
Private Equity Conference
Fund Strategy & Differentiation

Craig Martin
Chairman, Midwest, Willkie Farr & Gallagher
Craig Martin
Chairman, Midwest, Willkie Farr & Gallagher
Craig Martin serves as chairman, Midwest for Willkie Farr & Gallagher and is a member of the executive committee. A leading national trial lawyer, his clients include major corporations and the nation’s most influential families, and he regularly appears as lead counsel in trials and appeals in state and federal courts as well as in domestic and international arbitrations. Craig also counsels boards and board committees of public and private companies and law firms on a variety of sensitive and complicated matters and conducts board and management-driven investigations involving various subjects domestically and internationally.
Craig is also well-known for his philanthropic, community service, and pro bono contributions. Since 2015, he has served as a board member of the Crown Family Philanthropies. For nearly two decades, he was a board member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, including serving as secretary, vice-chairman and chairman from 2011-2014. In 2015, the board established the Craig Martin Award educational scholarship in his honor. In the same year, he and his wife established the Laura & Craig Martin Innovative Academic Programs Endowment Fund for the Latin School of Chicago. Craig also serves on the executive committee of the board of directors of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Chicago Club, and the Economic Club of Chicago.
Craig holds a BA magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame and a JD from Harvard University.

Andrew Alexander, MBA ’16
Managing Director, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
Andrew Alexander, MBA ’16
Managing Director, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
Andrew Alexander joined Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP) in 2016 and currently serves as a managing director of the investment management team. In this capacity, he is responsible for investment due diligence, transaction execution, and portfolio management. Prior to joining LLCP, Andrew was a senior associate with PNC Capital Markets in Philadelphia, where he structured and syndicated leveraged finance transactions. Andrew received a BSBA in finance and accounting from Villanova University and an MBA with high honors from Chicago Booth.

Michael Glascott, MBA ’01
Managing Director, I Squared Capital
Michael Glascott, MBA ’01
Managing Director, I Squared Capital
Michael Glascott joined I Squared Capital in 2024 as a managing director and specializes in asset management, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, business development, funds placement, and capital raising. Prior to joining I Squared Capital, Michael was a managing director at Macquarie Group, within its client solutions division. Michael holds a BA in business economics and organizational behavior and management from Brown University and an MBA from Chicago Booth.

Irina Krasik
Managing Director, Stellex Capital
Irina Krasik
Managing Director, Stellex Capital
Irina Krasik is a member of Stellex’s investment team. Prior to joining Stellex in 2021, Irina was a principal at Bregal Partners where she led investments in the business services sector. Before Bregal Partners, Irina was a principal at Wicks Capital Partners and prior to that an associate at the Carlyle Group.
Irina is currently a director of the board of Hodess Cleanroom Construction, LFG Data Services, and P3 Services. Irina previously served on the boards of Bendon, Bisnow, My Mochi, Northstar Travel Group, PLH Group, Sontiq, and Syndigo.
Irina graduated from Rutgers University with a BS in finance and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School with high distinction.

Joe Linnen
Partner, Co-Head of Business Development, TJC
Joe Linnen
Partner, Co-Head of Business Development, TJC
Joe Linnen is a partner and co-head of business development and also serves on the executive committee and investment committee at TJC. Joe joined TJC in 1993 and is focused on sourcing, originating, and evaluating transactions. He serves on the board of directors of CFS Brands. Joe is chairman emeritus of the La Lumiere School board of trustees, and he was co-chairman of its courageous vision capital campaign. Joe was a founding director of the Oz Park Baseball Association in Chicago. He holds a BA in business administration with a concentration in finance from the University of Notre Dame.
Evaluating Opportunities & Executing Investments

Stephen Master, MBA ’12
Managing Director, GTCR
Stephen Master, MBA ’12
Managing Director, GTCR
Stephen Master joined GTCR in 2008 and is currently a managing director at the firm. Prior to joining GTCR, Stephen worked as an analyst in the telecommunications and mergers & acquisitions groups at UBS Investment Bank. He is currently a director of Guideline, Lexipol, and Simpli.fi, and played an instrumental role in GTCR’s investment in Landmark Aviation. Stephen was previously a director of Beeline, Cision, Inteliquent, Protection 1, and Park Place. Stephen holds a BA summa cum laude from Northwestern University in mathematical methods in the social sciences and economics and an MBA with honors from Chicago Booth.

