does not constitute research, legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, or investment advice, and should not be regarded as a recommendation or a solicitation.
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Kristin Johnson - Altamont Capital Partners
09/11/2025
Kristin Johnson - Altamont Capital Partners
Kristin Johnson Managing Director, Business Development Kristin Johnson is a Managing Director of ACP, where she leads the firm’s Business Development efforts. Prior to ACP, Kristin was a Principal in the fundraising group at TPG Capital, where she helped raise capital for the firm and manage investor relations. Previously, Kristin was a Managing Director in Morgan Stanley’s corporate finance department, focused on working with private equity clients, for 10 years. Kristin began her career as a Consultant at Booz Allen & Hamilton, focused on marketing-intensive clients. Kristin received an M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a B.A. in Math and Economics from Pomona College.
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Matthew Sparks - Northleaf Capital
08/28/2025
Matthew Sparks - Northleaf Capital
Matthew Sparks, Managing Director, is a senior leader on the private equity team at Northleaf Capital Partners. Matthew leads the firm’s North American secondaries strategy and also plays a key role in managing its Canadian fund investment portfolio. With more than 15 years at Northleaf, he brings deep expertise in evaluating complex deals, building trusted GP relationships, and navigating the fast-evolving secondaries market. He’s been recognized as a Next Gen Leader by Secondaries Investor and awarded the Emerging Leader Award by The Private Capital Markets Association of Canada as “One to Watch” — a reflection of his thoughtful approach to investing and long-term perspective in a dynamic market. Before joining Northleaf, Matthew started his career at Monitor Group, where he worked across industries on strategy, M&A, and integration. He holds an H.B.A. with distinction from the Ivey Business School and is a member of Northleaf’s Private Equity Investment Committee.
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Chris Rozzell - Cresta Fund Management
08/14/2025
Chris Rozzell - Cresta Fund Management
Disclaimer: The discussion in this podcast is for informational purposes and should not be relied on as investment advice or an offer to sell or a solicitation for an offer to buy any securities. Any opinions expressed are those of the speaker and are subject to change. Any discussion of past performance is provided for informational purposes only, is not track record information and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance. Any information regarding the performance of prior companies was discussed in order to illustrate the experience of the partners of the firm and does not reflect the private equity fund management experience of the partners. It should not be assumed that investments made by Cresta will be comparable in quality or performance to the prior companies. About Chris Rozzell: Chris Rozzell brings 23 years of investing and operating experience across the infrastructure sector. He co-founded Cresta in 2016 and leads the firm’s transaction sourcing, execution, portfolio management, and overall operations. Mr. Rozzell currently serves on the boards of LF Bioenergy, Lapis Carbon Solutions, and Braya Renewable Fuels. Before Cresta, he was Chief Executive Officer of Wildcat Midstream Holdings, a middle market energy midstream investment platform. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Regency Energy Partners, where he directed commercial project development, acquisitions, gas supply, marketing, scheduling, and gas control. Earlier in his career, Mr. Rozzell held leadership roles in strategic planning, development, and enterprise risk at TXU Corp., and began his career in the Investment Banking Division of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. He holds a B.B.A. in Finance from Southern Methodist University.
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Scott Sperling - THL Partners
07/31/2025
Scott Sperling - THL Partners
Scott is Co-Chief Executive Officer and a co-chair of the firm’s Management committee. Scott’s current and prior directorships include Thermo Fisher Scientific Corp., Agiliti, the Madison Square Garden Company, Experian, Warner Music Group, Houghton Mifflin Co., Fisher Scientific, Univision Communications, Inc., iHeartMedia, Inc., Front Line Management, The Learning Company, PriCellular Corp., ProcureNet, ProSiebenSat.1, Wyndham Hotels, Federal Street Acquisition Corp. and several other private companies. Prior to joining Thomas H. Lee Partners, Scott was, for more than a decade, managing partner of the affiliate of Harvard Management Company that managed all alternative asset classes for Harvard University’s endowment fund. Before that he was a Senior Consultant with the Boston Consulting Group. Scott is involved with a number of charitable and non-profit organizations. He is Chairman of MassGeneralBrigham, the Parent of the Harvard teaching hospitals, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital as well as a number of leading specialty and community hospitals and physicians practice groups. He is Chairman Emeritus of the CitiCenter for Performing Arts and Wang Theater. He is also a member of each of the Harvard Business School Board of Dean’s Advisors, the Harvard University Committee on University Resources and the Harvard Business School’s Rock Center for Entrepreneurship.
