Mark Achler

Managing Director
MATH Venture Partners

An early employee of Apple and Head of Innovation at Redbox, Mark Achler has been creating and investing in tech startups since 1986. Today, he is a founding partner of MATH Venture Partners, a technology venture capital fund, and an adjunct professor at the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management.

Joe Angel

Director, Corporate Banking
Old National Bank

Robert Berdanier

Managing Director, Business Restructuring Services
BDO Consulting Group, LLC

Robert is a Managing Director in BDO's Business Restructuring & Turnaround Services practice. His focus is on middle-market companies, both distressed and healthy, seeking financial financial and operational improvement through interim financial leadership and re-organization. Robert is a seasoned restructuring professional, with significant experience in the manufacturing, distributing, hotels/ hospitality and entertainment industries.

Will Bloom

Managing Director
Chartwell

Will leads Chartwell’s Chicago office. He is an investment banker for the firm’s corporate finance practice and heads the firm’s capital markets team. Will has worked on both mergers and acquisitions as well as capital markets transactions within a variety of industries while executing high-profile ESOP buyouts, terminations, and restructurings.

Prior to Chartwell, Will was an investment banker with Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Transaction Development Group, where he focused on executing sell-side, buy-side, and ESOP transactions for middle-market clients between $200 million and $2 billion in enterprise value.

Brian Boyle

Managing Director
Capstone Partners

Brian is a Managing Director in Capstone Partners’ Consumer & Retail Investment Banking team and brings 35 years of Mergers & Acquisitions and Capital Markets experience to the firm. Brian is exclusively focused on advising Food, Beverage and Agribusiness clients and has guided hundreds of Companies through M&A transactions, capital raises, and initial & secondary public offerings. He has extensive cross border transaction experience working with strategic acquirers within the Food sector.

Prior to joining Capstone Partners, Brian was Head of the Food, Beverage and Agribusiness team at Raymond James within their Consumer Investment Banking Group. Prior to joining Raymond James, Brian was Managing Director and Co-Head of the Consumer Investment Banking Group at PwC Corporate Finance, where he focused on advising Food & Agribusiness clients. Prior to PwC Corporate Finance, Brian was Head of Food & Beverage Investment Banking at D.A Davidson which had acquired RSM’s Investment Banking group where he had spent 12 years leading their Food & Beverage team. He started his career at Lehman Brothers where he spent 13 years in their debt capital markets division.

Terry Bressler

Managing Director
Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc.

Terry joined Prairie Capital Advisors in 2012 and is a shareholder in the firm. He focuses on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and capital advisory engagements. In this role, Terry assists middle-market business owners in understanding and assessing their strategic business alternatives and then developing and executing transaction solutions to meet the owner’s objectives. He works with family, management-owned and private equity-owned businesses and helps these clients address their growth and ownership transition issues, including executing recapitalizations, M&A, company sales and ESOPs.

Terry frequently speaks on and writes about M&A and financing topics. He also authors Prairie’s quarterly M&A and financing topics newsletter, the Prairie Middle Market Perspective. Terry was announced as a 2017 Thought Leader of the Year Finalist by the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA).

Adam Calisoff

Partner
Ice Miller LLP

Adam Calisoff is a partner in Ice Miller's Chicago office. His practice involves regularly representing private equity firms and privately-held business in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Adam has counseled buyers and sellers in well over 100 middle-market transactions across a broad spectrum of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, distribution, food and beverage, information technology and health care.

Adam also serves as outside general counsel for a large number of portfolio companies of private equity clients as well as privately held businesses working closely with senior management to effectively address a broad range of legal issues facing businesses. Adam counsels clients in their day-to-day legal needs, including contract negotiation, strategic planning and add-on acquisitions. Adam structures, negotiates and documents a wide variety of commercial agreements and problem solves for clients.

Adam has counseled franchisors in the establishment and the day-to-day operation of franchise systems, as well as periodic disclosure requirements.