J.C. Wetzel, MBA ’17
Managing Director, Thompson Street Capital Partners
J.C. Wetzel, MBA ’17
Managing Director, Thompson Street Capital Partners
J.C. Wetzel is a managing director at Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP) with a sector focus in healthcare, life sciences, and software/technology. He is currently on the board of directors for Absolute Biotech, Benefit Recovery Group, Data Dimensions, and Vector Laboratories, and formerly on the board of directors for Healthcare Linen Services Group and Palisade. Prior to joining TSCP, J.C. was an associate at Wind Point Partners and a financial analyst at Houlihan Lokey. J.C. holds a BA in mathematics, German, and economics from Northwestern University, along with a MBA from Chicago Booth.
Private Capital: Alternatives to Buyout

Damian Ridealgh
Global Cohead of Private Credit and Capital Solutions, Freshfields
Damian Ridealgh
Global Cohead of Private Credit and Capital Solutions, Freshfields
Damian Ridealgh’s practice focuses on the representation of private capital clients, including credit funds, private equity funds, and other financial institutions on capital solutions, special situations, and liability management transactions. He also advises private capital clients on complex US and European financings covering acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, restructurings, REIT and fund financings, and asset-based lending. Prior to joining Freshfields, Damian was a partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
Damian received a LLM with merit from the University College London, a LPC from College of Law, London, and a LLB with honors from Anglia University.

Jessica Holsey
Managing Director, Private Equity Investments
Jessica Holsey
Managing Director, Private Equity Investments
Jessica Holsey focuses on private equity diverse manager investments and small and
emerging manager investments. Prior to joining GCM Grosvenor, Ms. Holsey was
president and cofounder of Susty Party, a consumer products company where she
oversaw all aspects of the business including managing strategic relationships with
key sales accounts, overseeing operations, new product development and production
forecasting. Ms. Holsey began her career at Credit Suisse as an analyst in Equity
Sales and Trading before later joining the Customized Fund Investment Group as a
private equity analyst focused on fund investments and co-investments. Ms. Holsey
received her Bachelor of Arts in economics from Harvard College.

Shari Young Lewis, MBA ’06
Private Equity Investor, Institutional Investors & Family Offices
Shari Young Lewis, MBA ’06
Private Equity Investor, Institutional Investors & Family Offices
Shari Young Lewis has more than two decades of experience launching and scaling private market investment programs for institutional investors and families. As a managing director at Cresset Partners, Shari built and led the firm’s inaugural private funds and co-investment program. Previously, she was a partner for more than 15 years in the private equity practice at Aon Investments, where she built and managed custom investment programs for numerous foundations and pension plans. Previously, Shari had principal investing and investment banking experience. Shari is a founding circle member of Private Equity Women’s Investor Network (PEWIN) and serves on the Midwest steering committee for the Women’s Association of Venture and Equity (WAVE). Shari also serves on the board of directors for the Little Giraffe Foundation. Shari holds a BBA with distinction in finance and marketing from Emory University Goizueta Business School and an MBA in finance, accounting, and entrepreneurship from Chicago Booth.

Ryan Smith, MBA ’16
Managing Director, Secondary Investments, Hamilton Lane
Ryan Smith, MBA ’16
Managing Director, Secondary Investments, Hamilton Lane
Ryan is a managing director on the Secondary Investment team, responsible for due diligence and execution of secondary investments.
Prior to joining Hamilton Lane in 2016, Ryan was an associate with CVF Capital, a California-based private equity firm; and with Cambridge Associates, where he evaluated fund investment opportunities out of the firm’s Boston office. Ryan began his career as a financial analyst in the Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs.
Ryan graduated summa cum laude with a BS in finance from Brigham Young University and received an MBA with high honors from Chicago Booth.

