Recording live from the 2025 McGuireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference, hosts Abdul Lediju and Dan Howell invite the podcast’s first repeat guest to reflect on her journey over the past few years. Chelsea Celistan is now head of Independent Sponsor Strategy at Avante Capital Partners, a capital partner to independent sponsors. “I think that the independent sponsor asset class is really exciting,” she says, adding: “I think one of the greatest things is that there's not a zero-sum game in this space. Everyone can win.” 

☑️ Chelsea Celistan | LinkedIn

☑️ Avante Capital Partners | LinkedIn

☑️ Abdul Lediju | LinkedIn

☑️ Dan Howell | LinkedIn

☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

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This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

From Will Demas’ perspective, investing in clean energy is no longer about policy; “it’s a pure supply-demand and economic rational matter.” The Head of Americas for Macquarie Asset Management’s Green Investment Group, Will shares why current political rhetoric doesn't change the demand for clean energy in this conversation with McGuireWoods attorneys Abdul Lediju and Dan Howell. Tune in for his insights about Macquarie's 20-year commitment to renewable energy, their $18 billion deployment into the sector, and unprecedented opportunities in renewable energy due to data centers' insatiable power needs.

☑️ Will Demas | LinkedIn

☑️ Macquarie Asset Management | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

☑️ Abdul Lediju | LinkedIn

☑️ Dan Howell | LinkedIn

☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music  

This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

New Catalyst Strategic Partners chose its name intentionally. “New Catalyst” means that the investment firm catalyzes fund managers’ ability to grow business. It also catalyzes the corporate finance industry by putting managers of “all shapes and sizes” into business. 

“It’s really, really important that we practice what we preach,” says Demetrius Sidberry, the firm’s managing director and investment committee member. New Catalyst Strategic Partners focuses on the “next generation” of managers, particularly in the private equity space. In this conversation with hosts PJ Harris and Abdul-Rahman Lediju, Demetrius discusses the firm’s strategies for investing and guiding growth.

☑️ Demetrius Sidberry | LinkedIn

☑️ New Catalyst Strategic Partners | LinkedIn

☑️ PJ Harris | LinkedIn

☑️ Abdul-Rahman Lediju | LinkedIn

☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music  

This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

As a kid, Kendra Plummer dreamed of owning a boutique hotel. As she grew, she realized that hotels are more than just bricks and mortar. “Hotels are a real estate asset class, and they are very much an investment.”

Today, Kendra is the founder and CEO of Elise Capital. She helps all communities – especially those that are underrepresented in finance and capital allocation – unlock the hidden potential of hotel investments. 

With McGuireWoods attorneys PJ Harris and Dan Howell, she outlines her path, from studying hotel management as an undergraduate to earning her MBA to launching Elise Capital, a firm dedicated to developing savvy hotel investors and educating a pipeline of potential investors. She reveals lessons she’s learned on her journey and how Elise Capital guides investors on theirs.

☑️ Kendra Plummer | LinkedIn

☑️ Elise Capital | LinkedIn

☑️ PJ Harris | LinkedIn

☑️ Dan Howell | LinkedIn

☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music  

This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

Is it possible to use real estate as a catalyst for attractive returns and meaningful social impact? 

On this episode of Accessing the Pipeline, McGuireWoods attorneys Dan Howell and PJ Harris talk with Chris Grant, the founder of Yoke Management Partners. Yoke Management Partners is a diversified real estate investment firm with a focus on affordable housing in the DMV—whose mission is to generate the best returns and have a positive social impact on the community.

Tune in as Chris talks about the ins and outs of being an emerging manager including, his founder story, the challenges of the current real estate market, his journey in fundraising, the importance of alignment, and how Yoke Management Partners is executing its mission to generate returns and community impact. 

☑️ Chris Grant | LinkedIn

☑️ Yoke Management Partners | LinkedIn | Instagram

☑️ Dan Howell | LinkedIn

☑️ PJ Harris | LinkedIn

☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X | YouTube

☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

When you focus on building relationships with founders of companies, it allows you to avoid the bidding wars that you sometimes get with brokers. 

On this episode of Accessing the Pipeline, McGuireWoods partners Rubin Pusha III and Dan Howell, welcome guest Glenn Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Wayve Capital, a minority-owned asset management firm based in Philadelphia. A graduate of Duke University and Washington and Lee University School of Law, Glenn is a seasoned financial services attorney and investor with over a decade of experience in private equity, venture capital, and real estate. 

Tune in to hear Glenn talk about his private equity and investment background and how that led him to start a private equity fund. Glen also talks about the challenges and complexities of being a first-time manager and running a first-time fund, as well as the role of diversity in the private equity space.  

☑️ Glenn Williams | LinkedIn 

☑️ Wayve Capital | Instagram | LinkedIn   

☑️ Dan Howell | LinkedIn

☑️ Rubin Pusha III | LinkedIn

☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X | YouTube

☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

“I've always kind of abided by the principle of: it's good sometimes in life to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” says Sylvester “Sly” Burley of his decision to join Avante Capital Partners in 2019. Up until that point in his career, Sly’s experience was in private equity. When he saw the opportunity to join a private credit platform that was sector agnostic and diverse, he couldn’t say no.

On this episode of Accessing the Pipeline, host and McGuireWoods partner Rubin Pusha III welcomes Sly, who recently was promoted from principal to partner at Avante Capital Partners, a woman- and minority-owned, lower middle market private credit firm. While Avante’s debt and equity investments span different industries, Sly particularly discusses the company’s success in the food and beverage sector, which seems to be a recession-proof industry.