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Paul Raphael - Auréa
07/17/2025
Paul Raphael - Auréa
Paul Raphael Paul is an established investment professional with extensive M&A and financing experience. He was Executive Vice Chairman at UBS from 2018 to 2021. He joined UBS in 2010 initially as Head of Global Emerging Markets and later served as UBS’ Head of Wealth Management for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America where he managed $450 billion of client assets and over 3,000 employees across four continents. Before joining UBS in 2010, he spent six years at Credit Suisse, including three years in Hong Kong as Head of Investment Banking for the Asia Pacific region. Prior to this, Paul spent 10 years with Merrill Lynch in London and Paris and eight years at Salomon Brothers in New York in various M&A and capital markets roles. Paul is a member of the advisory board of LIFE where he was founding chairman and a member of the Special Advisory Council of International Crisis Group. He has a degree in economics from the University of Maryland and an MSC in management from MIT Sloan School of Management.
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Neda Vakilian - Actis
06/19/2025
Neda Vakilian - Actis
Neda Vakilian, Partner, Investor Solutions Group at Actis Neda is a partner of the firm having joined Actis in January 2022 where she was responsible for the coordination and management of strategic investor initiatives, fundraising project management, and product development. In March 2023, Neda was promoted to Global Head of Actis’ Investor Solutions Group. Neda has 20 years of industry experience, working across private capital markets, business development, and fundraising. Before joining Actis, she was Co-Head of Capital Solutions and Investor Relations for Amber Infrastructure. In this role, she was responsible for sales, client servicing, and product development, and was an investment committee member and board director on strategies. Prior to this, Neda worked at Macquarie Capital and the Green Investment Bank (now the Green Investment Group) where she was a leading member of the team responsible for raising what was, at the time, the largest renewables fund in Europe. She began her career as a solicitor, working at Clifford Chance and SJ Berwin. Disclaimer Risk management seeks to mitigate risk but does not eliminate risk and does not protect against losses. The statements referenced herein regarding the impact of the United States political office on decarbonisation efforts or the market are as of June 2025 and represent the views of Actis which is not research and should not be treated as research. Historic market trends are not reliable indicators of actual future market behaviour or future performance of any particular investment which may differ materially and should not be relied upon as such. Moreover, there is no assurance historical trends will continue.
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Robert Brown - Lincoln International
06/05/2025
Robert Brown - Lincoln International
As Lincoln’s Chief Executive Officer and a key driver of the firm’s growth from its beginnings, Rob has been instrumental in building its global footprint and a highly desirable culture that prioritizes attracting, retaining and engaging top talent at all levels. As a connected leader within the firm, Rob works closely with Lincoln’s investment banking professionals to help them achieve success. He continues to focus on building long-term relationships with clients and prospects, achieving optimal results through his thoughtful, interpersonal and collaborative approach. Rob has nearly 30 years of experience advising leading private equity groups, privately owned businesses and large public companies on divestitures, acquisitions and other strategic initiatives. Rob helped start Lincoln’s industrials and consumer practices and led the firm’s business services practice for more than a decade. Accordingly, Rob has a deep understanding of how to best position companies for sale, drive competitive processes and negotiate to successful closings. As a recognized advisor and thought leader in the investment banking industry, Rob is a frequent guest on WBBM’s Noon Business Hour in Chicago and a speaker and author on mergers and acquisitions-related topics. Rob sits on the board of UNICEF USA and the Dean’s Business Council for the Gies School of Business at the University of Illinois. He is also President of the Board of Regents at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. Prior to Lincoln, Rob worked at Price Waterhouse. His diverse experiences include management positions in Price Waterhouse’s investment banking subsidiary and the Transaction Services group. Rob earned a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois. Rob is a certified public accountant (inactive).
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Advice to Young Professionals and College Students
05/22/2025
Advice to Young Professionals and College Students
Advice to College Students Montage — Episode Overview For this special segment, we compiled standout moments from our guests’ responses to one of our favorite questions: “What advice would you give to college students or young professionals just starting out?” This recurring question has become a listener favorite on the podcast, and in this episode, we’re bringing those insights together into a powerful montage. From timeless career wisdom to honest reflections on failure and resilience, each soundbite delivers real-world guidance for the next generation of leaders. Featured Guests: This montage includes advice from top executives, investors, and entrepreneurs featured in past episodes, including: Sunaina Sinha, Raymond James Brad Armstrong, Lovell Minnick Partners Greg Belinfanti, One Equity Partners Adam Feinstein, Vesey Street Capital Partners Devon Kirk, Portage Steve Young, HGGC Jack Purcell, Ridgemont Equity Partners Steve Gord, Hidden River Strategic Capital Paul Swaney, Swaney Capital Group Mark Strauch, Alpine Investors Jeff Jenkins, Bernhard Capital Partners Patrick Maciariello, Compass Diversified Bogdan Gogulan, NewSpace Capital Erik Brooks, Ethos Capital Jeff Aiello, Agellus Capital Marshall Adkins, Raymond James Andrew Weinberg, Brightstar Capital Partners Lucy Heintz, Actis John Diggins, Platinum Equity Purpose: This episode aims to inspire college students, recent graduates, and young professionals with tactical advice and encouragement straight from the industry’s top minds. It’s also a great resource to share with interns, mentees, or students exploring careers in finance, investing, or business leadership. Let us know if you'd like a custom graphic, suggested caption, or LinkedIn blurb to go with it.