Matthew Sparacino
Managing, Director, Cohead of US Direct Lending Underwriting, Apollo Credit
Matthew Sparacino
Managing, Director, Cohead of US Direct Lending Underwriting, Apollo Credit
Matthew Sparacino is the managing director and cohead of US Direct Lending Underwriting at Apollo. Prior to this role, he was a member of Apollo’s Opportunistic Credit team and was responsible for financial analysis in the healthcare, gaming and power sectors, among others. Prior to joining the firm, Matthew was managing director at Claren Road Asset Management. Previously, he held positions as director at Collineo Asset Management., vice president at Deutsche Bank Securities, associate at PwC Securities, and analyst at Banc of America Securities.
Matthew graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a BBA in finance and a second major in Spanish literature.
PE Operations & Asset Ownership

Gregory Metz
Partner, Co-Head of Private Equity, McDermott Will & Emery
Gregory Metz
Partner, Co-Head of Private Equity, McDermott Will & Emery
Greg Metz is a co-head of McDermott Will & Energy’s Private Equity Practice Group and co-head of the Chicago Office’s Transactions Practice Group.
With a focus on complex business transactions, Greg regularly works with private equity clients on mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, debt and equity restructurings, and divestitures. He has structured, negotiated, and closed many transactions within a variety of industries. Greg has represented Gemspring Capital, Sterling Partners, The Sterling Group, and Capitol Meridian Partners.
Greg holds a BA summa cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis and a JD cum laude from Northwestern University.

Rory Kenny, MBA ’18
Principal, Shore Capital
Rory Kenny, MBA ’18
Principal, Shore Capital
Rory is a principal at Shore Capital, a microcap private equity firm focused on partnering with companies that have between $1-10 million of EBITDA. Rory’s responsibilities include sourcing, evaluating and enabling the growth of Shore investments in the business services industry. Prior to re-joining Shore after business school, Rory worked as an associate at Shore for 2 years. His experience included conducting due diligence on new investment opportunities and implementing value creation initiatives within portfolio investments. He worked most closely with Innovia Medical, Great Lakes Dental Partners, and IZI Medical. Prior to Shore, Rory worked at J.P. Morgan in the corporate banking and leveraged finance group. Outside of the office, Rory is actively involved with the Big Shoulders Fund and serves on the junior board of Loyola Academy. Rory received a BA, cum laude, in government and spanish from Georgetown University and an MBA from Chicago Booth.

Stephen Nied, MBA ’94
Managing Operating Partner, Francisco Partners
Stephen Nied, MBA ’94
Managing Operating Partner, Francisco Partners
Steve Nied is a managing operating partner at Francisco Partners Consulting (FPC). Based in Austin, Texas, he joined FPC in 2012. He previously worked at AT&T, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Wolters Kluwer. Steve has a BSE in systems science and engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a BSEcon in finance from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. In addition, he has an MBA in operations and finance from Chicago Booth.

Konrad Salaber, MBA ’11
Managing Director, Wind Point Partners
Konrad Salaber, MBA ’11
Managing Director, Wind Point Partners
Konrad Salaber joined Wind Point Partners in 2004. He currently serves on the boards of Warehouse on Wheels, D&H United, Quantix, STG Logistics, and Smart Care. Previously, he served on the boards of Dicom Transportation Group, Nonni’s, Paragon Films, Pestell Nutrition, Rupari Foods, and Valicor Environmental Services.
Prior to Wind Point, he was an analyst in the investment banking division of A.G. Edwards Capital Markets. Konrad holds a BSBA in finance and accounting, a BA in English from Washington University in St. Louis, and an MBA from Chicago Booth, where he was a Canfield Private Equity Fellow.

