Private Equity
International
International
Operating Partners Forum New York 2021
20 - 21 October 2021,
Convene, 117 W 46th St, New York
The largest global event for private equity value creation
Private Equity International’s Operating Partners Forum New York is the world’s largest event dedicated to operating partners. The 11th annual event is focused on best practices in private equity portfolio operations and value creation across all functional business areas.
Join the operating partner community to discuss and debate the best reset strategies to deliver maximum portfolio growth post-crisis this October in-person in New York City.
Extensive opportunities to network, compare best practices, build new relationships and influence the future of value creation models make this an event not to be missed.
Create the most operationally efficient portfolio companies
Hear first-hand perspectives on how to further develop your operational efficiencies by looking at successful models.
Network with top value creators
Meet with the largest community of operational experts in one place over 2 days.
Learn key strategies for cross-portfolio initiatives
Find the right tools and knowledge to create value.
2021 agenda
The 2021 agenda is carefully curated to feature the most prominent functional areas in value creation for your portfolio companies. Click the headings below for a snapshot of some of the top features you’ll find in the agenda:
Value Creation
- One hour invitation-only think tanks each day for operating partners to select:
- advanced/seasoned operating partners
- emerging operating partners
- human capital operating partners
- digital operating partners
- How operating teams work best with investment teams
- Operating partner models post COVID-19: what will the future of value creation look like?
- Governance – selecting and managing boards as a value creation lever
- Effective value creation strategies for carveouts and M&As
- The archetype of a world class operating team
Revenue Growth
- The future of sales: virtual sales best practices and the impact of virtual workforces
- Uncovering the most important GTM levers
- Leveraging customer success initiatives for growth
- Uncovering revenue growth stories and early warning signs with operating partners
- Developing a successful ecommerce strategy in an increasingly digital world
Human Capital
- Human capital operating partners think tank: a one hour value creation war room led by and exclusively for operating partners
- Big data & workforce analytics
- What will the future role of the human capital operating partner look like?
- Talent acquisition, development, and assessment best practices in the post-COVID world
- Integrating culture for success
- Accelerating management team performance post transaction
- The future of human capital and virtual workforces: what lies ahead
Technology
- Digital and technology operating partners think tank: a one hour value creation war room led by and exclusively for operating partners
- Digital transformations: how things will change
- Dissecting cost structures and customer interaction via technology
- Advanced data science to govern the business throughout the investment life-cycle
- Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning for value creation
- Cybersecurity in the modern age: dos and don’ts
Supply Chain & Procurement
- Navigating supply chain disruptions and post-COVID best practices
- Impact of technologies and today’s fast paced e-commerce on your supply chain
- Supply chain cost optimization: individual company vs. cross-portfolio programs
- Procurement transformations in the first 100 days
Finance
- Add-on acquisition readiness: adding value through the finance function
- How can PE best support portco CFOs?
- Transforming finance from a cost-center into a value-creation engine
- Identifying, attracting, and recruiting top CFO talent
- Enabling a data-driven CFO
2021 Speakers
Firms that attend Operating Partners Forums
What our attendees say
The Operating Partners Forum is a fantastic 2 days where thought leaders share best practices and key learnings in a collaborative and transparent fashion. I al…
I find this conference the best way to network with my peers in the operating partner community. The quality of attendees and dialog is outstanding and always h…
For a new Operating Partner in PE the conference was an invaluable accelerator in my learning process of the key challenges and opportunities in the space.
The Operating Partners Forum is a fantastic 2 days where thought leaders share best practices and key learnings in a collaborative and transparent fashion. I always come away from the event with new Ideas that I can put into action to deliver value back to my firm.
I find this conference the best way to network with my peers in the operating partner community. The quality of attendees and dialog is outstanding and always helps me do my job better.
Now part of Operating Partners All Access:
Operating Partners All Access is a service that connects you to the people and resources that can help guide you through today’s ever-changing nuances of doing your job, year-round.
This Forum is one of the many essential updates we’ll give you throughout the year with your Operating Partners All Access membership. All event attendees must be members.
Please note annual agenda is subject to change
2021 Speakers
For speaking opportunities, contact Marc Mele at marc.m@peimedia.com or call +1 646 581 9295.
Sean Adkins
Managing Partner, Mergers and Acquisitions, West Monroe Partners
Sean has a focus on delivering value for his private equity clients across a wide range of investments. He has expertise in technology strategy through implementation, but typically operates at the intersection of technology and operations, given tha… Read full bio
Aswatha Amarnath
Senior Vice President, Strategic Engagements and Sales Strategy, Wipro
Aswatha Amarnath (Amar) is a Senior Vice President at Wipro. He is head of Global Sales Operations. He has three other global responsibilities: 1) he leads Wipro’s efforts in helping pre-IPO companies and Unicorns scale; 2) he leads Wipro’s business… Read full bio
Geoffrey Baird
Independent Operating Partner
Geoff Baird is a Senior Operating Advisor for LLR Partners in the technology sector. Working as a consultant he leverages extensive experience assisting sourcing of new investments and driving growth in their technology portfolio businesses. Previous… Read full bio
Bob Barthelmes
Managing Director, Portfolio Operations, Blackstone
Bob Barthelmes is an Managing Director in the Portfolio Operations group, providing strategic support and advice to the firm’s investment teams and portfolio companies with a focus on technology, operations, and digital transformation. Before joining… Read full bio
Ted Bililies
Managing Director and Chief Talent Officer, AlixPartners
Ted is an internationally-recognized expert on leadership and organization development. He advises investors, CEOs, and boards globally to help them position the right leaders for key roles and to support those leaders and teams for maximal value cre… Read full bio
Wendy Buxton
President, LynnCo Supply Chain Solutions
