Private Equity
International
International
Operating Partners Human Capital Forum New York 2023
29 - 30 March 2023,
Convene, 117 W 46th St, New York
Driving human capital as a key value creation lever
Now in its second year, the Operating Partners Human Capital Forum brings together an elite crowd of human capital value creators and operating partner talent specialists. It is the place to meet key players in the PE community and get a firm grasp on initiatives designed to transform operations, deliver growth, and drive value creation strategies through talent.
You’ll receive insight into the evolving talent market by experts who will share strategies and experiences. At this critical time in the economic cycle, you’ll uncover how leading firms achieve value creation through the “human capital operating partner.”
Learn key strategies to accelerate growth & transformation through human capital
Join discussions with the leading PE operating specialists in human capital
Network with top value creators focused on talent and leadership
2023 agenda highlights
- Think tanks led by operating partners for operating partners: talent value creation war rooms
- The economy: impact of a downturn/recession on the human capital function in PE
- What makes a great talent operating partner team?
- The evolving role of the PE human capital operating professional
- Leadership & talent development plans from conception to delivery
- The future of work: where are we now? What has been working and what hasn’t?
- CHRO perspectives: an inside look at PE operating partner-CHRO dynamics
- How to spot and develop high-potential talent within your organizations
- The modern C-suite: uncovering the right traits for current economic times
- Deal partner perspectives in looking at the talent function: what does the partnership look like?
- Human capital due diligence – understanding the people side of the deal
- DE&I programs: what are you doing? what is actionable?
- 100-day human capital action plans for success
- Culture and strategy in the current talent market and workforce environment
- Talent acquisition and retention: PE best practices
- Women in PE & VC portfolio operations lunch discussion
- Compensation trends: how are you handling it?
- Accelerating and delivering workforce transformations
2023 Speakers
Connect with the leading talent operating partner network:
View agenda page
Agenda
Day One - Wednesday 29th
07:30 - 09:00
Registration and breakfast
08:00 - 09:00
Human capital operating partners think tank (invitation-only)
Invitation-only think tank for full-time PE and VC operating partners and talent partners. This closed-door room will allow you to learn and share best practices in human capital and talent management for PE portfolio operations. The think tank will also allow you to submit topics to be introduced by the facilitators and discussed in the room. Please select one of the rooms based on how long you have been in private equity:
Facilitators:
09:00 - 09:10
PEI’s welcome and opening remarks
Tim Sanders
Chairman:
Plenary Sessions
09:10 - 09:50
Talent retention and the “Great Resignation” — how the game has changed
- Exposing the real challenges around employee retention in today’s environment
- Talent retention best practices in an increasingly fluid/mobile workforce: what needs to evolve, and what legacy best practices will always hold true?
- What is being done to retain talent in advance and not just to react
- Developing effective retention strategies in looking at all levels in the pyramid
- How to win in a highly competitive market: understanding workforce trends and turnover costs
- Balancing benefit optimization with retention
- Where are we headed to? How long can this go on for?
Moderator:
Panelists:
09:50 - 10:30
Amplifying the human capital and talent function in PE: comparing models
- Comparing teams, networks, and resource structures: who do you rely on most for human capital expertise? How do you get the right team structure in place?
- How operating partners come into play: what are the functions/roles on your team?
- How do you influence your deal team — what is the ROI of human capital
- How to drive EBITDA by supporting the overarching vision of where the company needs to head towards
- How to map the talent evolution, talent to value models, meshing talent with your value creation models
- Where/when to be prescriptive vs. allow the portco to lead
- Amplifying the value proposition of human capital: how have models evolved and what will they look like moving forward?
Moderator:
Panelists:
10:30 - 11:10
Private equity-leadership team alignment and the next generation of CEOs
- How leading PE Firms are rethinking their CEO hiring in the current environment
- What does the next generation CEO look like? And what can be done to identify that next generation and coach them?
- How do you do good CEO performance reviews: what is the right process for it
- Supporting new CEOs as well as CEOs new to PE
- Setting up productive relationships with leadership teams across the deal lifecycle to help them operate at full power
- Leadership in times of disruption: uncovering challenges in different industries
- Exploring the unique tensions faced by PE-backed CEOs but rarely discussed
- If you had to hire a new CEO today what profile and characteristics would you prefer?
