Investors & Operators

Before leading value creation at Brightstar Capital Partners, Chris Nicolini served as an Army officer, ran large-scale manufacturing operations, and led transformation efforts at General Electric. Today, he brings those lessons to founder-led businesses navigating growth, talent challenges, AI adoption, and operational change. Topics: AI Implementation at PE firms Building a Repeatable Hiring Pip...

Alex Russ is the Head of Americas for Evercore’s Private Funds Group. He advises PE sponsors on fundraising strategy, LP positioning, and market navigation, with a focus on helping managers differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive capital environment. Hilary LaBrash is a Managing Director in Evercore’s Private Funds Group, where she works closely with emerging and established manage...

Andrew Nelson is Chief of Staff to the CEO at Waste Eliminator, where he helps drive strategic initiatives, operational execution, and growth across the company’s expanding footprint in the Southeast. Before entering the private sector, Andrew spent six years in the U.S. Army with 3rd Ranger Battalion, completing five deployments across Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He transitioned from the milita...

Mike Silva is an Investment Manager at CalPERS, where he has spent more than a decade leading the institution’s Emerging Manager Program across private equity, private debt, and real estate. He focuses on sourcing, evaluating, and advocating for emerging managers internally while helping shape CalPERS’ broader approach to middle-market and venture investing. Topics: Where Emerging Managers Should...

Topics: Why Fewer, Better Theses Win Integration Lessons from 100+ Acquisitions What LPs Look for in the First Meeting How to Win Trust in Controlled Deals ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Avoid overpaying, overlevering, and overconcentrating. Because Jarrett has seen firsthand how getting this wrong—even on a “good” business—can take down an entire fund. His rule: only buy what already makes se...

Chris Nikic is the first person with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman. He has also ran all SIX Global Marathon Majors, Won TWO ESPY's, and become a global Ambassador for the Special Olympics. He’s an Adidas-sponsored athlete, an author, and a public speaker. Topics: From Overweight to Ironman Inclusion Through Sport The 1% Better Philosophy Limiting Parenting Beliefs ...and so much more. Top T...

Topics: Venue Do’s & Don’ts Agendas for Emerging Managers Panels vs. Single Presenters Public LP Constraints AGMs as a Brand Opportunity ...and so much more. Brian Bank shares what actually makes AGMs stand out from an LP’s perspective—from venue and agenda to networking, speakers, and swag. It offers clear, experience-driven takeaways for GPs and emerging managers who want their AGM to feel d...

Liz Weindruch breaks down what makes an AGM work from an LP’s perspective. The result is a practical, no-fluff guide for emerging managers planning their first or next AGM. Topics: Comms Best Practices Use of Panels & Presenters AI & Technology Discussion Swag Strategy What Makes an AGM Memorable ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Design the AGM experience around LP value, not GP convenien...

Topics: “99% Right Is 100% Wrong” Mindset Maximizing Outcomes in a Sale Process Post-Close Seller Regrets ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Make your first deals your brand. Matt emphasizes that early deals define how the market sees you and become proof of your standards and the caliber of clients you can win. That’s why it pays to set a clear bar for what you’ll take on: deal quality, counterpa...

Topics: How Sponsors Communicate Efficiently What Investors Look For in First Calls Lower Middle Market Buy-and-Build Strategies ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Match your capital partners to your stage of maturity. Grant notes that choosing the right capital partner upfront prevents misalignment and speeds your path forward. For example, early sponsors gain the most by co-sponsoring with seaso...

Topics: Emotional Highs & Lows of Founders Why Hire Above Your Skill Set Learning to Spot Opportunities ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Founders: Build a culture of cheap experiments and fast iteration. The first version of BluWave was a platform people liked in theory but hated in execution. That’s when the team leaned on Jim Collins’ “bullets before cannonballs” approach: test small, vali...

Topics: Early Fundraising Mistakes Culture of Constructive Debate Using Data for Value Creation  ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Simplicity is a fundraising advantage. New managers often try to stand out with creative structures or mixed strategies. Instead, make it easy for investors to say “yes”: standard 2/20 terms, one defined strategy, three memorable differentiators, and an ongoing d...

Topics: How to Prepare for a Sale Customer Diversification as a Growth Lever Importance of Board Culture ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Keep leverage in check for stability. In the ImpactXM deal, David’s team held the company for 10 years and achieved a 21x ROI. When COVID hit, low leverage and a diversified service mix kept the business alive. The lesson for independent sponsors: don’t overex...

