Middle Market Experts

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

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 bring deep, hands-on experience from the world of private equity, having been a PE associate and then led and scaled PE-backed businesses as President and operator. I understand firsthand the recruiting process, the diligence required to evaluate opportunities, and the expectations PE firms have for top talent. With an MBA from Stanford, I’ve built my career navigating the intersection of finance, strategy, and operational leadership—skills I now use to help clients break into and thrive in private equity. My coaching blends insider knowledge of how PE firms think with practical, tactical guidance on resumes, interviews, case prep, and networking. Whether you’re a consultant or banker targeting the buy side, or a professional exploring a transition into PE-backed operating roles, I’ll help you position your story, sharpen your skills, and approach the process with confidence. Clients come away not just prepared for the mechanics of recruiting, but with the insight and judgment to stand out to firms seeking future leaders.

My private equity experience is hands-on, not adjacent: I worked at a distressed PE firm during my MBA and spent seven years at Citi in EMEA, reaching AVP, building the financial and analytical foundation PE recruiters test for. I've also sat through a real M&A transaction from the integration side at Accenture, so I understand deals as they actually play out, not just as case studies. I coach the full breaking-in process — story, technicals, and the modelling-and-judgment combination PE interviews demand — with direct, no-fluff feedback from someone who's lived the work.

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 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.

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’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.

I’ve sat on every side of the deal: M&A Lawyer, Investment Banker, Private Equity Operator - and I’ll help you stand out and win offers fast. Before attending The Wharton School, I advised large-cap sponsors on acquisitions, carve-outs, and fund structures as an M&A attorney at Kirkland & Ellis and Paul Weiss. I then transitioned into investing and operations at GenNx360 Capital Partners, where I worked on new deals and drove value creation across healthcare and industrial portfolio companies. I led initiatives in procurement, growth strategy, and cross-portfolio synergies. I deepened my transaction experience as an Investment Banker at Guggenheim Securities. Having sat on both the legal and investing sides, I know exactly what it takes to break into and thrive in private equity. Whether you aim to join the deal team or focus on portfolio operations, I can help you master the technical expertise and strategic perspective needed to succeed.

Dozie was a principal and a venture partner at the venture capital arm of George Kaiser Family Foundation. He was also a vice president at Red Arts Capital, a senior associate at Madison Dearborn Partners, a consultant at Boston Consulting Group and an associate at General Electric. He is also on the board of directors of A Red Orchid Theatre. He was on the board of directors of The Printing Museum. Dozie earned a bachelor of science, magna cum laude, in electrical engineering from the honors college of University of Mississippi, a master of supply chain management from Pennsylvania State University, a master of public policy from University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar, and a master of business administration from Harvard Business School.