March 12 - 13, 2026 | Miami
PRE-EVENT AGENDA: March 11th, 2026 | 📍 JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
Kick off the Independent Sponsors Summit with an evening of networking. Join fellow attendees for pre-conference welcome drinks from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Join us from 8:00 AM to collect your badge and enjoy breakfast networking - the perfect way to kick-start your day with fresh connections and conversations.
Focused on discussing active deals with a funding source, connect with the Independent Sponsors or Capital Providers specializing in investments in the industry sectors and markets you focus on. In advance of the event you will be provided with a full list of attendees, so you can choose to meet with the most relevant contacts and evaluate the potential for future business partnerships.
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For emerging independent sponsors, credibility is everything and clarity drives deal flow. This hands-on workshop walks participants through defining who they are, what they buy, and why bankers and founders should take their calls, all on a single, compelling page. Attendees will craft credibility packets including team bios, relevant deal reps, operator bench, and proof of capital access, while sharpening mandate clarity across sectors, size bands, check sizes, geographies, control vs. minority, and timing.
Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Partner & Chair, Investment Funds and Advisers
Morrison Cohen
Brian Forman’s practice focuses on fund formation and providing regulatory advice to alternative investment managers and investors.
Brian also has significant experience advising clients with respect to regulatory compliance, negotiations of trading counterparty documentation and other day-to-day matters relating to operations, accounting and investor relations.
In addition to sponsor side representation, Brian has represented investors in private investment funds, reviewing and providing feedback on fund documentation and assisting in negotiations of side letters.
Join your peers for a series of lively and interactive discussions on the most pressing topics you are facing today. The small group format will enable you to make meaningful connections and come up with out-of-the-box solutions to shared challenges.
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Partner
Holland & Knight
Mike Miller is a private equity attorney in Holland & Knight's Charlotte office. Mr. Miller is a co-head of both Holland & Knight's Independent Sponsors and Search Funds teams. He focuses his practice on
representing domestic and international private equity, venture capital and search funds, independent sponsors and companies in evaluating, structuring and negotiating mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and investment transactions, including leveraged buyouts, co-investments, stock and asset acquisitions and
sales, secondary fund interest transfers, growth equity investments, divestitures and recapitalizations. Mr. Miller has substantial experience providing innovative advice to independent sponsors, search funds,
and traditional and self-funded searchers in all aspects of their transactions, including equity structuring and transaction execution. He has authored several articles and lectured on these topics. In addition, Mr. Miller has extensive experience representing and counseling public, private and emerging companies in corporate governance and operational strategic and legal matters. Mr. Miller delivers value-added counsel to his clients by combining his substantive experience with a responsive, client service-focused practice. He offers practical and pragmatic advice that leverages his
market knowledge and creativity to help clients drive transaction execution while effectively managing risk. Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Miller worked in the private equity, technology companies and
corporate practices of law firms in Charlotte and New York City.
Office Managing Partner, New York
Ice Miller
Chase Stuart is a partner in Ice Miller's Business Group and the Office Managing Partner in New York. He represents a variety of private equity funds, family offices, independent sponsors, privately-held businesses, private credit funds, and mezzanine funds. He provides strategic and legal advice in their investment and general corporate strategies, including on leveraged buyouts and other M&A, financings, minority investments, growth capital transactions, and early and late stage private equity investments. He represents family, founder, and entrepreneur-owned businesses as general corporate counsel and as a sell-side advisor. He has represented a variety of companies in sectors such as aerospace and defense, technology, manufacturing, consumer products, business services, gaming, and health care.
This session explores the fastest, least-obvious cost levers that can move EBITDA immediately — often without changing headcount or strategy. Using real-world scenarios, we’ll highlight where deals and operators routinely leave money on the table across payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, benefits structure, and state programs. Attendees will leave with a practical framework to quickly identify and act on these opportunities at any stage of ownership — from diligence through ongoing operations.
Key takeaways:
Facilitator
Jenny serves as the COO and is a Co-Founder of Aspen. Prior to joining Aspen, Jenny was Vice President at Ambrose, now known as TriNet Financial Services. Jenny co-led the Bay Area market development for TriNet’s PEO product that specifically focused on the alternative investment industry.
Jenny was previously in KPMG’s asset management group that provided audit, tax, and consulting services for numerous alternative investment firms.
Jenny earned her BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from San Francisco State University College of Business. She currently serves as Co-Chair for Help For Children’s West Coast Executive Committee, a global foundation, supported by the alternative asset management industry. Jenny also co-founded the Pacific Alternative Investment Group in February of 2016.
Independent Sponsors are operating in a tougher environment marked by heightened competition, longer diligence timelines, and more demanding capital and seller dynamics. In this fast-paced keynote, three of the most active Independent Sponsors of 2025 will share what’s working right now, from sourcing proprietary opportunities to structuring creative transactions and closing with certainty. Expect candid insights and actionable takeaways you can put to work immediately.
Interviewer
Managing Principal, Value360 Practice
CohnReznick
Claudine oversees an integrated team of transaction, valuation, restructuring, project finance, and dispute resolution professionals serving clients throughout the lifecycles of their businesses. With specific expertise in managing opportunities and roadblocks that can impact a business moving forward, Claudine and her team help clients achieve optimal outcomes in protecting and growing stakeholder value.
Claudine serves as an adviser to public and private companies, both domestically and internationally. Her clients comprise the full gamut of financial sponsors including private equity investors, independent sponsors, family offices, alternative investment funds, lenders, and strategic investors. Her areas of knowledge include strategic advisory, quality of earnings analyses, identifying revenue sources and profitability drivers, examining operating cost structure and sustainability factors, investigating business models including cash flow and financial projections, reviewing quality and realization of assets and liabilities, identifying working capital requirements and negotiating positions, post-close working capital verification, and adjustment mechanisms.
