Accelerate future levers in value creation

Connect with your peers in relaxing wine country at the leading west coast event for value creation.

Enjoy cross-functional takeaways from expert speakers, including an agenda track devoted to tech value creation.

You’ll leave with fresh strategies, an expanded network, and a pathway into the future of value creation.

 

See who you’ll meet


“You have to keep yourself current and our firms are not academies for becoming better operating partners…The PEI Operating Partners Forum is the only academy that exists for Operating Partners.”

Aaron Miller
Head of Apollo Portfolio Performance Solutions, Apollo Global Management

Optimize your portfolio companies

Hear which levers top firms are pulling to drive value creation.

Network with top value creators

Meet the largest community of operational experts in one place.

Operating Partners Forum: Asia

Adopt new cross-functional initiatives

Find the right tools and knowledge to create value.

“Operating talent everywhere to engage, benchmark, and learn from!!”

Paul Demand

MD & Partner, ShawKwei & Partners

Agenda highlights

The event agenda delves into all functional areas in value creation, and features topics including:

  • AI playbooks for all functions at your portfolio companies
  • Tariff impact analysis: strategic implications for your companies
  • The rise of Agentic AI and what comes next for PE
  • Maximizing value on exits – prepping for exit 24-36 months out
  • The future of finance: AI strategic initiatives for the office of the CFO
  • Having a strategic impact as an operating partner on boards
  • And much more…

Download the agenda

Meet the leading PE operating partner community:

Accel-KKR
Accordion Partners
Acertitude
AEA Investors
AlixPartners
Altamont Capital Management
Alvarez & Marsal
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
American Pacific Group
Angeles Equity Partners
Apollo Global Management
BCI
Bloom Equity Partners
Blue Point Capital Partners
BluWave
Bregal Investments
Cerberus Capital Management
Charlesbank Capital Partners
Chief Outsiders
Clayton Dubilier & Rice
Cold Bore Capital Management
Consero Global
CoreTrust
Corsair Capital
Costanoa Ventures
CPE
Davidson Kempner Capital Management
Deloitte
Diversis Capital
Entromy
EQT Partners
FFL Partners
Frazier Healthcare Partners
FTV Capital
General Atlantic
Generation Capital
Genstar Capital
GI Partners
Goldman Sachs
Graham Partners
Grain Management
Grant Thornton
GrowthCurve Capital
H.I.G. Capital
Hellman & Friedman
Highview Capital
Huron Capital Partners
Incline Equity Partners
Insight Partners
Kelso & Co
KKR
Luminate Capital Partners
Mainsail Partners
Maple Street Advisors
Marlin Operations Group
Mercury Partners
Mubadala
New Harbor Capital
Newlight Partners
New Mountain Capital
NGP Capital
Norwest Venture Partners
Oaktree Capital
OGCI Climate Investments
ORIX Capital Partners
Palladium Equity Partners
ParkerGale Capital
Parthenon Capital Partners
Peak Growth Consulting
Permanent Equity
Plandek
Pollen Street Capital
Portfolio Advisors
PPC
PwC
Rackspace
Resurgens Technology Partners
RKON
Roark Capital Group
RSM
Sage Intacct
Sagemount
Salesforce
Saragossa
SaxeCap
Searchlight Capital Partners
Serent Capital
Shamrock Capital Advisors
Silver Lake
Simon-Kucher
SkyKnight Capital
SoftBank
Southfield Capital
Strattam Capital
Sumeru Equity Partners
Sumitomo Corporation of Americas
Summit Partners
Sunstone Partners
Symphony Technology Group Partners
TCG
TELEO Capital
Telstra Ventures
Teneo
The Sterling Group
Tipalti
TowerBrook
TPG
True Wind Capital
TSG Consumer Partners
Upwork
Vector Capital
Veritas Capital
Warburg Pincus
Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe
West Monroe Partners
Zscaler

Speakers

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“PEI is building a tremendous community of PE operators and a platform of learning and networking.”

Kevin McShane

Operating Partner, Lone View Capital

The 2025 Forum will feature all functional areas of value creation. The new and expanded agenda includes a full track on tech and digital value creation across both days of the event.

For more information about the upcoming program, please contact Marc Mele at marc.m@pei.group.

 

Download the agenda

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
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Agenda

Day 0 - Wednesday 25th

Pre-conference events
09:00 - 14:00

Operating Partners Golf Outing and Experience (for operating partners only)

Venue: Silverado Resort

Join us for an exclusive golf tournament at Silverado Napa’s renowned 18-hole golf course! This shotgun-format event includes green fees, a double-rider cart with GPS, range balls prior to start, personalized scorecards, and complimentary bag handling and club cleaning. Throughout the day, savor delicious bites and refreshing beverages, along with the chance to win exclusive prizes.

11:30 - 15:00

Operating Partners Napa Winery Tour and Lunch Trip (for operating partners only)

Venue: Far Niente Winery

This excursion, solely for the operating partners attending the Forum, will include a tour of the estate with tastings of their exquisite wines and lunch provided. There will be a shuttle departing at 11:30 am from the event venue, Silverado Resort.

17:30 - 21:00

Operating Partners Forum Napa Pre-Event Welcome Reception and Dinner (for operating partners only)

Venue: Fairway Deck, Silverado Resort

Join the operating partners attending the Forum at our opening grand reception in Wine Country. Begin building connections over craft cocktails and gourmet fare before the conference kicks off. A relaxed welcome reception ensures you’ll find familiar faces over the following two days. Then, meet other operating partners in a networking style dinner to discuss the industry, share ideas, and develop Forum goals.

Agenda

Day 1 - Thursday 26th

Welcome
07:30 - 09:10

Registration and breakfast

Think Tanks
07:45 - 08:30

Think tanks for full-time operating partners — value creation war rooms (for operating partners only)

These closed-door discussions led by your operating partner peers will allow you to learn and share best practices in value creation. The think tank topics will be introduced by the facilitators and discussed in the room. Please select one of the rooms by functional area:

Room 1: Tech and Digital Operating Partners
Room 2: Human Capital/Talent Operating Partners
Room 3: GTM, Sales and Revenue Growth Operating Partners
Room 4: Finance Operating Partners 

Breakfast Deep Dives Series I
08:30 - 09:10

Deep dive breakfast discussion 1 (for operating partners only) — Finance transformations for SaaS companies: providing a finance platform to drive growth

This deep dive breakfast session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated expert facilitators.

  • What is required from your finance leaders to pave the way for greater growth?
  • Streamlining and aligning bookings, billing, and revenue data
  • Automating order to cash workflows
  • What roadblocks are operating partners seeing related to aligning financial and commercial operations?
08:30 - 09:10

Deep dive breakfast discussion 2 (for operating partners only) — Tariff impact analysis: strategic implications for your companies

James Bouchard, David Pennino

This deep dive breakfast session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated expert facilitators.

  • Grasp why portfolio companies need a comprehensive tariff strategy to remain resilient amid supply chain challenges
  • Understand the direct and indirect impact of tariffs on portfolio cost structures
  • Identify hidden financial and supply chain vulnerabilities amid tariff changes
  • Discover strategies to mitigate tariff-related risks through supplier diversification and agile sourcing
  • Explore procurement best practices based on real-world examples
  • Develop a framework for resilient indirect spend management amid global economic uncertainty

Facilitators:
James Bouchard, Associate Partner, LogicSource
David Pennino, Founder and CEO, LogicSource

A speaker photo for James Bouchard

James Bouchard

Associate Partner, LogicSource

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A speaker photo for David Pennino

David Pennino

CEO, LogicSource

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08:30 - 09:10

Deep dive breakfast discussion 3 (for operating partners only) — Executive compensation challenges and opportunities: talent partners uncover trends

This deep dive breakfast session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated expert facilitators.

  • Comparing strategies for incentivizing C-suite, next tier management or division leaders, and rank and file employees
  • Value drivers: what programs or metrics are moving the needle on value creation?
  • Retention levers: what has been changing with longer investment hold periods?
  • Impact of pay transparency and pay equity laws on compensation structures
  • Latest trends in equity and equity-based incentives

Facilitator:
Melissa Grim, Partner and Chair, Executive Compensation & Benefits Practice Group, Benesch

08:30 - 09:10

Deep dive breakfast discussion 4 (for operating partners only) — AI and cybersecurity: risks, opportunities and governance

As Private Equity Operating Partners, understanding the intersection of AI and cybersecurity is crucial for protecting portfolio companies, identifying opportunities for growth, and ensuring effective governance. This interactive breakfast session brings together expert moderators and peer group discussions to explore the evolving landscape of AI-powered cybersecurity risks, opportunities, and governance considerations.

  • Understanding the AI & cybersecurity Landscape: Key trends, statistics, and regulatory considerations
  • Managing AI risks & leveraging opportunities: mitigating strategies, best practices, and innovative solutions
  • AI governance & oversight considerations: frameworks, risk management strategies, and board-level oversight
  • Practical advice & actionable takeaways: New frontiers in value creation

Facilitator:
Akshay Grover, Global Private Equity Practice Lead, Zscaler

Plenary
09:10 - 09:30

PEI’s welcome and chairman’s opening remarks

09:30 - 10:20

Measuring operating partner performance: comparing scorecards

Raj Kushwaha
  • How are you tracking operating partner performance? What KPIs are you using?
  • How are you measuring the VCP team’s performance and its alignment with the investment thesis?
  • What are you doing when it comes to portfolio reviews? What feedback from the portfolio companies are you looking at when monitoring operating partner performance?
  • What tools/dashboards/resources are most effective?
  • Ultimately, what does it take to be a successful operating partner?

Panelists:
Raj Kushwaha, Co-Head of Value Creation and Chief Digital Officer, Warburg Pincus

A speaker photo for Raj Kushwaha

Raj Kushwaha

Managing Director & Partner, Co-Head Value Creation and Chief Digital Officer, Warburg Pincus

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10:20 - 11:00

Maximizing value on exits – prepping for exit 24-36 months out

Regina Penn, Achi Yaffe
  • Which key initiatives are you mainly focused on in preparing for exit 24-36 months out?
  • How do you create the best alignment for exit with management teams?
  • Can you share dos and don’ts operating partners should understand as you prepare for exit?
  • What are you tracking and what data are you mainly looking at in this phase?
  • How are you utilizing AI in preparation for exit? Can you share an example of its effectiveness?
  • How are current macro conditions impacting exit plans?

