Private Equity Professionals to Know 2025

Private-equity-trained fractional CFO & exit-prep firm for founder-led businesses. We convert to accrual, build MFRs and KPI dashboards, run forecasting, and package for diligence to lift EBITDA and multiples across trades, e-commerce, tech, and professional services. 35+ clients Serial Founder in Health Tech, Veterinary Medicine, Plumbing, CPGs, Consulting, SaaS. Scaled from 0-2MM, sold or stabilized.

Founder & Principal | Real Estate PR, IR & Placement Strategist Manou Estates is a boutique consulting firm offering integrated PR, Investor Relations, and Capital Placement solutions for real estate funds, land developers, GPs, and family offices.

Over a decade of experience creating successful teams, exceeding sales goals, and developing effective marketing strategies for the private investment space. Through lead generation, networking, and various marketing tools, Kelly has helped raise over $500 million dollars of capital from individual private investors for several industries. She is an innovative problem solver and a natural leader focused on the big picture.

Expertise in Consumer Finance, Marketing, Real Estate, and E-commerce. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, which develops productive working relationships with individuals at all levels. Dedicated and motivated manager, who easily manages individuals and teams to produce optimum results. Strategic and analytical with experience developing and executing marketing plans, and managing digital and social media production. Creative writer with expertise in developing copy material, press materials, scripts, and content. Strong financial skills in managing P& L. Specialties: real estate, contract negotiation, banking and finance,marketing, merchandising, e-commerce,mortgage sales, recruiting, copy-writing,

Gaurav Shah is the Managing Partner at Arete Ventures, advising founders, early-stage teams, and institutional investors across the US, EU, UK and India, with extensive experience in the Silicon Valley ecosystem. Over the past 19+ years, he has worked across the full spectrum of entrepreneurship and private capital; from guiding startups on market signals, traction, fundraising, and scaling decisions to supporting investment firms on due diligence, M&A, portfolio value creation, and performance improvement. He brings a blended operator–investor perspective, having evaluated hundreds of companies for institutional investors (PE, VC, hedge funds, and family offices) while also working directly with investor backed entrepreneurs on strategy, product-market fit, and execution. His pattern-recognition across both sides of the table allows him to translate real market truths into practical, founder-ready insights. He further serves on the investment committee (IC) for venture capital firms and advises board members actively across US & EU. Focus Areas Entrepreneurship & Startup Advisory: product-market fit, early traction, market validation, GTM strategy, fundraising readiness, founder coaching Institutional Investor Advisory (buy side): commercial & technical due diligence, M&A strategy, competitive intelligence, investment memos, portfolio performance improvement Sectors: AI, SaaS, fintech, blockchain, climate-tech, renewable energy, Web 3.0, deeptech, life sciences and other frontier technologies

Gavin Nathan is the CEO of Novitas Inc, where he is leading the charge to disrupt private equity and capital raising with liquidity solutions. With over 15 years of business, finance, aviation, asset management and private equity experience and a background in UK Military, Law Enforcement and Government, Gavin has a reputation for solving complex problems and finding growth opportunities. Under his leadership Novitas has structured over $500m in institutional grade assets and raised over $2.5b in private equity deals. The Novitas Inversion Model™ uses tokenization and risk management to speed up fundraising, unlock early liquidity and create transparent strategies that align with investor interests. Gavin is a thought leader in finance, investments, venture capital, leadership and capital markets and is dedicated to breaking down the barriers that hold businesses and investors back so they can achieve long term success in a fast changing financial world.

Gerard “Ged” Ward is a highly accomplished finance broker and founder of Platinum Global Bridging Finance, an award-winning firm specializing in bespoke asset-backed lending solutions for high-net-worth individuals, expats, and corporate clients. With over two decades of experience in international finance, Ged has built a strong reputation for structuring complex cross-border funding solutions, including bridging loans, stock loans, private equity finance, and expat mortgages across the US, UK, and Western Europe. Starting his career as an accountant, Ged transitioned into mortgage and asset finance, where his analytical background and client-first approach set him apart. Under his leadership, Platinum Global Bridging Finance was recognized as a featured Bridging Finance Broker and appeared in IBS Intelligence among leading lending platforms in the US. Ged’s expertise lies in identifying undervalued lending opportunities, negotiating flexible terms for clients, and developing bespoke funding models that preserve liquidity while unlocking growth capital. His approach combines disciplined financial structuring with global market insight, ensuring clients receive intelligent, transparent, and secure finance solutions. Beyond finance, Ged’s background in competitive Thai boxing—where he was ranked sixth in Europe—reflects his tenacity, focus, and drive for excellence, traits that continue to shape his professional success today.