Claudine was named to Mergers and Acquisitions 2019 list of the most influential women in mid-market M&A, and Crain’s NY 2018 most notable women in consulting.
Keynote
Founder and Managing Partner
LP First
Keynote
Managing Partner
Black Lake
Select one session based on your priorities - multiple tailored sessions are taking place.
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The second block focuses on building a repeatable, measurable deal-sourcing engine. Participants will explore tech stack options (CRMs, email sequencing, data vendors, light AI for target discovery and summarization), establish effective outreach cadences with bankers and founders, and design community flywheels to generate inbound interest. The session also breaks down key funnel KPIs, from teasers to LOIs, to create a transparent, trackable origination machine.
Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Managing Partner
Acharya Capital Partners
David Acharya is the Managing Partner of ACP where he oversees all aspects of the firm’s investing, management, and strategic activities. He brings over 25 years of investing and transacting experience to ACP. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and is recognized by his peers for his expertise in private equity, capital markets, and portfolio value creation.
Before establishing ACP, Mr. Acharya was a partner of AGI Partners, LLC, a private equity firm, and played a key role in the development of the firm including strategy, hiring, and fundraising. He served on the board of directors for Impact XM and On Location until its successful exit to a global private equity firm.
Earlier, Mr. Acharya was a Director of an NYC-based private equity firm where he was responsible for investment sourcing and execution. Among other accomplishments, he sourced and executed Revolution Dancewear, co-sponsored with Incline Equity Partners, and was sold to Audax Group.
Previously, Mr. Acharya was a Vice President with Apprise Media, a private equity firm focused on niche media investments, where he worked with the founders of PRIMEDIA, a former KKR founded portfolio company. Mr. Acharya invested over $200 million in niche media companies across digital, events, and print products in North America, Europe, and Asia. He made significant contributions to Apprise Media’s largest portfolio company Canon Communications, a B2B media company. Canon was successfully sold to United Business Media in 2010.
Mr. Acharya spent 10 years as an investment banker in the highly ranked leveraged finance groups of JP Morgan Chase and Toronto Dominion Securities. He advised, structured, and raised over $18 billion of capital for leading financial sponsors, telecommunications, media, and consumer product companies across the globe. He also advised clients on debt tender/consent transactions that affected over $4 billion of debt. While at Toronto Dominion and as part of its merchant banking initiatives, he was involved in numerous equity investments including Rural Cellular Corporation (sold to Verizon), T-Mobile, Bresnan Communications, and Intermedia Communications (Leo Hindery’s Cable Venture).
In 2020, after completing his term as President of the New York Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), Mr. Acharya was elected as Chairperson. Additionally, he was elected to the ACG Global Board of Directors. In recognition of his years of leadership and volunteerism, he was honored with the ACG Meritorious Award. In 2024, Mr. Acharya’s contributions to the finance industry were celebrated by being named to Crain’s New York Business’ 2024 List of Notable Leaders in Finance.
The first year post-deal can be a whirlwind of change but what really shifts once the ink dries? In this candid fireside, a founder and investor share what they’ve learned about establishing an effective board rhythm, designing a motivating MIP, upgrading talent, and navigating the unexpected highs and lows that follow a close. Expect honest reflections, practical frameworks, and advice they wish they’d had before signing.
Key Takeaways:
Moderator
Private Equity Attorney
Winston & Strawn
Lilli’s practice is focused on private equity. She represents investors and investment funds, including private equity sponsors, venture capital funds and their respective portfolio companies, in connection with platform and add-on acquisitions, related acquisition financing, dispositions and other exit strategies, restructurings, joint ventures, growth equity investments and general corporate matters.
Managing Director of Investments
Trident
Mr. Ayala brings a wealth of experience from his prior role as Managing Director at Drum Capital Management, LLC, a private equity investor in the lower-middle market. At Drum, he spearheaded the buyout and co-investment strategies. Throughout his career, Mr. Ayala has held numerous leadership positions, including CEO and General Counsel at four private equity-backed companies. His previous roles include Managing Partner of Towanda Capital, CEO of Vertisense, VP, Operations of ALK Technologies, Inc., and VP, General Counsel for Native American Resource Partners LLC. He began his professional journey as a corporate M&A attorney at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP.
Founder & Independent Operating Partner
Vanessa Goolsby Advisory
Explore current market trends and advanced best practices for sourcing proprietary deals, structuring aligned transactions, and driving deals to a successful close.
Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Partner
Levenfeld Pearlstein
Robert Connolly is a Partner in LP's Corporate Practice Group. He leads Levenfeld Pearlstein’s Independent Sponsor team, co-leads its Private Equity team, and previously served as the Corporate Practice Group Leader. His practice focuses on M&A, private equity, and corporate transactions in the middle market and lower middle market across multiple industries throughout the United States. He has extensive experience leading a wide spectrum of complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, minority investments, joint ventures, recapitalizations, restructurings, securities offerings, and other business transactions.
Family offices are increasingly active in IS-backed deals but how do they actually evaluate, govern, and deploy effectively? In this peer-led roundtable, participants will unpack how family offices diligence IS teams, structure governance, and manage capital pacing without bogging down in process. Expect a transparent discussion on real co-investment dynamics and what truly drives founder-aligned outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
Private Equity Investment Officer
Unity Hunt (Family Office)
Select one session based on your priorities - multiple tailored sessions are taking place.
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Independent sponsors and lower middle PE funds are often competing for the same deals but not with the same advantages. In today’s higher-rate, tighter-exit environment, winning the deal is only half the battle.
