Take the Stage: Recent Episodes
Alexis Alvarez
Welcome to Take the Stage where I interview the rockstars who are paving their paths in lower and middle market PE-firms, portfolio companies, family offices, and investor-backed startups. Discover their career paths, common pain points, what it takes to succeed in their roles, and most importantly, what makes them rockstars!
Today on Take the Stage, as part of our special series "Ladies Who Rock," we’re shining the spotlight on Jessie Harris. Jessie is a Vice President at TXV Partners, an Austin-based venture capital firm that focuses on the intersection of health, tech, and sports. Her career journey spans from Investment Banking at Barclays to Credit Investing at Blackstone, and now to early-stage investing in companies dedicated to human health and performance. In this episode, Jessie shares insights into her career path, the rise of women's sports, and the sector's shift towards greater gender inclusion and investment.
Episode Outline and Highlights
[1:10] Jessie shares her journey from Southern California to Princeton and Wall Street.
[3:11] Jessie explains her career progression from investment banking at Barclays to private credit at Blackstone, and finally to venture capital at TXV Partners
[11:45] How Jessie discovered her passion for the intersection of health, tech, and sports, leading her to explore venture capital
[14:00] The importance of identifying industries you're passionate about when considering career moves
[16:05] Jessie highlights the value of being open-minded and actively seeking opportunities, building networks, and learning from peers and mentors.
[18:05] The importance of raising your hand and taking opportunities that align with your strengths.
[22:05] Embracing discomfort and overcoming self-doubt in career transitions.
[25:27] Discussing the evolving landscape for women in finance and the progress made in recent years.
[26:41] Addressing challenges and harmful mindsets women face in the sports industry.
[27:38] Navigating tokenism and the crucial role of senior female mentors in finance and their impact on career development.
[30:53] Exploring the growth potential of women's sports and the factors driving increased investment and attention.
[43:44] How venture capital is contributing to improved accessibility and wellness in sports and health tech.
[48:45] Jessie's insights on the power of networking and building confidence for aspiring investors.
Special Mentions
Monarch Collective
Connect with our guest
Jessie Harris's LinkedIn
TXV Partners | LinkedIn
Connect with Alexis:
LinkedIn | alexis@career-rockstars.com
Today on Take the Stage, we are shining the spotlight on Peter Washington. Peter is Managing Director and Head of Originations for The Copia Group, a diverse-founded and led firm that provides debt and equity capital solutions to lower middle-market companies. His journey is marked by over two decades of experience as a credit investment professional at firms such as CapX Partners and the Northern Trust Company. From attending a non-target school to making a name for himself on Wall Street and defying odds after the Great Financial Crisis of 2008, Peter takes us through his journey and shares insight on navigating your career path, diversity in the space, and the importance of work-life balance.
Episode Outline and Highlights
[1:13] Peter reflects on his 23-year journey in the credit and lending business, including experiences with Bank of America, the Northern Trust Company, a 14-year tenure at Cap X Partners, to his current role with The Copia Group.
[6:20] We dig deeper into Peter's early path, from encounters in high school and finance classes at Florida A&M that ultimately drove him to a career in credit and lending.
[13.46] Peter finance journey is marked by key moments: valuing underwriting skills, engaging with clients' stories, and closing his first independent deal in 2013. Witnessing a company's growth from $5M revenue to a public listing in 2019 fuels his passion for finance.
[20:10] Peter describes The Copia Group's focus on underserved borrowers in the lower middle market, its three core beliefs, and their mission to bridge credit access disparities for women and diverse entrepreneurs.
[33:28] Peter discusses how working with leaders who prioritize family values has been invaluable in his career and explains how transitioning from singlehood to family life taught him the importance of a supportive work environment.
[38:13] Peter gives three pieces of advice to the next generation of investment professionals.
[45:34] Peter explains that the journey isn't linear; inflection points shape it. Despite challenges, qualities like quality work, humility, hunger, and self-belief are vital.
Connect with our guest
Peter Washington's LinkedIn
The Copia Group | LinkedIn
Connect with Alexis: LinkedIn | alexis@career-rockstars.com
On this special episode of Take the Stage we are shining the spotlight on Jerry Arteaga and Greg Povenski, two Special Operations Forces vets who were able to successfully forge their paths into private equity following long and decorated careers in the military. Beyond their achievements, Jerry and Greg are advocates for recognizing and integrating veteran skills within the investment sector. They discuss their journeys and efforts to reshape the narrative around veterans in private equity.
Episode Outline and Highlights
[2:12] Jerry discusses his transition from a 23-year military career, including 15 years in Special Operations as a Green Beret, to his current role in private equity.
[7:06] Greg details his transition from early enlistment in the Army and Special Forces to pursuing higher education and a career in finance.
