Agenda

*Agenda subject to modifications.

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - One-on-One Dealmaking and Mentor/Mentee Meetings plus Networking

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Registration & Networking

11:30 AM - 11:45 AM - Opening Remarks

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM - Keynote Fireside Chat

Judy Turchin
CEO/ Ex-COO
Jack Taylor/Equinox

Madison O'Connor
Managing Director
Surmount

12:20 PM - 1:30 PM - Seated Lunch

1:35 PM - 2:05 PM - Strategic Outlook: The Middle-Market M&A Environment Today

Join a dynamic, cross-functional panel of experts from credit, private equity, and investment banking as they unpack the forces shaping today’s middle-market deal landscape. Hear how shifting credit markets, evolving consumer demand, and changing sponsor behavior are redefining opportunities and challenges across the sector. Attendees will leave equipped with fresh, actionable insights on valuation trends, financing strategies, and competitive positioning to drive smarter dealmaking in the year ahead.

SPEAKERS:

Caroline Deichmann
Managing Director
Wells Fargo

Charvi Gupta
Senior Director
Getzler Henrich

Aarti Kapoor
Managing Director
Cascadia

Kristin Steen
Managing Director
Gemspring Capital

Julia Papastravridis
Managing Director
AON
Moderator

2:05 PM - 2:30 PM - Networking Break

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Beyond the Numbers: Storytelling, Strategy & Influence in Private Capital

In today’s competitive deal landscape, technical expertise isn’t enough—how you communicate can shape outcomes just as powerfully as the data itself. Join leaders across private equity investor relations, deal origination, investment banking, and capital allocation for a candid conversation on how to craft narratives that resonate, build trust with stakeholders, and influence decisions at every stage of the transaction.

Whether you’re raising capital, sourcing deals, or guiding clients through complex processes, this session will equip you with practical approaches to elevate your voice, sharpen your message, and drive impact beyond the spreadsheet.

SPEAKERS: