Private Equity
International
International
Operating Partners Forum New York 2024
October 22-23, 2024
Downtown Convene, 225 Liberty St, New York
The largest global event for private equity value creation
Drive value creation across all functional business areas with strategies learned at Private Equity International’s 14th annual Operating Partners Forum New York.
Join the largest global PE operating partner community to discuss and debate the best methods to deliver maximum portfolio optimization at a critical time.
Take part in extensive networking opportunities, compare best practices, build new relationships, and influence future models at the operating partners event of the year, now at a brand-new venue.
Save $550+ on your ticket when you register before July 26.
Create operationally efficient portfolio companies
Hear first-hand perspectives on how to further develop your operational efficiencies.
Network with top value creators
Meet with the largest global community of private equity operating partners in one place over 2 days.
Learn key strategies for cross-portfolio initiatives
Find the right tools and knowledge to create value.
“This is where I learnt to become an operating partner. Now, 10 years later, I have over half my team here with me.”
Aaron Miller
Head of Apollo Portfolio Performance Solutions
Apollo Global Management
Agenda highlights
Our unique agenda offers interactive working groups, think tanks, panels, breakfast and lunch discussions. The 2024 expanded agenda is carefully curated to feature the most prominent functional areas in value creation. Highlights include:
- Heads of value creation viewpoints: uncover team leaders’ value creation insights
- The AI boom in PE: practical and functional use cases
- Accelerate value creation through transformation: navigating the new normal
- Five functional breakfasts and think tanks for: finance, sales, human capital, tech, and supply chain operations
- The growing importance of operating partners: showcasing value to the PE industry
- Discover future functional levers across the entire investment lifecycle
- Gain access to our operating partner compensation survey
- And much more!
Speakers
Meet the largest operating partner network
“It is a fantastic place to network with top operating talent in PE and learn the cutting edge work that their firms are doing to create value. I highly recommend.”
Kush Tulsidas
One Rock Capital Partners
“The Operating Partners Forum is the foremost
event where the largest ecosystem of
operating partners, suppliers and resources gather annually.”
Greg J Pappas
Berkshire Partners
2024 agenda
Our unique agenda offers interactive working groups, think tanks, panels, breakfast and lunch discussions. The 2024 agenda is carefully curated to feature the most prominent functional areas of value creation.
If you are interested in a speaking role please contact Marc Mele at marc.m@pei.group.
View agenda page
Agenda
Day 1 - Monday 21st
Pre-conference events - October 21, 2024 Manhatta, 28 Liberty St, 60th floor, New York
17:30 - 19:30
Operating Partners Forum NY Pre-Event Welcome Reception (invitation-only for operating partners)
Join the operating partners attending the New York Forum at our opening grand reception. Exchange
valuable insights with your peers in a relaxed setting and build your connections before the
conference kicks off.
19:30 - 21:00
Pre-Event Dinner: Heads of Value Creation – Team Leaders Dinner (invitation-only)
Join us for a VIP private networking-style dinner designed exclusively for the leaders of the value
creation teams attending the NY Forum.
19:30 - 21:00
Pre-Event Dinner: GTM, Sales and Revenue Growth Operating Partners Dinner (invitation-only)
Join us as we welcome the sales, revenue growth, marketing, and GTM operating partners attending
the Forum for a private networking-style dinner to facilitate networking before the conference starts.
19:30 - 21:00
Pre-Event Dinner: Technology and Digital Operating Partners Dinner (invitation-only)
Join us as we welcome the digital and tech operating partners attending the Forum for a private
networking-style dinner to facilitate networking before the conference starts.
19:30 - 21:00
Pre-Event Dinner: Finance Operating Partners Dinner (invitation-only)
Join us as we welcome the finance operating partners attending the New York Forum for a private
networking-style dinner to facilitate networking before the conference.
19:30 - 21:00
Pre-Event Dinner: Human Capital Operating Partners Dinner (invitation-only)
Join us as we welcome the talent partners attending the New York Forum for a private networking-style dinner to facilitate networking before the conference.
Agenda
Day 2 - Tuesday 22nd
Registration
07:30 - 08:40
Registration and breakfast
Think Tank Series 1
07:45 - 08:40
Think tanks for full-time operating partners: value creation war rooms (invitation-only for operating partners)
Tanoya Chatterjee,
Jonathan Konkoly
These closed-door discussions will allow you to learn and share best practices of successful operating partners with your peers. Please select one of the rooms:
Think Tank 1: Digital and Technology Operating Partners
Think Tank 2: Human Capital/Talent Operating Partners
Think Tank 3: GTM, Sales and Revenue Growth Operating Partners
Facilitators:
Tanoya Chatterjee, Senior Principal, Mubadala Performance Partners, Mubadala
Jonathan Konkoly, Vice President of Portfolio Operations, HCI Equity Partner
Think Tank 4: Finance Operating Partners
Plenary
08:40 - 09:00
PEI’s welcome and chairmen’s opening remarks
Panel Series 1
09:00 - 09:40
Panel 1 Assessing and showcasing your value as an operating partner
Jim Corey,
Raj Kushwaha
- How effective are you in working with your constituents (deal teams, management teams and LPs)?
- How can you measure/assess your impact without taking credit that belongs with the management team?
- How do you effectively showcase the value you provide as an operating partner/operating partner team?