Sean Turner, MBA ’03
Managing Director, GI Partners
Sean Turner, MBA ’03
Managing Director, GI Partners
Sean Turner is a managing director, portfolio operations at GI Partners. Sean currently serves on the boards of Aras, Daxko, Insurity, and Doxim. Prior to joining GI Partners, he was the vice president of strategic programs for Greenway Health, a Vista Equity Partners’ portfolio company.
Sean received his BS from the University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, and his MBA from Chicago Booth.
Current Topics in Private Equity

John Gilligan
Partner & Cofounder, Riverspan Partners
John Gilligan
Partner & Cofounder, Riverspan Partners
Prior to Riverspan, John Gilligan was a partner at BDT & Company. BDT & Company is a merchant bank that provides advice and long-term capital through its affiliated funds to help owners of closely held businesses find creative solutions to their most complex issues while providing access to a world-class network of business owners and leaders. BDT & Company’s affiliate, BDT Capital Partners, has deployed $29 billion in capital through its investment funds and co-investments. Before joining BDT & Company, Mr. Gilligan spent 10 years at Golden Gate Capital. At Golden Gate Capital, Mr. Gilligan led the Software vertical from 2008-2010, established the firm training program, and ran recruiting for nine years. Mr. Gilligan began his career at Bain & Company in San Francisco as an associate consultant.
John earned an AB in chemistry and chemical biology summa cum laude from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Ravi Shah
Partner, McNally Capital
Ravi Shah
Partner, McNally Capital
Ravi P. Shah is a partner at McNally Capital, where he focuses on leading the investment team across the national security, aerospace, and industrial technology & automation industries.
Ravi joined McNally Capital in 2016 and coleads the execution of the firm’s investment thesis in national security. He is instrumental in driving investments within that industry, including current portfolio companies Orbis, Xcelerate Solutions, FedData, and Altamira Technologies.
Prior to joining McNally, he was at Flexis Capital, a New York-based private equity firm. Ravi began his career in investment banking at Moelis & Company, where he focused on M&A and restructuring transactions.
Ravi is Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors for Ballet Chicago, a not-for-profit professional-track school of ballet. He is a former competitor and state referee with USA Powerlifting, where he supported the availability of drug-tested powerlifting competitions in the United States. He previously served as an Auxiliary Police Officer with the New York City Police Department, Patrol Borough Manhattan South Command.
He received a BSc in finance from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University.

Chad Strader, MBA ’15
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Red Arts Capital
Chad Strader, MBA ’15
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Red Arts Capital
Chad Strader is a cofounder and managing partner for Red Arts Capital. Before forming Red Arts in 2015, Chad invested in private equity transactions at Woodlawn Partners and held finance and accounting roles at PepsiCo.
Beyond Red Arts, Chad is a term member at the Council of Foreign Relations, and member of the Young Leaders Circle at The Milken Institute and Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). He also serves as a board member of Big Shoulders Fund and member of The Chicago Club and The Economic Club of Chicago. Chad received a BBA in Accounting from Georgia Southern University and an MBA from Chicago Booth.

Suzanne Yoon
Founder and Managing Partner, Kinzie Capital Partners
Suzanne Yoon
Founder and Managing Partner, Kinzie Capital Partners
Suzanne Yoon is the founder and managing partner of Kinzie Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on control investments in lower middle market companies in the manufactured products, business services and consumer industries. She currently serves as chair of the Investment Committee for Kinzie and as board chair of Kinzie’s portfolio companies Colony Display, Chelsea Lighting, GT Golf Holdings and Arctic Industries. In 2017, Suzanne launched Kinzie as part of her long-standing vision to advance the use of technology and innovation to help companies unlock value. Kinzie’s operational focus and advancement of technology leads to improved efficiency and new avenues for growth within Kinzie’s diverse portfolio of companies. In 2020, Kinzie was recognized by the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN) as the North American Female Founded Firm of the Year.
Suzanne has over 25 years of experience investing in and advising middle market companies. Before founding Kinzie, she held senior roles at Versa Capital Management, CIT Group and LaSalle Bank/ABN AMRO. She also held positions in the Special Assets Group and Restructuring Advisory at LaSalle Bank and Ernst and Young’s Corporate Finance group, respectively.
A recognized leader in both the business and civic spheres, Suzanne has extensive experience serving on private company and civic boards including the National Philanthropic Trust, Chicago’s John G. Shedd Aquarium and the University of Iowa Center for Advancement. Suzanne is on the Steering Committee of the Women’s Association of Venture & Equity (WAVE) and is active with the Private Equity Women’s Investor Network (PEWIN). She is a member of the Illinois Venture Capital Association and The Chicago Network.
Mergers & Acquisitions named Yoon one of the Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; The Wall Street Journal recognized her as a Top Female Deal Maker Shaping Private Equity’s Present and Future in 2019 and Chicago United named her one of their Business Leaders of Color in 2021. Suzanne earned her BA in Economics from the University of Iowa and is an executive scholar of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Sale Process Preparation & Asset Exit