Dan Cameron

Senior Manager
ORBA

Dan is a Transaction Advisory Analyst in the firm’s Tax Group. He has more than 17 years of experience in public accounting, working with corporations, individuals and partnerships in several industries, including manufacturing, e-commerce and technology. Dan is skilled in handling a wide range of mergers and acquisition matters for closely-held, middle-market and private equity clients, including planning to minimize taxes and leading tax due diligence engagements. Additionally, he is proficient in managing the income tax compliance process and providing tax advice to minimize or defer federal and state income tax liabilities for his clients. Dan is also experienced in representing clients before the IRS and state jurisdictions in examinations and other tax controversies and performing client engagement activities.

Harry Cendrowski

Managing Director
Cendrowski Corporate Advisors

Harry is a founding member of Cendrowski Corporate Advisors and a licensed CPA in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. He is a veteran of the private equity and venture capital industries as an investor, founder and advisor to several funds. He has served as an expert witness in numerous disputes, as court-appointed receiver for multimillion dollar estates and as the accountant to the trustee in high-profile bankruptcy cases.

Tom Costello

Managing Director
Duchossois Capital Management

Tom is responsible for investment activities including sourcing, executing and managing private investments. Prior to joining Duchossois, Tom was a Principal at Baird Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm.

Prior to Baird, he was a Senior Associate at Chicago Growth Partners, a mid-market private equity firm. Tom began his career in investment banking at Lehman Brothers in Chicago. Tom is a Board Director or Board Observer of multiple portfolio companies and led our investments in Incline Energy Partners, Pattern, Rivers Casino and SightMD. In 2010, Tom co-founded the not-for-profit Twin Hearts Autism Foundation with his wife Irene. In addition, he is a member of the University of Chicago Athletics Hall of Fame selection committee.

Tom received a BA in Economics from the University of Chicago and an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Roger Davis

Former Majority Owner & CEO
Paxton/Patterson LLC

Paxton/Patterson LLC (PP) was founded in 1962 as an equipment and tool supplier to school “shop classes.” Roger Davis joined PP in 1980 as the General Manger becoming the majority owner and CEO in 2004.  Today, PP provides school districts with Career and Technical Education (“CTE”) curriculum, related equipment, initial educator training and continued educator support to help students consider their future education and career paths. The Company’s unique curriculum utilizes self-directed learning, mastery and real-world challenges to guide and motivate students as they develop skills for their future education and careers.  Roger and a minority owner closed on a sale of PP in March 2022.  Roger has entered full-time retirement and is enjoying every day.

Adam Fayne

Partner
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP

Adam Fayne assists companies and individuals, nationally and internationally, on corporate and tax issues. As a corporate attorney, Adam routinely advises management or in-house general counsel on various legal matters affecting their day-to-day corporate activities, including mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, commercial contract review and negotiations, employment benefits, financing and many other issues. Adam works closely with management on the acquisition and disposition of assets, on both the buy and sell side of various transactions. Adam’s background in tax law is informed by his former position as an attorney with the Internal Revenue Service.

Kathryn Finney

Founder, CEO & Managing Partner
Genius Guild

Kathryn Finney is the founder and managing general partner of Genius Guild, a venture fund that invests  in scalable companies led by diverse founders. She is also the founder of The Doonie Fund, the founder and first CEO of digitalundivided—mastermind of the widely acclaimed #ProjectDiane research, and a Yale-trained epidemiologist. Selling her lifestyle company, The Budget Fashionista, made Kathryn one of the first Black women to have a successful startup exit.Kathryn Finney’s bestselling new book, “Build The Damn Thing: How to Start a Successful Business if You’re Not a Rich White Guy,” hit the Wall Street Journal bestsellers top 10 list in its first week published. She is the first Black woman business author at Portfolio/Penguin books.

Adam Fuchs

Senior Vice President
Wintrust Commercial Banking

Adam Fuchs is a Group Senior Vice President and hub leader for the west suburban middle market banking hub for Wintrust Commercial Banking. Adam works with many privately held middle market businesses that are family founder owned as well as sponsor owned. In his 15 years with Wintrust he has helped many businesses by providing access to capital to support working capital, equipment, real estate and construction financing needs. In addition, he works closely with the many great niche businesses in Wintrust including the banking specialists supporting ESOP’s, sponsor finance, private banking, international banking, contractor banking and leasing to name a few. 