- What are the biggest issues and challenges for operating partners when it comes to impact and contribution to value creation?
Moderator:
Jim Corey, Managing Partner, Blue Ridge Partners
Panelists:
Raj Kushwaha, Co-Head of Value Creation and Chief Digital Officer, Warburg Pincus
09:00 - 09:40
Panel 2 Heads of value creation insights: comparing models across the lifecycle
- How large is your team and how is your team structured?
- Did you build out your operating team in recent years and is your team still growing?
- How are operating teams organized these days across the lifecycle?
- How do you best support your operating team members?
- What do you value most in an operating partner? What does great look like?
- What will the structure and model of operating partner teams look like in future?
Panel Series 2
09:45 - 10:25
Panel 3 The future of value creation at the intersection of talent, tech, and AI
Jason McDannold,
Cory A. Eaves
- Relying on cutting-edge technology and talent to bolster long-term growth and returns
- Looking beyond AI’s promise and failings: how the intersection of talent and technological possibility is the greatest lever
- What is it that operating partners need to understand about technology and AI?
- How can AI add value for PE firms that are investing across multiple industries and across the deal cycle?
- How best to staff-up for AI-driven growth
- How can AI help to recruit and retain talent?
Moderator:
Jason McDannold, Americas Co-Lead, Private Equity, Partner & Managing Director, AlixPartners
Panelists:
Cory Eaves, Partner and Head of Portfolio Operations, BayPine
09:45 - 10:25
Panel 4 A forward-looking perspective on growth in the current landscape
- What are the most effective levers to scale up post a period of depressed growth?
- What forward-looking metrics and indicators are you using to refine and deliver your growth strategy?
- How is the environment rebounding and where do the biggest growth opportunities lie?
- How are you thinking about growth with your CEOs? How do you work effectively with your CEOs and the C-suite to deliver growth?
Break
10:25 - 10:50
Networking Break
Panel Series 3
10:50 - 11:30
Panel 5 State of the industry: a macro & futuristic outlook on performance improvement across functions
- How is the current macro environment impacting your functional role/playbook?
- How are transformations impacted across functions?
- How is your investment strategy and value creation plan impacted by current market conditions?
- Grasping new paradigms to come in performance improvement (analytics, AI, better data/foundation for decision making)
- How will the macro climate change in future? What is different from the past?
- What are you doing now at your companies with an eye to the future?
10:50 - 11:30
Panel 6 Progressive approaches to CEO assessment, onboarding, and succession planning
Dan Hawkins
- Onboarding the CEO – post close and post hire
- CEO assessments – how has the criteria evolved? What is new?
- Performance evaluation – how and when do investors review CEO performance?
- Board composition and support of the CEO
- When to replace or develop the CEO
- Approaches when the hold period has extended – does the CEO profile change?
- The rise of CEO succession in PE backed companies – best new practices
- Founder vs Professional CEOs – lessons learned. Can they co-exist?
- Other recommendations to optimize the CEO and ensure success for all?
Moderator:
Dan Hawkins, Founder and CEO, Summit Leadership Partners
Panel Series 4
11:35 - 12:15
Panel 7 AI real world use cases and implementations for your function
- Finance, GTM, and Tech functional specialists share practical implementation stories
- Working together with your functional leaders on implementing AI successfully
- How is AI enhancing cross functional value creation synergies?
- How are you quantifying the impact of AI on your function?
- How will AI impact your function in the future?
11:35 - 12:15
Panel 8 Operating partner-deal partner alignment: working together as “one team”
Zorian Rotenberg
- Insights into the growing role of operating partners in due diligence
- Best practices in working together as a team from due diligence to year one
- How can operating partners give deal teams the edge in the bidding process?
- How can operating partners help investment teams maximize returns for LPs
- Sharing how operating partners can unlock valuable upside potential and value
- How do you achieve alignment and overcome frictions internally?
Panelists:
Zorian Rotenberg, GTM, Sales and Revenue Growth Operating Partner, Charlesbank Capital Partners
Zorian Rotenberg
GTM, Sales and Revenue Growth Operating Partner, Charlesbank Capital Partners
Read bio
Interactive Working Group Series 1
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 1 (for operating partners only) | Optimizing your boards: key considerations for effectiveness and governance
Brenda Morris
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators:
- Establishing an advisory board for portfolio companies – tools and strategies to add value with independent perspectives
- Setting up effective governance systems – road map to good governance, policy management, and leadership
- What are the skills and expertise most needed on boards? What expertise is often lacking?
- Are operating partners on your boards? Should operating partners be on boards?
- How do you measure board effectiveness?
Facilitators:
Brenda Morris, Partner, CSuite Financial Partner
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 2 (for operating partners only) | Cybersecurity operating partner workshop: practitioner perspectives
Sean Curran,
Michael Picton
This deep dive discussion designed solely for tech operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive and dynamic discussion with designated facilitators.
- Sharing key steps to prevent breaches before they happen
- Talking through a live ransomware incident – where to start? Who do you bring in?
- How do you pivot during the inevitable twists & turns? How do you turn chaos and crisis into an opportunity?
- Real outcomes and lessons learned: how can you safeguard and elevate your cyber resilience strategy?
