Insights from Private Equity Leaders: What PE firms really want from their portfolio company CFOs
FEI Chicago’s Leadership Development Series is hosting a panel discussion on the critical relationship between private equity firms and their portfolio company CFOs. This session will feature experienced private equity leaders with a deep understanding of the finance function within portfolio companies. The panel will explore a common scenario: why new private equity owners often choose to bring in a new CFO. Panelists will discuss the essential qualities and capabilities private equity firms expect from CFOs. They’ll also share successful examples of how CFOs have helped maximize value creation, as well as real-world cases where the finance function has fallen short - highlighting potential pitfalls and offering valuable lessons for both current and aspiring CFOs in the private equity space.
Moderator: Mike Conti, Director-Executive/Leadership Search
The Overture Group is a boutique executive search and compensation consulting firm specializing in helping middle market companies build strong leadership teams. We work across a range of industries with a particular focus on finance, HR, and operations leadership. Mike has led numerous CFO searches for privately held and private equity-owned businesses, helping clients identify finance leaders who align with their strategic goals and growth plans.
Panelists:
Laura Juarez, Financial Operating Partner - Prospect Partners
Laura joined Prospect Partners in 2023. As a Financial Operating Partner, she drives value creation across the Prospect portfolio focusing on the finance function supporting the investment through its full life cycle. She champions finance team development, operational reporting & analysis, financial reporting, strategic planning & execution, risk management, and budgeting & forecasting. She supports m&a concentrating on financial due diligence, integration and 100 day plan execution. Laura has three decades of experience including leading the finance and accounting functions for growing middle-market businesses and has been a multiple-time CFO for highly acquisitive PE-backed companies across a variety of industries. She has built global finance & accounting teams, implemented new IT systems, and enhanced organizations’ data driven decision making. She is a certified public accountant who began her career in public accounting at a national firm and is a community volunteer in her free time.
Jason Lesch, Director, Transaction Advisory Services - RSM
Jason focuses on buy- and sell-side transaction advisory service to private equity groups, investment banking and strategic clients. Jason has practiced financial due diligence for more than 15 years. Jason has worked on over 250 transactions, ranging from $5 million to $35 billion. Jason prides himself as a problem solver throughout the transaction lifecycle (both pre- and post-close), including working with clients on post-closing value creation and business process improvements.
Kelly Cornelis, Senior Advisor - LaSalle Capital
Kelly Cornelis is a Senior Advisor to LaSalle Capital, a lower middle market private equity firm focused on investing in the food & beverage industry. She spent 20 years as a Partner and Chief Operating Officer at LaSalle where she led deal sourcing and execution, financial operations, portfolio management and investor relations. Previously she led investment activities at SB Partners and began her career as an analyst at William Blair. Kelly is an experienced investor and board member known for advising family-owned and PE-backed private companies, having served on over fifteen private boards. She is a Qualified Financial Expert and Audit Chair and is skilled in completing and integrating acquisitions, exit planning, management team build-out, fundraising and marketing strategies. She has deep experience in food and beverage, as well as experience in consumer, business services and manufacturing.