Moderator:
Panelists:
-
11:10 - 11:40
Networking Break
Breakout Series I
11:40 - 12:20
Track 1 | Critical dimensions in talent due diligence
- Explaining the dynamics of human capital diligence and how best to partner with investment teams
- What role does human capital assessment/evaluation play in your firms overall due diligence processes?
- In our current environment, what particular people dynamics do you pay attention to and track pre-transaction? What are the analytics you are using?
- Refining the toolkit: specifically addressing the broad range of deal dynamics which may dictate your approach in developing a human capital plan
- Fully understanding the human capital risks: how do you identify red flags during diligence?
- Can you share any “horror” stories of an investment thesis that went askew due to people issues?
- Can you share how the pandemic has re-shaped the way you approach due diligence?
- Understanding turnover costs and right sizing it during diligence
Moderator:
Panelists:
11:40 - 12:20
Track 2 | Grasping the lower and mid-level talent execution plan
- Looking at the challenges and opportunities of mid and lower-level hires
- Dos and don’ts post deal
- Analyzing the different levels in a company and how your PE firm gets involved
- Identifying key players and creating strategic compensation programs
- Post-COVID talent acquisition, development, assessment, and retention for the lower and mid-level
- In our current environment, what particular people dynamics do you pay attention to?
- Challenges and opportunities of virtual/hybrid workforces
Moderator:
Panelists:
Breakout Series II
12:20 - 13:00
Track 3 | 100-day talent action plans: starting your value creation journey
- How to think about creating value through human capital in the first 100 days
- What to do and what not to do in the first 100 days post close
- What talent levers do you consider to be top priorities for generating value within the portfolio company? What has become more urgent?
- How do you engage/support in starting your journey with the portfolio company?
- Understanding organizational culture as part of 100-day plans
- Comparing different strategies post transaction
Moderator:
Panelists:
12:20 - 13:00
Track 4 | Culture and strategy to accelerate growth
- How do you evaluate a prospect’s culture?
- Understanding the challenges and barriers of a misaligned culture and unclear strategy
- Uncovering key elements of organizational culture as part of 100-day plans
- What tools do you use internally at your firm: how do you support culture?
- How investors and operators assess, align, and activate both culture and strategy to ensure momentum
- 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
- Looking at how culture plays a part when it comes to retention and compensation
Moderator:
Panelists:
13:00 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
Breakout Series III
14:00 - 14:40
Track 5 | Portco retention strategy: harmonizing benefit platforms, reducing costs, and improving employee morale
- What are some innovative things HR leaders are doing when it comes to healthcare and employee engagement?
- Balancing growth through M&A during a pandemic with increased support to employees
- What is being done to retain talent in advance – while reducing bottom line costs
- How to combat the current high inflationary environment through mitigating excessive medical trend and labor inflation
Presenters:
14:00 - 14:40
Track 6 | Workforce analytics: leveraging data science with talent/portfolio performance
- What are the leading human capital indicators of performance?
- To what extent are you using people analytics to understand your business, make strategic decisions, and drive business processes across the investment lifecycle?
- AI, KPIs, metrics and data science for talent development and assessments
- Tools and innovations in “people data science” to uncover hidden patterns
Moderator:
Panelists:
Breakout Series IV
14:40 - 15:20
Track 7 | Operating partner-CHRO dynamics: alignment, expectations, and impact
Mugdha Narasimhan,
Tanya Hayes,
Joe McDougall,
Michelle Nasir ,
Michael Song
- Working with the CHRO to elevate value creation initiatives: how do you support them and what do they need from PE?
- Assessing the CHRO for that company: how much can they handle? What is the role of the CHRO in the portco?
- Working with the CHRO in executing the 100-day plan
- Leveraging CHROs across the portfolio: what are the key initiatives to focus on?
- Helping CHROs think more strategically to be aligned in the value creation plan to execute it
- How can the CHRO influence the CEO and CFO for alignment of talent? How can you help your CHRO to be a more influential leader?
- What are some creative and innovative things HR leaders are doing when it comes to standards, processes, and functions?