Facilitators:
Sean Curran, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Enduir Cyber
Michael Picton, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Enduir Cyber
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 3 (for operating partners only) | Product roadmaps: commercial strategies for launch, market entry, and growth
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators:
- Bringing new products to market: what are the most effective growth plays?
- Monetizing AI features: What’s the right commercial strategy?
- Organizing, enabling and incentivizing your sales teams around new features/products
- Unlocking product GTM velocity and acceleration: how do you shorten the cycle to see growth?
- Integrating AI and tech to further boost your commercial strategy and gain market share
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 4 (for operating partners only) | An inside look into employee benefits program optimization and cost savings: market dynamics
Todd Miller,
John Weaver
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
- Sharing examples of how to reduce cost without reducing benefits in a rising healthcare cost marketplace
- How can human resources establish a strategic role in driving measurable cost savings aligned with the value-creation strategy goals of the PE firm?
- What creative solutions can be identified within employee benefit programs to ensure cost savings while maintaining fiduciary responsibility?
- How to run the right procurement for your benefits: transparency, inclusion of vendors, and objectivity in your implementation process
- What strategies can be employed to develop metrics that effectively measure material returns resulting from HR led cost-saving initiatives, and how can HR stay adaptable to market dynamics during this process?
Facilitators:
Todd Miller, CEO, Risk International
John Weaver, Senior Director, Risk International
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 5 (for operating partners only) | Realizing untapped enterprise value from operations beyond cost
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
- Learn from case studies, how process and digital enablers contribute to Enterprise Value (EV) through process effectiveness, not just efficiency; impacting working capital, third-party spend reduction and growth. Including a discussion on why Operating Partners might be leaving money on the table and how might we change that?
- Hear how process effectiveness improvements can be worth several times the impact of cost savings, and how they can be achieved without necessitating implementation of a new ERP
- Dive into examples of optimizing your working capital and FP&A to reinvest in the business; understand where the scale of the impact can meaningfully fuel growth
Facilitators:
Constantin Mihaila, Senior Partner and US Lead, Private Equity, Genpact
Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
Women in PE portfolio operations lunch (invitation-only for operating partners)
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore what it’s like being a woman in PE portfolio operations.
- Sharing challenges, tips, and strategies for your career paths as women operating partners
- Building credibility and trust with the deal teams, management teams, and your value creation teams – what are some ways you’ve found success in doing that?
- What are some of the strengths women have that make you uniquely positioned to excel in this space? What are some of the challenges we should be mindful of and how have you tackled these obstacles?
- What are key initiatives you have seen tied to women’s leadership at your portfolio companies?
13:00 - 14:00
Functional lunch discussion 1 (invitation-only for operating partners) | Unlocking advanced pricing strategies: how are you thinking about it?
This closed-door deep dive lunch discussion designed solely for operating partners will focus on strategic areas in pricing to enhance value.
- How are you engaging with your companies to successfully execute pricing projects?
- How does the current inflationary environment affect how you think about and execute pricing and how will it play out in future?
- Sharing insights with a focus on return to value-based pricing; understanding the value proposition to your customer and pricing accordingly
- Pricing in due diligence and how do you incorporate that in your VCP
- Cohesive pricing strategies as a key growth lever for expansions and renewals
- Using data and KPIs to achieve out-performing net retention
- Aligning sales teams and your GTM strategy with pricing to strengthen your execution
- Looking at how different companies/sectors require different pricing models
- Internal vs. external support and resources for pricing assessments
- What are companies doing in terms of pricing looking forward?
Functional Breakout Series 1
14:00 - 14:40
Track 1 Driving higher EBITDA in a prolonged high interest rate environment
Gary Hoover
- How has the prolonged period of high interest rates significantly impacted portfolio companies?
- What are the most effective solutions to mitigate debt burdens?
- How are you enhancing EBITDA through strategic measures?
- Uncovering priorities to stabilize operations, improve financial health, and navigate the challenging financial landscape
Moderator:
Gary Hoover, Vice President, Global Private Equity Practice, TBM Consulting Group
14:00 - 14:40
Track 2 Enabling secure digital transformation with Zero Trust for your companies
Akshay Grover,
David Mamikonyan,
Chris Satchell
- Why digital transformation (security, network, application & business transformation) is essential for value creation in PE portfolio companies?
- How does zero trust framework impact PE portfolio companies digital transformation?
- How do portfolio companies think about security during transformation?
- Where should one start and how to enable the zero trust journey?
- How to measure ROI from digital transformation efforts & align to value creation goals?
Moderator:
Akshay Grover, Global Private Equity Practice Lead, Zscaler
Panelists:
Puroo Maheshwari, Managing Director, Cybersecurity, Portfolio Value Creation, CPP Investments
David Mamikonyan, Senior Principal, Operating Partner, Mubadala Performance Partners, Mubadala
Chris Satchell, Managing Director Technology and Digital, Clayton Dubilier & Rice
14:00 - 14:40
Track 3 Building and developing high performing teams at your companies
Rory Gaston,
Jamie Jacobs
- How to build a high-performance team looking at complementary skills, experiences, technical aspects, and personality traits
- Understanding the importance of diversity of thought to spark creative and nonhomogeneous ways of thinking
- How do you measure the right skillsets and metrics to create impact, drive cohesion, and avoid discrepancies?
- How are you filling specific roles or delivering projects based on less tangible skills?
