Eric Althofer Partner CROWDOUT CAPITAL

Mr. Althofer, 41, began his career in strategy consulting where he worked as an analyst and associate in the Strategy & Operations practice of Deloitte Consulting after graduating cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis in 2001 with a degree in Economics and minors in Philosophy and Humanities. After receiving his Master of Business Administration, with distinction, from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, with emphases in Finance and Accounting, Mr. Althofer transitioned into financial services where he spent roughly 3 years as an associate with Jefferies, working in the Consumer & Retail coverage group, where he executed over 25 M&A, debt, and equity transactions. Leveraging his background in consulting and investment banking, Mr. Althofer accepted a role with Capitala Investment Advisors where he progressed from a Vice President to Director, principally responsible for screening, structuring, underwriting and executing potential credit investments. Mr. Althofer was also integrally involved in growing the portfolio monitoring team and actively managing the growing portfolio of Capitala's credit investments. Most recently, Mr. Althofer served as Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of Finance/M&A at Live Ventures (NASDAQ: LIVE), a publicly traded investment holding company where he oversaw all M&A efforts, as well worked with Live Venture's existing subsidiaries to manage their capital structures and lending relationships, and helped develop enhanced underwriting and reporting processes across the platform.

 Over the past 20 years, Mr. Althofer has developed a broad range of experiences across both operations and investing and has executed numerous transactions on both the buy-side and sell-side for a wide range of companies from food manufacturers and retailers to manufacturers and suppliers of highly engineered metal products and healthcare testing and distribution businesses

Kevin Burke Partner and Head of Strategy SAPPHIRE VENTURES

Kevin is a Partner and Head of Strategy for Sapphire Ventures, where he is responsible for advising the investment teams, portfolio companies, and limited partners on key market trends and dynamics.  Kevin works across all Sapphire strategies to help the firm best execute against current opportunities, while also identifying and evaluating future focus areas.

Prior to joining Sapphire, Kevin spent 7.5 years in Corporate Strategy at Microsoft where he was a Senior Director and member of the strategy leadership team.  In this role, Kevin worked directly with Microsoft’s Leadership Team on the company’s most critical strategic growth initiatives, with work that touched both existing and new product categories, go-to-market, M&A, and partnerships.  Prior to Microsoft, Kevin worked at Booz & Company in the firm’s Technology, Media, and Telecom practice where he consulted for several Fortune 100 technology clients in the software and ecommerce categories, and also was selected as one of the 3 members of the inaugural class of the Katzenbach Center’s Leadership Program.

Kevin is a graduate of the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas-Austin, as well as of Emory University, where he majored in Economics.  He currently lives in Austin, TX with his beautiful wife Cassie and their two children, Olivia and Owen.

Andrew Knox Managing Director, Head of Capital Formation PENNYBACKER CAPITAL

Andrew leads the Pennybacker Capital Formation team’s efforts to develop and foster relationships with the firm’s existing and prospective limited partners.

Andrew has over 15 years of real estate experience across capital formation, client service, acquisitions, and brokerage. Prior to Pennybacker, Andrew spent over 10 years at Stockbridge Capital Group as a Senior Vice President and Head of Capital Formation & Client Service for the firms Core and Value Platform. Prior to Stockbridge, Andrew was an acquisitions associate at Preferred Real Estate Funds and started his career at Ackerman & Company, a regional real estate brokerage firm in Atlanta.

Andrew graduated with a BA from Wake Forest University where he was a member of the university’s baseball team.

Todd Leedy Director, Private Real Assets APOGEM CAPITAL

Todd Leedy focuses on Apogem Capital’s real assets investment capability, which includes sourcing, underwriting, and monitoring specifically for private natural resources and infrastructure investments.

Todd joined Apogem from PA Capital, where he has worked since 2016. Prior to joining PA, Todd spent 10 years at DiMeo Schneider & Associates, where he served as Director of Real Assets and Private Equity Manager Research and was the author of several publications. Prior to DiMeo Schneider, Todd held investment roles at The Wealth Office and Cambridge Associates. Todd earned a B.S. from the University of Richmond and is a CFA Charterholder.

William Prather CEO & CIO CYPRESS CREEK PARTNERS

15+ years of investment experience across global private and public markets with over $4 billion invested. Former Head of Infrastructure and Natural Resources at the University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company (“UTIMCO”). Prior investment roles at Blackrock and Lehman Brothers. BBA and MPA from McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin.