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John Diggins - Platinum Equity
05/08/2025
John Diggins - Platinum Equity
John Diggins is responsible for senior level business development activities focused on identifying new acquisition opportunities and has been involved in sourcing many multi-billion dollar deals during his time at Platinum. Mr. Diggins joined Platinum Equity in 1996. Prior to joining Platinum, he was the co-founder of Ventec Systems with Platinum Equity Chairman and CEO Tom Gores. Mr. Gores brought Mr. Diggins to Platinum Equity to drive deal sourcing and help shape the firm in its early days of growth. In this capacity Mr. Diggins served as CEO at Platinum Equity portfolio companies Pilot Software and Foresight Software. Mr. Diggins holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of New Mexico
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Wharton Graduates - Advice to Young Professionals
04/24/2025
Wharton Graduates - Advice to Young Professionals
As graduation season kicks off, many students and young professionals are stepping into an exciting new chapter — one filled with opportunity, growth, and a few unknowns. To mark this milestone, we’ve curated a special montage episode featuring timeless advice from nine distinguished Wharton alumni. These leaders have successfully navigated the path from campus to boardroom, and they’re sharing candid insights on mindset, momentum, and making your mark in Private Equity and Investment Banking. In this episode, you’ll hear from: Dave Tayeh – Investcorp Marc Leder – Sun Capital Partners Neha Markle – Morgan Stanley Bob Frost – Lazard Jeff Collins – Cloverlay Jeff Aiello – Agellus Michael Butler – Cascadia Capital Jack Purcell – Ridgemont Equity Partners Barry Freeman – Lincoln International Whether you’re just graduating or mentoring the next generation of finance leaders, this episode delivers practical, powerful advice that’s well worth the listen.
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Branch Out Podcast with Jeff Henningsen
04/10/2025
Branch Out Podcast with Jeff Henningsen
We’re excited to share a special episode of the Branch Out Podcast featuring Jeff Henningsen! Jeff has always been curious, creative, and committed to his goals—traits that have fueled his success across a variety of industries. Jeff’s entrepreneurial journey began early, mowing lawns as a student to earn extra cash. That side hustle eventually grew into a full-fledged business, which he sold at just 22 years old. From there, he moved into the world of private equity and ultimately became the President of Lockton Companies in Texas, a role he’s held for the past 26 years. In addition to his leadership role, Jeff is also the host of the Private Equity Fast Pitch podcast. In this conversation, originally recorded on Branch Out, Jeff shares the mindset shifts and habits that have helped him thrive—both professionally and personally. Key Points From This Episode: The key factor that separates “idea men” from successful entrepreneurs. Why Jeff is so passionate about the value of coaching. What inspired Jeff to launch his podcast—and the surprising outcomes it’s led to. The importance of committing to your goals. Why Jeff thinks of himself as a (figurative) orchestra conductor. How being an introvert can actually be a strength. Why doing beats dreaming every time. Whether you're launching a new venture or looking to lead with more purpose, Jeff’s story is full of insights and inspiration.
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Lucy Heintz - Actis
03/27/2025
Lucy Heintz - Actis
The description of Actis' process in evaluating investments reflects the opinions of Actis and of the typical investment process (or intended investment process) as of March 2025, but this investment process can vary for particular investments and is subject to change at Actis' discretion and without prior notice. References to 'mitigating risk' does not guarantee against risk and does not protect against losses. General discussions contained in this document regarding the Indian or South East Asian market or market conditions represent the view of either the source cited or Actis. Such information is not research and should not be treated as research. Moreover, there is no assurance historical trends will continue. The information referenced herein is as of March 2025, unless otherwise indicated, is subject to change.
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Quotes & Motto's from Female Private Equity Professionals
03/13/2025
Quotes & Motto's from Female Private Equity Professionals
Powerhouse Women in Private Equity & Investment Banking Our Female Quotes & Montage spotlights an extraordinary lineup of women who are shaping the future of private equity and investment banking. From driving strategic investments to leading top firms, these industry trailblazers embody leadership, innovation, and impact. Featuring insights from Sunaina Sinha of Raymond James, Neha Markle of Morgan Stanley, Deborah Smith of The CenterCap Group, Blythe Jack of TSG Consumer, Franny Jones of The Sterling Group, Meahgan O’Grady of Palladium Equity Partners, Shannon Zoller of Tephra Advisors, Julia Karol of Watermill Group, Gretchen Perkins of Avance Investment Management, Gina Luna of GP Capital Partners, Caroline Stevens of MPK Equity Partners, Devon Kirk of Portage Capital Solutions, Tammie Miller of TKO Miller, Chrisanne Corbett of KPMG, Lauren Mulholland of Middle Ground, and Suzanne Yoon of Kinzie Capital Partners. Their voices inspire the next generation and reinforce the power of women in finance.
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