Moderator:
Mugdha Narasimhan, Managing Director, Entromy
Panelists:
Tanya Hayes, Partner, Human Capital and ESG, Frazier Healthcare Partners
Joe McDougall, Managing Director, TC Operating Partners, Trive Capital
Michelle Nasir, Chief Talent Officer, Arsenal Capital Partners
Michael Song, Managing Director, Portfolio Operations, Providence Equity Partners
14:40 - 15:20
Track 8 | Accelerating workforce transformations through digital and human forces
Tony Buffum,
David Beuerlein ,
Katie Czerepak,
Kyle Roemer,
Jenna Sigman
- Understanding workforce development in the age of digital
- The digital workplace: digitizing physical workplaces smarter using AI, IOT, and other key technologies
- Overcoming the challenges of scarcity in tech talent: attracting, retaining, and supporting tech talent in the current environment
- Building a digital culture at your companies
- Sharing examples of how the pandemic accelerated workforce transformations at your companies
- What newly created digital roles have you created at your companies? What tech skillsets will be required in the digital future?
Moderator:
Tony Buffum, Vice President of HR Client Strategy, Upwork
Panelists:
David Beuerlein, Former Operating Partner, Khosla Ventures
Katie Czerepak, Head of Talent, Tech Opportunities, Bain Capital
Kyle Roemer, Managing Director, Incline Equity Partners
Jenna Sigman, Executive Vice President, Insight Partners
15:20 - 15:45
Networking Break
Interactive Working Group Series I
15:45 - 16:30
Interactive Working Group 1 (for operating partners only) | Training and coaching management teams effectively: operating partners/talent partners share their thoughts
Jennifer Busse,
Marni Rozen
This deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators:
- Training the management team about how to work with private equity
- What is your view on the value of executive development for the management team such as executive coaching, education, 360 feedback, and other performance feedback?
- Sharing stories about coaching and career developments within your portcos
- Coaching: how are you doing it specifically with CEOs and CFOs
- What works and what doesn’t when it comes to coaching portfolio company executives?
- How is investing in the management team’s development worth the time and money? What do you prioritize?
Facilitators:
Jennifer Busse, Management Consulting – Director M&A Integration and Separation, RSM US
Marni Rozen, Director, RSM US
15:45 - 16:30
Interactive Working Group 2 (for operating partners only) | Talent assessments for success: operating partners/talent partners share their thoughts
Alan Foster
This deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators:
- Sharing lessons learned: Do you have the right A players in key roles?
- Assessing leadership and talent: what are you doing that is correlating with performance? What is worthwhile and what is not worthwhile? When are you doing it, how do you know it is making a difference? Does the data prove it is making a difference?
- Pre-hire leadership assessments, how to get the deals teams up to speed in assessing the management teams; how to improve the assessment process
- What have been the implications on how you assess leadership and talent capability (for existing and new investments) amidst continued uncertainty introduced by covid-19?
- How often are you assessing management teams throughout the lifecycle (due diligence through exit)?
- How are you tracking certain metrics to determine the value creation gained through human capital? If so, which metrics?
Facilitator:
Alan Foster, Partner, Head of Private Equity, ghSMART
Interactive Working Group Series II
16:30 - 17:15
Interactive Working Group 3 (for operating partners only) | The future of work: operating partners/talent partners share their thoughts
Patrick Petitti,
Curt Witte
This deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators:
- How to effectively organize in hybrid work models; have your companies fully transformed themselves to thrive in the current work environment?
- How are GPs shaping portco policies and/or best practices for “return to office”?
- What considerations must you consider with regard to giving employees work location flexibility?
- Scrutinizing the next generation of workforce: what work models will work best? How do you position yourself as a place where people want to work? What future plans are you thinking about in looking at where we are headed to in the years to come?
- Looking at top challenges and opportunities for HR teams
- How can HR teams support professional growth in the company remotely?
- How should companies maintain and grow a unique company culture?
- How are you supporting your portcos, how are you thinking about?
Facilitators:
Patrick Petitti, Co-Founder and CEO, Catalant
Curt Witte, Partner, Head of Growth Factors, Bregal Sagemount
16:30 - 17:15
Interactive Working Group 4 (for operating partners only) | The amazing impact of proper benefits governance: PE thought leaders share insights and results
Eric Krieg ,
John Weaver
This deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators:
- Benefits: fund major HR and new benefits initiatives with the power of plan governance
- What is your playbook on pre- and post-acquisition benefits analysis?
- Most thinking on benefit plans is archaic and destined for poor results
- Incentives: what role does it play in driving transformation and the value creation agenda?