Explore who truly wins competitive processes, where returns actually come from when multiple expansion can’t be assumed, and what quietly derails outcomes, from overpaying and fragile capital stacks to credibility gaps in capital formation.
Session Key Takeaways
What actually wins deals today: price, certainty, or credibility
How returns are generated in a disciplined underwriting environment
The structural strengths and weaknesses of the independent model
The biggest risks investors may be underestimating heading into 2026
Moderator
Managing Principal, Value360 Practice
Sadis
Paul Marino is a partner in the Financial Services and Corporate Groups. Paul focuses his practice in matters concerning financial services, corporate law and corporate finance. Paul provides counsel in the areas of private equity funds and mergers and acquisitions for private equity firms and public and private companies and private equity fund and hedge fund formation.
Paul works on a variety of M&A transactions, including leveraged acquisitions, divestitures of business divisions, going-private transactions, and other strategic acquisitions and dispositions, in the following industries: manufacturing, telecommunications, consumer products, hospitality, healthcare, and technology, among others. His practice also includes joint ventures and general company representation matters.
Paul has represented national and multinational corporations, ranging from telecoms to tech companies, as well as real estate syndication and financial investors and investment advisors. He has also negotiated and structured a number of U.S. domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures.
Managing Director
Clavis Capital Partners
Claudine oversees an integrated team of transaction, valuation, restructuring, project finance, and dispute resolution professionals serving clients throughout the lifecycles of their businesses. With specific expertise in managing opportunities and roadblocks that can impact a business moving forward, Claudine and her team help clients achieve optimal outcomes in protecting and growing stakeholder value.
Claudine serves as an adviser to public and private companies, both domestically and internationally. Her clients comprise the full gamut of financial sponsors including private equity investors, independent sponsors, family offices, alternative investment funds, lenders, and strategic investors. Her areas of knowledge include strategic advisory, quality of earnings analyses, identifying revenue sources and profitability drivers, examining operating cost structure and sustainability factors, investigating business models including cash flow and financial projections, reviewing quality and realization of assets and liabilities, identifying working capital requirements and negotiating positions, post-close working capital verification, and adjustment mechanisms.
Claudine was named to Mergers and Acquisitions 2019 list of the most influential women in mid-market M&A, and Crain’s NY 2018 most notable women in consulting.
This session goes beyond theory, it’s a hands-on exploration of live-ish term sheets. Participants will dissect seller notes, unitranche and mezzanine structures, NAV adjustments, earn-outs, RWI, and working capital pegs. Leave with a practical one-pager summarizing “what’s market” by context, giving you a real edge in structuring and negotiating deals in 2026.
Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Managing Director
Five Points Family Ventures
Scott spent over 20 years at Raymond James & Associates, Inc., most recently as Senior Vice President in a private client group practice, serving the unique needs of public company executives. Over his tenure at Raymond James, he served in many roles in the Equity Capital Markets and Private Client divisions of the firm. His areas of expertise included equity compensation, insider trading regulations and Rule 10b5-1 plans, concentrated equity solutions, directed share programs, structured notes, share repurchases, and strategies for raising equity capital.
Scott earned his B.B.A. in Finance and Business Economics from the University of Notre Dame. He became a CFA charter holder in 2003.
Finding the right deals starts with clarity. This peer-led roundtable helps capital providers codify their investment mandate, from sectors and EBITDA bands to check sizes and preferred structures, so that deal flow matches become faster, cleaner, and more actionable. Participants will walk away with practical frameworks to publish and communicate mandates like a pro.
Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Managing Director, Co-Head of Equity Group
Monroe Capital
This third workshop in the emerging independent sponsor series equips participants to move confidently from teaser to IOI/LOI with a clear capital map and market-informed guardrails. Attendees will map capital sources, SBIC credit, non-control equity, control funds, and family offices and align them with their mandate. The session also covers “what’s market” on economics, promotes, fees, and co-invests, and provides a practical operator/100-day lens for crafting IC memos that prove value and execution readiness.
Key Takeaways:
Select one session based on your priorities - multiple tailored sessions are taking place.
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Co-underwriting can unlock bigger deals, if everyone knows their lane. This peer-driven roundtable explores how to structure partnerships between SBICs and family offices, covering lead roles, signing authority, intercreditor basics, economic splits, governance, and a synchronized diligence playbook. Participants will gain practical frameworks for smoother collaboration and faster, cleaner closes.
Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Chartwell Investments
Mike is the managing partner of CHIEF Capital (Chartwell Investments Entrepreneur & Founder Capital) and has over 30 years of experience in all facets of private equity investing and has participated in the purchase or sale of businesses with transaction values exceeding $4 billion.
In Chief Capital’s most recent vehicle, Mike has closed 5 new platform investments, successfully exited two portfolio companies, closed 20+ portfolio company add-on acquisitions, while also entering into a Joint Venture with a publicly-traded company, representing over $900+ million in total aggregate transaction value.
Mike focuses on deal sourcing, relationship building, strategic planning, recruiting management teams and operating executives, capital raising, and post-closing portfolio company development. As a hybrid family office/independent sponsor, Mike supports the management owners he partners with to accelerate growth and realize their visions for their companies.
Prior to founding the predecessor to CHIEF Capital, Mike worked for Goldman Sachs (mergers & acquisitions department) and was a SVP of a private NYC-based investment firm.
Mike currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors across multiple organizations: World Water Works, Guardian Fleet Services, Rohrer Aesthetics, Contract Datascan Holdings, PPC Holdings, and Pinnacle Processes Inc. and serves as a Director of Richard Childress Racing.
Mike has previously served as a Director of multiple private companies including TTG Imaging Solutions, RQM+, Carey International, Bell Sports, Petro Stopping Centers, and SunPark. Mike graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S.E.
