Take the Stage Alexis Alvarez

Today on Take the Stage, we talk to Jarron Smith. Jarron is COO and Managing Director at Zeal Capital Partners, a diverse-founded and led venture capital firm that invests in enduring companies to generate above-market rate returns and impact. With a unique background that defies convention, Jarron brings a fresh perspective to the table, championing the power of diverse management teams and the principles of inclusive investing. Join us as we dive deep into Jarron's journey, explore the transformative impact of Zeal Capital's approach, and uncover the secrets of leading from behind. 

Episode Outline and Highlights

[ 02:04]: Jarron shares his background, from his upbringing in California to his family's move to Texas. He discusses how focusing on academics and athletics led him to the University of Pennsylvania.

[ 04:29]: Jarron talks about his early career from corporate internships starting in high school to EY, and his executive MBA at Columbia.

[ 06:54]: Jarron explains his transition from EY to TIAA, taking on an internal strategy and innovation role and later becoming Chief of Staff.

[ 11:28]: Alexis and Jarron discuss how his experience as a collegiate baseball player shaped his leadership philosophy and approach to business. Key lessons include understanding the balance of power, awareness of the game, competition, self, and role, and regulating emotions.

[ 20:57]: Jarron shares his journey to finding the right executive coach.

[ 30:40]: Jarron explains Zeal Capital's differentiated strategy of inclusive investing and outlines its five pillars.

[ 44:56]: Jarron provides tangible examples of how Zeal's investments have created impact, focusing on the Zeal's portfolio company, Asusu, which has unlocked $22 billion in new credit activity and enabled tens of thousands of people to access mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and auto loans.

[ 52:13]: Jarron offers tactical advice for navigating career changes, including strategically approaching the first 90 days in a new role.

[ 01:03:57]: Jarron discusses the power of being a generalist and developing a broad understanding of what success looks like across an organization.

[ 01:06:16]: Jarron explains the concept of “leading from behind” - setting goals and then applying gentle, consistent pressure to support the team in outperforming. 

[ 01:11:04]: Alexis and Jaron wrap up by reflecting on Zeal Capital's impactful work and Jarron's insightful career philosophies.



Special Mentions
National Advisory Council of ⁠A Better Chance (ABC), an organization that has placed over 18,000 students from underrepresented communities in top college preparatory schools.



Connect with our guest

Jarron Smith's LinkedIn

Zeal Capital Partners | LinkedIn



Connect with Alexis:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | alexis@career-rockstars.com

Today on Take the Stage we are shining the spotlight on Devin Brown, a Venture Capital Associate at TechNexus Venture Collaborative. Devin shares his inspiring journey from a high school athlete with Ivy League dreams to an up-and-coming figure in the venture capital space. He discusses the pivotal moments, challenges, and strategies that shaped his career, offering valuable advice for aspiring investors, especially those from non-traditional backgrounds.



Episode Outline and Highlights[01:30] Devin discusses his upbringing in Dallas, Texas, and his early ambition to pursue athletics. He shares how he earned an athletic scholarship to attend an Ivy League school, but a significant ankle injury in high school redirected his career path from sports to academics, marking a pivotal moment in his life.

[05:29] Devin recounts his freshman year challenges, including loss of identity and the pivotal advice from his father that helped him refocus on academics.

[10:14] Devin talks about his internships and experiences in finance that solidified his interest in venture capital and private equity, particularly at Koch Industries.

[12:34] Devin details his transition from Deloitte Consulting to West Monroe Partners, highlighting how he acquired essential skills in M&A and PE due diligence during this period.

[15:00] Devin opens up about the grueling application process he faced, applying to over 75 venture capital firms and around 60 private equity firms, only to be met with rejection after rejection. He shares how these repeated setbacks taught him resilience and the importance of perseverance. Through this challenging journey, Devin strategically decided to focus solely on venture capital, channeling his energy and determination to break into the field despite the odds.

[17:28] Devin clearly outlines the differences between private equity and venture capital roles. He explains that private equity requires strong quantitative skills, such as financial modeling and valuation, due to its focus on later-stage, profitable companies. In contrast, venture capital values a broader range of backgrounds, including consulting, tech, and startups, because it deals with early-stage, high-growth startups where diverse skills and experiences are crucial for evaluating potential investments.