Wendy Buxton, President, has an established reputation in diverse industries for excelling growth of organizations through corporate vision, strategic planning, and the power of effective leadership. Ms. Buxton's career as an executive level strategi… Read full bio
Brian Chu
Senior Managing Director, Centerbridge Partners
Brian joined Centerbridge in 2016 and co-leads Firm’s portfolio operations team. The Portfolio Operations Team is integrated into the vertical investment teams. They start in Due Diligence, then work with the management team to set and execute the Va… Read full bio
Jim Corey
Managing Partner, Blue Ridge Partners
Jim is co-founder of Blue Ridge Partners and serves as the firm’s managing partner. For 35 years he has assisted companies in North America, Europe and Asia accelerate profitable revenue growth. Jim has advised over 250 companies on revenue-related i… Read full bio
Adam Cummins
PMO Lead, Global Investment Resources, The Carlyle Group
Adam Cummins is a Director with West Monroe, a Management Consulting firm that helps organizations build agile operations that maximize results. For the past several years Adam has served as the PMO lead for The Carlyle Group’s Global Investment Reso… Read full bio
Cory Eaves
Operating Partner, General Atlantic
Cory A. Eaves is an Operating Partner at General Atlantic, providing strategic support and advice to the firm’s investment teams and portfolio companies with a focus on technology, operations, and digital transformation. Before joining General Atlant… Read full bio
Ignacio Giraldo
Partner, TPG Growth
Mr. Giraldo is a Partner with TPG Growth and TPG Rise in San Francisco. As a member of the Business Building team, he focuses his time on consumer goods, retail, the circular economy and ed-tech. Prior to joining TPG, Ignacio worked in management con… Read full bio
Daniel Goetz
Principal, Operational Excellence, Siris Capital
Mr. Goetz joined Siris Capital in 2013 and is a Managing Director, leading the firm’s Operational Excellence practice. Mr. Goetz works with management teams and operating advisors to identify, drive, and manage value creation initiatives at Siris por… Read full bio
Hannah Gräfin von Waldersee,
Vice President, Strategy and Innovation, Insight Partners
Hannah joined Insight Partners in 2021 to drive the growth of Insight and its portfolio as a strategy and innovation leader. Prior to joining Insight, Hannah worked at McKinsey & Company, Buckingham Palace, and ran a professional development star… Read full bio
Tommy Greer
Senior Vice President Enterprise Energy Solutions, Insight Sourcing Group
Tommy leads Insight Sourcing Group's Enterprise Energy & Sustainability business and has over 25 years working with national and global companies to integrate more cost-effective supply, demand-side and renewable solutions. With a history of lead… Read full bio
Doron Grosman
President and CEO, Global Container Terminals
Doron Grosman is the President and Chief Executive Officer of GCT Global Container Terminals Inc., with operations in Vancouver BC, Bayonne NJ and Staten Island NY. Doron is a seasoned multi industry executive with experience in a variety of C-suite… Read full bio
Todd Grove
Vice President, Private Equity, Quantum Health
As Vice President of Private Equity, Todd serves as the liaison between Private Equity firms, their portfolio companies, and Quantum Health. He works to educate the senior leadership teams on independent navigation and identifies opportunities for pa… Read full bio
Asheesh Gupta
Managing Director, Portfolio Support, Audax Private Equity
Asheesh is a Managing Director for Audax Private Equity, based in Boston. Prior to joining Audax in 2008, Asheesh worked as the Director of Performance Improvement and Supply Chain Management at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Prior to that,… Read full bio
Dan Hawkins
CEO, Summit Leadership Partners
Dan is the CEO and Founder of Summit Leadership Partners. He advises boards, CEO's, investors and business leaders on strategy execution and value creation through leadership and organization performance. After a successful corporate career, Dan foun… Read full bio
Darren Herman
Operating Partner, Bain Capital
Mr. Herman joined Bain Capital Private Equity in 2016. He is an Operating Partner across the North American Private Equity team. Mr. Herman has worked in both the Boston and New York offices and focuses on growing our portfolio of investments through… Read full bio
Benjamin Humphreys
Senior Operating Executive, Monomoy Capital Partners
Ben is a Senior Operating Executive at Monomoy and works with our portfolio companies on revenue growth and profit improvement. Prior to joining Monomoy, Ben held several operating and CFO roles with Cerberus, Blackrock and Staple Street Capital. Ben… Read full bio
Prital Kadakia
Partner, Serent Capital
Prital leads the portfolio operations team for Serent Capital, working closely with the management teams at Serent portfolio companies on value-creation initiatives to drive measurable and sustained revenue and earnings impact. Prital's work with por… Read full bio
Christopher Kim
Senior Vice President, Platinum Equity
Chris Kim is a Senior Vice President within Platinum Equity’s Mergers & Acquisitions Operations practice. He is responsible for evaluating Human Capital aspects of prospective additions to the Platinum Equity portfolio. Chris also has responsibil… Read full bio
Michael Kohlsdorf
President, Francisco Partners Consulting
Mike Kohlsdorf is the Founder and President of Francisco Partners Consulting (FPC). He is also the Co-Chairman of the Portfolio Committee and joined Francisco Partners (FP) as an Operating Partner in March of 2011. FP has raised $25 billion in commit… Read full bio
Amy Kramer
Operating Partner, Level Equity
Amy is an Operating Partner at Level Equity focused on Go-to-Market Strategy. Amy provides operational expertise to Level Equity's portfolio companies and conducts Sales and Marketing diligence for new investments. Prior to Level equity, Amy was the… Read full bio
Raj Kushwaha
Managing Director, Digital Strategy and Innovation, Operating Partner and Chief Digital Officer, Warburg Pincus
Raj Kushwaha joined Warburg Pincus in 2012 and serves as Managing Director, Operating Partner and Chief Digital Officer responsible for operations and technology diligence with prospective investments, as well as ongoing work with the firm's existing… Read full bio
Markus Lahrkamp
Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal
Markus Lahrkamp is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal. With more than 15 years of consulting experience in North America and abroad, he brings a wealth of experience n top-line growth and operational improvement of manufacturing, distribut… Read full bio
Jean-Marc Levy
Operating Partner, Edison Partners
Jean-Marc Levy is an experienced CEO and Board Member of high-growth venture- and PE-backed technology companies. He is a recognized leader in the Ethics & Compliance and Financial Services industries, with deep expertise in organizational scalab… Read full bio
Misha Logvinov
Managing Director and Head of IT Strategy, EQT Partners