CHIEF Capital provides flexible private equity for entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses. We partner with management owners to help realize their visions and provide long-term capital, resources, and expertise to accelerate growth and provide generational liquidity. With 40+ years of experience, $300MM in equity deployed, 7 platform companies and 20+ recent add-on acquisitions, we focus on niche lower middle market companies that out-compete their peers. We primarily invest in businesses with $10-100MM+ in revenue, $2-20MM in EBITDA and 10%+ EBITDA margins.
Partner
Patriot Capital
Jonathon Cope joined Patriot Capital as an Associate in September 2014. Prior to joining Patriot, he was an Associate in the Restructuring Group at BNP Paribas in New York. Mr. Cope also has experience as an Analyst in the Corporate Finance division of Daimler AG.
Co-sponsoring deals can expand capacity and access, but misalignment can derail even the most promising transactions. This peer roundtable explores the do’s and don’ts of co-sponsorship, covering decision rights, division of labor, economics, communication cadences, and the common red flags that sink partnerships. Participants will walk away with practical guidance for structuring and managing co-sponsor relationships successfully.
Key Takeaways:
Managing Partner
Platt Richmond
With major tax changes on the horizon for 2025, independent sponsors need clarity on how shifting rules will impact deal structures, rollover equity, seller proceeds, and LOI terms. This roundtable breaks down the most relevant updates — from sunsetting provisions and IRS scrutiny to BOI compliance and tax-efficient earnouts and offers practical steps to prepare deals and founders for the year ahead.
Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Partner & Mergers and Acquisitions Tax Practice Leader
Citrin Cooperman
Nichol Chiarella is a partner and Citrin Cooperman's Mergers and Acquisitions Tax Practice Leader, with over two decades of experience in public accounting. She provides high level tax planning and consulting services related to buy-side, sell-side, and restructuring transactions involving private equity firms, closely-held businesses, business owners, and high net worth individuals within the technology, manufacturing and distribution, wholesale, retail, cannabis, healthcare, real estate, staffing, and professional services industries.
Nichol handles transaction tax matters for private equity funds, independent sponsors, limited liability companies (LLCs), domestic partnerships, corporations, and S corporations. She specializes in buy-side and sell-side tax advisory, including tax due diligence, pre-transaction planning, tax structuring, and modeling, and post-transaction compliance support. She also handles mergers, divestitures, and restructuring matters, in addition to helping privately-held business owners transition to related parties.
Nichol also leads the firm’s global diversity, equity, and inclusion mission, branded as CC EDGE (Empowering Diversity and Gender Equality). In this role, she interfaces regularly with all CC EDGE leads in each of our metro geographies in the United States and in India.
Nichol's specialized tax knowledge and network of professional contacts allows her to act as a resource not only for her clients, but for other professionals seeking solutions for their clients and customers.
In the evolving landscape of private equity and acquisitions, independent sponsors are increasingly exploring innovative structures to enhance deal viability and long-term value creation. During this discussion, industry experts will delve into the synergies between independent sponsors and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Discover how integrating ESOPs into your investment strategy can unlock unique advantages, from performance enhancements to tax efficiencies, while navigating the complexities of deal structuring in a competitive market.
Session Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Shareholder
Stevens & Lee
Sean-Tamba Matthew is a shareholder of the law firm Stevens & Lee, P.C., is a member of the firm’s ESOP Group, and works with its affiliated business SES ESOP Strategies. He advises private funds, independent sponsors, companies, business owners, boards of directors, and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) trustees on transactional, corporate governance and formation matters related to the design and implementation of ESOPs and advises clients on general corporate matters and mergers and acquisitions. Sean is a frequent guest speaker on a range of employee ownership topics.
Sean is a Kellogg Fellow at the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations. He
coordinates the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing’s W.K.
Kellogg Foundation program, which helps minority and female business owners and their
advisors learn about employee ownership transitions.
He is a member of the board of directors of Empowered Ventures, an ESOP-owned holding
company headquartered in Indiana, an advisory board member of Talley Management Group, an
employee-owned company based in New Jersey, and he is the secretary of the Pennsylvania Bar
Association’s Business Law Section.
In addition to his professional work, Sean serves as a member of the Board of Directors of
Independence Mission Schools, a network of 14 independent Catholic schools providing a
transformative education to children of all faiths across Philadelphia, and Nutritional
Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to
alleviating food insecurity in Southeastern Pennsylvania., and the Martin De Porres Foundation, which is a foundation supporting African-American Catholic ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Additionally, he serves on the investment committee for the Ambassador’s Fund for Catholic Education and the advancement committee of for each of Our Mother of Consolation Parish School and Mercy Career and Technical School.
Facilitator
Director, Founder
Daniel Ik-Obazee
Daniel Ik-Obazee started his career as an engineer with a focus
on operations improvement and management in multinational companies, where he became known for delivering results and
driving organizational goals under tight timeframes. His efficiency-driven mindset naturally translates into his love for
order and cleanliness. In April 2022, Daniel founded Neatland Holdings, where he
serves as President. Under his leadership, Neatland has successfully completed more than $16M in commercial cleaning transactions and currently manages a portfolio generating over $34M in annual revenue. Daniel’s passion for clean environments was the driving force behind Neatland’s founding. He believes that well-maintained buildings and spaces not only create healthier environments but also elevate the quality of life and productivity of those who occupy them. His vision is to build
a leading platform in facilities services by combining operational excellence with a relentless pursuit of growth. Daniel holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University, College
Station.
Take a moment to recharge and connect with fellow attendees over fresh coffee and light refreshments.