- Employee’s financial risk in benefits
- Investing in human capital resources: implementing processes/systems to better manage third parties that interact with your portfolio companies as well as your own firm
- What to insource vs. outsource?
Facilitators:
Eric Krieg, Managing Director, Risk International
John Weaver, Senior Director, Risk International
17:15 - 18:15
End of day 1 and networking cocktail reception
Agenda
Day Two - Thursday 30th
07:30 - 09:25
Registration and breakfast
07:45 - 08:30
Human capital deep dive breakfast discussion (for operating partners only): The “Great Resignation” and the “War for Talent”
Ted Bililies,
Jason McDannold
This deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators:
- How CEOs must lead and communicate in a hypercompetitive environment for talent
- It takes a village: building an effective leadership team to successfully navigate multiple disruptions while attracting and retaining talent
- Using your company’s purpose and mission to attract the right kind of employees
- Understanding the multi-generational workforce and using differing expectations and values to grow your talent base
- Leveraging your company’s culture to become a talent magnet
- Accelerating your DE&I strategy to strengthen your talent retention
Facilitators:
Ted Bililies, Managing Director and Chief Talent Officer, AlixPartners
Jason McDannold, Managing Director, AlixPartners
08:30 - 09:25
Think tanks for full-time operating partners: Comparing operating partner human capital models — value creation war room (invitation-only)
Dana Allen,
Giles Whiting,
Ben Holzemer
This closed-door discussion will allow you to learn and share best practices of successful human capital and talent operational models. The think tank will also allow you to submit topics in advance to be covered in the room in looking at what the future holds for PE talent value creation models. Please select one of the two rooms based on portfolio company size:
Think Tank Room 1
Mid-Market
Facilitators:
Dana Allen, Managing Director, Talent, Gauge Capital
Giles Whiting, Operating Partner, Verdane
Think Tank Room 2
Large Cap
Facilitator:
Ben Holzemer, Partner, Global Head of Human Capital, TPG Global
09:25 - 09:30
Chairman’s welcome
Tim Sanders
Chairman:
Tim Sanders, Vice President, Client Strategy, Upwork
Plenary Sessions
09:30 - 10:10
What makes a great talent partner/human capital operating partner in PE?
Jan Jamrich,
Kelly Carlson,
David Cohen,
Merche del Valle,
Steven Maxwell
- Building your role as a high-quality talent partner: how do you support your firm and your portfolio companies
- PE talent partner market trends: driving better and faster execution
- When does your firm engage the talent partner?
- Linking the role to value creation: uncovering specific tactical talent partner value creation plans
- Talent partner-deal team dynamics: identifying opportunities and risks
- Establishing playbooks of evaluation, resources, and support at different stages
Moderator:
Jan Jamrich, CEO, Entromy
Panelists:
Kelly Carlson, Managing Director, Head of Talent, STG Partners
David Cohen, Managing Director, Human Capital, Kelso & Company
Merche del Valle, Managing Director, Chief Talent and Chief HR Officer, Grain Management
Steven Maxwell, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Human Capital, Audax Private Equity
10:10 - 10:50
Recruiting optimization: advanced strategies in talent acquisition
Scott Jacobs,
Wes Cole,
Michelle Nasir ,
Ben Passafuime,
Glenn Stevens
- What does the recruiting climate look like for you in scrutinizing risks, challenges, costs, and opportunities?
- What are you doing at the lower, mid-level and senior level of talent?
- What criteria are you using? What’s working and what is not?
- Recruitment and alignment: what do you need to know to confidently hire the right top people and ensure alignment? How is there room for them to get better?
- How has the remote-first mindset impacted your hiring plans?
- Impactful trends, tools, and technologies for recruiting
- Uncovering challenges in recruiting diverse talent
Moderator:
Scott Jacobs, Partner, Acertitude
Panelists:
Wes Cole, Portfolio Talent Lead – GS Value Accelerator, Goldman Sachs
Michelle Nasir, Chief Talent Officer, Arsenal Capital Partners
Ben Passafuime, Vice President, Alpine Investors
Glenn Stevens, Partner, Talent Management, Apollo Global Management
10:50 - 11:10
Networking break
Interactive Working Group Series 3
11:10 - 11:50
Interactive Working Group 5 (for operating partners only) | The long journey for diversity: sharing challenges and initiatives in PE
Jenny Machida
This deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
- DE&I programs: what are you doing and what is actionable? How do you build diversity from within and not just at the top?