Chip Grace

Partner
May River Capital, LLC

Chip is a founding partner of May River Capital. Chip leads origination and development of executive relationships at May River and assists in the overall management of the firm, including the development of investment theses, origination of new investment opportunities, deal structuring, negotiations, transaction execution, and portfolio management. Chip co-leads the NSL Analytical investment for May River and is active across the portfolio.

Prior to co-founding May River, Chip was, from 2000 to 2011, a Principal and Managing Director at Wynnchurch Capital, a Chicago-based private equity firm. Prior to joining Wynnchurch, Chip worked in leveraged finance and investment banking at GE Capital, Salomon Smith Barney, and A.G. Edwards & Sons. Chip earned a B.A. from Duke University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Luke Haverhals

Founder & CEO
Natural Fiber Welding

Luke Haverhals, Ph.D., is the CEO and Founder of NFW (Natural Fiber Welding). Luke’s professional mission is to collaborate with and empower material scientists, manufacturing workers and engineers, investors, change makers, creators, and brands around the world to create a truly circular and sustainable material economy from the ground up.

Luke earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Iowa before going on to explore all-natural alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics as an Assistant Research Professor at the US Naval Academy. His vision to develop bio-neutral, high-performance materials from renewable natural nutrient inputs has become the foundation for NFW’s ecosystem of patented, paradigm-shifting material technologies.

In an industry awash with incremental solutions, Luke is leading NFW to drive a moonshot systems-level shift away from petroleum-derived products and toxic chemistries. Luke is an Unreasonable Group Fellow, Forbes Council Member, and World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer.

Jacob Herschend

Principal
Brightstar Capital Partners

Jacob Herschend is a Principal at Brightstar. Jacob leads Brightstar’s Business Development across the Midwest. He is a third-generation owner and steward of a family-owned business, Herschend Family Entertainment.

Prior to joining Brightstar, Jacob was a Vice President at Marsh & McLennan Agency, working in Business Insurance and specializing in strategically owned and family-operated businesses serving as the Director of the Multi-Generational Family-Owned Businesses Strategies Vertical. Previously, Jacob owned and operated three restaurants in the St. Louis area. Additionally, Jacob has worked for three United States Senators and a U.S. Attorney General.

Jacob received his M.B.A. focused on Families in Business from Kennesaw State University. He received his B.A. from Gordon College. Jacob serves on the boards of The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Forest Park Forever.

Robert Hogan

Managing Director
Shorehill Capital LLC

Jimmy Holloran

Partner
ParkerGale Capital

Jimmy is responsible for working with portfolio companies on talent strategy focusing on organizational design and development as well as communication both within each company and across the portfolio. Prior to joining ParkerGale, Jimmy worked on talent strategy at Home Chef, a venture-backed meal kit company, and Bain & Company working with clients on a variety of engagements including growth strategy and organizational re-design. Earlier in his career, Jimmy worked in sales at Nortel Networks and as a teacher with Teach For America. Jimmy holds a BA in Philosophy from Northwestern University, an MEd from University of Missouri-St. Louis, and an MBA from Yale School of Management.

Kristine Holtz

CEO
Cornerstone Foodservice Group

Kristine Holtz has over 25 years of senior leadership and board-level experience in the food service industry and private equity supported organizations. Currently the CEO of Cornerstone Foodservice Group, she is a former CEO of Market Day and Senior VP at HJ Heinz, where she was responsible for its specialty foodservice division.  Kristine has a proven track record of successfully leading teams to grow stakeholder value through impactful growth and integration strategies.  Most recently, she led the acquisition of five private companies to create Cornerstone Foodservice Group. Today, she works alongside and advises many industry-leading brands on their foodservice operations to create guest-centered and profitable dining experiences.

Rebecca Howard

Founder & CEO
PayLink Direct; Olive.com

Rebecca Howard is Founder and CEO of PayLink Direct and olive.com, affiliated businesses and leaders in financing, payment services and online vehicle protection plans, headquartered in Chicago, IL and serving the US and Canada. Rebecca brings with her 22 years of experience and leadership in the vehicle protection plan industry.

In 2006, Rebecca founded PayLink Direct, and under her leadership, the company has secured the largest market share in financing and payment services. PayLink Direct has a 16-year track record of profitability and has processed more than four million service contracts – over $13 billion of originated receivables – since the company’s inception.