Oriented to building new connections and expand your network. Focused on developing relationships with a funding sources, connect with the Independent Sponsors or Capital Providers specializing in investments in the industry sectors and markets you focus on. In advance of the event you will be provided with a full list of attendees, so you can choose to meet with the most relevant contacts and evaluate the potential for future business partnerships.
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Designed to connect you with the right people to accelerate deal execution. These meetings are tailored to deal execution, including getting deals signed, financed, and closed. In advance of the event you will be provided with a full list of attendees, so you can choose to meet with the most relevant contacts and evaluate the potential for future business partnerships.
Join us to celebrate the movers and shakers in the Independent Sponsor space!
The Independent Sponsor Awards highlight the innovative work that brings together some of the most unique middle-market deals in the industry.
Visit the awards webpage here.
Join us from 8:30 AM for networking over breakfast - the perfect way to kick-start Day 2 with fresh connections and great conversations.
Focused on discussing active deals with a funding source, connect with the Independent Sponsors or Capital Providers specializing in investments in the industry sectors and markets you focus on. In advance of the event you will be provided with a full list of attendees, so you can choose to meet with the most relevant contacts and evaluate the potential for future business partnerships.
Take a moment to recharge and connect with fellow attendees over fresh coffee and light refreshments.
AI is rapidly reshaping how independent sponsors source, diligence, and execute deals — but most firms are only scratching the surface of what’s possible. This practical roundtable explores the real tools and workflows investors are using today to streamline origination, accelerate diligence, and reduce friction in IC prep and portfolio monitoring. Expect candid discussions on what works, what breaks, and how to adopt AI in a way that enhances (rather than replaces) your existing process.
Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Co-Founder and CEO
DealSage
Harry Ratcliff is Co-Founder and CEO of DealSage, the AI-native intelligence platform for investment professionals. With over a decade of M&A and private equity experience at J.P. Morgan, Harry saw first-hand how much time deal teams waste on manual analysis that technology could handle. Together with his co-founder, a senior engineer from Palantir, he built DealSage to be the all-in-one platform that takes firms from first look to final close — faster diligence, cleaner financials, and the capacity to do more with the same team.
Vice President
Align Collaborate
Bob is a Vice President at Align Collaborate. Prior to joining Align Collaborate, Bob was a Vice President on the investment team at Egeria Private Equity where he focused on sourcing, executing, and managing the firm’s investments. He was previously at Audax Private Equity, performing similar investment activities.
Prior to Audax, Bob was a Senior Manager in the Mergers and Acquisitions practice at West Monroe, where he led over 100 engagements for private equity and strategic clients, specializing in pre-close due diligence and post-close integrations.
Bob received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from The Ohio State University.
Select one session based on your priorities - multiple tailored sessions are taking place.
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As 2026 approaches, independent sponsors and capital providers need a clear view of the market and actionable strategies. This panel session explores macro and regional trends shaping lower middle market deal flow, highlights emerging growth areas and sectors, and offers a collaborative discussion on evolving deal structures. Attendees will leave with strategic insights to guide planning and positioning for the year ahead.
Key Takeaways:
Moderator
Partner
Ice Miller
Thomas Kesoglou is the Chair of the firm’s Private Equity Practice. He is also a member of the firm's Board of Directors. Mr. Kesoglou represents private equity funds, mezzanine funds, SBICs, BDCs, family offices and independent sponsors providing strategic and legal advice in their investment strategies, including leveraged buyouts, mezzanine financings, growth capital transactions, early and late stage private equity investments and secondary transactions. Mr. Kesoglou also advises these investors in connection with the management of their portfolio companies, including acquisitions, dispositions, follow-on debt or equity investments, bridge loans, restructurings, recapitalizations, employment matters, stock plans and other general corporate matters.
Mr. Kesoglou represents privately held companies in connection with the sale of their business to strategic or financial investors. He also represents large U.S. and foreign corporations in connection with their investment and M&A activities in the United States.
In addition to advising his clients, Mr. Kesoglou actively seeks transaction opportunities to refer to financial investors in order to facilitate introductions and transaction opportunities.
Managing Partner
Centerfield Capital
Faraz joined Centerfield in 2001. He is responsible for investor relations, overseeing due diligence, executing transactions, and portfolio management. Faraz also manages the general activities of the firm. Faraz is a member of the Partnership’s Investment Committee.
Faraz has 25 years of experience in private equity. Prior to Centerfield, Faraz held sales and product development roles at Praxair and Rodel, where he was the lead researcher and developer of next generation consumables for the microelectronics industry and was awarded a patent. Faraz has been recognized as one of the “Forty under Forty” young leaders in Indianapolis, “Who’s Who in Finance” by the Indiana Business Journal and was the winner of Junior Achievement’s “Indy’s Best and Brightest” award.
In his spare time, Faraz enjoys traveling, laughing and hanging out with his wife and three kids. Faraz strives to engage in projects that help him grow as a person, and he is deeply rooted in community activities.
Founder & Managing Partner
RDP Advisory
Ryan is the Founder & Managing Partner at RDP Advisory, bringing expertise in tailored advisory services. Informed by a background in investment and business operations, they empower founders, owners, operators, and corporate clients with differentiated advice.
Their work history includes serving as Managing Director, Investment Committee Member and Head of Underwriting and Origination at Lafayette Square. During their tenure at Lafayette Square, Ryan focused on impact-driven capital deployment and inclusive economic opportunity initiatives. Prior to this, activities involved roles as Investment Professional at Brightwood Capital and Star Mountain Capital, demonstrating applied knowledge of venture capital and private equity. Earlier in their career, Ryan was an Investment Professional at American Capital, contributing to investments in middle market private equity, leveraged finance, and structured products.