[14:45] Jerry and Greg explain how their military training and experience in Special Operations Forces, characterized by rapid decision-making in high-stakes environments and strategic operations with limited resources, have prepared them for their careers in PE.
[23:07] The discussion pivots to address concerns and stereotypes regarding the potential militarization of workplace teams by veterans. Jerry offers an insightful and powerful response, positioning it as a compelling narrative for veterans transitioning to civilian roles.
[27:57:] Greg shares his journey of leveraging networking to transition, highlighting the challenges and benefits of building connections within the industry.
[31:53] Greg underscores the importance of veterans educating themselves on the empirical evidence that supports the inclusion of veterans in business.
[34:08] Jerry shares his take on transitioning from military to civilian careers, stressing that veterans must recognize "nobody owes you a job."
[37:34] Reflecting on his role as a lobbyist interacting with Capitol Hill's elite, Jerry explains how this role honed skills invaluable to PE.
[40:14] On veteran recruitment and hiring, Greg gives a clear call-to-action to hiring managers and offers practical advice to firms.
[43:04] Jerry advocates for prioritizing inherent traits over specific skills in hiring decisions, emphasizing, "Hire for traits and train the skill."
[45:40] Greg emphasizes the transformative power of military training, emphasizing that the intrinsic traits and high-level skills veterans acquire in the military are not easily teachable, whereas specific business skills can be taught.
[50:37] Greg touches on Jerry’s opinion regarding “nobody owning you a job” and reflects on the profound sense of obligation he feels towards fellow veterans, driven by the opportunities and support he received during his military service.
[52:36] Jerry articulates a nuanced stance on hiring veterans, emphasizing the value of recognizing professional merits first and veteran status second.
[55:29] Jerry emphasizes the need for veterans and recruiters to demonstrate how military experience translates to the corporate world and advocates for moving beyond the concept of hiring veterans as an act of charity.
[57:35] Greg counters by framing his support for hiring veterans not as charity, but as informed advocacy, akin to alumni networks.
[59:51]The conversation highlights the lack of specific affinity groups for veterans within the financial sector, compared to well-established networks for other demographics.
Connect with our guests
- Jerry Arteaga’s LinkedIn
- Cold Bore Capital Website | LinkedIn
- Greg Povenski's LinkedIn
Resources Mentioned
- Elite Meet
- 51 Vets
- Veterans on Wall Street
- "The Business Case for Hiring Military Veterans"
- Military Veterans’ Transferrable Skills: An HRD Practitioner Dilemma"
Special Causes
- Green Beret Foundation
- Warrior Mission Ranch
Connect with Alexis: LinkedIn | alexis@career-rockstars.com
Today on Take the Stage and our special series Ladies Who Rock, we are shining the spotlight on Jaclyn Voor. Jaclyn is a skilled operator specializing in portfolio company value creation for private equity clients. With over 10 years of experience, Jaclyn has built a remarkable career, transforming companies and driving exponential value for her clients. From her early days in consulting at EY to her pivotal role as VP of Transformation for a $1 billion Platinium Equity portfolio company, Jaclyn's expertise in portfolio company value creation is unique. Her passion led her to establish her own independent consulting business focused on portfolio company transformation and value creation.
Episode Outline and Highlights
- [1:28] Jaclyn reveals how her interest in supply chain and operations ignited during college and talks about the two key influences that shaped her path.
- [3:18] The transition into private equity began with her career at EY where she focused on performance improvement and supply chain transformations for PE-backed companies.
- [5:25] Jaclyn touches on her pivotal move to Platinum Equity and her subsequent promotion to VP of Transformation for its $1 billion portfolio company, Club Car.
- [7:23] Jaclyn delves into the intrinsic motivation that ultimately fueled her decision to establish her own independent consulting business focused on portfolio company transformation and value creation.
- [10:35] The conversation dives into imposter syndrome and Jaclyn's strategies for overcoming it, especially given that she was the VP of Transformation for a $1 billion portfolio company before the age of 30.
- [14:15] Jaclyn emphasizes the importance of achieving a "state of flow" not only for personal benefit but for professional excellence, as well.
- [18:29 Jaclyn demystifies the relationship between portfolio operations and value creation.
- [21:27] Jaclyn offers valuable advice for those aspiring to enter or advance in private equity operations, emphasizing the significance of building quality connections and choosing the right network.
- [24:10] Jaclyn sheds light on the nuanced art of building connections and addresses whether to connect with the portfolio operations team at the fund level or with portfolio company leadership
Jaclyn Voor's LinkedIn
JV Transformation Advisors Website | LinkedIn
Connect with Alexis Alvarez onLinkedIn | alexis@career-rockstars.com
This is Part 2 of our Take the Stage episode with Matan Feldman.