In 2019, Rebecca launched olive.com, a digital vehicle protection plan platform built to give consumers peace of mind. Olive.com lets consumers buy direct, with no pressure, the way they want to buy, giving them an assortment of coverage and deductible options that are convenient and fit their budget.

Prior to founding PayLink Direct and olive.com, Rebecca led the growth and development of the vehicle service contract financing business for Mepco Insurance Premium Financing. She oversaw the company’s sales, marketing and operations functions.

Rebecca holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Michigan’s School of Business and resides in suburban Chicago with her husband and two children.

Jeff Hyland

Partner
CR3 Partners

Jeff Hyland is a Partner at CR3 Partners and has thirty years in the restructuring industry, providing interim CEO and management consulting services. He focuses on sales growth, operational improvements, M&A, and finance. Before joining CR3, Jeff was the CEO and Director of a publicly-traded consumer products company. Jeff is a CPA and has his MBA from Northwestern University.

Mert Iseri

Entrepreneur-in-residence
MATH Venture Partners

Mert Hilmi Iseri is an author and entrepreneur from Istanbul, Turkey. He co-founded SwipeSense in 2011, a healthcare technology platform to eliminate medical errors in the US hospitals. In his decade as CEO, SwipeSense raised $24M, implemented its solution in over 100 hospitals and health systems, and was ultimately acquired by SC Johnson. 

Prior to fighting infections in hospitals, he started Design for America, a national network of student-led design studios. After winning the National Design award from the Cooper Hewitt/Smithsonian Museum, DFA became part of the IBM Watson Foundation. He deeply cares about education, and has been serving as the Vice Chair to the Board at the Academy for Global Citizenship, a charter school in Chicago’s south side. 

James Jack

Managing Director, Head of the Business Owners and Multigenerational Wealth Client Segments
UBS

James is the Head of both the Business Owners and Multigenerational Wealth Client Segments within the Strategic Client Segments team.

James took on the Business Owners Client Segment upon its creation in 2018 to build an organization that supports business owners and the Financial Advisors that advise them. He has worked with clients on pre-business sale exit planning, such as succession planning, M&A transaction planning, Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), and the emotional and self-identity ramifications of exiting a business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, James and his team supported business owners in navigating pandemic programs like the Paycheck Protection Program. In 2023, James’s remit expanded to include the Multigenerational Wealth Client Segment, which includes UBS’s support of wealth transfer and transition strategies between generations and the Rising Gen. James and his team work to bring the best of UBS’s resources to these important client segments.

James has been with UBS since 2006, previously working in the WMA Banking Group to build banking, cash and lending solutions that meet the needs of High Net Worth and Ultra High Net Worth individuals and the Financial Advisors that support them. James has driven and executed strategies to expand securities-based lending, develop a proprietary credit card tailored to UBS's unique client base and helped to manage UBS’s deposit program, including pricing, sales, and product development programs.

James holds a BS in Finance and Economics from New York University’s Stern School of Business.

Outside of UBS, James is a member of the board of directors and co-treasurer for the Bronx Academy of Letters Foundation, supporting a public middle and high school in the poorest congressional district in the US, and enjoys experiencing travel and cultures different from his own. He also holds FINRA Series 7 license and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) designation.

Bryce Jenney

Business Performance Advisor
Insperity

Bryce is a Business Performance Advisor at Insperity – a comprehensive HR solutions company based outside of Houston, TX – and partners with companies ranging from the early-stage startup segment with few employees to the middle market segment with several thousand employees. The bulk of his practice consists of companies and investors in the healthcare, technology, financial and manufacturing industries. Bryce sits on the Board of Directors for CreatiVets, is an Advisory Board Member for Nashville Capital Network, and is on the Steering Committee for The CFO Leadership Council.

Payal Keshvani

Partner
Taft Law

Payal focuses on general corporate and transactional matters. She represents clients from inception to exit, including matters of corporate governance, mergers & acquisitions, private equity transactions, minority investments, secured financing, and debt and equity issuances.

Dustin S. Klein

Chief Content Officer
Smart Business

Dustin is an award-winning business journalist, bestselling author, and the chief content officer of Smart Business. Over the past 30 years, he has interviewed thousands of business and civic leaders, and helped more than 50 CEOs and entrepreneurs transform their ideas into books. A trained investigative politics reporter and former digital media entrepreneur, Dustin joined Smart Business in 1997 after serving as an editor at several daily newspapers.

