Lunch & Learn

Overview

In today's private equity landscape, the composition of portfolio company boards can significantly influence value creation and long-term success. This lunch and learn discussion will explore the nature of Private Equity Firms and the strategic process PE funds use to identify, evaluate, and appoint outside board members who bring not only governance expertise but also sector insight, operational acumen, and alignment with the fund's value-creation strategy. We will also explore from an experienced board director her journey and recommendations for acquiring and effectively serving on PE boards. You will learn if PE board directorships are a match for you and how to break-in.

Agenda

• Networking (11:30am – noon)
• Luncheon Discussion (noon – 1pm)
• Networking (1-1:30pm)

What is Private Equity?

• How do PE firms operate, what are their goals, and how do they invest?
• What are PE firm operating models
• What are PE firms looking for in board members? What role do they play?
• How are board members compensated? Do you have the ability (requirement) to invest?
• How are PE-backed firms different from Public firms and other Private firms?
• What makes your board membership most effective? How do you drive impact as a board director?
• How do PE firms find and select board members? What is a typical board structure?

How Do You Get on a PE Board?

• How to vet a PE firm and make sure it is a match for you?
• Tips for securing the right board seats
• Common pitfalls

Parking

Complimentary valet parking available

Registration

$30  PDA Members Only (Registration Limited)

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Discussion Leaders

Allisa Walker Vice President, Private Equity Bow River Capital

Alissa Walker is a Vice President on Bow River Capital’s Private Equity team. In this role, Alissa is responsible for originating, executing, partnering, and monitoring investments in private businesses across the portfolio. She also leads company due diligence, value creation planning, financial valuation, industry analysis, and investment structuring efforts for recapitalization transactions. Prior to joining Bow River Capital, Alissa was a Vice President at Trivest Partners, a Miami-based private equity firm focused on founder-owned businesses with over $6 billion investment capital under management. Prior to that, she has held various roles in private equity, investment banking, and corporate development across a variety of industries. Alissa graduated with a BS in Corporate Finance and Accounting from Bentley University in Massachusetts.

Nancy Chisolm Board Director

Nancy Chisholm is an experienced board director and former Fortune 500 executive with over 25 years of leadership across global operations, human resources, and general management.

Nancy serves as an Independent Director for Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE: AM). She is also a board member of Envera Systems, a private technology company, and Chair of the Board for History Colorado. Additionally, she is leading an $85M capital campaign as Chair for Western Colorado University, where she recently served as Interim President and a two-term trustee.

During her 20-year tenure at Tyco International (now part of Johnson Controls), Nancy held several executive roles, including President of Tyco Retail Solutions, a $1.2B global business unit.

Nancy holds a BA in Business Administration from Western Colorado University and completed the Executive Leadership Program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Management.

Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D. Board Director & Moderator

Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D., a technology, innovation, and growth strategist, is a 3x technology entrepreneur, certified corporate director (NACD.DC), former Chief Information Officer of the $33B state of Colorado, and fractional C-level executive. As a Certified Management Consultant (CMC®), speaker, and executive coach, she helps organizations reach new heights in profit, productivity, and passion by growing revenues and customer satisfaction, applying IT, cybersecurity, and AI to reduce risks, and scaling through digital transformation. She has served on private corporate (vice-chair of Radish Systems), government (chair of Statewide Internet Portal Authority), higher education (trustee of Western Colorado University), and non-profit organizations (director on GlobalMindED Colorado) and was selected one of the “50 Women to Watch for Boards” by 50/50 Women on Boards. She has an MBA and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MS from Stanford University. She is co-chair of Membership and on the Private Directors Association – Colorado board.

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