Misha joined EQT in 2018 as Managing Director and Head of IT Strategy. In his role, he is advising the EQT's investment teams and portfolio companies on digital transformation. Previously, he was Group Vice President of Cloud Customer Success at Orac… Read full bio
Harrison Lung
Partner, Portfolio Value Creation, Siris Capital
Harrison Lung joined Siris in 2021 as Partner leading the firm’s Portfolio Value Creation practice, including Operational Excellence. Mr. Lung works with Siris leadership to bring value creation best practices to the operations of the firm and its po… Read full bio
Alex Mace
Vice President, Thompson Street Capital Partners
Alex is a Vice President at Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP), where he is responsible for providing analytical, operational, and organizational support to TSCP’s portfolio companies. He primarily partners with portfolio companies to execute on… Read full bio
Todd Markson
Operating Partner, Tech Opportunities, Bain Capital
Todd Markson is an Operating Partner at Bain Capital within the Tech Opportunities Fund, where he leads value creation efforts across the portfolio and partners with management teams to support their key initiatives. In addition to working across the… Read full bio
Kunal Mehta
Principal, Portfolio Operations, TCV
Kunal joined TCV as Principal, Portfolio Operations, to stand up the Sales and Marketing Center of Excellence to accelerate value creation across the portfolio. He works with investment teams and functional leaders to develop and implement value crea… Read full bio
Marc Metzner
Vice President, Alexander Group
Marc Metzner is Vice President and National Director for Alexander Group’s Private Equity practice. He works with Alexander Group’s industry teams to help PE partners unlock value and boost valuation through go-to-market (GTM)/Commercial Diligence, V… Read full bio
Kate Migliaro
Principal, Talent Management and Organizational Effectiveness, Apollo Global Management
Ms. Migliaro is a US Army Veteran with 5 years active duty experience in the Military Police Corps. During her service, Ms. Migliaro deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan supporting and building local national law enforcement capabilities. She was aw… Read full bio
Aaron Miller
Partner, Head of Portfolio Performance Solutions, Apollo Global Management
Bio coming soon...
Michael Monagle
Principal, Portfolio Operations, Providence Equity
Mike Monagle is a vice president at Providence Equity Partners focused on portfolio operations. Before joining Providence, Mr. Monagle was vice president of operations at Catalant Technologies, where he started and ran the solutions business includin… Read full bio
Declan Morris
Private Equity Transformation Advisor, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Declan Morris has more than twenty years of corporate leadership experience leading all aspects of IT and digital transformations across multiple sectors including financial, consumer, digital media, and enterprise software. At Amazon Web Services, M… Read full bio
David Muhlenkamp
Managing Director, Head of Portfolio Operations, Lindsay Goldberg
David Muhlenkamp is a Managing Director and heads Lindsay Goldberg’s portfolio operations efforts, where he assists families, founders, and management teams to achieve their growth and value creation objectives. David brings nearly two decades of exp… Read full bio
Dave Noonan
Principal, National Lead of M&A Strategy Execution and Solution Development, RSM
Dave Noonan leads RSM’s national private equity consulting practice. He aligns and directly coordinates consulting delivery services to effectively serve RSM’s private equity clients and their portfolio companies. He is responsible for the developmen… Read full bio
Kevin O’Neill
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Acertitude
Kevin is a mold-breaking entrepreneur, executive search leader, Forbes contributor, and co-founder and managing partner of Acertitude, the executive search firm unleashing human potential for global investment firms and their portfolios. Kevin’s 25-y… Read full bio
Andy Pickens
Managing Director - Data & Digital Transformation, Apollo Global Management
Mr. Pickens joined Apollo in 2018 and serves as Managing Director, Data & Digital Transformation within the Apollo Portfolio Performance Solutions team. In this capacity, Mr. Pickens works closely with investment teams and management teams to def… Read full bio
Howard Reba
Head of Portfolio Finance, CI Capital Partners
Howard Reba is the Head of Portfolio Finance and joined CI Capital Partners in 2019. Previously, Howard served as a Finance Operating Partner at Marlin Equity Partners, a global private equity firm. Prior to joining Marlin, Howard served as the CFO o… Read full bio
Adam Sheffield
Chief Revenue Officer, Global Upside
Adam brings more than 15 years of experience leading sales organizations in the Professional Services market. He currently oversees the global sales organization and helps Clients navigate global workforce complexities in over 170 countries. A true e… Read full bio
Bijal Sheth
Operations Principal, Pamlico Capital
Mr. Sheth joined Pamlico in 2021. He supports development and execution of value creation plans. Prior to joining Pamlico, Mr. Sheth worked for Vista Equity Partners’ operations team providing diligence and go to market advisory services to portfolio… Read full bio
Steven Siwinski
Operating Partner, High Road Capital Partners
Steve Siwinski is the Finance Operating Partner at High Road Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on buying and building leading middle market companies, where he provides financial leadership to portfolio companies and works across the po… Read full bio
Michael Smith
Senior Managing Director, Technology, Media and Telecom Practice, Blue Ridge Partners
Michael has over 35 years of strategic sales and marketing experience working with Fortune 500 and mid-cap companies to accelerate their revenue growth. He has deep experience in Media, Financial Services, Technology and other industries and develope… Read full bio
Luis Sosa
Senior Vice President, Portfolio Operations, Platinum Equity
Luis Sosa is Senior Vice President of Portfolio Operations at Platinum Equity where he is responsible for partnering with portfolio management teams to drive enhanced operating and financial performance within and across portfolio companies. He lever… Read full bio
Richard Spencer
Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer, Operating Partner, Kamylon Holdings
Richard is the architect of the Kamylon Management System and has led portfolio management for the Firm for 13 years. Richard has over thirty years of experience as a private equity investor, serial board member, general manager and consultant. He ha… Read full bio
Russ Trpkovski
Operating Principal, CVC Capital Partners
Russ Trpkovski joined CVC's private equity business in 2020. Russ is a member of CVC Growth Partners and is based in Chicago. Prior to joining CVC, Russ worked at Amazon Web Services, L Catterton and Boston Consulting Group in Chicago. He received a… Read full bio
Kush Tulsidas
Operating Partner, One Rock Capital Partners