Peter C. Kotz

Managing Partner
Old Town Equity, LLC

Mr. Kotz serves as Managing Partner of Old Town Equity. Mr. Kotz has 25+ years of experience in private equity, investment banking and the futures industry. Before Old Town Equity, his private equity experience includes leading the Chicago office as Managing Director for Gladstone Investment, a division of The Gladstone Companies, Principal with Gridiron Capital and Senior Associate at Altus Capital Partners. Mr. Kotz received an MBA with honors from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelors Degree from Boston College, Carroll School of Management. Active investments include Diamond Fulfillment Solutions and Challenger Breadware.

Adam Lerner

Partner
McNally Capital

Adam Lerner is a Partner at McNally Capital. He joined the firm in 2009 shortly after its founding.  He currently represents McNally Capital on the boards of Advanced Micro Instruments, Dedicated Computing, and Re-Sourcing Holdings.

Prior to joining McNally Capital, Adam held varying roles within financial services, including operations, sales and trading, and investment research, in the private wealth groups of Wachovia Securities and UBS. He began his career as an operations analyst at Lehman Brothers.

Adam received his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and his BA in Organizational Studies with concentrations in economics and organizational behavior from the University of Michigan.

Tony Lorenz

Global Head of Corporate Development
rEvolution

Tony is the Global Head of Corporate Development and a founding investor at the industry leading sports marketing firm, rEvolution. Tony recently led the Event Solutions business at Apollo backed, Notified. As CEO of PRA (PRA), Tony transformed the business through 19 acquisitions to lead its sector in the Americas. Tony is a graduate of Harvard Business School – Owner/President Management program, and holds a BS in Accounting from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Matt Massucci

Founder & CEO
Hirewell

Since getting its start in Chicago 20 years ago, Hirewell has been helping clients, grow their organizations by recruiting the top-tier talent they need.  We partner with Fortune 500 and high growth companies across all facets of their organization.  Hirewell is comprised of highly specialized recruiters in the highest demand fields: Technology, Human Resources, Marketing, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance & accounting, and Real estate services. Hirewell’s deep investment in technology power its best in class recruiters to help clients win the war for talent.

Prior to founding Hirewell, Matt started his career in Big 4 Consulting (back when it was Big 6), first at Arthur Andersen, then Deloitte Consulting.  Matt graduated with honors in Accounting, from the University of Illinois (Urbana/Champaign).

Thomas Murtagh

Partner
FORVIS, LLP

Tom Murtagh is a tax partner with FORVIS and a leader in the firm's healthcare service niche. With more than 20 years of experience, he specializes in corporate and partnership taxation for closely-held businesses and their owners.

Tom Parro

Founder & Senior Managing Director
MERK Capital Corporation

Mr. Parro is an operationally focused professional with recognized expertise in optimizing and expanding company enterprise values throughout investment lifecycles and macroeconomic cycles.  He has 27+ years of experience in C-level management, private equity, family office, and institutional investing and portfolio management.  In addition, Mr. Parro has considerable expertise in the strategic development and integration of both start-ups and acquired companies both domestically and internationally.  

For the past 10 years Mr. Parro has owned and operated an independent sponsor private equity investment group. In that 10 years has invested in 5 platform companies and several add on acquisitions. He has develop an extensive network of investment bankers, brokers, lawyers, accountants and consultants that provide the opportunity to review over 700 investment opportunities a year in various industries and platforms.

Prior to MERK, Mr. Parro led the mergers & acquisitions effort at Globe Union Industrial Inc. (“Globe Union”).  He was instrumental in growing Globe Union from a private label $125 million single product line company to a $750 million branded broad based product line company over a five year period with operations that included North America, Europe, Taiwan, and China.  Mr. Parro also led the mergers & acquisitions effort for Field Container Co. (“Field Container”).  He was instrumental in acquiring numerous companies that help grow Field Container from $350 million to $500 million over a five year period.  His primary responsibilities were integration of the companies in all facets of the operations including, manufacturing, sales and marketing, administrative services, and IT.  While at the financial services division of GE Capital for approximately eight years, Mr. Parro managed numerous strategies that led to the growth of various companies through both organic as well as acquisitions.  