Panelists:
Regina Penn, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus
Achi Yaffe, Managing Director, Head of Portfolio Operations, GI Partners

A speaker photo for Regina Penn

Regina Penn

Managing Director, Warburg Pincus

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A speaker photo for Achi Yaffe

Achi Yaffe

Managing Director, Portfolio Operations, GI Partners

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Break
11:00 - 11:30

Networking break

Plenary
11:30 - 12:10

Finding the balance in running vs. growing the business to optimize VCPs for tech companies

Daniel Perry
  • How are operating partners working with their portfolio companies on running vs growing the business; how are operating partners achieving the right balance to drive enterprise value within the hold period? What levers are they pulling?
  • What does the current landscape look like in terms of competition and challenges for tech companies and what measures are PE firms taking to course correct
  • Uncovering comprehensive integrated metrics to help investors better understand their enterprise software and SaaS asset’s performance – in both growth and profitability dimensions
  • Diving into examples of how cost-savings can be effectively reinvested in new tech to fuel business growth and further increase enterprise value

Panelists:
Daniel Perry, Resource Partner, Court Square Capital Partners

 

A speaker photo for Daniel Perry

Daniel Perry

Resource Partner Sales Excellence, Court Square Capital Partners

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Interactive Working Groups Series I
12:10 - 12:50

Interactive Working Group 1 (for operating partners only) — Leveraging AI for commercial acceleration and value creation

Sean Carson, Scott Graham

This exclusive working group invites operating partners to unlock commercial acceleration and enterprise value through AI. Share practical strategies and tackle the crucial decision of selecting the right AI tools—AI-supported, AI-native, or Agent-first—to maximize workflow productivity and impact. We’ll focus on:

  • AI-driven strategy & planning: utilizing AI insights for enhanced account planning and strategic effectiveness across BDR, Rep, & SE roles
  • Optimizing PLG/PLS via GTM engineering: understanding AI’s role in supporting the emerging Go-to-Market (GTM) engineer to scale product-led growth/sales (PLG/PLS)
  • Intelligent marketing & demand gen: applying AI for data-driven marketing campaigns, precise demand generation, and effective content distribution strategies

Facilitators:
Sean Carson, Executive Vice President, Sales Empowerment Group
Scott Graham, Operating Partner, Diversis Capital

A speaker photo for Sean Carson

Sean Carson

Executive Vice President, Sales Empowerment Group

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A speaker photo for Scott Graham

Scott Graham

Operating Partner, Marketing and Growth, Diversis Capital

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12:10 - 12:50

Interactive Working Group 2 (for operating partners only) — The future of finance: AI strategic initiatives for the office of the CFO

Kyle Roemer

This deep dive discussion designed solely for tech operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive and dynamic discussion with designated facilitators.

  • Practical use cases for your finance department: digitization and how AI comes into play
  • Where CFOs should start: how to deploy and implement AI in phases
  • AI tools for planning, budgeting, and forecasting with better accuracy and speed
  • AI for finance: what comes next?

Facilitator:
Kyle Roemer, Managing Director, US Practice Lead for Data & Analytics, Accordion

A speaker photo for Kyle Roemer

Kyle Roemer

Managing Director, US Data & Analytics Practice Lead, Accordion

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12:10 - 12:50

Interactive Working Group 3 (for operating partners only) — The rise of AI operating partners – strategic necessity or nice to have?

Jessica Tvelia, Marja Verbon

As AI transforms industries at an unprecedented pace, private equity firms are grappling with a critical question: should they bring on a dedicated AI Operating Partner? This panel will explore the evolving role of AI in portfolio company operations, the impact AI OPs are delivering, and whether AI leadership should be a standalone role or embedded within the Digital Operating Partner function. Join top industry experts as they share real-world examples, best practices, and strategic considerations PE firms must weigh when integrating AI expertise into their operating playbook.

  • When does it make sense to hire an AI Operating Partner?
  • How are AI OPs driving measurable impact across portfolio companies?
  • Is AI a specialized function or best embedded within a broader Digital OP role?
  • Lessons learned from firms leading the charge in AI-driven value creation

Facilitators:
Jessica Tvelia, Partner, Acertitude
Marja Verbon, Head of Innovation Acceleration, Portfolio Operations Group, Five Arrows – Rothschild & Co

A speaker photo for Jessica Tvelia

Jessica Tvelia

Partner, Acertitude

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A speaker photo for Marja Verbon

Marja Verbon

Head of Innovation Acceleration Portfolio Operations Group, Five Arrows (Rothschild) 

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12:10 - 12:50

Tech and Digital Working Group 4 (for operating partners only) — Redefining digital transformations in the AI era

Harshad Khurjekar, Constantin Mihaila

This deep dive discussion designed solely for tech operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive and dynamic discussion with designated facilitators.