H. Kush Tulsidas is an Operating Partner focused on sales and marketing strategy and execution at One Rock’s portfolio companies. He is responsible for assessing the growth potential of companies in the investment stage and improving profitable reven… Read full bio
Sarah Walker
Vice President, Global Head of Private Equity Practice, Salesforce
Sarah Walker is the VP, Global Head of Private Equity Practice at Salesforce. Her team’s remit is to build strategic partnerships with the Private Equity community, supporting and accelerating our partners’ portfolio companies and acquisitions to ach… Read full bio
Andrew Walshe
Head of Portfolio Operations, Two Sigma Private Investments, Sightway Capital
Andrew Walshe joined Sightway Capital, a Two Sigma Private Investments affiliate, in 2016 to lead the group’s portfolio operations efforts. He serves as a Finance Operating Partner to Sightway’s companies by working closely with both investment and m… Read full bio
Jesse Weber
Head of Private Equity Alliances, Sage Intacct
Jesse Weber runs Sage Intacct’s Private Equity Practice. He advises hundreds of leading firms and their portfolio companies to build more profitable businesses through world class financial management, subscription automation, and service. As part of… Read full bio
Jon Weber
Head of Global Portfolio Operations Group, Elliott Management Corporation
Jon is Head of the Global Portfolio Operations Group at Elliott Management Corp, where he works with management and boards of companies in which Elliott funds are an influential investor. Prior to joining Elliott, Jon headed teams responsible for ope… Read full bio
Nick Winter
Managing Director, Head of North America Portfolio Operations, Värde Partners
Nick Winter is a Managing Director and North American Head of Portfolio Operations focused on value creation in Värde private equity investments. Based in New York, he joined the firm in 2018. Prior to Värde, Nick spent several years at JPMorgan Chas… Read full bio
2021 Sponsors
PEI’s Annual Operating Partner Forums unite private equity operating partners and value creation experts. This intersection of individuals provides service providers with unique and customized programs to engage in thought provoking content discussions and provides numerous opportunities to connect in one-on-one discussions, roundtable events, and various other networking activities.
To explore how your firm can take a prominent leadership position, contact Lawrence Dvorchik at lawrence.d@peimedia.com or call +1 646 545 4429.
Pre-Event Resources
Year-round networking for operating partners
The eleventh annual Operating Partners Forum New York will take place live, in-person this October in New York City
Connect with a community of operating partners and value creation leaders to boost value creation in your portfolio, discover the latest best practices, and gain sector and functional expertise.
Attendance at the Forum is now exclusive to Operating Partners All Access members – our new industry-leading Operating Partners community. Request a trial to see how, in addition to attendance at the Operating Partners Forum New York, membership can help expand your network.
Meet our growing community of Operating Partners
Connect with your peers.
Connect with a community of operating partners and value creation leaders in networking sessions and small group meetings.
Hear from leaders in private equity.
The Forum’s authoritative speaking faculty will share key information that will increase value creation in your portfolio.
Save time building your network.
Create and nurture sustainable relationships with private equity’s elite by using our sophisticated matchmaking platform.
What our attendees are saying about Operating Partners Forum New York
The Operating Partners Forum is a fantastic 2 days where thought leaders share best practices and key learnings in a collaborative and transparent fashion. I al…
I find this conference the best way to network with my peers in the operating partner community. The quality of attendees and dialog is outstanding and always h…
For a new Operating Partner in PE the conference was an invaluable accelerator in my learning process of the key challenges and opportunities in the space.
The Operating Partners Forum is a fantastic 2 days where thought leaders share best practices and key learnings in a collaborative and transparent fashion. I always come away from the event with new Ideas that I can put into action to deliver value back to my firm.
I find this conference the best way to network with my peers in the operating partner community. The quality of attendees and dialog is outstanding and always helps me do my job better.
Forum attendees get more:
By attending the Operating Partners Forum New York you will join the most influential operating partners community. Membership will give you:
- Access to the Operating Partners Forum New York
- Access to all of PEI’s global operating partners events (both virtual and in-person)
- On-demand access to event sessions
- Access to the member directory
- Frequent virtual and in-person networking opportunities
- And much more …
Please note annual agenda is subject to change
2021 Agenda
Download the agenda to see the timely and relevant topics that are of importance to Operating Partners today. These topics will shape the discussions at the Operating Partners Forum New York.
If you are interested in a speaking role please contact contact Marc Mele at marc.m@peimedia.com.
All times are listed in Eastern Time (ET)
View agenda page
Agenda
Day 1 - Wednesday 20th
07:40 - 08:40
Registration and breakfast
07:40 - 08:40
Think tanks for full-time operating partners: value creation war room (invitation-only)
This closed-door room will allow you to learn and share best practices of successful operating partners. The think tank will allow you to submit topics to be covered in looking at best value creation practices and the toughest challenges operating partners face daily. It will allow you to select one of the rooms based on how long you have been a PE/VC operating partner:
Room 1: Advanced/Seasoned Operating Partners
Room 2: Emerging Operating Partners
08:40 - 08:50
PEI’s welcome and chairman’s opening remarks
Plenary Sessions
08:50 - 09:30
The impact of disruption on the future of work: leadership, culture, and talent
Ted Bililies,
Hannah Gräfin von Waldersee,
- Leading with impact in periods of constant disruption
- Scaling portfolio companies in a hybrid working environment
- Unlocking the importance of culture in value creation
- Leveraging the importance of DEI in talent retention
- Course-correcting the talent strategy post-pandemic
- Planning for further disruptions in different industries and sectors
Moderator:
Ted Bililies, Managing Director and Chief Talent Officer, AlixPartners
Panelists:
Hannah Gräfin von Waldersee, Vice President, Strategy and Innovation, Insight Partners
09:30 - 10:10
The common characteristics of faster growing businesses
Jim Corey,
Todd Markson
- What do faster growing companies do to accelerate their growth and outperform their peers?
- How do they embed these characteristics in their organization?
- What are some examples of how PE firms transformed commercial organizations?
- How did these changes impact the valuation of the business?