Vipul Patel

Managing Director
Aon

Vip Patel is a managing director in Aon’s Transaction Solutions Practice brokering, structuring and negotiating representations and warranties insurance policies in connection with mergers and acquisitions by private equity firms and corporations with a focus on healthcare transactions.

Linda Quarshie

Director, Enterprise Insurance Risk Management
TransUnion

Linda is Director of Enterprise Insurance Risk Management at TransUnion. TransUnion is a global information and insights company that makes trust possible between businesses and consumers, by ensuring that each consumer is reliably represented in the marketplace.

John Rowady

Founder & President
rEvolution

John is the Founder & President of rEvolution, a leading independent, fully integrated global sports marketing and media agency headquartered in Chicago, Ill. Rowady is a Hoosier B-School Alum whose advanced sports industry experience includes sales and leadership roles working with high-profile governing sports bodies and properties, such as NCAA, F1, FIFA World Cup, the Olympics and many more.

Eric Saxon

Vice President
Prudential Private Capital

Eric Saxon is a Vice President in Corporate Finance, located in Chicago. He leads a team responsible for marketing, originating and managing private placement and mezzanine investments in Wisconsin and Michigan.

Amanda Sigg

Managing Director
BMO Commercial Bank

Amanda Sigg has over 20 years of experience assisting businesses with ownership transition and navigating complex structuring issues. As a Managing Director within BMO's Corporate Advisory Group, she is dedicated to advising shareholders and management teams on corporate finance topics such as acquisition strategies, valuation perspectives, capital structure optimization, succession planning strategies, and sale alternatives. Amanda most recently spent 5 years at Lazear Capital Partners as a Managing Director focused on ESOP structuring and implementation. Prior to her role at Lazear, Amanda held numerous positions in commercial banking and capital markets, including credit risk and underwriting, loan syndications, and relationship management for both Huntington and PNC.

Kevin Slaughter

Partner
Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC

Kevin Slaughter is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on representing clients in complex commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, financing agreements, joint ventures, private offerings, supply/service agreements, distribution agreements, development and licensing agreements, and manufacturing agreements. Kevin has particular experience representing Fortune 500 companies in middle market transactions. Additionally, Kevin is a go-to attorney for clients in the cannabis industry, advising them on a range of issues including license applications, corporate governance and funding. He also assists cannabis clients with organizational structure, real estate matters, branding and licensing agreements and supply agreements. Clients appreciate Kevin’s practical advice, his effective communication skills, and his knack for problemsolving. Relying on his extensive experience and strong interpersonal skills, Kevin has achieved exceptional results for his clients. Above all, he listens to his clients to understand their needs, goals, and objectives. Kevin earns their trust and confidence by employing an analytical yet pragmatic approach that is centered around accomplishing the business objectives of his clients in a responsive, efficient, and effective manner.

Jennifer Tescher

President & CEO
Financial Health Network

SOCIAL IMPACT

Jennifer Tescher founded the Financial Health Network in 2004, pioneering the movement to improve financial health for all. Today, she continues to lead the organization as its President and CEO, equipping organizations across industries to function as a force for good and build a future where all people can thrive financially.  

As an entrepreneur, innovator, and powerful voice for change, Jennifer has spent the last two decades working to raise the profile of financial health. Her efforts have united a robust community of changemakers impacting the financial lives of millions. Under her leadership, the Financial Health Network has cultivated a network of 160+ influential Member organizations, invested in 40+ promising finhealth solutions through its Financial Solutions Lab, and delivered deep consumer insights and tools that are transforming policy and business practices.

Jennifer drives the national discussion on financial health through frequent media and speaking engagements, including as the host of EMERGE Everywhere podcast and as a columnist for Forbes. Prior to founding the Financial Health Network, she gained valuable experience breaking down silos, engaging with evidence, and shifting perspectives as a journalist for the Charlotte Observer and within the financial sector at Shorebank.