Matan is founder and CEO of Wall Street Prep, a global full-service financial training firm providing self-study programs, instructor-led training and e-learning services to investment banks, financial institutions, and Fortune 1000 companies.
In Part 2, Matan reflects on the transformative journey of Wall Street Prep since the 2008 crisis and its impact on the finance industry.
Episode Outline and Highlights
[01:52] - Matan discusses the impact of the 2008 financial crisis on Wall Street Prep and how they adapted.
[03:42] - He touches on how they expanded from a single program into a comprehensive suite of financial education offerings and the strategic approach they took to cater to corporate clients while shifting towards digitization.
[12:16] - Matan’s realization that Wall Street Prep is becoming a “real” business marks a turning point, as they begin to define themselves as a format-agnostic content company and begin investing in technology, hires, and building capabilities to deliver content both in the classroom and digitally.
[14:15] - This commitment to delivering high-quality content in both digital and classroom formats led to a slow but steady growth trajectory and positioned themselves for bigger wins in the corporate sector.
[23:43] - Matan shares his thoughts on how Wall Street Prep has transformed the finance industry by providing equal opportunities for individuals to break into competitive careers and thereby leveling the playing field when it comes to removing barriers that existed before.
[24:35] - While he takes pride in Wall Street Prep’s role as an equalizer, enabling anyone, regardless of their program, academic background, or school reputation, to learn and thrive in the industry, Matan also questions whether Wall Street Prep has made recruitment interviews harder.
[26:08] - Looking ahead, their vision is to become the go-to resource for all finance careers, bridge the generational divide, and meet the evolving needs of learners in a rapidly changing industry.
[31:25] - Matan wraps up by discussing Wall Street Prep's mission to go beyond being a mere signaling mechanism. As industries evolve, including the influence of AI and data, Wall Street Prep remains focused on the end user and ensuring their products deliver tangible results.
Special Links:
This career-focused program combines the institutional knowledge from the world’s leading business school with the practical skills approach of the private equity industry's leading training provider.
Wall Street Prep & Wharton Private Equity Certificate Program
Connect with Matan Feldman
Matan Feldman on LinkedIn
Wall Street Prep Website | LinkedIn
Connect with Alexis Alvarez
Alexis on LinkedIn
Alexis on email alexis@career-rockstars.com
Today on Take the Stage, we are shining the spotlight on Matan Feldman. Matan is founder and CEO of Wall Street Prep, a global full-service financial training firm providing self-study programs, instructor-led training and e-learning services to investment banks, financial institutions, and Fortune 1000 companies. This is part one of a two-part episode where Matan takes us on a journey through the early years of his entrepreneurial venture. From his experiences in investment banking to the inception of Wall Street Prep, Matan shares the challenges, inspirations, and pivotal moments that shaped the company's path.
Episode Outline and Highlights
[03:24] Matan shares his journey through M&A and sell-side equity research to the decision of starting Wall Street Prep.
[07:59] While working at JP Morgan, Matan realized the need for a resource he wished he had when entering the industry. He reflects on his time at Boston U and how his exposure to finance and investment banking didn’t come until a study abroad experience his junior year. Matan describes the challenges of understanding the industry jargon and the lack of accessible resources, which in turn, inspired his vision to simplify and demystify the technical skills needed for finance careers.
[12:04] Matan details his initial vision for Wall Street Prep, which was focused on an eight-week program akin to a Kaplan-style LSAT prep, targeting college students interested in investment banking. Matan explains the barriers that existed in accessing knowledge and mentions his desire to break these unnecessary moats and signaling mechanisms that existed in the industry.
[17:37] Matan explains his bold career move and the reactions of his family and friends when he tells them of his entrepreneurial desires.
[22:27] Matan explains that the first year was dedicated to creating content and building the program without market validation or proof of concept. He describes how he spent long hours developing the materials, drawing from his work discipline gained in investment banking. He also shares the grassroots efforts to promote his program that yielded minimal success.
[25:15] Matan shares how his marketing strategy shifted with the arrival of Google AdWords which helped him learn valuable marketing lessons during this phase, including the importance of global advertising for a global product.
[28:50] Matan shares how he learned his lesson about pricing and positioning and reflects on the moment he realizes Wall Street Prep’s growth potential.
[34:53] Matan reflects on a crucial transition in his life as revenue started flowing in and how the focus became about expanding offerings and building Wall Street Prep's reputation, while navigating the challenges that come with being a small, unknown company.
[38:13] Matan addresses the credibility obstacles they faced as a small business and discusses how demand from finance clubs for their innovative self-study approach allowed them to overcome objections and showcase the practical relevance of their program.
Special Links:
This career-focused program combines the institutional knowledge from the world’s leading business school with the practical skills approach of the private equity industry's leading training provider.