- What are the challenges in finding diverse talent and what must be done?
- Looking at initiatives from different PE firms: what has been successful and what has not?
- Operationalizing it and interfacing with portco leaders: what best practices can you share regarding advising management teams at the portco levels? What goals do you set for the portfolio companies relative to D&I?
- How can PE firms create cultures at their portfolio companies that will ensure D&I initiatives have the desired impact?
- Understanding the different stages of DE&I
- What is holding PE back from achieving diversity?
- How does the industry define success? What are LPs looking for? What type of data are LPs requesting?
- Diversity and leadership: what can be done better? How are you thinking about diversity of boards?
- KPIs and data to measure effectiveness; how are companies leveraging data to augment their efforts with portfolio companies?
Facilitator:
Jenny Machida, Partner, PwC
11:10 - 11:50
Interactive Working Group 6 (for operating partners only) | The long journey for diversity: sharing challenges and initiatives in PE
Min Matson
This deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
- DE&I programs: what are you doing and what is actionable? How do you build diversity from within and not just at the top?
- What are the challenges in finding diverse talent and what must be done?
- Looking at initiatives from different PE firms: what has been successful and what has not?
- Operationalizing it and interfacing with portco leaders: what best practices can you share regarding advising management teams at the portco levels? What goals do you set for the portfolio companies relative to D&I?
- How can PE firms create cultures at their portfolio companies that will ensure D&I initiatives have the desired impact?
- Understanding the different stages of DE&I
- What is holding PE back from achieving diversity?
- How does the industry define success? What are LPs looking for? What type of data are LPs requesting?
- Diversity and leadership: what can be done better? How are you thinking about diversity of boards?
- KPIs and data to measure effectiveness; how are companies leveraging data to augment their efforts with portfolio companies?
Facilitator:
Min Matson, Director, PwC
Breakout Series V
11:50 - 12:30
Track 9 | PE portco HR case study: rapid HR transformation for agility, ops cost efficiency and improved talent
Ron Keusch,
Kevin Chase,
Thomas Fountain
Join a fireside chat with Kevin Chase and Tom Fountain to learn about the HR/HCM transformation at BlueTriton (formerly Nestle Waters) this past year after they were acquired by One Rock Capital and engaged strategic partner, AspireHR, to replace, modernize and streamline their full stack of HCM systems in less than 8 months. The immediate results and benefits you’ll hear about range from:
- Labor efficiencies through automation, improved employee user experience, application consolidation, operating cost reductions, increased agility for future M&A and strengthened capabilities to acquire new talent
- How to take this model and scale it for future PE acquisitions at your portfolio companies while positioning HR to be a strategic enabler for future business growth
Moderator:
Ron Keusch, Director of Private Equity Midmarket, Strategic Initiatives, SAP
Panelists:
Kevin Chase, CEO, AspireHR
Thomas Fountain, Operating Partner, One Rock Capital Partners
11:50 - 12:30
Track 10 | Uncovering the organizational design playbook
Marni Rozen,
Cécile Dutheil,
Jimmy Holloran,
Amy LoPiccolo
- How prescriptive are you on the org design? How do you do it from day 1 and how do you set it, who is involved?
- Tracking the first milestones: how do you get there and how do you scale?
- Exploring structures and trends in organizational effectiveness to successfully execute your business strategy
- Looking at the future: how to optimize how your organizations are functioning
- How are skills evolving and how is this affecting the process? What types of jobs are needed and what are the capabilities required for those jobs?
- Designing for growth: what resources can you use and how do you do it?
- What should you be looking at from an org design point of view when you are approaching exit?
Moderator:
Marni Rozen, Director, RSM US
Panelists:
Cécile Dutheil, Head of Human Capital Portfolio, Triton Partners
Jimmy Holloran, Operating Partner, ParkerGale Capital
Amy LoPiccolo, Vice President, Leadership and Talent, B Capital Group
Plenary Session
12:30 - 13:10
Boards: Composition, optimization, and effectiveness
Morgan McKeown,
Mark Herther,
Mia Jung,
Lane McDonald,
Kathryn Seni
- Composition and construction: how do you get more value of out of boards?
- Board structure: where do certain human capital elements come into play here?
- Board effectiveness: What is the secret to the best board/CEO relationships? How does a capable board operate? What is your role in it?
