Laughter… Rooftop… Sunset over the Austin skyline.

This year’s summit renews the joy of community and it all begins at our opening Cocktail Reception at the beautiful Upstairs at Caroline Bar.

As inflationary concerns soar, real assets investments have become a sought-after haven for institutional investors. And, Institutional investment in infrastructure will shape our lives in many ways over the coming decades, from the roads we travel to the communication we have with families and friends to the way we source our energy.  Where are real assets investors looking for opportunities to invest today?  How are they participating in the energy transition?  What strategies give investors pause given the economic and geopolitical landscape?

Janice Ince, Pantheon Ventures

Erin Driscoll, PURE Insurance

Elizabeth Bell, Hamilton Lane

Kristin Staffeldt, University of Chicago

Debra Hemsey, PGIM Private Capital (Moderator)

Knockout Networking is a structured networking segment where the room is set with roundtables and individuals are invited to share one obstacle, problem, or pickle in 30 seconds. Once all the problems are on the table, a designated host/facilitator invites the table to take two minutes on each problem to share ideas for solutions in a rapid-fire style.

The set-up will be: 10 person roundtables, 40 minutes total; two rounds of 20 minutes with one rotation.

We’re now living in a truly digital society. In our homes, classrooms, banks, hospitals and everywhere in between, we’re consuming vast amounts of data at gigabit speeds – and society is demanding more. If we desire a future that includes autonomous vehicles, smart grids and smart cities, the digital infrastructure must be there first. How do we get there?  This panel of digital infrastructure investors shine a light on the path forward. Where is capital investment needed most?  What are the key trends towers, small cells, fiber and data centers?   

Genevieve Maltais-Boisvert, DigitalBridge

Lauren Sullivan, IPI Partners

Jenny Kashdan, Grain Management

Elizabeth Park, Latham & Watkins (Moderator)

Share lunch and network with all attendees. 

Christina Anzel, True Green – “Trends in Infrastructure Fundraising”

Heather Arbogast, McGuire Woods – “M&A Trends”

Alex Wilde, Jones Day – “Mentorship Matters”

Cassandra Cuellar, Shearman and Co-host Diana Swenton, Suffolk Technologies – “Venture Capital: Inspired Disruption in Real Assets”

Carolyn Arida, Harrison Street

Sarah McLean, Shearman & Sterling (moderator)

In previous inflationary periods, real assets outperformed other asset classes. Today we’re reaching the highest inflation expectations in nearly a decade. Which allocators have best positioned their portfolios to capitalize on infrastructure ? What risks must be considered? Although this asset class may not be “flashy” it may be exactly what allocators need to support returns. In this conversation with Petya Nikolova of the NYC Retirement System, we’ll explore how infrastructure has matured with an influx of institutional capital.

Petya Nikolava, NYC Controller Office

Amy Rigdon, Latham & Watkins (Moderator)

– Yoga
– Colorado Walking Tour

The Energy Transition is driving transformation across traditional oil and gas companies. However, with nearly 85% of our energy still coming from oil, coal and gas, much of the transition to renewable energy sources lies ahead. In this panel discussion, we’ll discuss where we are today. To what extent are sustainability goals driving M&A?  How has disruption in the global oil markets impacted priorities for capital expenditures and M&A? What kind of leadership does it take navigate this period in the energy cycle? What innovations are most exciting to today’s energy leaders? What are the greatest obstacles? 

Dana Sweet, Tailwater Innovation Partners

Alexandra Pruner, Malta

Ife Orimoloye, McDermott

Kathryn Miller, Factset

Marcia Hook, Kirkland & Ellis (Moderator)

Investments into renewable energy and electrification have supercharged capital expenditure in the United States. This panel will look at key themes, including what the $1 trillion infrastructure bill means for renewable energy financing strategies, key renewable energy project development and investment opportunities, evolving PPA relationship development strategies and how to leverage public-private partnerships to rapidly scale renewable energy developments.

Rebecca Glazer, AES

Alta Yen, Irradiant Partners

Shalini Ramanathan, Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners

Miriam Wrobel, FTI Consulting

Kelann Stirling, Kirkland & Ellis (Moderator)

One in five miles of US highways and major roads are in poor condition. Yet, we rely on roads, bridges, rails, airports and ports to transport essential goods, services and people around the world. Disruptions to supply chains and trade flows precipitate serious economic consequences. Is now a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in North American transportation infrastructure? How are investors and developers considering safety for all and prioritizing resiliency and sustainability? What’s happening with EV infrastructure?

Laurie Mahon, CIBC

Hannah Schofield, BlackRock

Emma Griffith, Fitch Ratings

Yuri Estrada, Carlyle Group

Susan Lent, Akin Gump (Moderator)

Water and wastewater systems across the country are aging and outdated. Floods are increasing, destroying lives and habitats all around us. The need to invest in infrastructure inadequacies is NOW. How does the recent infrastructure bill work to provide solutions and what technologies are still underfunded? These panelists will share insights into the state of our water infrastructure, and how institutional investment, public-private partnership, and the community/consumer needs to act to ensure a resilient future.  

Yvonne Forrest, Houston Water

Kristina Surfus, NACWA

Madison Book, Partners Group

Mengzhen Lei, Generate Capital

Stephanie Bergeron Perdue, Baker Botts (moderator)

Our society is more digitized and “connected” than ever before leaving us at an increasingly higher risk for cyberattack. Malware installed on several hundred machines heightens the Russia-Ukraine crisis, ransomware attacks on the Colonial Pipeline shut down East Coast fuel supply, and cyber criminals who exploited the privacy of individuals on Zoom, name just a few of the recent threats that are slowing progress and intimidating privacy across U.S. industries. What are the top cyber risks for the critical infrastructure on which we so heavily depend? And what steps should be taken to prevent such invisible risk?

Jordan Rae Kelly, FTI Consulting

As investors await official guidance and regulation from the SEC, an evolving number of real estate and infrastructure fund managers emerge as leaders in sustainability. The pioneers who stand out are not afraid to incorporate thoughtful practices and tracking mechanics across their portfolio and teams. Despite obvious differences in the underlying assets, ESG needs for real estate and infrastructure LPs share commonalities. After all, both sectors demand significant sources of energy. If smart cities and green technologies are the way of the future, what steps must investors, designers and builders account for today? Must consumer preferences and behaviors change?

Lauren Winkler, The Green Cities Company

Jane Seto, DWS

Caroline Kragerud, Cube Infrastructure Managers

Mary Beth Houlihan, Kirkland & Ellis

Tara McCann, Rockwood Capital (moderator)

Imagine how different your life would be if you could tell whether someone was lying or telling you the truth. Become an expert in detecting deception in your due diligence. Presenter Susan Carnicero is a former CIA security specialist who will lead a workshop teaching investors how to “spy the lie.”

Susan Carnicero, Qverity

Our opening cocktail reception will include joint networking across our Private Equity, Credit, and ESG Summit audiences. 

A rising number of institutional investors are committing capital to emerging and diverse led managers. Yet, there remains a trend where LPs are consolidating the number of fund relationships they manage. Where’s the balance? Jasmine Richards, Head of Diverse Manager Research at Cambridge Associates, joins us to share how her team is sourcing and conducting due diligence on managers, presenting insight across both public and private markets. 

Jasmine Richards, Cambridge Associates

Kristi Craig leads the endowment for the National Geographic Society, a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Kristi joined the endowment in 2022, and has spent a decade she in the endowment world. Learn more about her career journey and what investing strategies she plans to use.

