Private Equity Coaches, Events, and Resources

Coming from a non-traditional background, I understand how difficult it can be to break into investing. I'd love to work with you on a customized and tactical plan to help you get interviews and offers within an investing role.

Welcome to my profile! With 5 years in investment banking and private equity, I bring experience to help you navigate private equity and investment banking recruiting. I currently work as an Associate at Silver Lake in their New York office, following my tenure as an Investment Banking Associate and Analyst at Moelis & Company in their Los Angeles and New York offices where I was heavily involved in recruiting. Over the years, I've successfully coached many individuals, guiding them through the intricacies of private equity recruitment and helping them secure positions at top firms. I served as a Director of Mentorship at Trojan Investing Society (USC's largest finance organization), where I mentored a cohort of 30 students navigating investment banking recruiting. I also was a Peer Career Advisor at USC's Career Services Center where I guided students through finance careers including investment banking and investing. Post-grad, I've also mentored individuals as part of SEO, Women in Network, and Synergist Network. Mentorship is a huge passion of mine given I would not be here without the help of my mentors! Whether you need assistance with interview strategy and preparation, technical concepts, resume / story refinement, or networking strategies, I'm here to provide tailored support to your needs. I'm well versed to talk about on cycle and off cycle recruiting (secured one UMM and two MF offers), recruiting across geographies (making the move east / west), along with general exit options / exit timing in banking (including staying on as A2A or doing a third year), and external resources or organizations you can join for more touchpoints with private equity firms. Let's connect and get started on your path to success in private equity!

I successfully broke into private equity from a non-target school, where I learned firsthand that the traditional recruiting funnel doesn't work for everyone. I’ve navigated the process and can help you build your own playbook for breaking in, just as I did. My biggest value-add is helping you master the networking strategy that will get you in front of more decision-makers. We'll focus on targeted outreach and crafting messages that actually get responses. While I can cover the foundational technical concepts and conduct mock behavioral interviews, my primary focus is on empowering you to build a network and a resume that will be your greatest asset. I've successfully helped several others break into this competitive industry. I'm here to guide you through the critical early stages of networking and resume prep and am flexible on however I can support you throughout the rest of your job search.

With nearly three decades advising boards, CEOs, and investors across private equity and venture-backed companies, I bring a deep understanding of what drives success in the PE ecosystem. I’ve partnered with leading sponsors including Thoma Bravo, KKR, Apollo, Blackstone, Clearlake, Insight, Francisco Partners, and Apax among many, many others to assess, recruit, and coach executives through transformational value-creation journeys — from pre-acquisition diligence to exit. Having completed 450+ executive placements and been directly involved in 40+ successful exits creating over $25B in enterprise value, I’ve developed an insider’s view of how talent decisions shape investment outcomes. That experience enables me to coach aspiring and current PE leaders with a pragmatic, investor-aligned lens — focused on readiness, impact, and the leadership behaviors that creates value.

Hey! My name is Milton, and although I'm originally from the East Coast, I've been living and working in Chicago for the last 2+ years. When I'm not working or coaching, I enjoy spending time cycling, climbing, or relaxing by the lake, as well as exploring the Midwest. I've been working in private equity for the past 2+ years and began my career in Big4 consulting before transitioning to investment banking. My goal in mentoring folks on Leland is to provide the foundation and mentorship I wish existed when I was making my way from a non-target school to investment banking, and ultimately to private equity. Over the years, I've had the privilege of coaching both students and young professionals, helping them navigate the complexities of IB and PE recruiting. Whether you're looking to break into private equity or advance your career in the field, I'm here to provide guidance and support. My coaching approach is collaborative and flexible, ensuring that you can get the most out of our time together. Don't hesitate to reach out, and let's see how we can partner together to take the next big step in your career.

With a robust background in private equity and strategic finance, I bring a wealth of experience to help you navigate the competitive landscape of private equity careers. As a former Private Equity Associate at Ara Partners, I worked on five portfolio companies and closed two platform investments in the energy / decarbonization sector, providing me with firsthand insights into the intricacies of the industry. My journey also includes roles at EIG (an infrastructure PE fund) and J.P. Morgan, where I honed my skills in energy infrastructure and investment banking. I am well-equipped to guide you through the nuances of private equity applications and interviews, especially if you have an engineering background. I am also a graduate of Harvard Business School (MBA) and Princeton University, and closely worked with the admissions team on crafting an overall admissions strategy. I'm happy to assist with business school or college applications and strategies to maximize your admission chances.