- Should operating partners be on boards?
- Diversity of boards
- What initiatives are you driving for women on boards across portcos? What can be done?
- Board compensation: uncovering the variety of compensation structures to optimize board participation
- What kind of emphasis is being placed on human capital metrics at the boardroom?
Moderator:
Morgan McKeown, Talent Operating Advisor, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Panelists:
Mark Herther, Director, Operations and Administration, The Riverside Company
Mia Jung, Talent Partner, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
Lane McDonald, Managing Director, OMERS Private Equity
Kathryn Seni, Former Talent Operating Partner
13:10 - 14:10
Chairman’s closing remarks and networking lunch
13:10 - 14:10
Women in PE & VC portfolio operations lunch (invitation-only)
Kate Migliaro,
Kristin Brown Patrick
This closed-door 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 firm 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
Facilitators:
Kate Migliaro, Principal, Talent Management and Organizational Effectiveness, Apollo Global Management
Kristin Brown Patrick, Senior Operating Partner, Human Capital, New State Capital Partners
14:10 - 14:10
End of conference
Explore our exclusive operating partner networking
Operating partner exclusive networking events are taking place throughout the Forum. The Forum provides operating partners with opportunities each day to network and share thoughts with peers.
Operating Partners Human Capital Forum Welcome Reception (invitation-only)
March 28 | 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Venue: TBD
Join other operating partners and talent partners attending the Human Capital Forum in a casual gathering to see old friends and meet new operating partners.
Women in PE and VC Portfolio Operations Dinner (invitation-only)
March 28 | 7:45-9:00 pm
Venue: TBD
Join us as we welcome the women in PE portfolio operations attending the Human Capital Forum for a private sit-down dinner to facilitate networking before the conference.
Operating Partners Human Capital Forum Day 1 Networking Reception
March 29 | 5:30-6:30 pm
A casual cocktail reception to chat with your operating partner peers.
Human Capital Deep Dive Breakfast (operating partners only)
March 30 | 7:45-8:30am
Women in PE and VC Portfolio Operations Lunch (invitation-only)
March 30 | 12:30-1:30 pm
Venue: Convene, 117 W 46th St
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore what it’s like being a woman in PE and VC portfolio operations.
Featured interactive discussions & networking opportunities
Think Tank Sessions
The closed-door session led by human capital operating partners for operating partners only will allow you to engage in lively discussions with your peers. The thinks tanks will also allow you to submit topics to be covered in looking at the best value creation practices.
Interactive Working Groups
These exclusive deep dive discussions only available to operating partners allow you to participate in interactive roundtable discussions with designated facilitators.
Pre-Event Resources
pdf
Private Equity/Venture Capital Compensation Report – Executive Summary
By Private Equity International
For speaking opportunities, contact Marc Mele at marc.m@peimedia.com or call +1 646 581 9295.
Dana Allen
Managing Director, Talent, Gauge Capital
Dana is the Managing Director, Talent at Gauge Capital. He leads the firm’s human capital efforts, advising the firm and portfolio on building and enhancing leadership teams and boards to drive value-creation. Prior to joining Gauge, Dana was an exec… Read full bio
Emily Azevedo
Operating Partner and Head of Talent, Mainsail Partners
Emily is an Operating Partner and head of talent at Mainsail Partners, a growth equity firm that partners with founders of bootstrapped software companies to help them realize their potential. For nearly 20 years, Mainsail has been helping management… Read full bio
Kate Berkeley
Managing Director, Talent, Gryphon Investors
Kate joined Gryphon Investors in 2020 as a Managing Director to lead and scale the firm’s talent acquisition capabilities, both internally at Gryphon and externally with Gryphon portfolio companies. She is also Co-Head of Gryphon’s Diversity, Equity… Read full bio
Neel Bhatia
Operating Partner, Talent, Arcline Investment Management
Neel is currently an Operating Partner at Arcline Investment Management where he is focused on talent assessment and development both within the firm and across portfolio companies. Most recently, Neel was the Managing Partner of Green Peak, a privat… Read full bio
Tony Buffum
Vice President of HR Client Strategy, Upwork
Tony Buffum is VP of HR Client Strategy at Upwork. As a key member of the senior-level executive client strategy team, Buffum is responsible for accelerating growth of current and prospective Upwork enterprise clients, helping them solve HR challenge… Read full bio
