Middle Market Coaches

I began my career in investment banking, but like many candidates, I had my sights set on private equity—a leap that can feel overwhelming without the right guidance. Coming from a history major background, I didn’t start my career with a technical foundation, but with the right preparation I was able to make the transition successfully. I went on to work in private equity at Brentwood Associates, focusing on beauty, wellness, and consumer investing, and later returned to Goldman Sachs as one of the first hires on its Sustainable Investing Group, a private equity vehicle focused on positive social impact. Along the way, I’ve also sat on the other side of the table, interviewing candidates for Private Equity roles. That experience gave me firsthand insight into how firms evaluate resumes, test technical knowledge, and pressure-test investment judgment. Now, as a coach, I help candidates prepare for every stage of PE recruiting—from resume positioning and case prep to technical modeling and investment theses. My goal is to help you approach the process with the same preparation and confidence that allowed me to break in, and to give you the insider perspective of someone who’s both landed offers and conducted interviews at top firms.

I have spent over 7 years in finance, interviewed at over 50 PE funds and recruited for the PE fund i previously worked at. I have a deep understanding of how to prep for interviews, make your application stand out and most importantly, stay focused on the goals to find the right fund for you.

With three years as an investor on American Securities’ Investment Team, I bring a comprehensive understanding of the private equity recruiting process, including on-cycle and off-cycle interviews, and navigating headhunter relationships. At American Securities, I was promoted to Senior Associate after my second year and played a pivotal role in the due diligence of new investments and portfolio company management through add-on acquisition due diligence and general strategy support. In addition to my investment experience, I contributed significantly to recruiting efforts, including partnering with third-party organizations like SEO to advance diversity in the industry and directly interviewing / screening investment banking analysts.

I help ambitious professionals break into private equity — with a focus on growth equity and buyout roles — by combining hands-on deal experience with personalized, high-impact coaching. Whether you're coming from investment banking, consulting, or a nontraditional background, I’ll work with you to sharpen your story, master technicals, and confidently navigate both on-cycle and off-cycle recruiting processes. My own path into private equity was nontraditional. I’m the Founder of Zeus Global, an independent PE platform where I’ve led full deal processes — from sourcing and underwriting to diligence and capital formation — across live acquisitions in SaaS and tech-enabled services. Before launching Zeus, I led growth and middle-market investing at a $5B family office, and held investment roles at LeapFrog Investments and the Africa Finance Corporation. I earned my MBA from Stanford GSB. I’ve coached candidates across every stage, from pre-MBA associates and undergrads targeting analyst programs to post-MBA professionals navigating VP-track interviews. I specialize in helping “non-obvious” profiles break in by reframing their experience into an investor-ready narrative and building the technical and commercial acumen that top-tier PE firms demand.

I successfully broke into private equity from a non-target school, where I learned firsthand that the traditional recruiting funnel doesn't work for everyone. I’ve navigated the process and can help you build your own playbook for breaking in, just as I did. My biggest value-add is helping you master the networking strategy that will get you in front of more decision-makers. We'll focus on targeted outreach and crafting messages that actually get responses. While I can cover the foundational technical concepts and conduct mock behavioral interviews, my primary focus is on empowering you to build a network and a resume that will be your greatest asset. I've successfully helped several others break into this competitive industry. I'm here to guide you through the critical early stages of networking and resume prep and am flexible on however I can support you throughout the rest of your job search.

With a robust background in private equity and strategic finance, I bring a wealth of experience to help you navigate the competitive landscape of private equity careers. As a former Private Equity Associate at Ara Partners, I worked on five portfolio companies and closed two platform investments in the energy / decarbonization sector, providing me with firsthand insights into the intricacies of the industry. My journey also includes roles at EIG (an infrastructure PE fund) and J.P. Morgan, where I honed my skills in energy infrastructure and investment banking. I am well-equipped to guide you through the nuances of private equity applications and interviews, especially if you have an engineering background. I am also a graduate of Harvard Business School (MBA) and Princeton University, and closely worked with the admissions team on crafting an overall admissions strategy. I'm happy to assist with business school or college applications and strategies to maximize your admission chances.

Based on my extensive experience in private equity and investment banking at top-tier firms such as H.I.G. Capital, Warburg Pincus and J.P. Morgan, I'm highly qualified to coach individuals on private equity recruiting. In addition to technical expertise, my experience in mentoring and coaching others has also equipped me with the skills to guide aspiring private equity professionals through the recruiting process. My ability to communicate complex financial concepts in a clear and concise manner, as well as my strong network within the industry, can be invaluable in helping individuals navigate the often-challenging landscape of private equity recruiting. With my guidance and support, aspiring private equity professionals can develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in this highly competitive industry.

Hello - please reach out to me to schedule an intro call and discuss coaching goals and where I could best assist. I have been coaching on Leland for ~2 years and have worked with dozens of candidates to provide visibility into the PE industry.

Four years of private equity experience across all sectors and deal sizes. Varied transaction experience ranging from primary investments to mature leveraged buyouts. I've also worked in a recruiting and interviewing capacity across both firms I've worked at. I've hustled for every job I've gotten and firmly view this industry as network driven. Being strategic with your networking, interviewing, and approach to investing can yield significant advances in your career journey. At each step, I've enjoyed giving back to those on a similar path as me, and have observed what works and what doesn't work at each career juncture, from undergrad to experienced lateral moves. Reach out for an introduction call and let's get started!

I’ve sat on every side of the deal: M&A Lawyer, Investment Banker, Private Equity Operator - and I’ll help you stand out and win offers fast. Before attending The Wharton School, I advised large-cap sponsors on acquisitions, carve-outs, and fund structures as an M&A attorney at Kirkland & Ellis and Paul Weiss. I then transitioned into investing and operations at GenNx360 Capital Partners, where I worked on new deals and drove value creation across healthcare and industrial portfolio companies. I led initiatives in procurement, growth strategy, and cross-portfolio synergies. I deepened my transaction experience as an Investment Banker at Guggenheim Securities. Having sat on both the legal and investing sides, I know exactly what it takes to break into and thrive in private equity. Whether you aim to join the deal team or focus on portfolio operations, I can help you master the technical expertise and strategic perspective needed to succeed.