Over a decade of experience creating successful teams, exceeding sales goals, and developing effective marketing strategies for the private investment space. Through lead generation, networking, and various marketing tools, Kelly has helped raise over $500 million dollars of capital from individual private investors for several industries. She is an innovative problem solver and a natural leader focused on the big picture.

I’m P. Blake Renda—an entrepreneur, investor, and co-CEO of Veedor Holdings LLC, based in Naples, FL, with a satellite office in Santa Monica, CA. Veedor Holdings LLC not only makes strategic investments but also owns and operates Dragon Horse Agency, Dragon Horse Publishing, and Moxie Creed. My professional journey began while I was interning at NBC Studios during my time at the University of Southern California, which led to a full-time position after graduation. I then transitioned into law and finance, which ultimately brought me to Wall Street in 1996. There, I was part of a small team in Palo Alto, CA, managing over $20 billion in technology-sector assets at J. & W. Seligman & Co. In 2000, I was recognized as one of Institutional Investor Magazine’s “Best of the Buy Side.” In 2006, I joined the New Dimensions Growth Team of American Express Asset Management in La Jolla, CA, as the T/M/T manager across six growth funds totaling over $40 billion in assets under management. I was also nominated for Institutional Investor Magazine's "Best of the Buy Side" in 2004. These experiences instilled in me the importance of rigorously vetting opportunities and leading with foresight—skills I have consistently applied to every entrepreneurial venture. From 2011 to 2015, I played a key role in transforming a boutique Florida skincare startup into a nationally recognized, multi-award-winning brand, culminating in its eventual public listing post my tenure. After exiting that company, I co-founded Veedor Holdings LLC with Julie Koester. Today, we own and operate Dragon Horse Agency, a multi-award-winning, bi-coastal agency known for providing comprehensive business strategy and marketing services to global clients. Additionally, we own Dragon Horse Publishing, an award-winning publishing company, and Moxie Creed, a wellness lifestyle e-commerce platform. Beyond the accolades, successes, challenges, and failures, I hold a deep belief in resilience, mentorship, and shared success. I’m a proud father, a former youth volleyball coach, and a passionate advocate of Ubuntu—"I am because we are." Whether scaling startups, navigating global markets, or building culture, I bring the same competitive spirit and collaborative ethos to every endeavor. Success is not just about accolades; it’s about legacy, community, and the courage to keep moving forward. As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Passive real estate investor focused on multi-family, mobile home, storage, and ATM asset classes. Co-Host of The Gentle Art of Crushing It Podcast, and Founder for Impact Equity.

John T. Patton is a business school graduate of St. John’s University in New York City and has lived and worked in Florida for over 36 years. He began his real estate career in 2006 as a real estate auctioneer with one of the most established auction firms in the United States. During that time, John worked closely with real estate developers, banks, and homeowners, helping them market and sell properties using the accelerated auction method. When the housing market stabilized in 2010, John transitioned out of the auction industry and began acquiring bank-owned properties and single-family homes directly from homeowners. He also oversaw the acquisition, renovation, and leasing of both single-family and multifamily properties for a regional rental housing company specializing in clean, professionally managed, and affordable housing across South Florida and Toledo, Ohio. John holds an active real estate license in the State of Florida and is a proud member of the Central Florida Real Estate Investors Association (CFRI) and the Dade Real Estate Investors Association (DREIA). He is passionate about helping individuals and families overcome personal or financial challenges by providing fast, effective solutions to sell their homes. Whether you’re facing a difficult situation or simply ready for a change, John is committed to helping you sell your property and move forward with confidence.

Max Avery, a dynamic business development executive at Digital Ascension Group, drives growth across industries with a sharp focus on market leadership. His deep knowledge of traditional and emerging financial markets, backed by certifications like Capital Markets & Securities Analyst (CMSA)® and FinTech Industry Professional (FTIP)™, informs his strategic approach. Since 2016, he has excelled in raising capital and structuring deals in private equity and real estate. Appointed to the District Export Council by Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in 2018, and a member of the National Small Business Association’s Economic Development Committee, Avery shapes policies for business growth. Guided by a philosophy of excellence, he turns complex challenges into practical solutions, establishing himself as a trusted strategist committed to lasting impact.

I’m the founder and owner of Carolina Home Relief, a North Carolina-based real estate investment company that specializes in acquiring and improving off-market properties. I graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in the U.S. Army before transitioning into real estate investment at the start of the pandemic. I built Carolina Home Relief around transparency, efficiency, and high-quality renovation standards, helping homeowners in difficult situations sell their properties quickly while improving the overall quality of housing across North Carolina.