- Comparing and contrasting team structures at your portcos: operating partners share what works and what doesn’t to drive the value creation plan
- Dissecting the psychology of effective teams in looking at journey, purpose, positions, communication, and leadership
- Developing and improving future workforces in looking at tomorrow’s new talent
- What do future stars want?
Moderator:
Rory Gaston, Group Managing Director, Saragossa
Panelists:
Jamie Jacobs, Chief Talent Officer, Oak Hill Capital
14:00 - 14:40
Track 4 Heads of value creation: turning the talent function into an indispensable asset
Kevin O'Neill
- Roles and responsibilities of human capital operating partners at different firms
- Key characteristics of exceptional talent partners
- How to empower talent partners to drive real change
- What makes your talent value creation playbook effective and unique, and how is it essential to the overall VCP?
- Aligning talent partners cross functionally on the team
- Views on expanding and shaping the human capital function of the future
Moderator:
Kevin O’Neill, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Acertitude
14:00 - 14:40
Track 5 Operating partner-CFO alignment: strategies for success
- As operating partners, how do you drive engagement, support, and initiatives with your CFOs throughout the deal cycle?
- How do you assess and track your finance function’s performance?
- As CFOs, how do you ensure alignment with operating partners and the value creation plan?
- What makes a great CFO? What is top of mind for CFOs nowadays? As CFOs, where do you need the most support?
- What does a successful CFO-operating partner partnership look like?
Moderator:
Nick Leopard, CEO and Founder, Accordion
Functional Breakout Series 2
14:40 - 15:20
Track 6 Overcoming underperformance: transformation and turnaround success stories
Kristin Murphy,
Bruce Chesebrough,
Bala Ganesan
- How do operating partners work with underperforming companies to get them back to a higher performance?
- What are the key factors leading to underperformance? How do you work with leadership teams to get your companies back up to speed?
- How do you establish realistic goals to achieve transformation?
- How do you overcome roadblocks? How do you know when you are on the right track in moving towards progress?
Moderator:
Kristin Murphy, Vice President, Private Equity and Partnerships, Entromy
Panelists:
Bruce Chesebrough, Operating Partner, New Mountain Capital
Bala Ganesan, Managing Director, Special Situations Group, Oaktree Capital Management
14:40 - 15:20
Track 7 Comparing tech and digital operating partner models and ecosystems
Bala Narayanaswamy,
Steve Mayotte
- How is your tech operating team structured and how do you best leverage support within your ecosystem?
- What does your tech playbook look like and how do you implement it effectively?
- How do you best work across functions as a technologist to drive the value creation plan?
- How do you work with your commercial teams to enhance revenue growth with tech?
Moderator:
Bala Narayanaswamy, Global Head of Private Equity, Infosys
Panelists:
Steve Mayotte, Operating Partner, Technology Enablement, New State Capital Partners
14:40 - 15:20
Track 8 The role of commercial excellence and tech enablement to drive top-line growth
Jawad Hussain,
Mark Abatto
As 2024 continues to represent a slow exit environment, PE firms and portfolio companies are more focused than ever on identifying ways to drive top-line growth. Many portfolio companies underinvested in commercial excellence, key processes (e.g., O2C) and technologies (ERPs, CRMs and AI/ML) as they acquired add-ons over the past few years, creating complexity to scale for growth in today’s business environment. In this discussion, we explore ways to enable PE firms and portcos to achieve greater agility, competitiveness, and profitability to drive recurring top-line growth.
Moderator:
Jawad Hussain, Partner, PE Services Leader, MorganFranklin Consulting
Panelists:
Mark Abatto, Managing Director, Gryphon Investors
14:40 - 15:20
Track 9 Generating outsized returns from procurement
Steven Browning
- Delivering up to 3x typical value from advanced techniques
- Ensuring savings reach the bottom line
- Solving the procurement talent shortage
- Leveraging Gen AI to accelerate value capture
Moderator:
Steven Browning, Senior Vice President, Private Equity Practice Lead, Insight Sourcing
14:40 - 15:20
Track 10 Workforce compensation and incentives modern trends: equity distribution across the organization
Break
15:20 - 15:30
Coffee Break
Functional Breakout Series 3
15:30 - 16:10
Track 11 Driving change with your portco functional leadership teams
Matt Greenberg
- How are you effectively engaging with functional leaders at your companies to drive transformations?
- How are models of engagement/interaction evolving when it comes to driving cross functional initiatives?
- How do functional operating partners play a role? How do you add value to transform an organization? How do you avoid pitfalls?
- How do functional operating partners work across functions in dissecting the finance, HR, commercial, and tech departments?
Moderator:
Matt Greenberg, Partner, Leathwaite
15:30 - 16:10
Track 12 Operating partner-CTO synergies for transformation
Alex Bello
- How is the CIO/CTO role evolving? How are skills and responsibilities changing?
- Sharing PE operating partner-CIO/CTO successful dynamics and engagement models
- How are operating partners influencing tech playbooks in tandem with CTOs?
- How are you working together in terms of innovative technologies and automating human workflow?