Kristi Craig, National Geographic Society

Kathryn Regan, Landmark Partners, An Ares Company (moderator)

In record number, general partners explore creative options for well-performing companies reaching the end of their fund lifecycle. GPs extract additional value over time and LPs find desired liquidity. It’s a win-win situation. To name a few: long hold structures, continuation vehicles, fund-to-fund transfers, co-investments and in-kind distributions. Why are these transactions attractive in today’s market? Are LPs recommitting to new vehicles? What must GPs consider when evaluating these structures for fund management? 

Anat Holtzman, The Carlyle Group

Jeanna Simeone, ArcLight Capital Partners

Sophia Mullen, EnTrust Global

Jennifer Graff, Ropes & Gray (moderator)

Private equity is on a performance run. Returns are high despite recent dislocation and investors have more choice in the market today than ever. How are investors distinguishing top performing managers? What separates the skillful from the lucky? As we enter 2022 with an ongoing inflationary environment and geopolitical tensions in the East, are LPs doubling down on their allocations to private equity? 

Luanne Good, State Board of Administration of Florida

Chad Myhre, Heinz Family

Amy Miller, Marquette Associates

Stephanie Berdik, Kirkland and Ellis (moderator)

Lisa Lee is Managing Director at PSG & Providence Equity based in New York, where she focuses on investor relations and fundraising. Lisa has found a passion for relationship building through her journey in management consulting, investment banking, and private equity. In this fireside chat, we’ll discuss the importance of investing in a professional profile. 

Lisa Lee, Providence Equity Partners

Deb Lussier, Ropes & Gray (moderator)

Special programming segment for allocators: Peers, Fears and Cheers! Connect with fellow-allocators, open up about your worries and obstacles, and toast to your wins and the future!

Hosted by:

Elizabeth Burton, Hawaii Employees Retirement System

Dana Johns, Maryland State Retirement and Pension System

Palmer Garson, Silvercrest Asset Management

Liza Scott, Dominion Energy

Elizabeth Traxler, Neuberger Berman

In the private equity talent market, competition is fierce. Which firms are attracting top performers and why? How do you know if a firm is serious about a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion?  For this “ask us anything” style panel, we have two top executive search specialists in private equity, alongside two private equity firms differentiating themselves in an effort to recruit and retain top talent. To create change, it takes a village. Bring your questions! 

Holly McCarthy, Opus Advisors

Pam Esterson, Amity Search

Lindsay Ting, Trilantic North America

Melissa Mounce, GTCR LLC

Christine Kelleher, National Gallery of Art (moderator)

M&A and restructuring is not just about term sheets – it’s often more about managing human emotions and relationships. Dealmaking requires high speed conflict resolution, interpersonal interactions and overcoming operational challenges. What’s the secret to staying clear-headed and rational during high-stakes conversations and tense situations? How do you manage your emotions, and those of your clients in hairy environments? 

Ashley DeLuce, Callan

Veda Eswarappa, Great Hill Partners

Stephanie Ivy Sanford, Goldman Sachs

Tiffany Kosch, Centergate Capital

Sarah McLean, Shearman & Sterling (moderator)

Walk the Boston Harbor

Meditation & Breathing Exercise

Wine Tasting

TPG’s IPO marked the first big stock debut of 2022.  What is next for the IPO market? What trends are arising and what do others need to take into account as they consider going public? Paige Weiser, VP of Equity Capital Markets on TPG’s Capital Markets team, shares the story of TPG’s public listing amidst a hot private equity market, a volatile IPO market, and key lessons learned. 

Paige Weiser, TPG Capital

Deal volume and count may be on fire, but new challenges keep private equity firms on their toes. How will antitrust, FTC and DOJ scrutiny and labor shortages impact the dealmaking environment? How will increased investor focus on ESG reporting impact the factors assessed before closing on a deal? What must be considered if labor shortages and inflation persists for the unforeseeable future? 

Jane Levy Vance, Cove Hill Partners

Julia Adam, Exeter Capital

Claudia Gast, Global Technology Acquistition Corp. 