Wall Street Prep & Wharton Private Equity Certificate Program
Connect with Matan Feldman
Matan Feldman on LinkedIn
Wall Street Prep Website | LinkedIn
Connect with Alexis Alvarez
Alexis on LinkedIn
Alexis on email alexis@career-rockstars.com
Today on Take the Stage, we are shining the spotlight on Patty Fernandez Moore. Patty is a Senior Associate at Lightspring Capital Partners, a lower middle market PE firm that targets majority equity investments across various industries. She began her career in the Valuation & Business Modeling group at EY before completing her MBA and joining JP Morgan's Investment Banking Group in Chicago. She also happens to be a mother of a toddler and helps to dispel the myth that women cannot successfully balance motherhood with a career in private equity. In this episode, Patty opens up about her experiences, offering insights for women who struggle with the age-old question, "can women really have it all?"
Episode Outline and Highlights
[01:45] Breaking the mold - Patty shares her journey of embracing motherhood while working as an Investment Banking Associate and how she "broke the mold" to prove that it is possible to thrive in both roles.
[08:10] Patty recounts her experience on what it was like to interview and participate in her recruitment processes while pregnant and the surprisingly positive experience it turned out to be.
[10:50] Finding the right culture fit is important to everyone when recruiting and Patty shares how she approached this as an expectant mother. She offers advice on just how to navigate recruitment processes and encourages women to pursue their career aspirations.
[13:03] The joys and challenges of being a working mom are endless, but Patty has found joy in unexpected places. Becoming a mother has given her the critical and invaluable ability to set boundaries, something she wishes she had done earlier in her career. She also cites forging deeper connections with other women and reveling in what she calls the sisterhood of motherhood.
[18:10] Patty concludes the episode by offering heartfelt advice to women considering a career in private equity and answering the question "Do women over overthink this too much?
Patty Fernandez Moore's LinkedIn
Lightspring Capital Website | LinkedIn
Connect with Alexis Alvarez on LinkedIn | alexis@career-rockstars.com
Today on Take the Stage, we are shining the spotlight on Emily Yin. Emily is an Analyst at Avante Capital Partners, the largest women-owned private credit firm in the SBIC industry. She is primarily responsible for investment due diligence but also works on other impact initiatives, including a junior women’s network and student mentorship through Avante’s diversity internship program. Emily graduated with a bachelor’s degree in global health and previously worked in biotech and pharma. She is passionate about the intersection between finance and social impact, particularly in healthcare equity and women’s health.
Episode Outline and Highlights
1:45 Emily enlightens us with her fascinating, non-traditional background that includes Global Health and little exposure to the world of private equity.
5:00 Emily explains what drove and attracted her to the space. With a network that didn’t include the investment banking/PE crowd, but with guidance from mentors, Emily approached it by spreading a wide net.
9:05 Emily talks about the qualities or experiences that were instrumental in her breaking into PE and how she overcame the steep learning curve by taking initiative and using her non-traditional background to her advantage. Mentors and the right attitude played a big part, too.
15:05 Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable was key to Emily's success. Emily understood that it wasn’t about having all the answers but asking the right questions. Understanding that it’s an apprenticeship business, shadowing VPs, learning different methods and styles, bringing in a new perspective and knowing there are several ways to reach an outcome were factors in overcoming the overwhelm.
18:11 Emily explains the uniqueAvante internship program. Few internships offer women / minorities / non-finance profiles a program to explore if they would be interested in pursuing PE roles without currently possessing the technical chops or traditional profile.
20:02 Emily discusses the Avante junior women’s network, her desire to foster a supportive community for young women as they advance in their careers while increasing diversity throughout the industry, and the types of events they hold.
32:02 Emily drops golden nuggets regarding female talent, balancing family (either managing when to have children or balancing the “partner track”) and how it doesn’t need to be a choice between personal or professional.
35:20 Emily offers advice to women who see it as a choice between family and work. She’s both conscious and grateful her firm bucks the trend but recognises it hasn’t always been that way, isn’t at every firm, and that there’s still much to do.
39:45 Emily shares her take on the negative feelings associated with networking and shares several platforms, including regional and cultural professional groups. She talks cold reach outs, moving past feelings of rejection, and most importantly, how to build your tribe.
Emily Yin's LinkedIn
Avante Capital Partners Website | LinkedIn
Connect with Alexis Alvarez on LinkedIn | alexis@career-rockstars.com
Today on Take the Stage, we are shining the spotlight on Rocio Heres. Rocio is the Managing Director at AltamarCAM Capital Partners where she is currently co-head of the New York office and a member of Altamar’s 10-person US investment team. She has led an extensive number of deals in the US, Latin America, and Europe, focusing on GP-led restructurings in the LMM. Originally from Northern Spain, she has been residing in New York for the past six years.