- How can CIO/CTOs add value and work with internal teams to drive change
Moderator:
Jeff Laurinaitis, Managing Director, RKON
Panelists:
Alex Bello, Director, Product and Technology Strategy, EQT Group
Brian Heery, Chief Information Officer, Voyant Beauty
Robert Sheesley, Chief Information Officer, Wrench Group
15:30 - 16:10
Track 13 Case Study: Partnerships that define success in CFO recruitment
This live case study will shed light on why so many CFO searches don’t meet initial expectations in the shifted CFO market. Avoid mistakes and hear firsthand expertise as we share:
- An inside look into hiring the right CFO through the lens of the CEO, Operating Partner, Deal Partner, Talent Partner, and Search Partner
- What does a great search partnership look like?
- The three most important steps to set the search up for success
- What are CFO search landmines?
- How to best balance the voice of the Board with the CEO throughout the entire process
15:30 - 16:10
Track 14 Taking the risk out of innovation and transformation
Pat Petitti,
Tim Sanders
Inherent in the private equity thesis is change to a portfolio company can lead to significant value creation. Yet the more change and potential value, the more risk you’re potentially taking on. Join us for a session to discuss how leaders are managing and reducing that risk while accelerating their ability to deliver results and innovate.
Facilitators:
Patrick Petitti, Co-Founder and CEO, Catalant Technologies
Tim Sanders, Vice President of Client Strategy, Upwork
15:30 - 16:10
Track 15 Procurement and supply chain in due diligence – when does it move the needle
- Where are the big potential impacts
- How to screen early on depth required
- Tips and tricks to ensure a high impact for effort level
Functional Breakout Series 4
16:10 - 16:50
Track 16 Industrial goods and services: rapid EBITDA levers
- Analyzing Product Cost Down (PCD) – unpredictable market swings have driven significant product proliferation and complexity during the last few years
- How are companies using techniques such as VA/VE to optimize product costs?
- What are the typical challenges faced by companies to implement PCD levers?
16:10 - 16:50
Track 17 Digital disruption and transformation: accelerating seamless post close transitions
- Accelerate digital transformation for your finance and tech functions from post close/due diligence to the first 100 days
- How are you getting the right people, processes, and tech in place?
- What does great look like in moving from building a foundation to accelerating growth?
- How do you obtain alignment with your tech and finance leaders when it comes to tech roadmaps and action items? What innovative initiatives are you advancing?
16:10 - 16:50
Track 18 Integrating commercial due diligence in your operational playbooks
Tim Foster
- Understanding pricing, GTM, and market research as an opportunity in diligence
- How do you go about scrutinizing commercial data in the due diligence phase?
- How do you uncover what works and what doesn’t commercially for the business? How do you go about choosing and prioritizing your initial commercial projects/tasks?
- How do you build success in selecting the right sales talent and understanding which gaps need to be filled?
- How do you achieve alignment with the management team to deliver the commercial value creation plan?
Moderator:
Tim Foster, Managing Director, Investor Group Services (IGS)
Panelists:
Kelly Wagner, Senior Vice President, Value Creation and Strategy, Erie Street Growth Partners
16:10 - 16:50
Track 19 CFO perspectives on health and benefits spend in a rising cost marketplace
Todd Grove
- CFOs discuss continuously increasingly healthcare costs and how to work closely with their CHROs on implementations
- Looking at how to help executives think about challenging the status quo with cutting edge ways to reduce healthcare costs
- How can PE firms support employers and CFOs to reduce costs and make better decisions?
Moderator:
Todd Grove, Vice President, Private Equity, Quantum Health
16:10 - 16:50
Track 20 Is sell side prep for technology and operations necessary?
Geoffrey Baird
- How much preparation is necessary? Come see the debate on whether preparation and sell-side readiness efforts pay off
- Compare and contrasting viewpoints on the topic in the context of real engagements
- Timing: when is the right time to start? How necessary is early prep?
- What is the right level of depth: check the box activity versus forward looking value creation?
- Sharing data driven preparation examples
- What actions are necessary to take in getting ready to exit? What levers did you pull for exit?
Moderator:
Peter Kahn, Senior Partner, West Monroe
Panelists:
Geoffrey Baird, Independent Operating Executive, Palladium Equity Partners
Break
16:50 - 17:00
Break
Interactive Working Group Series 2
17:00 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 6 (for operating partners only) | Optimizing the order-to-cash process at every growth stage
This interactive session designed solely for operating partners offers actionable strategies to streamline the OTC process, enhance customer satisfaction, boost profitability, and enable comprehensive KPI reporting.
- Optimize OTC processes: learn how to streamline your order-to-cash process to enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and measure key KPIs like ARR, MRR, customer retention, churn, etc.
- Improve customer experience: discover strategies to improve customer satisfaction and retention through a smooth OTC process
- Strategic role of CFOs: understand the pivotal role CFOs play in driving OTC optimizations and strategic technology investments
- Maturity model guidance: get insights into a maturity model that helps finance teams transition from reactive to proactive OTC processes
- Real-world examples: hear success stories and best practices from industry leaders on implementing effective OTC solutions
17:00 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 7 (for operating partners only) | Mastering the data side of AI to optimize implementations
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
- Data before AI: understanding how AI enablement goes hand in hand with getting your data right
- How are you leveraging your data to amplify your AI initiatives? What are the most important focal points when it comes to scrutinizing data for AI?
- Sharing real world implementations: what are the biggest challenges and opportunities at your companies
17:00 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 8 (for operating partners only) | Unlocking revenue growth’s potential to maximize exit value
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
- Sharing lessons learned in getting ready from a revenue growth perspective for the exit
- How does revenue growth have a direct impact on exits? How do you leverage commercial data for the exit?