Kate Withers, Ropes & Gray (moderator)

Jill Granoff is Managing Partner of Eurazeo and CEO of Eurazeo Brands, leading strategy for the firm’s global consumer growth equity division. A beauty, fashion and retail industry expert, Jill held previous executive positions at Estee Lauder, Victoria Secret and Liz Claiborne. Jill also was CEO of two publicly listed companies, walking Vince through its IPO before joining Eurazeo. In this fireside chat, we’ll explore Jill’s journey as her team helps shape the future of the consumer market. 

Jill Granoff, Eurazeo

Jane Goldstein, Ropes & Gray (moderator)

Critical decisions make or break a post-merger integration. Sponsors and management teams must work in tandem to unlock value and realize new revenue growth. In a merger, how is team talent preserved and supported? What role is technology play a role in driving efficiency? In the spirit of avoiding a clash of culture, what’s the future of merger integration?

Amena Ali, Airside Mobile

Karen Galivan, RSM (moderator)

Technology continues to disrupt society – touching every industry, geography and consumer end market. The opportunity set is large, but so too is competition and appetite. What sets apart performance from the best technology companies? Is technology viewed as a sector or an industry? Is every company a “tech company”? This panel will explore why LPs and investors continue to back the next generation of software, internet, semiconductors and tech enabled service investments.

Sophia Popova, Summit Partners

Stacy LaMontagne, Cherry Bekaert

Joanne Yuan, Turn/River

Elizabeth De Saint Aignan, Sun Capital Partners

Leah Recht, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP (moderator)

 Private debt fundraising remains healthy. Sponsors have substantial dry powder to deploy and the size of loans from a single lender is skyrocketing. What’s happening in the syndicated loan market? What are lenders worried about and how are borrowers demands changing in the private equity finance market? 

Linda Rowland, Landmark Partners, An Ares Company

Dev Vallabhaneni, Antares Capital

Tal Reback, KKR

Clare Kim, BC Partners

Lindsay Flora, Dechert (moderator)

Value creation comes in many forms – cost reduction, talent swaps, product development, pricing strategy and technology enhancements – to name a few. But what does it really take to remain competitive in the market today when multiples are at record highs? How does a private equity firm prioritize its objectives? How much risk are investors and management teams willing to assume to drive growth?

Marisa Femenia, Bain Capital

Jaimee Michaud, Advent International

Lenore Champagne Beirne, Bright Ventures

Michelle Noon, Clearhaven Partners

Kerensa Butler, RSM (Moderator)

Today’s impact investors are solving tomorrow’s challenges. Focused on marry financial and social returns, the leaders in the industry are addressing environmental sustainability, economic disparities, and our population’s health. The entrepreneurs presenting solutions require patient, long term capital.  How is private equity stepping up to back the next generation of change makers? 

Priya Parrish, Impact Engine

Chavon Sutton, Cambridge Associates

Kani Keita, TPG

Andrea Biernat, Apollo

Cameron Contizano, Goodwin (moderator)

The middle market crushed 2021 – both in deal count and value. Now that we’re nearly halfway through 2022, who’s winning and who’s losing? How long is it taking to complete deals? How are firms navigating due diligence? Which companies are firms focused on purchasing?  What’s the impact of inflation, rising tax rates, supply chain disruptions, and cybersecurity?

Michelle Lewis, Capstreet

Kathryn Cesari, William Blair

Danielle Qi, HIG Capital

Michelle Kuhr, Riveron

Allie Wasserman, Dechert (moderator)

Is private equity meeting the need of providers, patients and payers? Affordability, streamlined operations and data-driven solutions are in high demand. In this fireside chat, Clarissa Berman an accomplished investor at Frazier Healthcare, shares her perspective on the need for transformation in medical devices, mental health and healthcare technology sectors.

Clarissa Berman, Frazier Healthcare

Lindsay Reed, Goodwin (moderator)