Daniel Breslin
Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP
Daniel Breslin
Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP
Daniel Breslin advises private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and clients on mergers and acquisitions and other significant corporate transactions, both in the US and cross-border. Transactions include, mergers and acquisitions,SPACs, minority investments, joint ventures, corporate reorganizations and restructurings, and corporate governance. Daniel delivers solution-oriented counsel, combining experience in a wide variety of mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters, he develops business-focused strategies for clients’ most critical transactions. He is also a member of Latham’s Ethics Committee.
Daniel has received a BS from the University of Wisconsin Madison with recognition on the Dean’s List and Distinctive Scholastic Achievement. He also holds a JD from Columbia Law School, recognized as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and James Kent Scholar.

Anthony Caporrino
Managing Director and Head of US Transaction Advisory Group, Alvarez & Marsal
Anthony Caporrino
Managing Director and Head of US Transaction Advisory Group, Alvarez & Marsal
Anthony Caporrino is a managing director with Alvarez & Marsal’s Transaction Advisory Group (TAG) in New York. He is the US practice leader for TAG.
With more than 15 years of transaction-related experience, Anthony specializes in coordinating and leading financial accounting due diligence projects for both private equity and strategic buyers. He advises clients on leveraged recapitalizations, purchase accounting and analyzing, and supporting purchase price adjustments. He brings extensive experience in analyzing quality of earnings and analyzing costs in acquisitions of divisions of public companies.
Anthony has performed financial accounting due diligence projects across numerous industries, including environmental, manufacturing, transportation, branded consumer products, technology, aerospace, distribution, insurance brokerage, medical device, and entertainment. He has also led numerous international transactions involving detailed knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards requirements.
Prior to joining A&M, Anthony was a director with the transaction advisory services unit of Duff & Phelps, LLC, where he assisted in significantly expanding the practice. Previously, he was with the transaction advisory services practices of both Ernst & Young and Arthur Andersen in New York. He began his career with the commercial products and services division in the audit and business advisory practice of Arthur Andersen.
Anthony earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from Boston College, Carroll School of Management. He is a Certified Public Accountant in New York and is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the New York Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth.

Marcelo Mourao Silva, MBA ’12
Managing Director, Gryphon Investors
Marcelo Mourao Silva, MBA ’12
Managing Director, Gryphon Investors
Marcelo Mourao Silva joined Gryphon in 2021 and is a member of Gryphon’s Industrial Growth Group. He is responsible for originating, executing and managing investments and is currently focused on new investments in Specialty Distribution, Infrastructure & Utility Products, and Transportation & Logistics. Marcelo currently serves on the board of Vessco Water and is actively involved in supporting Gryphon’s investment in Transportation Insight/NTG.
Prior to joining Gryphon, Marcelo was a principal at Apax Partners, where he originated, executed and managed investments in business and industrial services, value-added distribution, route-based logistics and industrial technology. Previously, he was an associate consultant at Advisia OC&C Management Consulting. Marcelo started his career as an Analyst at Ericsson.
Marcelo received a BS in electrical engineering and an MSc in machine learning from UFMG-Brazil. He also holds an MBA from Chicago Booth.

Christen Paras
Partner, Transaction Team, MiddleGround Capital
Christen Paras
Partner, Transaction Team, MiddleGround Capital
Christen Paras is a partner, transaction team leader, and member of the investment committee at MiddleGround. She is focused on transaction sourcing and execution as well as overall management of the team. Previously, Christen ran MiddleGround’s business development, investor relations, and marketing platforms. Christen joined MiddleGround from CoBe Capital, where she served as the head of global business development. Prior to CoBe Capital, Christen was a managing director at Orion Consultants, where she advised investment banks on managing their top institutional relationships and optimizing market position before, during, and after the Great Recession. Christen received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.