- What are the most important commercial functional areas to focus on in the 18 months prior to exit?
- How are you leveraging commercial teams effectively throughout this key phase?
Facilitator:
Andy Fauver, SVP of Transaction Services, INSIGHT2PROFIT
17:00 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 9 (for operating partners only)
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
17:00 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 10 (for operating partners only)
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
End of day one
17:40 - 18:40
End of day one and networking cocktail reception
Agenda
Day 3 - Wednesday 23rd
Registration
07:45 - 08:30
Registration and breakfast
Think Tank Series 2
07:45 - 08:30
Think tanks for full-time operating partners: value creation war rooms (invitation-only for operating partners)
Matt Ibbetson
These closed-door discussions will allow you to learn and share best practices of successful operating partners. It will allow you to select one of the rooms:
Think Tank 1: Emerging Operating Partners (1-2 years in PE)
Think Tank 2: Advanced Operating Partners
Facilitators:
Matt Ibbetson, Partner, Ridgemont Equity Partners
Think Tank 3: Heads of Value Creation: Team Leaders Think Tank
Breakfast Deep-Dive Series
08:30 - 09:15
Breakfast deep dive discussion 1 (invitation-only for operating partners) — Value creation as a macro imperative: key insights for operating partner groups
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
Breakfast deep dive discussion 2 (invitation-only for operating partners) — The future of sales: shifting away from old models into the new paradigm
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
Breakfast deep dive discussion 3 (invitation-only for operating partners) — Leadership matters: unique guidelines for transformation and impact
Ted Bililies
This breakfast deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow you to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
- How would you define successful leadership? What are key qualities of the most impactful leaders at your companies?
- What can operating partners do to improve their influence when it comes to coaching?
- Leadership during times of disruption: sharing challenges and successful approaches
- What are key differences and similarities in working with different leaders across sectors?
- What does the next generation of leaders look like? How are you approaching their development?
Facilitator:
Ted Bililies, Partner and Managing Director, AlixPartners
08:30 - 09:15
Breakfast deep dive discussion 4 (invitation-only for operating partners) — Preparing for techxit: ensuring your tech is ready to maximize the multiple
Barr Blanton
This breakfast deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow you to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
- Getting ahead of the tech narrative for your business
- Establishing a “mock buy-side” baseline
- Defining the timeline and technology playbook for exit
- Identifying the most (and least) important digital and tech initiatives for the 12-18 months prior to exit
- Ensuring the tech team is ready for the diligence process
- Aligning market/commercial work with tech/product readiness
Facilitator:
Barr Blanton, CEO, Crosslake Technologies
08:30 - 09:15
Breakfast deep dive discussion 5 (invitation-only for operating partners)
This breakfast deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will allow you to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
Plenary
09:15 - 09:20
Chairman’s welcome
09:20 - 10:00
Keynote discussion
10:00 - 10:40
The portco CEO perspective: leveraging operating partners to drive value creation
- What are CEO expectations for a productive value driven relationship?
- What can the operating partner do to help build trust with the CEO and what is the most effective engagement model with the CEO?
- Through the lens of the CEO, what are some common operating partner dos and don’ts?
- How might the operating partner align their experience/expertise with the CEO’s vision across all stages of the deal lifecycle?
- Where do CEOs need the most help? Least help?
- How has the CEO’s mindset shifted with respect to leveraging operating partners, consultants, and other specialists for value creation?
- What considerations should an operating partner keep in mind when working with a seasoned PE CEO versus a new PE CEO?
Break
10:40 - 11:00
Networking break
Plenary
11:00 - 11:40
Value creation for the exit: operating partner perspectives
Ryan Jones,
Asheesh Gupta
- What is your approach to preparing a portfolio company for exit, and how do you execute the plan?
- How are current market conditions impacting exit plans and strategies?
- How do you work with your functional leadership team to support the execution of your exit strategy?
- What is the role of data in driving higher exit valuations?
- Showcasing dos and don’ts and what a successful exit looks like; how do you measure the success of an exit?
- How closely did the post close experience match the pre-close promises? What worked and what didn’t?
Moderator:
Ryan Jones, Global and US Private Equity Consulting Leader, Deloitte Consulting
Panelists:
Asheesh Gupta, Managing Director, Portfolio Support, Audax Private Equity
11:00 - 11:40
Innovation in value creation: showcasing cutting-edge initiatives
Sean Mooney,
Misha Logvinov
- What are the most innovative and unique initiatives you have implemented within your functional domain?
- Can you share examples of how you worked cross functionally on real innovative projects?
- How do you establish a culture of innovation and break down walls at your companies?
- How did your initiatives really make a difference and create value? What were the biggest challenges you had to overcome?
- Showcasing value creation innovation beyond AI: what are the game changers?
Moderator:
Sean Mooney, Founder and CEO, BluWave
Panelists:
Misha Logvinov, Director, Mubadala Performance Partners, Mubadala
Break
12:20 - 12:30
Break
Interactive Working Groups Series 3
12:30 - 13:10
Interactive Working Group 11 (for operating partners only) | Go-to-Market strategy and execution: what does great look like?