Tom Cane Funds Editor MERGERMARKET

As Funds Editor, Tom is launching Mergermarket's coverage of private funds in North America, which includes profiles of GPs and LPs, news and insights on funds, and data-driven analysis. Based in Chicago, he has over 15 years' experience in financial journalism, predominantly as an M&A and ECM specialist, as part of the former Acuris, and now ION Analytics. Starting as a reporter in London, Tom covered the financial services and real estate sectors for Dealreporter during the global financial crisis, including a secondment at the Financial Times. He has also been based in Hong Kong and New York, with highlights including launching Mergermarket's coverage of the Asian ECM market, as well as serving as Managing Editor for Mergermarket and Dealreporter in both APAC and the Americas, overseeing large teams of over 50 journalists. Most recently, he served as Chief of Staff to ION Analytics' Chief Content Officer, who he supported in strategic planning, operations and communications. 

Kelly Kruse Managing Director, Client Partnership Group CRESTLINE INVESTORS

Ms. Kruse joined Crestline in 2007 and is Head of Marketing, Head of ESG, and is a member of the ESG Committee. Prior to joining Crestline, Ms. Kruse worked in the loan origination division at Chase Home Finance. Ms. Kruse is a graduate of Texas Christian University where she received her B.B.A. in Marketing.

Zach Straebel Senior Director of Portfolio Management TRANSFORMCO PROPERTIES

ZACH STRAEBEL, CFA | VICE PRESIDENT, PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Zach Straebel joined Transformco Properties in 2020 as Senior Director of Portfolio Management. Prior to joining Transformco Properties, Zach held portfolio management positions at Pine Tree and IRC Retail Centers. He has also worked as a Senior Associate for Alignium, a real estate investment advisor. In his current role at Transformco Properties, he is responsible for analysis, underwriting and reporting for the portfolio. Zach is a CFA Charterholder, and a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.

Emma Andrews Sr. Business Analyst, Consulting Operations NEPC

Emma Andrews is a seasoned Senior Business Analyst at NEPC, LLC, having been with the firm since 2016. Currently, Emma is a key player on the Consulting Operations team, specializing in evaluating and improving processes, technology, and organizational structures. Her expertise includes project management, technology analysis, user interface design, end-to-end business process design, user acceptance testing, data mapping and migration, and implementation planning. She collaborates closely with the Information Technology group to translate user requirements into effective process models and system enhancements, while also managing project timelines, business resources, and communication plans.

Emma has been recognized with four individual and four team awards at NEPC for her significant contributions to the firm. Notably, she led the selection process for a combined CRM and RMS system in 2022 and is currently overseeing the implementation of Backstop as both Project Lead and Product Owner, with the CRM solution rollout underway. Prior to NEPC, Emma worked in the Nonprofit sector as a Corporate Event Planner and Logistics Coordinator overseeing trade shows and international summits.

Emma holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine and an MBA from Suffolk University. Outside of work, she is an avid ultra hiker, a novice gardener, and a tea enthusiast.

Devan Dewey Principal, Chief Technology Officer NEPC

Principal and Chief Technology Officer, NEPC, LLC.

Devan is leading digital business transformation at NEPC, LLC. – one of the nation’s largest independent, full-service investment consulting firms, advising over $1.7 trillion in assets. Devan joined NEPC in April of 2008 and brings 30 years of experience developing and implementing business systems and infrastructure in alignment with corporate strategy.

Prior to NEPC, Devan has worked in healthcare, manufacturing, consulting, non-profit, and high-tech companies where he has cultivated high-performing teams to deliver robust operations and strategically aligned applications – companies including Boston Medical Center, Teradyne, Segue Software, and American Express.

Devan earned his M.B.A. from Northeastern University and his B.S. from Tufts University.

Jennifer Schmidt Senior Manager, Benefit Funds Investment 3M

Jennifer Schmidt

Since 2018, Jen has led Global Investment Operations and Compliance for 3M’s pension plans. She currently heads 3M’s middle and back-office operations as well as manages relationships with various service providers, custodian banks, consultants, investment managers and vendors.  Prior to joining 3M, she was with PwC for nearly 15 years, specializing in the financial services industry and serving investment management firms in assurance, controls and consulting engagements.  She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles with a BA in Business Economics and a Minor in Accounting and has an MBA from the University of St. Thomas.  She is a Certified Public Accountant.