  • How have digital transformations changed and accelerated in the last 2 years?
  • What does your playbook look like to unlock faster and better transformation?
  • How are working/aligning with management teams for execution of transformation?
  • How are you working/aligning with tech leaders for execution of transformation?
  • Operating partners share practical use cases: how to tech enable your companies

Facilitators:
Harshad Khurjekar, Partner, Transaction Advisory Services, RSM
Constantin Mihaila, Principal, Private Equity M&A Consulting, RSM

A speaker photo for Harshad Khurjekar

Harshad Khurjekar

West Region Private Equity Leader, RSM

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A speaker photo for Constantin Mihaila

Constantin Mihaila

Private Equity Technology M&A Lead, Leader, RSM

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Lunch
12:50 - 13:50

Networking lunch

12:50 - 13:50

Functional lunch discussion: Scaling and monetizing smart pricing to accelerate growth (invitation-only for operating partners)

Eddie Hartman

Inspired by the principles in “Scaling Innovation” this session explores how to go beyond building great products and instead, build great businesses. We’ll dive into practical strategies for scaling and monetizing pricing models to unlock profitable growth and real enterprise value across the portfolio. Key themes include:

  • Avoiding the “single engine” trap and unlocking multi-pronged growth strategies
  • Building outcome-based and usage-based pricing models that scale
  • Mastering value messaging and sales negotiations to win faster and stronger
  • Driving expansion, reducing churn, and leading price changes with confidence
  • Balancing market share and wallet share without sacrificing momentum

Facilitator:
Eddie Hartman, Partner and Board Member, Simon-Kucher & Partners

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Eddie Hartman

Board Member, Simon-Kucher

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Panel Breakout Series I
13:50 - 14:30

Track 1 Personalizing your GTM manuals: operating partner guidelines

Kevin McShane, Cici Zheng
  • GTM best practices for operating partners with more tailored playbooks
  • What do you focus on most in your GTM strategy and why?
  • What has been most effective and least effective?
  • How are you working with other functional areas to create alignment and better GTM execution?

Panelists:
Kevin McShane, Operating Executive, Lone View Capital
Cici Zheng, Managing Director, Operations, Corridor Capital

A speaker photo for Kevin McShane

Kevin McShane

Operating Partner, Go-To-Market Practice Leader

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A speaker photo for Cici  Zheng

Cici Zheng

Managing Director, Corridor Capital

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13:50 - 14:30

Track 2 AI in recruiting: best practices and pitfalls for portfolio talent acquisition

Brian Kasser, Kate Migliaro

AI/ML continues to ride high in the hype cycle, but practical deployments of AI for portfolio executive recruiting are yielding a clear picture of best practices to adopt and pitfalls to avoid. Here we will explore real-world experience and examples of leveraging AI to improve recruiting efficiencies across the full talent acquisition cycle for PE portfolio companies:

  • AI-augmented talent market visibility and executive score-carding
  • Top-down candidate membership filtering versus bottom-up membership assembly
  • Validating candidate backgrounds with AI-based analytics and correlation
  • AI-aided backchanneling for understanding candidate value creation capabilities
  • Generative AI agents and other tools for amplifying talent acquisition capacity

Panelists:
Brian Kasser, Talent Partner, Welsh Carson Anderson & Stowe
Kate Migliaro, Managing Director, Talent and Organization, Portfolio Operations, Blackstone

A speaker photo for Brian Kasser

Brian Kasser

Talent Partner, Welsh Carson Anderson & Stowe

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A speaker photo for Kate Migliaro

Kate Migliaro

Managing Director, Talent and Organization Performance, Portfolio Operations, Blackstone

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13:50 - 14:30

Track 3 TPG case study: how operating partners align and deliver value creation with CFOs

Ashish Agarwal, Ray Carpenter, Zain Kaj , Subhi Sherwell
  • A CFO’s POV: What does great collaboration look like with PE Ops partners?
  • Leveraging cross-functional PE Ops to level-up high impact initiatives
  • Effecting transformational change while maintaining bandwidth to run a high-performing organization
  • Finance function playbooks: carve outs, org design and build, FP&A build, M&A, systems optimization
  • First-time CFO support and mentoring

Panelists:
Ashish Agarwal, CFO, New Relic
Ray Carpenter, CFO, DirecTV
Zain Kaj, Finance Executive, Portfolio Operations, TPG Capital
Subhi Sherwell, Managing Director, Operations, TPG Capital

A speaker photo for Ashish Agarwal

Ashish Agarwal

Chief Financial Officer, New Relic

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A speaker photo for Ray Carpenter

Ray Carpenter

CFO, DIRECTV

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A speaker photo for Zain Kaj

Zain Kaj

Senior Advisor, TPG Capital

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A speaker photo for Subhi Sherwell

Subhi Sherwell

Operations Director, TPG Capital

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Panel Breakout Series II
14:30 - 15:10

Track 4 Adding a seat at the table for AI in your due diligence process

David Tingle
  • How has the role of the operating partner evolved with the application of AI in due diligence?
  • Can you share successful and practical examples of using AI in due diligence? How can AI enhance deal sourcing?
  • How are you best harnessing data analytics with AI in DD?
  • Unlocking robust pre-deal AI and analytical work in tandem with deal teams to de-risk
  • Understanding how AI in DD can set you up for success throughout the lifecycle