Break out of the usual deal flow. This peer roundtable dives into creative sourcing strategies beyond standard outreach, featuring real-world case studies like operator-first wedges, trade organizations, and retired CEO networks. Participants will share and leave with actionable do’s and don’ts that can be implemented immediately to uncover high-quality, non-obvious opportunities.
Key Takeaways:
Speed matters when packaging deals for independent sponsors and capital providers. This peer-driven roundtable brings together a banker, SBIC credit partner, family office/equity investor, and QoE lead to reverse-engineer a high-performing IS deal package. Participants will explore revenue quality, pricing power, customer health, and debt capacity, while also learning what often causes stalls or re-trades.
Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Partner
Benesch
Peter Shelton focuses his practice on transactional and corporate work, representing investors, private equity funds, independent sponsors, portfolio companies and other closely held businesses in complex business transactions.
He has extensive experience in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, as well as private debt and equity financings, recapitalizations and joint ventures across a wide range of industries, including transportation and logistics, manufacturing, technology and healthcare.
Peter’s work spans the full spectrum of the business life cycle, from formation and early-stage investments to strategic growth and exit transactions. He routinely advises clients on corporate governance and day-to-day operational matters, including the drafting and negotiation of partnership, shareholder and other commercial agreements.
Clients turn to Peter for his practical, business-minded approach and ability to structure and execute transactions efficiently, whether guiding a founder through a sale to a private equity fund, helping a multinational expand through cross-border acquisitions, or advising on financing strategies to support long-term growth. His experience representing both buyers and sellers, as well as investors and lenders, gives him a well-rounded perspective that helps clients anticipate challenges and achieve their strategic objectives.
Managing Partner
Weave Growth Partners
Facilitator
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Verivend
Select one session based on your priorities - multiple tailored sessions are taking place.
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Minority and majority investments aren’t just about percentage ownership, they’re about control, economics, and alignment. This peer roundtable dives into what you’re truly trading in each structure, covering governance levers, promote calculations, co-invest rights, and the critical “lines not to cross.” Participants will gain practical frameworks to negotiate and structure deals with clarity and confidence.
Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Co-Founder & CEO
Uncommon Equity
Dan is a seasoned, Chicago-based investment professional with nearly four decades of investing, banking, and financial advisory experience. He has experience across venture capital, growth equity and buyout investments, as well as in financial advisory and corporate finance disciplines, and has boardroom experience ranging from startups to multinational companies. Prior to co-founding Uncommon Equity, Dan co-founded Winona Capital Management and served on its Board and Investment Committee. He previously enjoyed a 17-year investment banking career with Salomon Brothers and Bank of America, serving as Bank of America’s Global Co-Head of the Consumer & Retail investment banking sector. Dan lives in Winnetka, Illinois with his wife, Suzanne, and enjoys time with his three adult children. He is an avid sports fan, long suffering Cleveland Browns and Cubs fan, golfer, jazz and R&B enthusiast, and bass player.
After years of rate shocks and stalled growth plans, independent sponsors are approaching capital allocation with more caution—and more intention. This closed-door roundtable explores how sponsors are reassessing growth, risk, and timing today, what decisions they’re delaying or accelerating, and which choices they believe will matter most at exit. Expect a candid, peer-level discussion grounded in real experiences, not theory.
Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Senior Vice President, Regional Director
Alliant
Ricky runs the independent sponsor efforts at Alliant Insurance Services – coordinating
due diligence for insurance/risk/employee benefits, reps & warranties and insurance
brokerage.
In 2019, Bouchard Insurance sold to the world’s largest insurance broker and gave
Ricky an earlier liquidity event than imagined. Since then, he has invested in 15 sponsor
led deals and a few funds that deploy into the space – some as a GP, some as a board
seat and some silent.
Today, Ricky’s focus is on helping sponsors create value and avoid missteps that could
affect their outcome.
Oriented to building new connections and expanding your network. Focused on developing relationships with a funding sources, connect with the Independent Sponsors or Capital Providers specializing in investments in the industry sectors and markets you focus on. In advance of the event you will be provided with a full list of attendees, so you can choose to meet with the most relevant contacts and evaluate the potential for future business partnerships.
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Designed to connect you with the right people to accelerate deal execution. These meetings are tailored to deal execution, including getting deals signed, financed, and closed. In advance of the event you will be provided with a full list of attendees, so you can choose to meet with the most relevant contacts and evaluate the potential for future business partnerships.
Wrap up the day with a relaxed cocktail reception, a great way to unwind and reflect on the day with fellow attendees.
Engage in focused conversations around active deals where your operational expertise can drive value. Meet directly with Independent Sponsors and Capital Providers who are seeking hands-on operating partners with proven experience in scaling businesses, improving performance, and supporting post-acquisition strategy. Prior to the event, you’ll receive a full list of attendees, enabling you to identify the most relevant dealmakers and connect with those whose portfolio needs align with your sector experience.
These curated 1-2-1 meetings will help you evaluate fit, explore opportunities to partner on value-creation initiatives, and position yourself for future collaborations within active or upcoming transactions.
Take a moment to recharge and connect with fellow attendees over fresh coffee and light refreshments.
Join your peers for a series of lively and interactive discussions on the most pressing topics you are facing today. The small group format will enable you to make meaningful connections and come up with out-of-the-box solutions to shared challenges.
Navigating New Labor and State Rules
Talent & Leadership for PortCos
Leveraging AI to grow portfolio companies
Select one session based on your priorities.
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Facilitator
Sr. Director - PE PortCo Leadership & CFO Practice Lead
ECA Partners
Facilitator
Managing Partner, Founder, CEO
Exactus Advisors
Bruce has a successful track record of designing, planning and delivering complex transformation programs for Fortune 500, Mid-Market and Private Equity firms focused on Software, Manufacturing, Consumer Products, and Financial Services.