Sly also discusses Avante’s goals for investments. Generally credit-focused, Avante looks for companies that provide good downside protection, a competitive advantage, diversification in its customer base and its vendor base, and stable and strong margins. For Sly, one of Avante’s biggest draws is its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Avante strives to invest in a diverse ecosystem of the future.

Tune in to hear Sly talk about trends in sectors, how other investors can make the right deals for themselves, and how putting your money where your mouth is really pays off. 

Name: Sylvester “Sly” Burley

What he does: As a Partner at Avante Capital Partners, Sly identifies, underwrites, executes and manages investment opportunities. Sly has over twelve years of investing experience, across both private equity and private credit.

Company: Avante Capital Partners

Where to find Sly: LinkedIn

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.

Subscribe to Accessing the Pipeline in your preferred podcast app so that you never miss an episode.

This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

In this episode of Accessing the Pipeline, host and McGuireWoods partner Rubin Pusha III welcomes Kenneth Saffold, co-founder and managing partner of o15 Capital Partners, to discuss disparities in access to private credit and how o15 works to solve them.

Kenneth shares o15’s overarching thesis: making lasting impacts on social, racial, and gender equity by funding businesses that target the lower middle market. 

“[At o15], we're focused on healthcare, business services, and education,” says Kenneth. “As you think about impact, these businesses really lend themselves to more impact – as we define it – and opportunities. And we've certainly been the benefactor of that as well.”

While the company’s drive to have a positive impact on social issues is a noble aspiration, it doesn’t overshadow their focus on returns.  

“We have over 60 years of private credit experience on the team, so we know the space well. We're non-concessionary in how we think about our investments. So, albeit every investment will have an impact element to it, every investment will also meet our target return threshold,” Kenneth assures.

Tune in to hear about where Kenneth foresees the market heading, how he sees their location in Atlanta as an advantage, and more about the company’s drive to solve social, gender, and racial inequities.

Name: Kenneth Saffold

What he does: Kenneth is the co-founder and managing partner of o15 Capital Partners. His 20+ year career includes top-tier experiences in a variety of business and functional leadership roles. Kenneth puts his expertise in private transaction origination and execution, M&A, leveraged finance, underwriting, and portfolio management to good use at o15.

Company: o15 Capital Partners               

Where to find Kenneth: LinkedIn 

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.

Subscribe to Accessing the Pipeline in your preferred podcast app so that you never miss an episode.

This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

In this episode of Accessing the Pipeline, a podcast from McGuireWoods featuring the voices of Black professionals in private equity and finance, host Rubin Pusha III welcomes Austin Smoak to the show. 

Austin is the founder of the private equity firm Grove Oaks Capital (GOC), an investment partnership focused on acquiring privately owned businesses in the lower middle market space. GOC is backed by various investors, including CEOs, entrepreneurs, and institutional investors.

Austin and Rubin talk in detail about how Austin closed his first deal after opening GOC. 

From the length of the deal from its inception to its closing, Austin doesn’t hold back on giving advice to other aspiring Black professionals in private equity. Austin also provides insight to what he sees as attractive verticals in the marketplace, as well as influential books that helped shape his own business practices. 

“I know for a lot of independent sponsors, even for a lot of search funds, people are 12, 18, sometimes even 24 months into this thing where maybe they've had a deal or two under LOI, or almost got them under LOI and couldn't get it done. So, it’s no small feat that [Austin] was able to get that first deal done,” applauds Rubin of the work being done by Austin Smoak at Grove Oaks Capital.

Tune in to learn all about getting that first deal off the ground and forging professional relationships in the private equity sector.  

Name: Austin Smoak

What he does: Austin is the founder of Grove Oaks Capital, where he serves as managing principal and spearheads acquisitions and asset management, alongside his advisors and equity partners.

Company: Grove Oaks Capital

Where to find Austin: LinkedIn 

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.

Subscribe to Accessing the Pipeline in your preferred podcast app so that you never miss an episode.

This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

In this episode of Accessing the Pipeline, a podcast from McGuireWoods featuring the voices of Black professionals in private equity and finance, host Rubin Pusha III welcomes Omar Simmons to the show. 

Omar is the co-founder and president of Exaltare Capital Management, a consumer-oriented private equity firm with expertise in multi-unit and franchise businesses strategically partnering with lower middle market companies at inflection points.

Omar shares his journey in private equity from being one of a handful of Black or Brown professionals in the mid-90s to serving as a board member on multiple corporations, such as ECP-PF (Planet Fitness), EVG (Urban Air), and ECM-GF (The Good Feet Store).

While it has never been easy, Omar provides advice for other aspiring Black professionals in the private equity space. He has hopes that diversity will continue to flourish and representation will become even more inclusive.

Rubin and Omar talk about emerging managers, deal alignments and predictions for the remainder of the year. Omar also describes the ins and outs of a major portfolio company exit he recently oversaw.

Tune in to learn about M&As in a post-COVID world, the value of life balance, and how Black professionals can make a name for themselves in private equity.

Name: Omar Simmons

What he does: Omar is the co-founder and president of Exaltare Capital Management and currently serves as a board member to ECP-PF (Planet Fitness), EVG (Urban Air), ECM-GF (The Good Feet Store), InXpress Global, and the International Franchise Association. Omar boasts a 20-plus year career in private equity and has closed over 20 principal transactions exceeding $3B in aggregate transaction value.

Company: Exaltare Capital Management

Where to find Omar: LinkedIn 

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.

Subscribe to Accessing the Pipeline in your preferred podcast app so that you never miss an episode.

This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.