Leo Pond is a Real Estate Advisor with Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty, specializing in residential, commercial, and institutional real estate advisory. He brings institutional rigor to local markets, drawing on advanced training and holding a Specialization in Tax, Real Estate, and Alternative Investment Strategies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His expertise spans real estate transactions, private capital deployment, and the design of tax-advantaged structures, making him a trusted voice on how capital flows intersect with property markets. In addition to his advisory practice with Four Seasons Sotheby’s, Pond serves on the Boards of Directors for the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, the Barstow Unified Union, and The Mentor Connector, where he contributes to community leadership and long-range planning. He also works as a law clerk for a Vermont private practice, adding a legal and compliance dimension to his work. Pond frequently analyzes the impact of tax policy, capital markets, and alternative asset strategies on real estate—from farmland and development land to residential, commercial, and nonprofit holdings. He is often sought out for commentary that connects local market dynamics with broader trends in taxation, financing, and investment strategy, positioning him as a go-to source for journalists covering real estate, finance, and community issues across Vermont, New England, and the broader United States.

I leverage SEO strategy, creative copy, and content production to engage audiences in meaningful dialogue. A proven track record in using commercial media to tell stories that drive organic traffic and convert leads.Former culture and wellbeing writer, current property and finance editor using copywriting and digital marketing to keep the leads coming @ Clifton Private Finance.See CliftonPF: https://www.cliftonpf.co.uk/My culture & beauty writing: https://inspohut.com/Over 10 years' blogging experience, consistently viral on Pinterest, and background in creating content for large organisations. Avid researcher and enthusiastic about digital curation, I make quality content that's people-centric

Iris Duan is a dynamic venture partner and operational leader specializing in early-stage investments, decentralized technologies, and sustainable innovation across international markets. As a Venture Partner at a $50M+ AUM VC firm, she successfully chaired weekly investment committees, managed cross-border deals, and fully returned Fund 1 with a 2.4x MOIC. Her investment focus includes renewable energy, cloud computing, medtech, and Machine Learning. Concurrently, as COO and Co-founder of Immutable Labs, Iris drove the creation of an operating model generating $25M in revenue, leading the integration of advanced packaged technology across edge computing, FLLMs, secured oracles, and explainable AI, delivering significant compute and cash reductions. Fluent in English and Mandarin, Iris leverages a global perspective from her experience in Zurich, Beijing, and Milan, blending deep financial acumen (BBA in Finance, Minor in Economics from Emory University) with practical, high-growth startup leadership. Her expertise lies in translating complex client needs into tangible business requirements, orchestrating R&D, and building robust client bases that support hybrid cloud and idle computing solutions. Iris is a two-time TEDx speaker and a passionate advocate for social enterprise, having led non-profit consulting teams focused on strategic PR and market research for diverse international clients.

Luxury Real Estate Leader & Lifestyle Concierge With nearly two decades in luxury real estate and over $300 million in career sales, Damian Hall has become one of the Carolinas’ most trusted names. A Christie’s Masters Circle member (top 1 % worldwide) and recipient of the inaugural Christie's International Real Estate Gavel of Greatness award (2023), Damian stands out among the global network’s 32 000+ agents. He leads the Damian Hall Group, operating across five distinct luxury lifestyle markets—from Greater Greenville, SC including Downtown and Simpsonville to equestrian estates in Tryon, lakefront homes on Lake Keowee, mountain homes in Highlands and Cashiers, and coastal properties in Hilton Head. Damian is excited to soon be expanding into hsi hometown of Charleston. His team’s consistent record‑setting sales range from the Cliffs Communities to the highest sale on Lake Lure, the highest residential lot sale in North Main, highest sale in the City of Asheville, Most Expensive Equestrian Estate in SC, and dozens more. Many of these are records for highest sale in the neighborhood or highest price per square foot in the past year. Damian’s expertise is widely recognized; he’s been featured on HGTV, in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, and speaks on luxury real estate, branding, AI, marketing, and social media at industry events. High-profile property coverage: South Carolina’s most expensive property, represented by Damian, was featured on the cover of WSJ | Mansion. The $22 million estate has also been covered in Realtor.com, Post and Courier, and Mansion Global, highlighting its status as the priciest listing in state history. HGTV House Hunters: Damian was featured in the episode "Housing Horses in South Carolina," advising buyers hunting for equestrian properties around Greenville. Quoted and referenced on prominent outlets: Damian's perspective on topics from luxury branding, home sale strategies, and market trends can be found in Robb Report, NY Times, The State, Realtor.com, and others, positioning him as a go-to expert in the region. Panelist and speaker: Damian is regularly invited to panels at Christie's conferences and national real estate events, sharing marketing and branding strategies with industry peers. Social media and industry interviews: Numerous interviews on YouTube and other platforms show his expertise in using social media for luxury listings and real estate branding.

Anaplan + Workato + Dataiku = The Nimble, Modern, Intelligent & Unified…

Just a guy trying to help clients navigate the complex world of 'finance'. Proud partner of a leading multi family office within the UK.