For over 25 years Bruce has built a reputation of partnering with his clients to unlock and deliver value. He does so by integrating new thinking, capabilities and platforms into the teams of his clients. His philosophy for success anchors on his belief that it is not enough to just deliver a program or initiative as designed and expected. Rather, a true client partner must engage, coach, and develop leadership along the journey ensuring they are ready to own and deliver the expected results and long-term value.
Prior to co-founding Exactus Advisors, Bruce acted in leadership roles at Liberty Advisor Group, Rubicon Technology RBCN (co-founder), and Diamond Management & Technology. Bruce lives in Lake Forest, IL with his wife and two children. His passions include spending time with his family, travel, fishing, and racquet sports. Always looking for new challenges, he took up competitive BBQ and achieved several top awards at the Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Competition.
Facilitator
Managing Partner, Founder, Chairman
Exactus Advisors
Tom Lebamoff is the Chairman, Managing Partner, and Founder of Exactus, bringing over 36 years of leadership in professional services. He spearheads the firm’s strategic direction, growth, and commitment to delivering exceptional client value while fostering the development of Exactus team members. A recognized thought leader, Tom has been featured in numerous industry publications and is a sought-after speaker at leading business and consulting forums.
With a deep expertise in operational excellence, profit optimization, and risk mitigation, Tom partners with organizations to drive cross-functional alignment, execute strategy, and navigate complex M&A transactions. He has extensive experience in enterprise-wide program risk management, C-suite engagement, and board-level communication, ensuring that business transformation initiatives deliver measurable impact.
Throughout his career, Tom has built a reputation for helping organizations maximize efficiency, mitigate risk, and achieve sustainable growth in an increasingly complex business landscape.
Enjoy lunch while connecting with peers, speakers, and industry leaders. It's the perfect opportunity to continue meaningful conversations, build new relationships, and refuel for the afternoon sessions.
Boosting Growth through Commercial Transformation
This workshop will explore how to overhaul go-to-market models, pricing, sales effectiveness and customer segmentation to unlock meaningful topline value. Attendees will get a fast-moving blueprint of practical moves that portfolio companies can deploy now.
Key Takeaways
Select one session based on your priorities - multiple tailored sessions are taking place.
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How to shift from cost-plus to value-driven pricing and monetize differentiated offerings.
Facilitator
President & Chief Investment Officer
Laurel Mountain Capital
Dickson co-founded Laurel Mountain Capital with Jeff Kendall in September 2024. Dickson is also the Managing Partner of Environmental Services Investors (ESI), a private investment and advisory venture focused exclusively on environmental services companies. In August 2024, ESI led the recapitalization of Long Island Waste Services (LIWS), a solid waste management company located on Long Island, NY that provides comprehensive waste collection, state-of-the-art transfer stations, materials recovery facility and disposal services. In November 2023, ESI led the recapitalization of Hainesport Transportation Group (HTG), a vertically integrated rail-served waste and logistics company in NJ with private and institutional capital and currently sits on the board at HTG.
How to align sales, marketing and customer success to maximise growth lifts.
Facilitator
Sr. Director, Value Creation
Littlejohn & Co
Mr. Abdelhalim joined Littlejohn in 2021 as a Value Creation Director to support Littlejohn portfolio companies on designing and executing against their value creation plans. He has supported IWS, Valcourt, and Hiller across a variety of topics to drive organic and inorganic growth. As a Senior Director, Mr. Abdelhalim is also responsible for onboarding new Value Creation Directors and sharing best practices across the portfolio.
Prior to joining Littlejohn, Mr. Abdelhalim spent four years working at Carrier and Bloom Energy where he held a variety of corporate strategy, operations, and product management roles. He also spent five years working as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company where he advised clients globally on strategy, operations, and M&A topics.
Mr. Abdelhalim holds a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida and MIT, respectively, and he also completed minors in Business Administration & Sales Engineering.
Financial Foundations for Value Creation
Focused on refining the finance function to drive value: improved forecasting, KPI design, working capital optimisation, cost transparency and decision-support. Participants will leave with a concise checklist of high-impact financial levers.
Key Takeaways:
Facilitator
Operating Partner
The Peakstone Group
Tim Van Mieghem is an Operating Partner at The Peakstone Group, where he is responsible for deal evaluation and execution. Tim is also a Partner of The ProAction Group, an operational consulting firm which he co-founded in 1995.
Tim has 20 years of experience helping middle market companies improve operations. Tim has particular experience in manufacturing, sourcing, logistics, inventory management, and related operational areas. Tim is also the author of Implementing Supplier Partnerships and numerous articles on sourcing and logistics.
Prior to forming The ProAction Group, Tim worked in operational consulting at Arthur Andersen and a boutique supply chain consulting firm.
Select one session based on your priorities - multiple tailored sessions are taking place.
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Moving beyond vanity metrics to meaningful performance indicators and accountability.
Facilitator
Operating Partner
Align Capital Partners
Ross Fuller is an Operating Partner for ACP. He works with the investment team and portfolio company management on growth initiatives and operational priorities. His areas of expertise include hiring key staff, mentoring C-Suite members, strategic planning, organic growth, operations, and add-on acquisitions / integrations.
Prior to working with ACP, Ross was an Operating Executive at three other private equity firms. Ross has almost 30 years of experience in multiple industries – primarily technology, services, and manufacturing – and has served in multiple C-Level positions in private equity-backed companies. Ross had broad experience, from large multi-nationals to small founder own businesses, high revenue growth to turnarounds.
Ross takes great pride in building companies and management teams, through authentic leadership, fostering a culture that embraces both high performance and the whole human to deliver exceptional revenue and EBITDA growth.