Episode Outline and Highlights
[1:00] Rocio walks us through her international career that spans three countries - Spain, Chile, and the United States. After five years with Altamar, and upon the successful setup of a new office in South America, she was moved to NYC to open Altamar's first US office where she currently serves as MD.
[4:30] Being a foreigner, a woman, and a non-native English speaker, Rocio discusses living outside her comfort zone and overcoming those challenges. She attributes it through work ethic and effort, the need to work harder and longer.
[10:00] Reflection time! Rocio looks back at the start of her professional career and with the benefit of hindsight offers what she would have changed - avoid self-limiting beliefs, be more confident, work hard and be patient!
[12:45] What does being named inNext GenLeaders of Secondaries (2021 list), which spotlights the 20 most influential people (and being one of only 20 women and the only MD listed) mean to Rocio? Humbled and honored by the recognition which proved her hard work, she didn’t expect it even though she aspired to be included on it.
[15:00] What would it take to increase the number of women on similar lists in the future? Rocio details that by looking at past lists, the trend is already apparent and trending upward. She also thinks that by supporting female talent, be it candidates or colleagues, will help ensure that no one feels alone as she once did. More flexibility will also help. Lastly, women should understand that they are deserving and finance positions are for them, too.
[18:00] Is there a misconception by women of work life and personal life balance within PE? Rocio thinks it’s misunderstood and that it does exist.
[20:15] Rocio’s take on diversity within the PE space - more and more investors are asking for it. Having diversity within investment teams makes them stronger and allows for better investment decisions. It’s becoming more important and LP’s already have in mind that they should support diversity.
Rocio Heres' LinkedIn
AltamarCAM Capital Website | LinkedIn
Connect with Alexis Alvarez on LinkedIn | alexis@career-rockstars.com
Today on Take the Stage, we are shining the spotlight on Ashley Kooyenga. Ashley's career starts with the financial downturn of 2008 and takes her through a series of rapid growth promotions that culminate in her current role with a lower middle-market family equity firm. Her path is peppered with pivots, recalibrations, and even a year-long pause. From investment banker to Director of healthcare leveraged finance at 28, a one-year long sabbatical to travel the world, and now as Director of Business Development for McNally Capital, Ashley shares her take on the most important attributes for finding success, the importance of following your gut feeling, the power of mentors, and more.
Episode Outline and Highlights
[1:00] Ashley walks us through her career that started out amidst a looming financial crisis. Within her career journey she explains her motivations for making the decisions she made and ultimately what drove her to embark on a year long travel-the-world tour. She adds plenty of flavor while explaining her trajectory and decisions made through her advancement.
[6:00] Ready for goals and structure, Ashley returns home to pursue her long held desire to work for a healthcare operator which leads to a jump back into PE, this time at the firm level.
[10:40] Giving credit where credit is due, Ashley says some of the most important attributes for finding success are: 1) detecting the right team and accompanying support system; 2) being a hard worker and asking the right questions (because the real answers aren’t found in textbooks but rather in the people around you); and 3) taking initiative to make yourself available and being helpful towards others.
[18:00] Golden nugget takeaway time: by trying to do the right thing, listening to your gut and putting the power of leveraging mentors front of mind, the effort/work you do becomes all the more meaningful.
[24:00] How did Ashley’s year abroad make her a better professional? It grounded her and provided an opportunity to take a pause and put things into perspective in terms of being able to add value no matter the path you are on. For her, this was built around relationships and people, creating trust and being helpful.
[30:00] Ashley describes the favorite aspect of her work: that magical matchmaking moment in the beginning of a new business relationship when she realizes that her firm is the perfect partner to the acquisition company to help them keep growing.
Ashley Kooyenga's Bio and LinkedIn
- Ashley Kooyenga is the Director of Business Development at McNally Capital. Ashley leads the firm’s origination and business development efforts, including sourcing new platform and add-on acquisition opportunities. Prior to joining McNally Capital, she worked in various roles across the leveraged finance industry at Ally Corporate Finance and Cordant Health.
McNally Capital Website | LinkedIn
Important Causes to Ashley
- Chicago Lights
- Compassion International
Connect with Alexis Alvarez on LinkedIn | alexis@career-rockstars.com
Today on Take the Stage, we are shining the spotlight on Sam Ory. Sam started her career with a degree in Design from Parsons The New School For Design. Your read that right! So how did Sam parlay her fashion degree into a successful career in PE as founder and General Partner of Ouroboros Group? We touch on confidence, leveraging different professional experiences, and turning perceived "deficits" into advantages.
Episode Outline and Highlights
[1:00] Sam the fashion major explains her path to becoming Sam the finance and PE professional.
[4:30] From Morgan Stanley to grad school, where she really dug into the buy-side of finance, a move into a hedge fund, followed by another into more traditional private equity and finally into entrepreneurship after buying out her first company, Sam captivates us with her intriguing career journey. Buckle up, it's a doozy!