Panelists:
David Tingle, Head of Platform Operations, Georgian

A speaker photo for David Tingle

David Tingle

Head of Platform Operations, Georgian

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14:30 - 15:10

Track 5 GTM tech real world use cases and implementations

  • How is AI enhancing GTM synergies
  • How does technology and AI help your businesses to deliver at scale
  • Practical use cases: leveraging autonomous agents for account segmentation and customer engagement
  • What does good, better, and great look like right now?
  • How will Agentic AI impact your GTM strategy in the future
14:30 - 15:10

Track 6 Tactical finance and accounting game plan in the current economy

  • FP&A; budgeting and forecasting; how do you forecast and budget through volatility
  • Sharing tactical viewpoints in accounting and controlling: what to do if you have issues with your accounting function
  • Practitioner views on the importance of working capital management and liquidity
  • What do you insource vs outsource?
Break
15:10 - 15:20

Break

Panel Breakout Series III
15:20 - 16:00

Track 7 Accelerating finance transformations: from due diligence to the first 120 days

  • Key priorities and quick wins post close: streamlining processes, enhancing reporting, optimizing cash flow, and aligning the finance team with the new strategic VCP
  • Delivering seamless finance integrations and transitions: operating partner dos and don’ts
  • Establishing timelines and key workstreams for the 30, 60, 90, and 120-day mark to deliver success
15:20 - 16:00

Track 8 Progressive approaches to hiring impactful tech talent at your companies

Chris Satchell
  • Cutting through the noise: what strategies and tactics are best practices for diagnosing tech talent needs and effectively addressing them?
  • Recruiting C-suite tech executives: When is it time to level-up your tech or product leader? What does good look like? How do you manage C-suite tech hiring differently with technical and non-technical CEOs?
  • What are best practices for back-channelling/referencing C-suite candidates?
  • What talent strategies are PE-backed businesses leveraging to support large scale digital transformation? What are the benefits/trade-offs of these approaches: blended (contractor) teams, full-time offshoring (part of all), re-skilling/up-leveling, managed service agreements, others?
  • With the dawn of AI, how are labor force and tech skill set requirements changing? What newly created tech roles are you seeing at your companies?

Panelists:
Chris Satchell, Managing Director Technology & Digital, Clayton Dubilier & Rice

A speaker photo for Chris  Satchell

Chris Satchell

Managing Director Technology & Digital, Clayton Dubilier & Rice

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15:20 - 16:00

Track 9 Why cloud technology is a strategic lever for private equity and portfolio growth

  • Learn how cloud technology empowers private equity firms to make faster, more flexible decisions while helping portfolio companies scale efficiently and control costs
  • Explore how the cloud enhances real-time data access, operational efficiency, and collaboration, enabling smarter investments and streamlined due diligence
  • Understand how leveraging cloud solutions can boost portfolio value, drive growth, and improve responsiveness to market changes for long-term success
Panel Breakout Series IV
16:00 - 16:40

Track 10 Having a strategic impact as an operating partner on boards

  • How to position yourself to have a strategic impact as an operating partner on boards
  • What are current board trends that operating partners must be prepared to address?
  • How do you work with and provide guidance to the leadership team on boards?
  • Can you share what not to do as an operating partner on boards?
16:00 - 16:40

Track 11 Leveraging new tech and AI value creation playbooks in the first 100 days

  • How is AI accelerating 100-day transformations?
  • What are your main priorities in leveraging tech for the first 100 days?
  • How are you using AI to pinpoint areas for cost optimization and efficiency improvements?
  • How are you using tech and AI to identify value creation levers with data analysis across different business functions?
16:00 - 16:40

Track 12 Product and service led approaches: leveraging modernization and new capabilities

  • Dissecting successful product led approaches for your VCP
  • How are you innovating when it comes to product?
  • Product led evaluations: modernization and new product capabilities
  • How is AI changing your product strategy and how you deliver service
Interactive Working Groups Series II
16:40 - 17:20

Interactive Working Group 5 (for operating partners only) — Commercial metrics: an in depth look into win loss analysis for growth

This deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive and dynamic discussion with designated facilitators.

  • Understand who your best buyers are and what motivates them to buy
  • Discover what good win-loss analysis generates
  • Accessing buyer intelligence to detect and resolve problems before they fester
  • Making data-driven decision to increase innovation and adaptability
16:40 - 17:20

Interactive Working Group 6 (for operating partners only) — The rise of Agentic AI and what comes next for PE

This deep dive discussion designed solely for tech operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive and dynamic discussion with designated facilitators.