Darlene Kober
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
- Creating a winning go-to-market strategy: aligning competencies with opportunities
- Getting your messaging right with your customers
- Accelerating your GTM execution: improving processes and increasing lead conversion
- How are you effectively communicating with and training the sales team?
Facilitators:
Darlene Kober, Principal, NEXT LEVEL Partners
12:30 - 13:10
Interactive Working Group 12 (for operating partners only) | Technology value creation workshop: sharing firsthand playbooks and projects
Nadeem Ahmed
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators:
- How do you define effective tech and digital value creation?
- How do you go about identifying, evaluating, prioritizing, and executing technology initiatives that improve enterprise value?
- How do you showcase value when it comes to data points on tech spend and tech value creation?
- How do you establish and execute tech roadmaps across the investment lifecycle? How do you overcome roadblocks?
Facilitators:
Nadeem Ahmed, Partner, CrossCountry Consulting
12:30 - 13:10
Interactive Working Group 13 (for operating partners only) | Operating partner-COO dynamics: driving better business processes
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
- Collaboration dynamics to scale and grow your operations as a business
- Key insights into org design, process improvement, integrations, change management and transformation work focused on the office of the COO
- Setting up program management to drive accountability and execution of value creation efforts
Facilitator:
Seavron Banus, Operating Vice President, Portfolio Support Group, Berkshire Partners
12:30 - 13:10
Interactive Working Group 14 (for operating partners only) | Refining your ESG and impact strategy within the value creation agenda
Danielle Jezienicki
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
- Moving beyond data collection – how to integrate and improve upon impact outcomes across the portfolio
- Creating impact value and considering materiality in an impact strategy
- Scaling impact – creating a portfolio-wide playbook to enhance adoptions, learnings and impact outcomes
Facilitator:
Danielle Jezienicki, Impact/ESG Advisor, GroundForce Capital
12:30 - 13:10
Interactive Working Group 15 (for operating partners only) | How operating partners and CFOs collaborate effectively to maximize value creation
This session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
Lunch
13:10 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
13:10 - 14:00
Functional lunch discussion 2 (invitation-only for operating partners) | Rate optimization: the no regrets cloud cost management tactic for your portcos
This closed-door deep dive lunch discussion designed solely for tech and digital operating partners will explore key strategies for cloud to enhance value.
13:10 - 14:00
Functional lunch discussion 3 (invitation-only for operating partners)
Functional Breakout Series 5
14:00 - 14:40
Track 21 Harnessing data to increase enterprise value across all stages of the deal cycle
- How do investors and management teams increasingly achieve higher returns by harnessing data?
- Gaining a competitive advantage with command of commercial data and the capabilities to take action from it
- Sharing differentiated and more sophisticated views of a target’s commercial performance in diligence
- Improving clarity and confidence in underlying performance drivers during the first 100 days
- Accelerating opportunity identification and capture during value creation or control and articulation of the equity story at exit
14:00 - 14:40
Track 22 Pricing’s effect on value creation for industrials: sharing lessons learned to drive returns
- Understanding trends in the space and why focusing on price improvements is imperative for value creation
- Unlocking customer segmentation and analytics to optimize your pricing strategy within the sector
- Sharing success stories and lessons learned
Moderator:
Jared Wiesel, Senior Vice President, Revenue Analytics
14:00 - 14:40
Track 23 Portfolio perspectives: leveraging supply chain to empower speed-to-value from operational analytics
Tony Totta
- Savings: 8.6% cost capture through informed pricing and usage strategies
- Profitability: 1%-5% more sales returned to the bottom line
- Efficiency: 10%-16% distribution network savings
Moderator:
Tony Totta, Executive Vice President, eShipping
14:00 - 14:40
Track 24 Cost optimization to unlock and accelerate VCP initiatives
- Sharing examples of how cash constrained businesses have flourished with cost optimization and transformational growth
- Operating partner-CFO dynamics to leverage cost optimization and profitability
- Fixing cost management in the first 100 days to set the tone in looking at EBITDA margin
- Reducing costs in areas of indirect spend to substantially impact EBITDA margin in a short period of time
- Putting cost savings to work to deliver and further enhance value creation plan initiatives
Moderator:
Kevin Flounders, CEO, SIB
Functional Breakout Series 6
14:40 - 15:20
Track 25 Demystifying R&D across your portfolio to drive better business outcomes
- Uncover how PE operators can gain visibility into R&D organizations, understand their effectiveness, and ensure they are aligned to business priorities.
14:40 - 15:20
Track 26 Marketing as a key lever beyond due diligence: unlocking 180-day success
Pierre Le Veaux II,
Beth Dresdale,
Shivani Tejuja
- Assess potential acquisitions and investments more effectively by building a better due diligence process that incorporates deep marketing data and analysis
- Add quantitative value to targets faster by de-risking investment choices and unlocking efficiencies that accelerate performance and profitability
- Minimize friction and ease the transition to the 180-day plan by inserting operating partners earlier in the diligence process to work directly with deal teams
- Leverage short-term “test and learn” project engagements to set up data systems and determine channel prioritization, effectiveness, and/or elimination
Moderator:
Pierre Le Veaux II, SVP, Head of Private Equity Partnerships, Wpromote
Panelists:
Beth Dresdale, Principal, Head of Value Creation, Martis Capital
Shivani Tejuja, Advisory Director, Charlesbank Capital Partners
14:40 - 15:20
Track 27 Uncovering key trends in PE carveouts to maximize value
- Understand how carveouts have become a significant source of deal making in the current market
- How are you handling carve out due diligence as a key part of the process?