Moderator:
Jim Corey, Managing Partner, Blue Ridge Partners
Panelists:
Todd Markson, Operating Partner, Tech Opportunities, Bain Capital
10:10 - 10:50
The archetype of a world class operating team
Michael Kohlsdorf,
Aaron Miller,
Jon Weber
- Uncovering where successful operating partners focus their attention, value creation team processes, how to deploy an operating team, and the engagement approach
- Four key areas: staff, proven value creation processes, the investment lifecycle, and engaging with the CEOs
- Comparing operating partner models and the evolution of operating teams
- Making the “magic quadrant” work: how the deal partner, operating partner, CEO and board chairperson can work together to deliver value creation
- Bridging the gap between the investment teams’ model and what actually happens in reality
- Is the operating partner model changing? If so, how?
- Holistic value creation playbooks: what lies ahead?
Panelists:
Michael Kohlsdorf, President, Francisco Partners Consulting
Aaron Miller, Partner, Head of Portfolio Performance Solutions, Apollo Global Management
Jon Weber, Head of Global Portfolio Operations Group, Elliott Investment Management
10:50 - 11:20
The end of the pandemic: accelerating challenges and opportunities for private equity and portfolio companies
Markus Lahrkamp
The end of the pandemic may be harder to manage than the pandemic itself from a business and financial perspective. Issues to be addressed in looking at challenges and opportunities:
- Inconsistent demand signals posing challenges for revenue forecasts
- Severe supply chain disruptions with impacts on timely delivery and product costs
- Labor shortages and wage inflation
- Transportation costs through the roof
- Work life balance issues moving from remote back to on-site work
- “Free money” to invest – a curse or a blessing?
Panelist:
Markus Lahrkamp, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal
11:20 - 11:50
Networking Break
Functional Breakout Series 1
11:50 - 12:20
Track 1 | Reimagining OP-CEO connections: where strategy and delivery collide
Kevin O’Neill,
Doron Grosman,
Benjamin Humphreys,
Jean-Marc Levy,
Nick Winter
- Offering a basic “cheat sheet” on how to recruit exceptional CEOs by highlighting some memorable stories (and learnings) from the trenches
- Detailing the markings of brilliant CEOs, and what it truly takes to be an exceptional leader
- Uncovering which current PE-CEO alignment and engagement practices the audience needs to know about most
- Exploring how PE executives can help CEOs reach peak performance and operate at max potential
Moderator:
Kevin O’Neill, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Acertitude
Panelists:
Doron Grosman, President and CEO, Global Container Terminals
Benjamin Humphreys, Senior Operating Executive, Monomoy Capital Partners
Jean-Marc Levy, Operating Partner, Edison Partners
Nick Winter, Managing Director, Head of North America Portfolio Operations, Värde Partners
11:50 - 12:20
Track 2 | Add-on acquisition readiness: adding value through the finance function
Andrew Walshe
Add-ons are an important, and growing, part of the private equity playbook. Well-managed integrations can lead to growth, expansion and higher valuations, but poorly managed integrations, wherein the finance variable is not properly structured and monitored won’t in fact, add on, they’ll just subtract from. In this discussion, we explore the critical role of the finance to drive value and maximize returns:
- Understanding bottlenecks
- Gaining visibility on hidden costs
- Uncovering inefficient processes
- Discovering unnoticed opportunity to realize the returns on investment faster
Panelists:
Andrew Walshe, Head of Portfolio Operations, Two Sigma Private Investments, Sightway Capital
Andrew Walshe
Head of Portfolio Operations, Two Sigma Private Investments, Sightway Capital
Read bio
11:50 - 12:20
Track 3 | Digital as a growth lever
Sarah Walker
- Digital marketing strategy: how to automate and maximize touchpoints to acquire and engage customers at scale
- Customer experience: how to optimize customer experience management and master the customer journey
- Analytics: how to leverage actionable data and clear KPIs to increase ROI and facilitate quick wins
Moderator:
Sarah Walker, Vice President, Global Head of Private Equity Practice, Salesforce
Functional Breakout Series 2
12:20 - 12:50
Track 4 | Post-COVID talent acquisition, development, and assessment for the lower level
- Grasping the lower-level talent execution plan
- What levels in the organization does your PE firm get involved in talent selection?
- Talent retention best practices in today’s world
- In our current environment, what particular people dynamics do you pay attention to and track?
- Challenges and opportunities of virtual/hybrid workforces
12:20 - 12:50
Track 5 | The future value creation supply chain playbook
Wendy Buxton
Companies are looking for growth by expanding into new markets, new regions and into new customer bases. Many firms are grappling with continued supply chain disruptions and respect the imperative of assessing and transforming supply chain health during all stages of the deal cycle. Join this session to learn how supply chain is changing from traditional value creation strategies and what market catalysts are creating the need for more innovative approaches to value creation. Participants will hear from the experts on sourcing, inventory, logistics, and distribution fulfilment strategies that create value and drive returns while mitigating risk and meeting customers’ shifting demands.
Moderator:
Wendy Buxton, President, LynnCo Supply Chain Solutions
12:20 - 12:50
Track 6 | Carveout 3.0 – moving to the next level of value creation
Andy Pickens,
Luis Sosa
- The focus on Carveout 1.0 to 2.0 to 3.0 provides insight into the maturity of driving value in complex transactions
- Developing a strategically aligned value creation plan early in the process
- Proven execution excellence approaches in separating on the buy and sell side
- Best practices in working with service providers during the carveout
- What is the biggest challenge or risk to be managed in a successful carveout deal?
Moderator:
Paul Lennick, Senior Vice President, M&A Services, ContinuServe
Panelists:
Andy Pickens, Managing Director – Data and Digital Transformation, Apollo Global Management
Luis Sosa, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Operations, Platinum Equity
Functional Breakout Series 3
12:50 - 13:20
Track 7 | How 100-day plans are changing in the current environment and years to come
Sean Adkins,
Asheesh Gupta
- Fast start: coming out strong from day one in onboarding new portfolio companies even in the face of recent uncertainty
- What’s key for your first 100 days to convert to execution?