  • What makes AI Agentic and how is it different from regular AI?
  • How are you currently utilizing Agentic AI and how will it impact VCPs in future?
  • How are you working with management teams on the adoption of Agentic AI? How do you deal with pushback?
16:40 - 17:20

Interactive Working Group 7 (for operating partners only) — Enhancing your spend visibility in cost reduction

  • Leveraging a platform for complete visibility and human-like engagement with your spend data, contracts, and invoices
  • Taking advantage of your “IP” to drive competitiveness and endless innovation
  • Using AI and natural language processing to continuously learn: adapting it to market demands, providing observability and “voice interaction” with otherwise fine print that is too costly to manage
  • Validating contract compliance at machine speed to ensure portfolio companies are billed correctly, regardless of spending or contract size
  • Applying it across all industry verticals and their segments as a tailored private virtual brain

Facilitator:
Shannon Copeland, CEO, SIB

End of Conference Day
17:20 - 18:20

Networking Cocktail Reception

Venue: Mansion Gardens at Silverado Resort

The Resort’s Mansion Gardens will provide a delightful setting at the end of the first day for you to chat and hear what is on everyone’s mind after a full day of valuable insights.

Agenda

Day 2 - Friday 27th

Welcome
07:30 - 08:30

Registration and breakfast

Think Tanks Series II
07:45 - 08:30

Think tanks for full-time operating partners — value creation war rooms (for operating partners only)

Prital Kadakia

Invitation-only think tanks for full-time PE and VC operating partners. These closed-door discussions led by your peers will allow you to learn and share value creation strategies of successful operating partners. Please select one of the rooms:

Room 1: Heads of Value Creation Teams
Facilitators:
Prital Kadakia, Partner and Head, Portfolio Operations Team, Serent Capital

Room 2: Operating Partners (3+ years in PE/VC)

Room 3: Training for New and Emerging Operating Partners (1-2 years in PE/VC)

A speaker photo for Prital Kadakia

Prital Kadakia

General Partner, Serent Capital

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Breakfast Deep Dives Series II
08:30 - 09:15

Deep dive breakfast discussion 5 (for operating partners only) — Operating group composition: results of the 2024 McKinsey operating partner group survey

This breakfast deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow you to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators:

  • Providing statistics on the size and composition of operating partner teams
  • Reviewing the roles operating partner teams play in value creation
  • What is the right way to construct a value creation practice that is effective: how is it evolving and changing
  • What will operating partner teams look like in the future?
08:30 - 09:15

Deep dive breakfast discussion 6 (for operating partners only) — Engaging across the deal life cycle: unlocking your full potential from diligence to exit

This breakfast deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow you to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators:

08:30 - 09:15

Deep dive breakfast discussion 7 (for operating partners only) — Uncovering operating partner AI playbooks

This breakfast deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow you to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators:

  • Investing in AI for maximum value – focus on high-impact AI use cases that drive EBITDA, efficiency, and competitive edge
  • Scaling AI across the portfolio – move from quick wins to enterprise-wide adoption, aligning AI with each company’s growth stage
  • Aligning business & tech – ensure operating partners, management, and tech leaders collaborate on AI investments that balance innovation and execution
  • Creating portfolio-wide AI program – unlock cross-company AI synergies to scale expertise and drive differentiation
Plenary
09:15 - 09:20

Chairman’s welcome

09:20 - 10:00

AI adoption and implementation: showcasing practical use cases across functions

  • What are operating partners across different functions doing with AI and what progress is being made?
  • How have things rapidly evolved in terms of AI practical use cases for your function within the last 18 months?
  • What comes next in looking at how AI will best be deployed specifically for your function?

 

10:00 - 10:40

The C-suite of the future: unlocking and accelerating value creation

  • How is the C-suite working with PE to build out the tech function?
  • What are the skills, competencies, and qualities needed in C-suite executives to drive technology-led value creation
  • How are C-suite executives approaching AI? How prudent are they? What will be needed from the C-suite when it comes to AI with an eye to the future?
  • How are operating partners working with the C-suite to establish AI standards and policies?
  • How do you measure and assess C-suite effectiveness to unlock innovation and digital optimization?
Break
10:40 - 11:00

Networking break

Plenary
11:00 - 11:40

Driving business performance in the current economy: value creation playbooks

  • What are some of the biggest changes happening in the private equity industry and how are you preparing and adapting your value creation playbooks for it?
  • Dissecting the impact of structurally higher rates, increased competition, declining returns, succession challenges, increased regulation, and shifting LP expectations
  • Is the performance of companies picking up given the economy? What is driving business performance in this economy?
  • With an eye to the future how will you evolve and innovate your playbooks to deal with these pressures?
11:40 - 12:20

The evolution of operating partner-deal team alignment: what does the future look like?

  • How has the dynamic shifted in terms of how operating partners and deal teams work together? What will the future look like?
  • Dos and don’ts: how do you achieve alignment and overcome frictions?
  • What is your deal team’s perception of operating partners and their contribution?
  • How do you best work with the deal team in the due diligence phase?
  • How can operating partners give deal teams the edge in the bidding process?

Panelists:
Farhan Siddiqi, Operating Partner, BayPine

Break
12:20 - 12:30

Break

Interactive Working Groups Series III
12:30 - 13:10

Interactive Working Group 8 (for operating partners only) — Harnessing the power of data science and advanced analytics in value creation

This deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive and dynamic discussion with designated facilitators.