- How do you approach a carveout transaction in terms of minimizing risks and maximizing opportunities?
- How would you define key success factors in a carveout transaction?
Plenary
15:20 - 15:40
PEI presents the 1st annual operating partners compensation survey results
End of conference
15:40 - 15:45
Closing remarks and end of conference
Explore our exclusive operating partner only networking
Expand your relationships and build your network with our operating partner exclusive networking events throughout the Forum.
Join our community of the brightest leaders in value creation to meet and exchange ideas that will help you in your day-to-day operations. Attendees engage with an agenda packed with social activities, interactive roundtables, think tanks, dinners, a women’s lunch discussion, and two evening receptions.
Pre-conference reception
Monday, October 21
Operating Partners Forum New York Welcome Reception (invitation-only)
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Manhatta, 28 Liberty St, 60th floor
Join the operating partners attending the New York Forum at our opening reception. Exchange valuable insights with your peers in a relaxed setting and build your connections before the conference kicks off.
Hosted by:
Pre-conference dinners
Monday, October 21
Heads of Value Creation – Leaders Dinner (invitation-only)
7:30 – 9:00 pm
Manhatta, 28 Liberty St, 60th floor
Join us for a VIP private sit-down dinner designed exclusively for the leaders of the value creation teams attending the NY Forum. Exchange ideas and expand your connections with the heads of the operating partner teams in a relaxed setting on the evening before the event kicks off.
Finance Operating Partners Dinner (invitation-only)
7:30 – 9:00 pm
Manhatta, 28 Liberty St, 60th floor
Join the finance value creations specialists attending the New York Forum for a private sit-down dinner to facilitate networking before the conference. Increase your connections and exchange ideas with finance leaders in value creation.
Hosted by:
GTM, Sales and Revenue Growth Operating Partners Dinner (invitation-only)
7:30 – 9:00 pm
Manhatta, 28 Liberty St, 60th floor
Join us as we welcome the sales, revenue growth, marketing, and GTM operating partners attending the Forum for a private sit-down dinner to facilitate networking before the conference starts. Increase your connections and exchange ideas with leaders in commercial value creation.
Human Capital Operating Partners Dinner (invitation-only)
7:30 – 9:00 pm
Manhatta, 28 Liberty St, 60th floor
Join us as we welcome the talent partners attending the New York Forum for a private sit-down dinner to facilitate networking before the conference. Increase your connections and exchange ideas with human capital leaders in value creation.
Technology and Digital Operating Partners Dinner (invitation-only)
7:30 – 9:00 pm
Manhatta, 28 Liberty St, 60th floor
Join us as we welcome the digital and tech operating partners attending the Forum for a private sit-down dinner to facilitate networking before the conference starts. Increase your connections and exchange ideas with tech leaders in value creation.
Hosted by:
Day 1 lunch and reception
Tuesday, October 22
Women in PE Portfolio Operations Lunch (invitation-only for operating partners)
1:00 – 2:00 pm
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore what it’s like being a woman in Private Equity portfolio operations. Explore career paths, development, and how to position yourself as operating partner leaders.
Operating Partners Forum New York Day 1 Grand Reception
5:40 – 6:40 pm
Our grand reception will allow you to chat and get to know your operating partner peers at the end of the first day of the Forum. Hear what is on everyone’s mind after a full day of valuable insights.
Hosted by:
Day 2 breakfast and lunch
Wednesday, October 23
Five Breakfast Deep Dive Discussions (new and expanded, for operating partners only)
7:45 – 8:30 am
These breakfast deep dive discussions covering all functions, will focus on key strategies in value creation and allow you to share your views and learn key insights from peers.
Functional Specialist Operating Partners Lunch Discussions (operating partners only)
1:10 – 2:00 pm
These closed-door deep dive lunch discussions covering specific functional areas will explore key strategies for your portcos and PE firms to enhance value.
Featured interactive discussions & networking opportunities
Think Tanks (operating partners only)
These closed-door morning sessions led by operating partners for operating partners only will allow you to engage in lively discussions with your peers. The thinks tanks will also allow you to suggest topics to be covered in looking at the best value creation practices.
Interactive Working Groups (operating partners only)
These exclusive deep dive discussions only available to operating partners allow you to participate in interactive roundtable discussions with designated facilitators to learn from experts in different functional areas of value creation.
Pre-Event Resources
Speakers
For speaking opportunities, contact Marc Mele at marc.m@pei.group or call +1 646 581 9295.
Raj Kushwaha
Managing Director ＆ Partner, Co-Head Value Creation and Chief Digital Officer, Warburg Pincus
Engage with the largest operating partner community
Private Equity International’s Operating Partners Forums are a unique blend of networking, collaboration, and thought leadership between private equity operating partners, portfolio operations teams, and sponsors.
Each event is custom designed to encourage conversation about value creation best practices, relationship building, and knowledge sharing across functional areas on the most pressing issues facing investment and portfolio companies. Access to the Forum is limited to value creation experts from private equity firms and sponsors.
For more information on ways to engage with PEI’s Operating Partners community, please contact Lawrence Dvorchik at lawrence.d@pei.group or call on +1 (646) 545-4429