[8:25] It's Ouroboros time, baby! Sam explains what's behind the unique name of her company and the authenticity and proprietary deal sourcing that sets them apart.
[13:30] Sam responds to whether being a young, female founder has helped or hindered her and how the Covid-era work from home environment has worked to her advantage.
[17:20] The defining moment - reflecting on that "breakthrough moment" or event when she knew she had "made it," Sam shares her perspective on gaining confidence in herself, being comfortable saying she doesn't have the answer or know something, and how it plays into the cycle of trust.
[21:00] Sam nails her last question! "What is the most important trait or strength one needs to have to succeed in your job?" Besides requiring a lot of quantitative and qualitative maturity, stamina and pattern recognition, as well as soft skills such as sales leadership and candor speaking with stakeholders, and not only wearing multiple hats, but being ok with it, performing flawlessly and executing strategically, what it really boils down to is having multiple jobs and experiences and pulling from that pattern recognition. BOOM! Yeah it does...
Sam Ory's Bio and Contact Info
Sam Ory is the General Partner at Ouroboros Group, a private investment firm specializing in middle market corporate acquisitions and operations. She has led two deals to closing over the past year with Ouroboros in both the contract manufacturing services and consumer services sectors. Prior to Ouroboros Sam was on the investment team at Generation Equity Capital where she was active in sourcing, evaluating and executing on investment opportunities as well as developing investment theses across various sectors. Sam received her BBA in Design & Management, Summa Cum Laude, from Parsons The New School For Design and an MBA from Brandeis University.
Connect with Sam Ory
Sam on LinkedIn
Ouroboros Group Website | LinkedIn
Connect with Alexis Alvarez
Alexis onLinkedIn
Alexis on email alexis@career-rockstars.com
Today on Take the Stage, we are shining the spotlight on Michelle Lewis. From a Fine Arts degree to Principal at The Capstreet Group, Michelle's career path is all but ordinary. We discuss how she was able to turn her non-traditional background into a career in PE and also touch on personal topics familiar to many working parents, such as "Mom guilt", family dynamics, and turning "being the only one" into opportunity.
Episode Outline and Highlights
(1:15) Michelle enlightens us about how she moved from a Fine Arts degree to a career in private equity. Michelle identifies with 3 distinct phases as she reflects on her career: 1. Why not? --> a yearning for new experiences, a curious mindset and pursuit of learning and trying new things; 2. Getting a seat at the table --> pursuing an MBA and pivoting into the world of restructuring/M&A 3. Making a conscious effort AGAIN to always learn something new --> started a new chapter within private equity.
(7:35) Did you ever have a fear of failure? Michele possesses the same "common denominator quality" as all high performing rockstars: The mentality of, "Although I might not know exactly what I am doing, I can figure it out and I'm up to the task."
(10:10) Michelle explains what the phrase, "To whom much is given, much is expected" means to her values-driven family and her belief in the importance of giving back.
(15:35) Harnessing her web of influence, Michelle explains the involvement of her childrens' friends in their acts of kindness and the impact it brings.
(18:00) Michelle discusses how she makes the family dynamic work. How she and her husband balance their executive careers and relationship. She explains her experience with "Mom guilt", the importance of letting go of your own expectations, and being ok with imperfection.
(7:00) Michelle offers advice for any woman who will be "the only woman (or man, or mother, etc) in the room", by turning around the focal point and looking at it through a different lense. Instead of viewing it as the only one at the table, one should look at it as an opportunity and privilege for that person to be in that spot and to shine and illustrate the greatness of it.
Michelle Lewis' Bio and Contact Info
Michelle Lewis is a Principal and investment committee member for a lower middle-market private equity firm in Houston. She oversees origination for the firm's investments in industrial distribution and services, software, and tech-enabled businesses. Over the course of her career, she has successfully closed several billion in cross-border public and private transactions from the Texas panhandle to Kazakhstan and been involved in many more. And most recently, she was named to Kayo's Top 21 in 21 Texas Dealmakers List.
Michelle on LinkedIn
The CapStreet Group Website | LinkedIn
Important Causes to Michelle
GenerationServe HoustonWebsite
CareerSpring Website
Connect with Alexis Alvarez
Alexis onLinkedIn
Alexis on email alexis@career-rockstars.com
Today on Take the Stage, we are shining a spotlight on Deana Morrow, whose impressive track-record spans 20 years of executive leadership, M&A, corporate development and investment banking experience. From a Physics and Aeronautical Engineering graduate to CEO of a gourmet food manufacturing company to Managing Director of an award-winning M&A consulting firm, Deana’s career path is fascinating and all but ordinary.
In today’s episode, we discuss how she got where she is today, the importance and lifelong benefits of mentorship, and her advice for women looking to pave their path in business.