12:30 - 13:10

Interactive Working Group 9 (for operating partners only) — Unlocking excellence: optimizing supply chain technology platforms

Mike Reed, Eric Rempel

This interactive discussion explores the transformative power of supply chain technology platforms and how to leverage them to stay ahead and under budget. Discover actionable strategies to enhance your operations with:

  • Market intelligence: access real-time data and insights from across your network to make faster, smarter decisions
  • Process automation: eliminate inefficiencies and reduce costs with seamless automated workflows
  • Digital collaboration platforms: foster seamless communication and collaboration across your supply chain ecosystem with a single digital interface
  • Data-driven decisions: turn data into a strategic asset for better forecasting, planning, and execution.
  • Supply chain orchestration: synchronize complex workflows and partners for end-to-end efficiency

Facilitators:
Michael Reed, Chief Product Officer, Redwood Logistics
Eric Rempel, Chief Innovation Officer, Redwood Logistics

A speaker photo for Mike Reed

Mike Reed

Chief Product Officer, Redwood Logistics

Read bio
A speaker photo for Eric Rempel

Eric Rempel

Chief Innovation Officer, Redwood Logistics

Read bio
12:30 - 13:10

Interactive Working Group 10 (for operating partners only) — Operating Partner-Chief Revenue Officer dynamics: the keys to alignment

This deep dive discussion designed solely for tech operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive and dynamic discussion with designated facilitators.

Lunch
13:10 - 14:00

Networking lunch

13:10 - 14:00

Tech and Digital operating partners networking lunch (for operating partners only)

This closed-door networking lunch for tech operating partners will provide an opportunity to expand your connections in digital value creation. Lunch will be served at the Mansion Gardens Pavilion.

Presentation
14:00 - 14:20

PEI and AlixPartners present the first annual digital value creation survey results

Closing
14:20 - 14:20

End of Conference

Join a PE community that transcends the Forum

Deepen your relationships and build your network throughout the Forum with operating partner exclusive networking opportunities.

Gather with peers for 2.5 days* of collaborative learning and exciting events to exchange ideas, solve challenges, and benchmark strategies to improve your day-to-day operations.

 

Get the attendee list

 

*Registered event attendees can request an invitation to pre-event networking opportunities by emailing Lawrence Dvorchik.

Winery Tour and Lunch Trip

Wednesday, June 25, 2025
11:30 am – 3:00 pm
Venue: Far Niente Winery

This excursion, solely for the operating partners attending the Forum, will include a tour of the estate with tastings of their exquisite wines and lunch provided. There will be a shuttle departing at 11:30 am from the event venue, the Silverado Resort. Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, Far Niente will provide a unique setting to network with your peers in a relaxed atmosphere.

Golf Tournament

Wednesday, June 25, 2025
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Venue: Silverado Resort

Join us for an exclusive golf tournament at Silverado Napa’s renowned 18-hole golf course! This shotgun-format event includes green fees, a double-rider cart with GPS, range balls prior to start, personalized scorecards, and complimentary bag handling and club cleaning. Throughout the day, savor delicious bites and refreshing beverages, along with the chance to win exclusive prizes.

Operating Partners Forum Napa Welcome Reception and Dinner (invitation-only)

Wednesday, June 25, 2025
5:30 – 9:00 pm

Venue: Silverado Resort

After a full day of insight-packed sessions and high-level discussions, join us for an exclusive evening networking reception. This is your opportunity to relax, recharge, and reconnect with peers, speakers, and industry leaders in a more informal setting. Enjoy curated cocktails, light bites, and engaging conversation as you continue the dialogue and forge valuable new relationships. Whether you’re deepening connections made earlier in the day or meeting fresh faces, this reception is the perfect capstone to an energizing day at the conference.

Operating Partners Forum Napa Day 1 Networking Reception

Thursday, June 26, 2025
5:20 pm – 6:20 pm
Venue: Silverado Resort

Join your peers at the end of the first day to reconnect and debrief after a full day of valuable insights.

Operating Partners Forum Napa Deep Dive Breakfasts (operating partners only)

Thursday, June 26 and Friday, June 27, 2025
7:45 – 8:30 am
Venue: Silverado Resort

These breakfast deep dive discussions, designed solely for operating partners, will focus on key strategies in value creation and allow you to share your views and learn key insights from peers.

Digital and Tech Operating Partners Lunch (operating partners only)

Friday, June 27, 2025
1:10 – 2:00 pm
Venue: Silverado Resort

This closed-door networking lunch for tech operating partners will provide an opportunity to expand your connections in digital value creation. Lunch will be served at the Mansion Gardens Pavilion.

Think tanks

Put your heads together with other operating partners to examine niche areas of value creation. With crowd-sourced discussion topics, these peer-led sessions will provide personalized takeaways.

Interactive Working Groups

Hear how your peers are navigating specific value creation levers. These interactive discussions, facilitated by our expert speaking faculty, will provide a closer look at specific cross-functional topics.

 

For speaking opportunities, contact Marc Mele at marc.m@pei.group or call +1 646 581 9295.

