Middle Market Coaches

I’ve worked in the private equity industry over 6 years, leading end-to-end deal processes at a middle market firm. I’ve sourced and diligenced deals, sat on boards, and partnered with founders post-close to drive growth and operational improvements. Before that, I worked at a high-growth startup, which gives me a unique operator-investor lens that many in PE don’t have. I coach because I know firsthand how hard it can be to break into (or advance within) private equity — especially without the “standard” background. Whether you’re navigating recruiting, prepping for interviews, or trying to figure out how to tell your story, I can help you cut through the noise and focus on what really moves the needle. I've worked with candidates from banking, consulting, search funds, and even non-traditional backgrounds — and I tailor my approach to your goals and trajectory.

Welcome! I have experience in mega-fund and middle-market private equity. Together, we can work through networking strategies to land an interview; behavrioral, technical, case study, and modeling interview preparation; offer management / negotiation, and strategies to be successful on the job once you land an offer. We can also align on what type of firm (mega-fund vs. middle-market) best aligns with your career goals. Breaking into private equity is challenging but rewarding, and I'm delighted to guide you on this part of your career path. I bring a warm, practical approach to coaching and can't wait to meet you!

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 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 have a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the private equity and investment banking industries. In addition to my years of professional experience, I have an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Finance from Brigham Young University. Over the years, I've informally coached numerous individuals at all stages of their careers, helping them navigate the complexities of private equity and investment banking careers and achieve their professional goals. Whether you're looking to break into the industry or advance your career, I can provide tailored guidance and support. I have personal experience making the jump from investment banking to private equity post-MBA. I started out in investment banking as an Associate coming out of business school and then joined a private equity firm as a VP after 2.5 years as an investment banking Associate. I spent the next 20 years in private equity at Reynolda Equity Partners, ultimately becoming a Managing Partner. In 2025, I transitioned my role at Reynolda to Senior Advisor and began investing independently under my 1780 Capital banner. I spent much of my time at Reynolda leading the recruiting effort, interviewing candidates and making hiring decisions for Associates, Senior Associates, VPs and for Business Development positions. While in investment banking, I was also on the recruiting team for HBS and other MBA programs.

I’ve spent a meaningful part of my career on the investing side, working in private equity and leading acquisition efforts, and later advising founder-led businesses through transactions. That experience gave me a clear view into how investment professionals actually evaluate companies, make decisions, and think about risk, upside, and positioning. I’ve also been on the other side of the table working with operators and founders, which is often where candidates struggle to connect their experience to what investors are really looking for. Breaking into private equity is not just about credentials. It’s about how you position your experience, how you think about businesses, and how you communicate that in a way that resonates with investors. I help candidates understand how the process actually works, what differentiates strong candidates, and how to close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. My approach is grounded in real-world experience across deals, hiring, and working alongside investment teams, not generic recruiting advice.

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

I successfully broke into Bain Capital’s Tokyo office as a non-Japanese MBA candidate—an uncommon and highly competitive path that required sharp positioning, cultural fluency, and a deep understanding of what leading private equity firms look for. Over the course of recruiting, I received multiple offers from Asia-focused megafunds and was invited to final rounds at many others, giving me a well-rounded view of how top firms evaluate candidates at each stage. Japan’s private equity market is undergoing a significant transformation, with strong structural tailwinds and rising deal flow creating exciting opportunities for those willing to navigate its unique dynamics. If you’re curious about breaking into PE in Japan—or Asia more broadly—I can help you assess the market, sharpen your investor story, and craft a pitch that resonates with regional nuances. I also coach MBA candidates more generally on how to break into private equity from a non-finance background. That includes evaluating the true feasibility of your candidacy, mastering technical prep, and translating your prior experience into a compelling narrative for top-tier firms. Whether you’re aiming to land a specific offer or weighing PE as a long-term path, I provide clear, candid, and strategic advice rooted in firsthand experience.

I work with candidates and professionals who want to perform at a high level in private equity, not just pass interviews. My coaching is grounded in real deal experience across private equity, investment banking, and operating roles, which allows me to teach how investors actually think about risk, value creation, and decision making. I focus on helping clients develop judgment, structure, and confidence, whether they are preparing for on cycle recruiting, case studies, or stepping into a deal team role. What differentiates my approach is that I go beyond technicals. I help clients learn how to frame an investment thesis, communicate clearly under pressure, and navigate the interpersonal dynamics of PE recruiting and deal execution. Sessions are practical, tailored, and honest. The goal is not to memorize answers, but to think like an investor and show up as someone a team would trust in a real transaction. Clients value that I am direct, thoughtful, and invested in their outcomes. I help them understand not only how to get into private equity, but how to succeed once they are there.