- How to prioritize: identifying the most important value creation areas to focus on
- Best practices for the first 90–180 days vs. 365+
- Day 1-100: structured approaches, pragmatic actions, and tools to bring about rapid alignment and focus
Moderator:
Sean Adkins, Managing Partner, Mergers and Acquisitions, West Monroe Partners
Panelists:
Brian Chu, Senior Managing Director, Centerbridge Partners
Asheesh Gupta, Managing Director, Portfolio Support, Audax Private Equity
12:50 - 13:20
Track 8 | Recruiting top CFO talent for PE-backed companies
Atta Tarki
- What makes a candidate a good CFO for a PE-backed company?
- What is your greatest challenge when it comes to recruiting brilliant portfolio CFOs?
- How to assess CFO candidates during hiring?
- How can CFOs drive the value creation plan?
Moderator:
Atta Tarki, CEO and Managing Director, ECA Partners
Panelists:
Angela Geffre, Chief Human Resources Officer, Sun Capital Partners
12:50 - 13:20
Track 9 | Using GTM strategies to drive ROI in today’s over-heated market
Marc Metzner,
Amy Kramer,
Bijal Sheth,
Kush Tulsidas
- Bidding with confidence based on in-depth commercial due diligence
- Driving GTM change early enough to significantly impact valuation
- Aligning GTM resources to growth buyers and new buyer journeys
- Deploying new sales roles for new product and segment selling
- Building a sustainable customer-development and lead-gen engine
- Strengthening RevOps to sustain GTM change and integrate buyer journeys
Moderator:
Marc Metzner, Vice President, Alexander Group
Panelists:
Amy Kramer, Operating Partner, Level Equity
Bijal Sheth, Operations Principal, Pamlico Capital
Kush Tulsidas, Operating Partner, One Rock Capital Partners
Lunch break
13:20 - 14:20
Women in PE and VC portfolio operations lunch (invitation-only)
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore what it’s like being a woman in PE and VC portfolio operations:
- What are the issues causing a disparity in genders?
- Exploring career paths, development, and how to position yourself as female leaders
- Is your firm focused on women’s leadership at portfolio companies?
- Does your company have any specific programs, leadership coaching and assessments geared towards promoting women’s leadership?
- Are there any changes in recruiting that will create a more equal playing field?
- Looking at trends and stats in gender in PE and VC
Sponsored by:
13:20 - 14:20
Networking lunch
Functional Breakout Series 4
14:20 - 15:00
Track 10 | Marketing due diligence: evaluating the marketing potential of a target investment
- Pre-deal assessments of the marketing team and operations
- How marketing can drive enterprise value in the first 100 days and beyond
- Marketing operations partner best practices
14:20 - 15:00
Track 11 | Winning after the deal: the key to smooth post-merger transitions
Adam Sheffield,
Daniel Goetz
- Formulating a successful implementation strategy
- Navigating the nuances of employment transitions and key employee retention
- Considerations for company culture alignment and employee integration
- Ensuring day 1 readiness through effective communication
Moderator:
Adam Sheffield, Chief Revenue Officer, Global Upside
Panelists:
Daniel Goetz, Principal, Operational Excellence, Siris Capital
14:20 - 15:00
Track 12 | The changing lens of the CFO – pre and post pandemic trends
Howard Reba
- K-shaped recovery impact
- Liquidity focus
- Automation
- Investment planning
- Workforce structure/employee retention
Panelists:
Michael Hennessey, Managing Director, Grant Thornton
Howard Reba, Head of Portfolio Finance, CI Capital Partners
Functional Breakout Series 5
15:00 - 15:40
Track 13 | Addressing diversity and inclusion as a business imperative
Kate Migliaro
- D&I approaches: operationalizing it and interfacing with portfolio company leaders for D&I initiatives
- What best practices can you share regarding advising CEOs and management teams at the portco levels?
- What is holding PE back from achieving diversity?
- Looking at initiatives from different PE firms, what has been successful? What goals do you set for the portfolio companies relative to D&I?
- How would you best describe your firm’s D&I work at the fund and portfolio companies?
- KPIs for diversity: measuring effectiveness
- Diversity and leadership: what can be done better? How are you thinking about diversity of boards?
Panelists:
Kate Migliaro, Principal, Talent Management and Organizational Effectiveness, Apollo Global Management
Kate Migliaro
Principal, Talent Management and Organizational Effectiveness, Apollo Global Management
Read bio
15:00 - 15:40
Track 14 | Cybersecurity in the modern age: dos and don’ts
15:00 - 15:40
Track 15 | Critical dimensions in pre-deal operational due diligence
Geoffrey Baird,
Michael Monagle
- How do you really get at what the opportunities are to understand what the value creation plan should be?
- Coming out of the crisis, how do you think PE’s behaviour will change across deal making and the extent of due diligence?
- Uncovering operating partner synergies and best practices in the deal evaluation phase
- Operating partner success factors when partnering with investment teams
- Exposing new challenges in assessing operational risks
- Critical pre-deal diligence elements in cost savings, technology, human capital, sales, operational planning, data, and the investment thesis
Panelists:
Geoffrey Baird, Independent Operating Partner
Michael Monagle, Principal, Portfolio Operations, Providence Equity
15:40 - 16:00
Networking coffee break
Functional Breakout Series 6
16:00 - 16:40
Track 16 | Accelerating management team performance post transaction
Dan Hawkins,
Ignacio Giraldo
- Critical factors in top management teams to drive value creation
- What pitfalls to avoid
- What’s the right timeline post transaction?
- How do you spend your time post-transaction?
- What jobs to change out first? What are the most critical jobs?
- What would a quick CEO transition look like?
- How can you conduct talent assessments without hurting the relationship between the management team and the deal team?
- Relationships with the board; what does a high performing team look like?
Moderator:
Dan Hawkins, CEO, Summit Leadership Partners
Panelists:
Ignacio Giraldo, Partner, TPG Growth
16:00 - 16:40
Track 17 | Digital transformations and innovation to drive investment value
Aswatha Amarnath ,
Darren Herman,
Raj Kushwaha,
Harrison Lung
- Building a roadmap for technological change
- Digital innovation and operations — going beyond ideation, conception, and analysis and turning strategy into real delivery, particularly in the context of a novel initiative or product
- Digital transformations in the post COVID-19 world: how digital initiatives and innovation have accelerated and what does the future hold
- How can PE firms utilize innovative technologies that return near-term, sustainable investment value without getting stuck in a never-ending cycle of transformation projects?