Episode Outline and Highlights
(1:48)Deana walks us through her “off-the-beaten-path” career. She explains how her love for science and business led her to the industries she’s worked in and why she always ends up coming back to M&A.
(3:13) Deana discusses what her experiences in male dominated industries have taught her. Key takeaways being the importance of both confidence and intuition, especially when you find yourself as the only woman in the room. Deana and Alexis share some great insights for anyone starting off their careers and looking to develop those qualities.
(7:37) Deana reflects on the most impactful decisions and factors that shaped her career and the power of mentorship.
(12:51) How has your approach to business and your career shifted with age? (i.e. in your 20’s, your 30’s, etc.) Deana describes how she now sees her career in a wave-like rather than linear fashion, what that means, and the value of “growing” in a new pot of soil, so to speak.
(16:21) Deana shares her advice to women in male dominated industries, both figurative and tactical. Moral of the story: take control, make your own path and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want!
Deana Morrow Bio and Contact Info
Deana has 20 years of experience in executive leadership, mergers & acquisitions, corporate development and investment banking. She is the former President and CEO of Torn Ranch, a luxury CPG company based in Sonoma, California. Prior to Torn Ranch, she led M&A and due diligence efforts for BAE Systems and was a technology investment banker with Credit Suisse. She lives in the Bay Area in California.
Deana on LinkedIn
Align Business Advisory Website | LinkedIn
Resources Mentioned/Highlighted
Clear Star AdvisoryWebsite
Torn Ranch Website
Connect with Alexis Alvarez
Alexis onLinkedIn
Alexis on email alexis@career-rockstars.com
In today’s episode, we are shining a spotlight on Elisabeth Wadsworth. Elisabeth has spent the last 15 years working within finance, investment banking, hedge funds and PE. A true NYC powerhouse, Elisabeth discusses her non-traditional journey from political science major to high-impact board advisor. Beyond her exciting career journey, we cover entering the workforce amidst financial downturn, the importance and value of stewardship and building high impact teams, and fostering D&I, in and out of the board room. Throughout the episode, Elisabeth and Alexis offer lots of great insight and wisdom from both personal and professional perspectives, applicable to professionals at any stage of their careers.
Episode Outline and Highlights
(1:57) Elisabeth discusses her career journey and transitions along the way. She goes from business school, investment banking, portfolio management, to being a trusted investor and board director, with many twists and turns. She also touches on her passion for governance, and investing from a human capital perspective.
(3:30) How important is timing when it comes to opportunities and leaving for a new role?
(5:50) Elisabeth and Alexis share their thoughts on networking. Elisabeth discusses the importance of advocating for networking, natural ways to connect with others and shares how it has shaped her career. “Once you detach from the desired outcome, at the end of the day, networking is just a conversation. One conversation can lead to a lifetime of conversations.” - yes!
(9:57) Elisabeth describes the most impactful events or factors that shaped her career progression. Graduating from Wharton at the start of a major economic downturn threw a wrench in millions of recents grads' career plans. Elisabeth used it to her benefit. She's also an advocate for business school, especially for those coming from non-traditional backgrounds, like herself.
(16:35) Elisabeth shares her definition of success. For her, it’s all about the team, and enabling others to be great.
(22:06) What does “Beyond Diversity and Inclusion” mean to you? Elisabeth and Alexis share their opinions, initiatives and “a-ha” moments in regards to D&I.
(32:02) In your opinion, how can one be a champion of D&I at an individual contributor level? Elisabeth discusses the importance of self-education, challenging assumptions and engaging in meaningful conversations.
Elisabeth Wadsworth Bio and Contact Info
Elisabeth Wadsworth is an investor, board member, and writer. She’s also an avid reader and self-described urban enthusiast. Elisabeth has spent 15 years working in finance, from investment banking to hedge funds to private equity. She’s served in a variety of roles, including portfolio management and board advisory. In her most recent role, she is an Advisor at Palingen Capital, a lower middle market evergreen firm.
Elisabeth on LinkedIn
Palingen Capital Website | LinkedIn
People and Resources Mentioned/Highlighted
Friends of the Children - A nationwide organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through salaried, professional mentoring.
Women of Consequence - Chanel Dokun
Connect with Alexis Alvarez
Alexis on LinkedIn
Alexis on email alexis@career-rockstars.com
Networking - It's an ever so important term that many feel a needlessly uncomfortable amount of dread towards. To many, the words “daunting,” “awkwardness” and “intimidating” also come to mind. Alexis chunks the process of networking down into manageable and simple mini-steps. She offers 4 pieces of advice that are simple for anyone to implement. These tips will help you to jumpstart your relationship building. After all, there's a lot of truth behind the saying, "your network is your net worth."
Episode Outline and Highlights
- [1:00] The power and influence of your network – are you operating in the red?
