Private Equity FunCast

Principals Jimmy and Paul discuss the ParkerGale approach to hiring, why hiring is essential to get right, not just at the C-suite level, but how we work with our portfolio companies to develop the capability to hire well throughout the organization. They also cover what a certain 90's shampoo commercial can teach us about what not to do during an interview.

Guest host partner Kristina Heinze talks with Ivelisse Simon, Managing Partner of Avante Capital Partners - a women and minority-owned private credit and structured equity fund based in Los Angeles, California. They cover everything from Ivelisse's path from investment banking to starting a successful firm, including an infamous "Wasabi" incident.

Principals Cass and Kara finish their interview with Professor Chris McGowan, from University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. As an investor, advisor and teacher, Chris has been in the private equity industry for 26 years, when he began his own career in private equity as an associate at AEA Investors in New York City. In this episode, Cass and Kara explain their own personal impact that Chris has had on their careers, and Chris gives advice for MBA students and non-students alike who are trying to navigate breaking into private equity.

Principals Cass and Kara interview Professor Chris McGowan, from University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. As an investor, advisor and teacher, Chris has been in the private equity industry for 26 years, when he began his own career in private equity as an associate at AEA Investors in New York City. In this episode, Cass and Kara explain their own personal impact that Chris has had on their careers, and Chris gives advice for MBA students and non-students alike who are trying to navigate breaking into private equity.

Can you predict the future by throwing asparagus against the wall? Have a listen to Devin and Jim on the Funcast's mostly-annual predictions show.

Private equity deal teams need to work together seamlessly to close a buyout successfully. However, each member of the deal team does have different responsibilities and perspectives - all of which are important. ParkerGale Associate, Nori Welles-Gertz, makes her PE Funcast debut, discussing with Principal Kevin Fitzgerald and Partner Ryan Milligan the myriad of details, thoughts, and worries she has throughout a live deal. Kevin and Ryan contribute their perspectives and provide a true top-to-bottom view of what each role focuses on and cares about.

Private equity firms get tons of inbound emails from executives looking for their next opportunity. Paul and Jim discuss the best ways to get private equity teams to pay attention to these emails -- and how to avoid getting on the blocked list.

Devin and Jim reunite for our sometimes annual Halloween episode. Today's discussion revolves around what is currently scaring us the most in private equity.

Guest host, Cici, interviews Cass Ziebel on her return to ParkerGale after two years at Chicago Booth. Cass talks about her background prior to working with ParkerGale as an Associate, what she learned before business school, how she felt about going, and what she ultimately got out of it. Cici and Cass also discuss her transition from the deal team role as an Associate into an operating role as a Principal, and why she decided to make the switch over to the light side.

It's no secret that there are not very many women in private equity. According to a recent Preqin study, women account for just 19.4% of total private equity employees. In this episode, Cici and Kristina are joined by Ann Kraftson, Managing Director from the recruiting firm The Oxbridge Group. We discuss why there aren't more women in PE, why we care about it as a private equity firm and why we think it's a compelling industry for women to explore, especially those at the pre-MBA level. We share some of the myths vs. realities about the scary reputation of PE and shed some light on the general PE recruiting process (including the differences between on-cycle and off-cycle recruiting).