- Digital workplace transformation and product transformation stories
Panelists:
Aswatha Amarnath (Amar), Senior Vice President, Strategic Engagements and Sales Strategy, Wipro
Darren Herman, Operating Partner, Bain Capital
Raj Kushwaha, Managing Director, Digital Strategy and Innovation, Operating Partner and Chief Digital Officer, Warburg Pincus
Harrison Lung, Partner, Portfolio Value Creation, Siris Capital
Raj Kushwaha
Managing Director, Digital Strategy and Innovation, Operating Partner and Chief Digital Officer, Warburg Pincus
Read bio
16:00 - 16:40
Track 18 | How is private equity “future-proofing” and building resilience in its portfolios?
- How PE firms successfully pivoted their portfolio companies toward growth
- How to secure portfolio companies’ liquidity and operational savings during a downturn
- The different ways in which PE firms can set up their portfolio for durable success going forward
- How regional specificities played into the design of PE’s portfolio resiliency strategies
Moderator:
Kevin Burke, Director, M&A, Private Equity and Venture Capital, Globalization Partners
Functional Breakout Series 7
16:40 - 17:10
Track 19 | Leveraging your portfolio’s supply chain to maximize ESG impact
- Procurement’s role in achieving sustainability goals, while reducing costs, managing risk and improving competitive position
- How to execute a decarbonization and energy efficiency/renewable strategy across your portfolio, including funding solutions that eliminate capital constraints to scale savings
- Exploring solutions for managing Scope 3 emissions throughout the supply chain across portfolio companies
- Delivering on supplier diversity and inclusive procurement practices with an ESG framework
Moderator:
Tommy Greer, Senior Vice President Enterprise Energy Solutions, Insight Sourcing Group
16:40 - 17:10
Track 20 | The return of business travel: discussing approaches and what lies ahead
Adam Cummins
Join a live panel discussion on the business travel landscape in the era of COVID and easing restrictions. Panelists will discuss the approaches their organizations have taken towards business travel, how this has impacted throughout their investment companies and their perspectives on handling employee duty-of-care implications going forward. Through a leveraged procurement lens, we’ll discuss experiences in working with travel related vendors throughout the pandemic, how travel management companies are weathering the storm and what’s top of mind as managed travel re-emerges in major global markets.
Panelists:
Adam Cummins, PMO Lead, Global Investment Resources, The Carlyle Group
Michael Farrell, Executive Vice President of Business Development, World Travel, Inc.
16:40 - 17:10
Track 21 | Healthcare costs: managing 2022 surge in consumption
Todd Grove
Learn how portco CHROs and CFOs leverage unbundled plan offerings along with independent healthcare navigation to dramatically improve employee satisfaction, engagement while driving measurable EBITDA through cost avoidance. Challenges to be explored include:
• 6%-8% – Estimated trend growth for self-insured employers due to “COVID Hangover”
• 15% of American consumers with employer-sponsored health insurance said they had deferred some care
• Poor pandemic-era health behaviors are leading to increases in chronic care management
Moderator:
Todd Grove, Vice President, Private Equity, Quantum Health
17:10 - 17:50
Enabling a technology-driven CFO: key success factors in the future of value creation
Jesse Weber,
Russ Trpkovski
- Finding data driven CFOs and their role in enterprise performance
- How is the CFO role evolving? What does the CFO of the future look like?
- How to get your portfolio companies from tactical to strategic
- Barriers to automate finance and accounting and how to overcome them
- Sharing value creation insights via data analytics and cloud technology
Moderator:
Jesse Weber, Private Equity Lead, Sage Intacct
Panelists:
Russ Trpkovski, Operating Principal, CVC Capital Partners
Interactive Working Groups Series 1
17:10 - 17:50
Interactive Working Group 1 | Deep dive discussion for operating partners only: Writing the next chapter of the value creation playbook
Dave Noonan
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
- Moving toward high-tech sustainability and creating long-term value for society
- Modernizing assets through practical implementation of ESG principles
- Using predictive analytics and data intelligence to enhance investment strategy and decision-making
- Leveraging automation and business process optimization to streamline, modernize, and transform costs
Facilitator:
Dave Noonan, Principal, National Lead of M&A Strategy Execution and Solution Development, RSM
Dave Noonan
Principal, National Lead of M&A Strategy Execution and Solution Development, RSM
Read bio
17:10 - 17:50
Interactive Working Group 2 | Deep dive discussion for operating partners only: Reinventing the commercial organization through the eyes of customers (invitation-only)
Michael Smith
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators.
- Most (85%) commercial organizations expect sales model transformations this year and next
- Planned transformations seem to focus on “inside-out” perspectives – e.g. getting sales meetings in a hybrid world; using content/knowledge capital to obtain leads/meetings
- A better way might be approaching the transformation from the view of prospects/customers and working back into the company
- Reviewing examples of this “outside-in” commercial transformation approach
Facilitator:
Michael Smith, Senior Managing Director, Technology, Media and Telecom Practice, Blue Ridge Partners
Hosted by:
Michael Smith
Senior Managing Director, Technology, Media and Telecom Practice, Blue Ridge Partners
Read bio
17:50 - 18:50
End of day one chairman’s remarks & cocktail reception
Agenda
Day 2 - Thursday 21st
08:40 - 09:40
Registration and breakfast
08:00 - 08:40
Operating partners portfolio operations breakfast deep dive discussion (invitation-only)
Hosted by:
08:40 - 09:40
Think tanks for full-time operating partners: value creation war room (invitation-only)
Bob Barthelmes,
Cory Eaves
This closed-door discussion will allow you to learn and share best practices of successful operating partners. The think tank will allow you to submit topics to be introduced by the facilitators and discussed in the room. It will allow you to select one of the two rooms:
Room 1 Digital and Technology Operating Partners
Facilitators:
Bob Barthelmes, Managing Director, Portfolio Operations, Blackstone
Cory Eaves, Operating Partner, General Atlantic
Room 2 Human Capital Operating Partners
09:40 - 09:45
Chairman’s welcome
Plenary Sessions
09:45 - 10:20
The future of technology and digital initiatives in working with your portfolio companies
Declan Morris,
Misha Logvinov
- Using technology to make your processes and businesses more efficient in the current environment and in the years to come
- Looking at the overlap of tech with other functions in the company (sales, customer support, etc.)