Ashish Agarwal

Chief Financial Officer, New Relic

Brian Barnum

Operating Partner, Head of Private Equity Value Creation Team, Shamrock Capital

James Bouchard

Associate Partner, LogicSource

Ray Carpenter

CFO, DIRECTV

Sean Carson

Executive Vice President, Sales Empowerment Group

Anthony C. Cassano

Head of Portfolio Operations, Lateral Investment Management

Shannon Copeland

CEO, SIB

AJ Gandhi

GTM Operating Partner

Ignacio Giraldo

Partner, TPG Rise

Scott Graham

Operating Partner, Marketing and Growth, Diversis Capital

Melissa Grim

Partner and Chair, Executive Compensation & Benefits Practice Group, Benesch

Akshay Grover

Global Private Equity Practice Lead, Zscaler

Eddie Hartman

Board Member, Simon-Kucher

Sajjad Jaffer

Head of Data, Analytics and Machine Learning, GrowthCurve Capital

Kate Ju

Vice President, Value Accelerator, Goldman Sachs Asset Management

Zain Kaj

Senior Advisor, TPG Capital

Prital Kadakia

General Partner, Serent Capital

Brian Kasser

Talent Partner, Welsh Carson Anderson & Stowe

Harshad Khurjekar

West Region Private Equity Leader, RSM

Raj Kushwaha

Managing Director & Partner, Co-Head Value Creation and Chief Digital Officer, Warburg Pincus

Misha Logvinov

Managing Director, MGX

Kevin McShane

Operating Partner, Go-To-Market Practice Leader

Kate Migliaro

Managing Director, Talent and Organization Performance, Portfolio Operations, Blackstone

Constantin Mihaila

Private Equity Technology M&A Lead, Leader, RSM

Regina Penn

Managing Director, Warburg Pincus

David Pennino

CEO, LogicSource

Daniel Perry

Resource Partner Sales Excellence, Court Square Capital Partners

Mike Reed

Chief Product Officer, Redwood Logistics

Eric Rempel

Chief Innovation Officer, Redwood Logistics

Kyle Roemer

Managing Director, US Data & Analytics Practice Lead, Accordion

David Rowley

Technology Operating Partner, Diversis Capital

Chris Satchell

Managing Director Technology & Digital, Clayton Dubilier & Rice

Anish Sharan

Head of Digital Transformation, Pritzker Private Capital

Subhi Sherwell

Operations Director, TPG Capital

Farhan Siddiqi

Operating Partner, BayPine

Ben Spiegel

Operating Partner, BayPine

Milo Sprague

Chief Technology Advisor, FTV Capital

David Tingle

Head of Platform Operations, Georgian

Jessica Tvelia

Partner, Acertitude

Marja Verbon

Head of Innovation Acceleration Portfolio Operations Group, Five Arrows (Rothschild) 

John Wang

Managing Director, Portfolio Operations, L Catterton

Achi Yaffe

Managing Director, Portfolio Operations, GI Partners

Cici Zheng

Managing Director, Corridor Capital

Connect with the largest community of operating partners on the West Coast

The Operating Partners forums and events are the most efficient and effective way to connect directly with private equity operating partners and value creation experts.

To learn more about ways to create a customized program that maximizes your desired impact and to engage with PEI’s operating partners community, please contact Lawrence Dvorchik by email Lawrence.d@pei.group or call +1 646 545 4429.

Book your accommodation

Silverado Resort
1600 Atlas Peak Rd
Napa, CA 94558

DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY VALUE CREATION

Unlock the next frontier in digital value creation

The Operating Partners Forum Napa agenda includes an entire technology track running across both days of the event. Join a leading community of operating partners to discuss and debate strategies to deliver value through technology in today’s rapidly changing world.

The Forum welcomes an elite crowd of tech value creators in PE and VC portfolio operations for deep dive discussions on tech transformations and innovative initiatives. Get a firm grasp on how you can impact returns in your role with the largest assembly of digital operating partners in an environment designed to encourage open conversations.

“As a serial CTO turned Operating Partner, I really enjoyed meeting and hearing from my peers who have had a similar career journey.”

David Rowley

Technology Operating Partner, Diversis Capital

Carve your niche in technology operations

Hear first-hand perspectives on how to further develop your operational skill set.

Operating Partners Forum: Asia

Learn key technology strategies to create value

Find the right tools and knowledge to deliver successful cross-portfolio initiatives.

Network with top PE
and VC tech value creators

Meet with the largest community of technology operational experts all in one place

Agenda highlights

  • Digital & Technology Operating Partners Lunch Discussion (for operating partners only)
  • Building a framework for AI: leveraging AI to optimize your processes and deliver value
  • Establishing an advanced data governance framework
  • What makes a great tech and digital operating partner in today’s world?
  • Accelerating tech value creation roadmaps with your management teams
  • Product innovation: roadmaps and strategies for execution
  • Cybersecurity: dos and don’ts in the current landscape
  • Tech due diligence done right
  • Leveraging Cloud optimization as a key value creation element
  • And much more…

Featuring functional experts:

Thanks for your interest

Thank you for your interest in the Operating Partners Forum Napa.

Your requested resource will be sent to the email address you provided.

Explore our event website to learn more about the Forum, and be sure to secure your place when you’re ready.

We hope to see you in Napa in June.

Thanks for your interest

We’ll send the requested resource to your email.

To learn more, check out our video gallery on the resources page.

When you’re ready, be sure to secure your place.

We hope to see you in Napa this June.