Take the Stage cover art

Take the Stage

By: Alexis Alvarez
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • Take the Stage celebrates and amplifies diverse voices within the lower and middle market private investment space and serves as a platform for conversations that encompass a wide range of perspectives and experiences. You're going to hear candid conversations that touch on career paths, (the not so linear kind), valuable insights, practical advice for how to navigate your career, and honest stories of how to pave a path in the lower and middle markets. And stay tuned for our special series, Ladies Who Rock, dedicated exclusively to women in the lower and middle market space.
    Alexis Alvarez
    Show More Show Less
Episodes
  • Ep 17 - Special Guest Peter Washington

    Ep 17 - Special Guest Peter Washington
    Apr 20 2024

    Today on Take the Stage, we are shining the spotlight on Peter Washington. Peter is Managing Director and Head of Originations for The Copia Group, a diverse-founded and led firm that provides debt and equity capital solutions to lower middle-market companies. His journey is marked by over two decades of experience as a credit investment professional at firms such as CapX Partners and the Northern Trust Company. From attending a non-target school to making a name for himself on Wall Street and defying odds after the Great Financial Crisis of 2008, Peter takes us through his journey and shares insight on navigating your career path, diversity in the space, and the importance of work-life balance.


    Episode Outline and Highlights

    [1:13] Peter reflects on his 23-year journey in the credit and lending business, including experiences with Bank of America, the Northern Trust Company, a 14-year tenure at Cap X Partners, to his current role with The Copia Group.

    [6:20] We dig deeper into Peter's early path, from encounters in high school and finance classes at Florida A&M that ultimately drove him to a career in credit and lending.

    [13.46] Peter finance journey is marked by key moments: valuing underwriting skills, engaging with clients' stories, and closing his first independent deal in 2013. Witnessing a company's growth from $5M revenue to a public listing in 2019 fuels his passion for finance.

    [20:10] Peter describes The Copia Group's focus on underserved borrowers in the lower middle market, its three core beliefs, and their mission to bridge credit access disparities for women and diverse entrepreneurs.

    [33:28] Peter discusses how working with leaders who prioritize family values has been invaluable in his career and explains how transitioning from singlehood to family life taught him the importance of a supportive work environment.

    [38:13] Peter gives three pieces of advice to the next generation of investment professionals.

    [45:34] Peter explains that the journey isn't linear; inflection points shape it. Despite challenges, qualities like quality work, humility, hunger, and self-belief are vital.


    Connect with our guest

    Peter Washington's LinkedIn

    The Copia Group | LinkedIn


    Connect with Alexis: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | alexis@career-rockstars.com
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Ep 16 - Special Guests Jerry Arteaga and Greg Povenski