Kelly Carlson
Managing Director, Head of Talent, STG Partners
Kelly Carlson is Managing Director, Head of Talent with STG, where she is leading the firm’s talent efforts, working across the portfolio to attract CEOs and executive leadership teams to drive results. Kelly’s mandate includes the curation of a CEO… Read full bio
Merche Del Valle
Managing Director, Former Chief Talent and HR Officer
Former Chief Talent and HR Officer, Executive and CEO Executive Coach with extensive global cross-industry experience helping organizations to gain competitive advantage through constructive and inclusive People Strategy. Merche is recognized for her… Read full bio
Alan Foster
Partner, ghSMART
Alan Foster is a Partner at ghSMART where he is head of the Private Equity practice. He co-leads ghSMART’s European business. He serves private equity firms and their portfolio company CEOs . Alan co-authored the Wall Street Journal bestselling book,… Read full bio
Dan Hawkins
Founder and 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
Jimmy Holloran
Operating Partner, ParkerGale Capital
Jimmy is responsible for working with portfolio companies on talent strategy focusing on organizational design and development as well as communication both within each company and across the portfolio. Prior to joining ParkerGale, Jimmy worked on ta… Read full bio
Jamie Jacobs
Chief Talent Officer, Oak Hill Capital
Jamie Jacobs serves as the Chief Talent Officer of Oak Hill Capital. Working across the entire portfolio of Oak Hill funds focusing on all aspects of Human Capital with specialties in Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Organization design and ass… Read full bio
Kate Migliaro
Global Head of Portfolio Talent, Searchlight Capital Partners
Prior to joining Searchlight in 2022, Ms. Migliaro worked as a principal in talent management and organizational effectiveness at Apollo. Previously, Ms. Migliaro was the head of compensation and veteran affairs at UBS and worked in human resources a… Read full bio
Michelle Nasir
Chief Talent Officer, Arsenal Capital Partners
Michelle Nasir is Arsenal Capital Partners Chief Talent Officer (CTO), where she leads the firm’s Human Capital efforts (people, culture, organization, and performance). Michelle’s expertise includes M&A due diligence, executive coaching, success… Read full bio
2023 Sponsors
Sponsorship and Engagement Opportunities:
The Operating Partners forums and events are the most efficient and effective way to connect directly with private equity operating partners and value creation experts. To learn more about ways to create a customized program that maximizes your desired impact and to engage with PEI’s operating partners community, complete the inquiry form or contact Lawrence Dvorchik by email Lawrence.d@peimedia.com or call +1 646 545 4429.
Venue and hotel
Kimpton Muse Hotel
130 West 46th Street
New York, 10036
Explore our exclusive operating partner networking
Operating partner exclusive networking events are taking place throughout the Forum. The Forum provides operating partners with opportunities each day to network and share thoughts with peers.
Pre-conference networking
Tuesday, March 28
Operating Partners Human Capital Forum Welcome Reception (invitation-only)
5:30 – 8:00 pm
Venue: TBD
Join other operating partners and talent partners attending the Human Capital Forum in a casual gathering to see old friends and meet new operating partners.
Women in PE and VC Portfolio Operations Dinner (invitation-only)
7:45 – 9:00 pm
Venue: TBD
Join us as we welcome the women in PE portfolio operations attending the Human Capital Forum for a private sit-down dinner to facilitate networking before the conference.
Day 1 reception
Wednesday, March 29
Operating Partners Human Capital Forum Day 1 Networking Reception
5:30-6:30 pm
A casual cocktail reception to chat with your operating partner peers.
Day 2 breakfast and lunch
Thursday, March 30
Human Capital Deep Dive Breakfast (operating partners only)
March 30 | 7:45-8:30am
Women in PE and VC Portfolio Operations Lunch (invitation-only)
12:30-1:30 pm
Venue: Convene, 117 W 46th St
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore what it’s like being a woman in PE and VC portfolio operations.
Featured interactive discussions & networking opportunities
Think Tank Sessions
The closed-door session led by human capital operating partners for operating partners only will allow you to engage in lively discussions with your peers. The thinks tanks will also allow you to submit topics to be covered in looking at the best value creation practices.
Interactive Working Groups
These exclusive deep dive discussions only available to operating partners allow you to participate in interactive roundtable discussions with designated facilitators.