[19:51] Devin discusses the concept of “owning his story”. Devin's emphasis on his personal narrative became a powerful tool, showcasing his resilience and determination to potential employers.

[24:37] Devin delves into one of the most impactful pieces of advice he received: the importance of thinking like an investor. He explains how this mindset shift was crucial for his success in venture capital recruiting. Devin shares how embracing this approach helped him overcome challenges and better position himself in the VC landscape.

[27:01] Devin explains the various types of venture capital fellowships and emphasizes the strategic advantage of working with general partners who are in the process of raising their first funds.

[34:15] Devin shares his inspiration to bridge the wealth gap for African Americans through venture capital, driven by insights from the book Why Do White Guys Have All the Fun? by Reginald Lewis.

[36:41] Devin addresses the challenge posed by the friends and family round in venture capital and its significant impact on DEI.

[40:09] Devin emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in venture capital and the need for targeted solutions to address systemic issues, such as the friends and family funding gap.

[47:09] Alexis and Devin explore the broader implications of DEI and discuss how micro-actions can drive meaningful positive change.



Connect with our guest

Devin Brown's LinkedIn



Connect with Alexis: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | alexis@career-rockstars.com

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

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 LinkedIn
Cold Bore Capital Website | LinkedIn
Greg Povenski's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Resources Mentioned


Elite Meet
51 Vets
Veterans on Wall Street
"The Business Case for Hiring Military Veterans"
Military Veterans’ Transferrable Skills: An HRD Practitioner Dilemma"

Special Causes


Green Beret Foundation
Warrior Mission Ranch



Connect with Alexis: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | alexis@career-rockstars.com

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

This is Part 2 of our Take the Stage episode with Matan Feldman.

Matan is founder and CEO of Wall Street Prep, a global full-service financial training firm providing self-study programs, instructor-led training and e-learning services to investment banks, financial institutions, and Fortune 1000 companies.

In Part 2, Matan reflects on the transformative journey of Wall Street Prep since the 2008 crisis and its impact on the finance industry.



Episode Outline and Highlights

[01:52] - Matan discusses the impact of the 2008 financial crisis on Wall Street Prep and how they adapted.

[03:42] - He touches on how they expanded from a single program into a comprehensive suite of financial education offerings and the strategic approach they took to cater to corporate clients while shifting towards digitization. 

[12:16] - Matan’s realization that Wall Street Prep is becoming a “real” business marks a turning point, as they begin to define themselves as a format-agnostic content company and begin investing in technology, hires, and building capabilities to deliver content both in the classroom and digitally. 

[14:15] - This commitment to delivering high-quality content in both digital and classroom formats led to a slow but steady growth trajectory and positioned themselves for bigger wins in the corporate sector. 

[23:43] - Matan shares his thoughts on how Wall Street Prep has transformed the finance industry by providing equal opportunities for individuals to break into competitive careers and thereby leveling the playing field when it comes to removing barriers that existed before.

[24:35] - While he takes pride in Wall Street Prep’s role as an equalizer, enabling anyone, regardless of their program, academic background, or school reputation, to learn and thrive in the industry, Matan also questions whether Wall Street Prep has made recruitment interviews harder.

[26:08] - Looking ahead, their vision is to become the go-to resource for all finance careers, bridge the generational divide, and meet the evolving needs of learners in a rapidly changing industry.

[31:25] - Matan wraps up by discussing Wall Street Prep's mission to go beyond being a mere signaling mechanism. As industries evolve, including the influence of AI and data, Wall Street Prep remains focused on the end user and ensuring their products deliver tangible results.



Special Links:

This career-focused program combines the institutional knowledge from the world’s leading business school with the practical skills approach of the private equity industry's leading training provider.

⁠Wall Street Prep & Wharton Private Equity Certificate Program⁠



Connect with Matan Feldman

Matan Feldman on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Wall Street Prep ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Connect with Alexis Alvarez

Alexis on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Alexis on email alexis@career-rockstars.com