Growth Equity Coaches

Making the jump into private equity is one of the most competitive moves in finance, but with the right preparation, you can stand out, and I’m here to help you get there. I started my career in investment banking at Houlihan Lokey, worked across advisory and growth equity at The Raine Group after my MBA at Columbia, and I’m now a Vice President at HarbourView Equity Partners. I’ve been through PE recruiting myself and now sit on the investing side, so I know exactly what firms look for in candidates. Whether you need help with modeling tests, case studies, deal discussions or telling your story, I’ll help you walk into interviews confident and thinking like an investor. Let’s connect!

With over 20 years of experience in private equity and venture capital, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to help you navigate the competitive landscape of PE. As a former Managing Director at industry giants like Blackstone and Robeco, and currently a Partner at Sonamu Energy and Moser Capital, I have a deep understanding of market expansion, strategic partnerships, and capital formation. I've successfully coached individuals, guiding them to excel in their careers and achieve their goals in the finance sector. Whether you're looking to break into private equity or advance your career, I'm here to provide tailored advice and support. Let's connect and chart your path to success!

Roles in Investment Banking, Private Equity, Hedge Fund / Crossover, and as a General Partner / Independent Sponsor all have provided different but relevant skills / lessons for usage in professional investing. Private investing experience spanning traditional private equity, growth investing, and late-stage growth / pre-IPO rounds. I now manage a small investment firm in a founder capacity, having launched a private equity style independent sponsor focused on majority acquisitions in the lower middle market. We have executed investments and are in the process of executing on additional platforms, while constantly looking for add-ons to our existing businesses. My founder / independent sponsor angle enables me to provide some unique insight that extends beyond the typical 'breaking in' and 'due diligence' type topics and into things like capital raising, interfacing with our LPs / investors, assessment of categories, different strategies of deployment (e.g. roll-up, value vs. growth, organic vs. inorganic growth strategy), etc. This role also results in oversight of the operating companies and extends my involvement into operations and marrying the function of the sponsor with the operating company.

I help ambitious professionals break into private equity — and convert interviews into offers — across growth equity and buyout roles. My approach goes well beyond traditional interview coaching: I work as a dedicated external PE preparation partner, helping candidates diagnose why they are not converting, sharpen their investor narrative, master technicals, develop stronger investment judgment, prepare deal discussions and case studies, and perform under pressure in live recruiting processes. Preparation is highly personalized and can include firm-specific interview strategy, custom technical and behavioral flashcards, realistic mock interviews, detailed written feedback, and targeted remediation between rounds. I bring the perspective of an active investor and deal practitioner. I’m the Founder of Zeus Global, an independent private equity platform where I lead transactions from sourcing and underwriting through diligence, structuring, capital formation, and post-close value creation, with a focus on software and tech-enabled services. Previously, I led growth and middle-market investing at a $5B family office and held investment roles at LeapFrog Investments and the Africa Finance Corporation. I earned my MBA from Stanford GSB. Having taken a non-traditional path into investing myself, I’m particularly effective with candidates moving from private credit, consulting, operating roles, engineering, or other adjacent backgrounds who need to translate strong experience into the judgment, technical fluency, and communication style expected of a private equity investor.

I have worked across private equity, hedge funds, capital markets, corporate advisory, special situations, and public-company board governance, giving me a practical understanding of how investors evaluate businesses, structure deals, assess risk, and communicate investment decisions. I am a CFA charterholder, Columbia Business School MBA, West Point graduate, former private equity and hedge fund investor, and public-company board director. I coach clients on the core skills needed to succeed in private equity recruiting and on the job: investment theses, deal evaluation, LBO concepts, valuation, due diligence, industry analysis, management-team assessment, financing considerations, investment committee memos, and interview storytelling. I also help candidates translate their background into a credible private equity narrative, whether they are coming from banking, consulting, business school, corporate roles, entrepreneurship, or the military. My style is direct, practical, and interview-focused. We work on how to think like an investor, not just memorize technical answers. I help clients build confidence with case studies, deal discussions, behavioral questions, and the commercial judgment required to stand out in private equity interviews and investment conversations.

Based on my extensive experience in private equity and investment banking at top-tier firms such as H.I.G. Capital, Warburg Pincus and J.P. Morgan, I'm highly qualified to coach individuals on private equity recruiting. In addition to technical expertise, my experience in mentoring and coaching others has also equipped me with the skills to guide aspiring private equity professionals through the recruiting process. My ability to communicate complex financial concepts in a clear and concise manner, as well as my strong network within the industry, can be invaluable in helping individuals navigate the often-challenging landscape of private equity recruiting. With my guidance and support, aspiring private equity professionals can develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in this highly competitive industry.

I help candidates break into private equity with direct, practical prep. I have experience as a candidate and interviewer at US PE Large Cap funds. Former Hellman & Friedman PE investor, McKinsey Senior Associate and J.P. Morgan M&A; Harvard Business School MBA with Distinction. Currently advising software companies on M&A

I previously worked as Vice President for a middle-market private equity firm making $50 million equity investments per deal, targeting software and technology companies. Before private equity, I worked in investment banking, representing founders in sell-side M&A transactions.

I am a consumer and residential services investor, proud Duke alumnus, and current Wharton MBA. I have previously worked across buyout PE and growth at TSG Consumer and Roark Capital, consumer and retail consulting at BCG, and investment banking at Morgan Stanley. I have loved mentoring students and younger working professionals over the years and am excited to continue doing so through Leland. I consider myself a resource for anyone looking for help on interviewing (across PE, consulting, and banking), MBA admissions, career progression, consumer investing, resume building, and more. Read less

Ex-CVC & MUFG Director | Hiring Manager | Break Into Banking & Private Credit. Why you should work with me: ◆ I've been a Director and hiring manager at CVC Credit and MUFG, where I ran the Leveraged Finance Portfolio team. I've screened the CVs, run the interviews, and made the hiring decisions, so I know exactly what the person across the table is looking for ◆ I've line managed 25+ interns, helping them secure full time roles in the industry ◆ I've coached 10+ people into investment banking and private credit roles ◆ 10 years experience across private credit, leveraged finance, and banking at CVC, MUFG, and RBS, with a Master in Corporate Finance from ESCP (graduated with distinction) ◆ I work with candidates at every stage, from one mock before a final round to full start-to-finish recruiting prep