Ben Van Vlerah

Commercial Regional Manager
Huntington Bank

Ben is the Commercial Region Manager leading Middle Market Banking in Illinois for Huntington Bank. For more than two decades, Van Vlerah has been advising executive leadership teams for commercial and non-profit businesses across Illinois. Van Vlerah started his banking career as a credit analyst and relationship manager on the Middle Market Banking team at American National Bank. In 2003 Van Vlerah joined Banco Popular North America to start up their Commercial Banking team. In 2010, Van Vlerah joined FirstMerit Bank who was acquired by Huntington Bank in 2014. At FirstMerit, Van Vlerah was once again tapped to start a Commercial Banking team. Over the next 10 years he developed a team of bankers and is currently Commercial Region Manager. Ben obtained his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Knox College. He actively supports and participates in numerous civic organizations including Facing Forward to End Homelessness, Rosecrance and Junior Achievement. He is an active member and board member of the Chicagoland Chapter of YPO. Van Vlerah and his wife Stephanie reside in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago with their two sons.

Mike Vellano

Founder, President & CEO
Vortex Companies

Roger Veome

Regional Executive - Managing Director, Investments
Alex. Brown

Michael Wallach

Vice President
Levy Family Partners

Michael Wallach is a Vice President of Investment for Levy Family Partners, the Family Office of Larry Levy (Founder and former CEO of Levy Restaurants). Michael oversees the family’s venture portfolio and is responsible for global deal origination, due diligence and fostering strategic relationships to maximize return potential. He assisted the family in taking Del Taco (NASDAQ: TACO) public via a Special Purpose Acquisition Company and is a Board Observer to Aura Frames. Michael holds an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Gary Walter

CEO
Infutor Data Solutions

Gary Walter has extensive background in general management, operations, strategic planning, product development, financial management, sales and market execution. He has been successful in growing businesses, both organically and via M&A, driving high profitable performance in complex situations. Most recently Gary Walter served as the visionary and strategist behind the transformation of a small consumer identity data company into a market digital identity management platform. Walter secured a private equity investment/family buyout, optimized operations and go to market functions, executed several bolt on acquisitions, and finalized the investment by securing a strategic buyer for $250M five years after the investment from Norwest Venture Partners.

Michael R. Wilson

Partner
Locke Lord LLP

Michael represents private equity funds (including SBIC funds), banks, companies and entrepreneurs in M&A, debt finance and venture capital transactions in a wide variety of industries. He has substantial experience with technology, health care, energy, and food and beverage transactions. He also serves as an officer on the Executives’ Club of Chicago Leadership Circle Advisory Board.

Stephen Wolff

Partner & President
National Kwikmetal Service

Steve is a 1970 graduate of the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois. He worked as a Sales Engineer for Westinghouse Corporation and started their quick ship motor control center program in Chicago.

In 1977 Steve began attending night school at the John Marshall Law School. He graduated and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1980. Steve then worked as a Patent Attorney in a small litigation firm in Chicago, specializing in mechanical patents and trademarks.

In 1985 Steve started working at Combined Metals as General Manager. Steve then graduated from the University of Chicago MBA program in 1986 and started National Knife & Supply in 1989. In 1991, Steve established National Kwikmetal Service (NKS) from National Knife & Supply. Throughout his career, Steve has been involved in manufacturing and industrial distribution. Today, after more than 25 years of experience in the metals industry, Steve plays an active role in day-to-day activity of the business, as well as charting a path for the continued growth of the company.

Nicole Wolter

President & CEO
HM Manufacturing

Nicole is the President and CEO of HM Manufacturing. With a background in engineering and finance, Nicole joined HM in 2009, working a variety of departments including accounting, quoting, sales and marketing and was later promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2015. Nicole has over 10 years of experience in manufacturing including in-depth training on manual lathes and milling machines, and she is NIMS and CAD certified. Since starting at HM Manufacturing, Nicole has overseen a complete renovation of the company's technology and manufacturing processes. In addition to the redesign of HM’s manufacturing strategies, the company has also added several new technologies, including a new ERP system.

Nicole has also been instrumental in expanding HM Manufacturing’s marketing and social media presence in an effort to broaden its reach, increase sales and instill a team mentality amongst employees. Nicole’s leadership and vision has helped HM Manufacturing to thrive and become a leading manufacturer in the power transmission components industry. The company's mission is to provide exemplary service and unmatched quality to our customers.