- Approaches to working with portco leadership on technology initiatives
- Understanding the challenges around web-enablement and changes in consumer behavior
- Recent digital transformation and digital disruption stories within specific industries
Moderator:
Declan Morris, Private Equity Transformation Advisor, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Panelists:
Misha Logvinov, Managing Director and Head of IT Strategy, EQT Partners
10:20 - 11:00
Panel
11:00 - 11:30
PE partner-CFO dynamics: alignment, expectations, and impact
Nick Leopard,
Steven Siwinski
- Examining the PE sponsor-CFO relationship across three critical dimensions: measuring the business (collecting the data to inform insights), managing the business (reporting, technology infrastructure, KPIs), scaling the business (operational levers to drive accelerated growth)
- Understanding CFO/Partner alignment, or lack thereof, with regard to: the firm-finance dynamic and operating model, expectations for value contribution, key focus areas and objectives
- Measuring operating partner impact and understanding the critical role of technology in achieving operational alpha and accelerating value creation
Moderator:
Nick Leopard, CEO and Founder, Accordion and Co-Founder, Maestro
Panelists:
Evan Lorch, Operating Partner, Francisco Partners Consulting
Steven Siwinski, Operating Partner, High Road Capital Partners
11:30 - 11:50
Networking Break
Interactive Working Group Series 2
11:50 - 12:30
Interactive Working Group 3 | Deep dive discussion for operating partners only: Putting ESG at the heart of your business strategy in the new sustainable economy
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators.
- How does your firm think about ESG, and what specific areas within E, S, and G are covered?
- ESG due diligence best practices
- What is the role of the operating partner in driving ESG initiatives?
- Mapping out and engaging with all key stakeholders on ESG
- How are ESG based KPIs and metrics being used?
- Private equity’s ESG journey: what comes next?
11:50 - 12:30
Interactive Working Group 4 | Deep dive discussion for operating partners only: (invitation-only)
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators.
Hosted by:
11:50 - 12:30
Interactive working group 5 | Deep dive discussion for operating partners only:
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators.
11:50 - 12:30
Interactive working group 6 | Deep dive discussion for operating partners only: Evaluating your sales organization’s readiness: due diligence and assessment best practices
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
- Understanding traits of salespeople that are so critical
- Mapping a sales organization: evaluating sales leaders, traits, competencies, and culture
- Looking at historical performance and financial results of sales readiness
- Improving the readiness of your salesforce
- Selecting the right sales talent and leadership
- Coaching: helping sales leaders and executives to run a salesforce
- Uncovering great sales data and reporting
12:30 - 13:30
Networking lunch
Functional Breakout Series 8
13:30 - 14:10
Track 22 | Finance transformations: Performance improvement for the finance function
13:30 - 14:10
Track 23 | Monitoring and quantifying portfolio performance with data science and analytics
Richard Spencer
- What new tools are you adopting for portfolio management?
- Looking at best methodologies for portfolio company reporting
- Applying growth KPIs and metrics for operational improvement in different stages
- Using data science to measure the success of a company and drive value creation
- Approaches in utilizing data lakes and big data to drive results
- Value creation team approaches in working with heads of data science
Panelists:
Richard Spencer, Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer, Operating Partner, Kamylon Holdings
Functional Breakout Series 9
14:10 - 14:50
Track 24 | Creating value through your technology investment
- Showing the value of investment in technology, including finance technology, during a PE ownership cycle
- Building the optimal technology stack
- Highlighting opportunities for future gains through finance technologies for the next owner
- Pragmatic steps to position for exit
14:10 - 14:50
Track 25 | Culture and strategy to accelerate growth in the first 100 days
A misaligned culture and unclear strategy are two of the most common portfolio company growth barriers. This session is designed to help investors and operators assess, align, and activate both culture and strategy to ensure momentum in the key 100 days post-close.
- Understanding culture: how do you get the most traction post close in working with executive teams?
- How to align around the investment strategy to accelerate momentum into growth
- Establishing clear roadmaps for the organization and help people understand where the company is headed
- Designing environments that support the new strategy and promote high performance in people
Functional Breakout Series 10
14:50 - 15:30
Track 26 | Managing the total cost of risk
Identifying cost drivers and implementing a strategic approach to improve P&C and benefits insurance performance and spend is key. The property/casualty and benefits insurance value streams are opaque by design. This session will explain the traditional model and show how to:
- Leverage risk management controls
- Create underwriting demand
- Achieve best-in-class program structure and pricing
14:50 - 15:30
Track 27 | Value creation in recurring revenue businesses - keys to success
Kunal Mehta,
Prital Kadakia
- As we see more and more businesses in software and elsewhere move to a “SaaS” type model, what is the role of the operating partner in driving success?
- How to balance both revenue growth rate and Net Dollar Retention
- The role of pricing in driving growth and NDR
- How does digital commerce contribute to growth rates? Is this visible in data?
- Approaches to measuring and tracking these key performance indicators in portfolio companies
- Experiences – what has worked – what hasn’t
- Repeatable patterns for success
Moderator:
Travis Huch, Vice President Alliances, Private Equity Partners, Zuora
Panelists:
Prital Kadakia, Partner, Serent Capital
Alex Mace, Vice President, Thompson Street Capital Partners
Kunal Mehta, Principal, Portfolio Operations, TCV
Plenary Session
15:30 - 16:00
Optimizing board governance and effectiveness — key elements for success
16:00 - 16:00
Closing remarks and end of conference
Venue and hotel
Kimpton Muse Hotel
130 West 46th Street
New York, NY 10036
Please reach out to Lucy.Shulman@kimptonhotels.com directly to book a room pre or post conference days.