Tactics to improve visibility, free up cash, and build resilience into the business model.
Facilitator
Principal, Private Equity
H.I.G.
Adam is a Principal in H.I.G.’s Miami office. He is responsible for all aspects of the investment process including sourcing and transaction execution, as well as working with portfolio companies and their management teams to improve growth and profitability.
Adam has more than a decade of experience in private equity and M&A and has worked with companies in a variety of industries, with a focus on technology, industrials and business services sectors. Prior to joining H.I.G. Capital in 2011, Adam worked for Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the Investment Banking group, where he advised clients on M&A transactions, capital raises and other strategic initiatives.
Designed to help you build meaningful connections and expand your network, these 1-2-1 meetings provide direct access to key players in the value creation ecosystem. Connect with funding sources, Independent Sponsors, Capital Providers, and Operating Partners who specialize in investments and operational improvement in your target sectors and markets.
Prior to the event, you will receive a full list of attendees, allowing you to select the most relevant contacts and explore opportunities for strategic collaboration, co-investments, and future business partnerships.
These 1-2-1 meetings are designed to connect you with the right people to accelerate deal execution. Engage with funding sources, Independent Sponsors, Capital Providers, and Operating Partners who can help move transactions forward, from deal structuring and financing to signing and closing.
Ahead of the event, you will receive a full list of attendees, allowing you to select the most relevant contacts and explore opportunities for strategic collaboration, co-investments, and future business partnerships.
Join us to celebrate the movers and shakers in the Independent Sponsor space!
The Independent Sponsor Awards highlight the innovative work that brings together some of the most unique middle-market deals in the industry.
Visit the awards webpage here.
Join us from 8am to pick up your badge and participate in the breakfast networking to kick start your day with new connections!
Engage in focused conversations around active deals where your operational expertise can drive value. Meet directly with Independent Sponsors and Capital Providers who are seeking hands-on operating partners with proven experience in scaling businesses, improving performance, and supporting post-acquisition strategy. Prior to the event, you’ll receive a full list of attendees, enabling you to identify the most relevant dealmakers and connect with those whose portfolio needs align with your sector experience.
These curated 1-2-1 meetings will help you evaluate fit, explore opportunities to partner on value-creation initiatives, and position yourself for future collaborations within active or upcoming transactions.
Take a moment to recharge and connect with fellow attendees over fresh coffee and light refreshments.
As the private equity landscape continues to evolve, so too does the art and science of value creation. This forward-looking panel brings together leading operating partners, investors, and industry strategists to discuss how the value creation model is transforming in today’s dynamic market.
The discussion will explore three key levers shaping the next generation of performance improvement:
Tech Enablement as a Value Creation Engine
This session focuses on leveraging technology (automation, data, systems) to scale the business, streamline operations, reduce cost and enable growth. The goal: practical tech-stack review, quick wins and scalable platform thinking.
Key Takeaways
Select one session based on your priorities - multiple tailored sessions are taking place.
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Where to start, what to automate, how to assess ROI and drive adoption.
Facilitator
Project and Product Manager
Making Sense LLC
Mariano Jurich is a technology and product leader with over 15 years of experience, who helps companies turn new technologies, especially AI, into real business results. He works closely with investors and management teams to make sure ideas discussed during a deal actually work once the business is operating day to day.
He has led projects across industries including healthcare, legal, edTech, and AgTech. His approach is practical and iterative: test quickly, learn early, and improve continuously to reduce risk and move faster.
Mariano believes the biggest challenge in adopting new technology isn’t the technology itself, it’s people. His work focuses on helping teams understand, trust, and use new tools effectively, based on the belief that value comes from solving the right problems at the right time, not just adding more software.
Ensuring the architecture, legacy clean-up, data pipelines and platforms support future growth.
Facilitator
Founder & CEO
Insights7, Corp
Enjoy lunch while connecting with peers, speakers, and industry leaders. It's the perfect opportunity to continue meaningful conversations, build new relationships, and refuel for the afternoon sessions.
Unlocking Value through People & Organisation
Here, the focus is on the often-under-leveraged human side of value creation: aligning leadership, culture, talent, change management and operating-model shifts. Participants will take away a framework for embedding organisational change and talent acceleration.
Key Takeaways:
Select one session based on your priorities - multiple tailored sessions are taking place.
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How to lead transformations, engage teams, manage resistance and embed new ways of working.
Facilitator
SVP, Head of Operating Network & Ecosystem
Metropolitan Partners Group
George is responsible for curating, managing, and scaling our Operating Expert network. George began his career at Bell Canada, where he dedicated over 12 years to increasingly responsible management and executive roles. More recently, George served in executive capacities at Sryas as COO and Altima Telecom as Chief Customer and Innovation Officer. Presently, he serves on the Executive Board as Chief Innovation Officer at the Cyber Security Global Alliance and is a member of the Forbes Business Council.
Designed to help you build meaningful connections and expand your network, these 1-2-1 meetings provide direct access to key players in the value creation ecosystem. Connect with funding sources, Independent Sponsors, Capital Providers, and Operating Partners who specialize in investments and operational improvement in your target sectors and markets.
Prior to the event, you will receive a full list of attendees, allowing you to select the most relevant contacts and explore opportunities for strategic collaboration, co-investments, and future business partnerships.
These 1-2-1 meetings are designed to connect you with the right people to accelerate deal execution. Engage with funding sources, Independent Sponsors, Capital Providers, and Operating Partners who can help move transactions forward, from deal structuring and financing to signing and closing.
Ahead of the event, you will receive a full list of attendees, allowing you to select the most relevant contacts and explore opportunities for strategic collaboration, co-investments, and future business partnerships.
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