- [3:20] Changing the lens from which we view the term networking – frame it instead around starting a discussion around a common theme and remove any negative or adverse feelings/attitudes towards networking.
- [4:40] Perhaps we should change the language as well: networking = building community or being surrounded by a tribe of like-minded people.
- [5:00] Advice #1 – Finding groups or individuals who have similar interests.
- [6:35] Advice #2 – Actively engage. Start following companies, connect with hiring managers, and have meaningful conversations with employees that share whatever that common ground and similarity you have/seek.
- [8:20] Advice #3 – Refine or hone in and create a more targeted audience list and reach out to those with a common pain point to whom we can relate.
- [10:19] Advice #4 – Be the change you want to see and become the voice of influence.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn
alexis@career-rockstars.com
www.career-rockstars.com
In this episode, we are shining the spotlight on Malia Funk, a second year associate at a Lower Middle Market firm. Malia's journey into PE started in Hawaii, traversed to OSU, and wound up in Manhattan. It’s much more complex than geographical change or happenstance. It’s purposeful. Methodical. Calculated. No paths are created equally and no two paths are the same. The traditional road to private equity is usually paved and straight - there's a typical profile that prevails, but as Malia points out and exemplifies, there is a recognizable shift where the trail can be a bit more adventurous.
(:30) Malia describes her non-traditional background and her relatively atypical path to PE. Her insightful thought process and compelling storytelling is just the start of what there is to love about her and her journey thus far in her early career.
(5:34) What attracted you to PE and acquisitions and what were your concerns about entering the M&A space?
(12:38) Malia shares her thoughts about women withdrawing from recruitment opportunities and how they tend to view the job application process. Are women more afraid of failure or is it something else?
(18:36) Malia provides some unique perspective on the psychology of male traits that are often emphasized (confidence and individualism) and how they differ from those of women (caring for others, putting others above yourself, and being likeable). The conversation continues about the implications of these traits on entering the candidate/interview process, especially as they pertain to women.
(21:55) How will women and women of your generation (millennial and Gen Z’s) influence PE in the future? Malia "spins" a great response about how women who have been able to make it to the high stakes table and make big investment decisions have already broken the molds and overcome numerous setbacks and they'll bring a lot of good disruption along with them.
(28:35) How can women best prepare themselves for the challenges and rewards of a career in private equity? Malia reflects and offers a lot of practical advice and so many golden nuggets that are 100% suitable to both genders, such as the importance of young professionals establishing their hardware and then uploading their software...yes!
(34:55) Malia and Alexis wrap up their session with thoughts on how women should support their fellow female colleagues in private equity.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn
alexis@career-rockstars.com
www.career-rockstars.com
Today we are shining the spotlight on a true trailblazer in the tech and media scene. Cristina Garces is CEO and founder of Optiva Media, a niche engineering services company that delivers audio and video technology solutions across the entire digital TV and audio media market chain.
(0:31): Who is Optiva Media? Cristina provides the background.
(1:43): A Women in Business 2020 Grant Thornton report says Spain has 5% more than the global average of gender equality in the work place when looking at women who hold senior management positions in mid size companies.
(5:00): Career journey of CEO Cristina Garces from studying arts and literature to earning a computer engineering degree, founding a company and becoming CEO. She tells an interesting “trail-blazer” story about how she continually forced changes and made decisions that often went against conventional thinking when she left reputable companies and high job security in search of new challenges and ventures.
(16:47): As a woman working in male dominated industries, was there ever a point in your career where you felt you needed to change, act or speak differently and adopt “mannerisms”? Cristina states that to be taken seriously especially for younger women, you need to act and be more serious and bold than your colleagues. Also she suggests young women be over-prepared and be prepared to take control in meetings.
(26:06): Women being proactive at Optiva Media through their “Coffeeology” initiative in order to: 1) hire more women; 2) retain them; and 3) how can they change/evolve the Optiva culture to support and continue the advancement of women.
(34:58): What is your best piece of advice to women aspiring to progress through the ranks in your career?
Connect with Cristina on LinkedIn
Check out Optiva Media on LinkedIn
Report Mentioned: Women in Business 2020 Grant Thornton
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn
alexis@career-rockstars.com
www.career-rockstars.com
Today we'll be shining the spotlight on Sugata Jain, former Director of IE Business School's Startup Lab and currently a lady who rocks the male-dominated space that is venture capital and early stage startups. In this episode we cover several key topics including:
[13:59] Pain points when working with entrepreneurs
[16:40] Pain points of VCs/investors when sourcing business opportunities
[26:22] Why this space continues to be so male-dominated
And lots more! Connect with Sugata Jain www.linkedin.com/in/sugatajain/
And if you want more information on how to recruit rockstars for your company, please reach out: alexis@career-rockstars.com