    Ep 16 - Special Guests Jerry Arteaga and Greg Povenski
    Feb 27 2024
    On this special episode of Take the Stage we are shining the spotlight on Jerry Arteaga and Greg Povenski, two Special Operations Forces vets who were able to successfully forge their paths into private equity following long and decorated careers in the military. Beyond their achievements, Jerry and Greg are advocates for recognizing and integrating veteran skills within the investment sector. They discuss their journeys and efforts to reshape the narrative around veterans in private equity. Episode Outline and Highlights [2:12] Jerry discusses his transition from a 23-year military career, including 15 years in Special Operations as a Green Beret, to his current role in private equity. [7:06] Greg details his transition from early enlistment in the Army and Special Forces to pursuing higher education and a career in finance. [14:45] Jerry and Greg explain how their military training and experience in Special Operations Forces, characterized by rapid decision-making in high-stakes environments and strategic operations with limited resources, have prepared them for their careers in PE. [23:07] The discussion pivots to address concerns and stereotypes regarding the potential militarization of workplace teams by veterans. Jerry offers an insightful and powerful response, positioning it as a compelling narrative for veterans transitioning to civilian roles. [27:57:] Greg shares his journey of leveraging networking to transition, highlighting the challenges and benefits of building connections within the industry. [31:53] Greg underscores the importance of veterans educating themselves on the empirical evidence that supports the inclusion of veterans in business. [34:08] Jerry shares his take on transitioning from military to civilian careers, stressing that veterans must recognize "nobody owes you a job." [37:34] Reflecting on his role as a lobbyist interacting with Capitol Hill's elite, Jerry explains how this role honed skills invaluable to PE. [40:14] On veteran recruitment and hiring, Greg gives a clear call-to-action to hiring managers and offers practical advice to firms. [43:04] Jerry advocates for prioritizing inherent traits over specific skills in hiring decisions, emphasizing, "Hire for traits and train the skill." [45:40] Greg emphasizes the transformative power of military training, emphasizing that the intrinsic traits and high-level skills veterans acquire in the military are not easily teachable, whereas specific business skills can be taught. [50:37] Greg touches on Jerry’s opinion regarding “nobody owning you a job” and reflects on the profound sense of obligation he feels towards fellow veterans, driven by the opportunities and support he received during his military service. [52:36] Jerry articulates a nuanced stance on hiring veterans, emphasizing the value of recognizing professional merits first and veteran status second. [55:29] Jerry emphasizes the need for veterans and recruiters to demonstrate how military experience translates to the corporate world and advocates for moving beyond the concept of hiring veterans as an act of charity. [57:35] Greg counters by framing his support for hiring veterans not as charity, but as informed advocacy, akin to alumni networks. [59:51] The conversation highlights the lack of specific affinity groups for veterans within the financial sector, compared to well-established networks for other demographics. Connect with our guests Jerry Arteaga’s LinkedInCold Bore Capital Website | LinkedInGreg Povenski's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Resources Mentioned Elite Meet51 VetsVeterans on Wall Street"The Business Case for Hiring Military Veterans"Military Veterans’ Transferrable Skills: An HRD Practitioner Dilemma" Special Causes Green Beret FoundationWarrior Mission Ranch Connect with Alexis: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | alexis@career-rockstars.com
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Ep 15 - Ladies Who Rock Series - Special Guest Jaclyn Voor

    Ep 15 - Ladies Who Rock Series - Special Guest Jaclyn Voor
    Jan 31 2024

    Today on Take the Stage and our special series Ladies Who Rock, we are shining the spotlight on Jaclyn Voor. Jaclyn is a skilled operator specializing in portfolio company value creation for private equity clients. With over 10 years of experience, Jaclyn has built a remarkable career, transforming companies and driving exponential value for her clients. From her early days in consulting at EY to her pivotal role as VP of Transformation for a $1 billion Platinium Equity portfolio company, Jaclyn's expertise in portfolio company value creation is unique. Her passion led her to establish her own independent consulting business focused on portfolio company transformation and value creation.


    Episode Outline and Highlights

    • [1:28] Jaclyn reveals how her interest in supply chain and operations ignited during college and talks about the two key influences that shaped her path.

    • [3:18] The transition into private equity began with her career at EY where she focused on performance improvement and supply chain transformations for PE-backed companies.

    • [5:25] Jaclyn touches on her pivotal move to Platinum Equity and her subsequent promotion to VP of Transformation for its $1 billion portfolio company, Club Car.

    • [7:23] Jaclyn delves into the intrinsic motivation that ultimately fueled her decision to establish her own independent consulting business focused on portfolio company transformation and value creation.

    • [10:35] The conversation dives into imposter syndrome and Jaclyn's strategies for overcoming it, especially given that she was the VP of Transformation for a $1 billion portfolio company before the age of 30. 

    • [14:15] Jaclyn emphasizes the importance of achieving a "state of flow" not only for personal benefit but for professional excellence, as well.

    • [18:29 Jaclyn demystifies the relationship between portfolio operations and value creation.

    • [21:27] Jaclyn offers valuable advice for those aspiring to enter or advance in private equity operations, emphasizing the significance of building quality connections and choosing the right network. 

    • [24:10] Jaclyn sheds light on the nuanced art of building connections and addresses whether to connect with the portfolio operations team at the fund level or with portfolio company leadership

    Jaclyn Voor's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    JV Transformation Advisors ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    Connect with Alexis Alvarez on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | alexis@career-rockstars.com
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
Economics
Show More Show Less

What listeners say about Take the Stage

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com.au reviews

Amazon Reviews
No Reviews are Available
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.