Topics: Thematic Sourcing for Better Deals How to Fortify the Foundation Post-Close People & Culture as a Value Driver ...and so much more.  Top Takeaways Build a data-driven foundation. Eliot and Jordan agree it’s impossible to manage what you can’t measure. In the first 120 days, Broadwing focuses on defining key KPIs, setting a reporting cadence, and creating a single source of truth for d...

Topics: Fundraising Lessons from a $1.6B Fund A Carve-Out Playbook That Scales Why You Need a One-Page Strategy ...and so much more.  Top Takeaways Keep strategy simple. Instead of 50-slide strategy decks, Chris insists on a one-pager with two to four clear priorities. Every team member, from associate to partner, should be able to recite them. Simplicity drives alignment and execution. 3 actiona...

Topics: What to Prioritize in Your First Deal How to Vet Founder-Led Companies Capital Trends for Independent Sponsors ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Bet on grit, not credentials. Dan jokes that both Jordan and Douglas had terrible business ideas when he first met them, but he backed them anyway for their grit and drive. Douglas echoes the same philosophy in his hiring practices. It’s not abou...

Topics: Hybrid Model: PE + Search Fund A Strong Operator Profile Equity & Structure in Operator Deals ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Succession is one of the biggest overlooked opportunities in the lower middle market. Over 50% of small business owners in the U.S. are nearing retirement age, but many lack a clear succession plan. For investors and operators, that’s an opportunity. Firms li...

Topics: Founder Misconceptions About PE Friction Points in Integration  Signs a Business Is M&A-Ready ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Roll-ups require a clear playbook or you’ll struggle to scale. Justin shares that Agellus Capital targets fragmented, non-discretionary markets and looks for add-ons with high recurring revenue and complementary services. Without clear acquisition criter...

Topics: Pre-LOI: How Independent Sponsors Win Deals LOI Execution: Structure, Risks, Mistakes Good vs. Bad Post-LOI Diligence What Attracts and Repels Capital ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Rollover is your edge against strategics. Strategic buyers often can’t offer it. Independent sponsors can—that’s your edge. Typical range is 10–40%, and when structured well, the second bite can be worth mo...

Topics: 3 Pillars of Growth for Small Businesses How to Assess Exit Readiness Types of Founder Transitions in PE Deals ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Not all revenue is worth the risk. Jordan shares how 51 Labs landed a $150K recruiting project—but was it smart expansion or just a distraction? Greg’s rule: If an opportunity adds complexity without strengthening your core, it’s a no-go. Instead...

Topics: Why Sellers Walk Away Last Minute How to Avoid Post-Sale Regret Why Early Exit Planning Matters ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Selling a business is more than just a transaction. Most owners think they’re ready to sell—until they realize they’re walking away from more than just a company. Their business has been their routine, their problem to solve, their social circle, and their purp...

Topics: 5-Element Hiring Framework Hiring for Attributes vs. Experience Moneyball Thinking for Smart Hiring ...and so much more. Top Takeaways What happens when you work and lead with passion? Vern and Michael emphasize that passion is crucial for both business success and leadership. Passion keeps teams committed through challenges and drives both personal and professional growth. For leaders, it...

Topics: How to Free Up Leadership Bandwidth The Power of Mission, Vision & Values Pitfalls in Implementing The Management System ...and so much more.  Top Takeaways Want more freedom? Get more structure and discipline. Many founders resist structure, fearing it will slow them down. In reality, a well-defined system brings clarity, accountability, and autonomy. As an SMB founder, Michael knows...

Topics: How to Avoid Mid-Career Burnout Confusing Activity with Productivity Building Mental Resilience Through Endurance ...and so much more. Top Takeaways Write your own eulogy to reframe success. Professionals often hit a mid-career plateau where work feels less fulfilling. Kevin shares practical exercises to help reframe your purpose. One standout is the "Tombstone Exercise": write what you'...

Topics: Why PE Should Hire Veterans Navigating the Challenges of Growing Companies How Mentors Play a Role in Breaking into PE ...and so much more. Top Takeaways What do your company and a brontosaurus have in common? As businesses grow, founders often struggle with transitioning from generalist roles to more focused leadership. Professor Carter Cast’s HBR article describes the Dinosaur Diagnostic...