Private Equity Fast Pitch

Daphne Dufresne is the Founder and Managing Partner of Awani Capital. She leads the firm's strategic direction, investment decisions, and value creation initiatives across the portfolio. With over 25 years of private equity experience, Daphne has a long-standing track record of building scalable businesses in the business and industrial services sectors. She plays an active role in all phases of the investment process—from deal sourcing and thesis development to portfolio company growth and exit strategy.
 
Before founding Awani, Daphne was a Managing Partner at GenNx360, a $2.2 billion middle-market private equity firm based in New York. She served on the investment, valuation, and exit committees, and led direct investments in GenServe, Precision Aviation Group, Aero 3, and Whitsons Culinary Group, completing 31 add-on acquisitions across these platforms.
 
Daphne was also a founding Managing Director at RLJ Equity Partners. Earlier in her career, she also held senior roles at Parish Capital Advisors, Weston Presidio, and the Bank of Scotland's Structured Finance group, and began her career at Accenture.
 
Daphne is on the board of directors of NYSE (UNFI) where she chairs the Compensation Committee.

Daphne earned a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

In recognition of International Women's Month, I'm releasing a montage of advice from some of the most accomplished women in our industry.
 
These remarkable leaders have navigated one of the most demanding and historically male-dominated corners of business and have done it with conviction, resilience, and extraordinary leadership.
 
If you're a young professional, a student considering this industry, or a leader developing the next generation of talent, this episode is worth your time.
 
Sunaina Sinha - Global Head, Private Capital Advisory, and Senior Managing Director, Raymond James
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000667167867
 
Shannon Zoller - Founder, Tephra Advisors
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000552841977
 
Neha Markle - Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000633494095
 
Caroline Stevens - Investor, MPK Equity Partners
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000597747344
 
Chrisanne Corbett - Managing Director, KPMG
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000432826264
 
Deborah Smith - Co-Founder and CEO, The CenterCap Group
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000557619821
 
Devon Kirk - General Partner, Portage Capital Solutions 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000658066071
 
Franny Jones - Partner, Investor Relations, The Sterling Group
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000452341799
 
Gina Luna - Partner, GP Capital
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000555838972
 
Gretchen Perkins - Partner(Origination), Avance Investment Management
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000453890941
 
Kristin Johnson - Managing Director, Altamont Capital Partners
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000726285319
 
Lauren Moohalland - Waypoint Ridge Capital
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000468986627
 
Lucy Heintz - Partner, Head of Energy Infrastructure, Actis
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000701104377
 
Michelle Noon - Founder and Managing Partner, Clearhaven Partners
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000733152917
 
Neda Vakilian - Partner, Actis
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000713638680

Suzanne Yoon is the Founder and Managing Partner of Kinzie Capital Partners, a Chicago-
based private equity firm redefining the lower middle market. With over 25 years of
experience, Suzanne founded Kinzie on the conviction that sustainable value is unlocked
by integrating people and operational innovation with technology.
 
Under her leadership, Kinzie specializes in founder transitions across the manufacturing,
business services, and consumer sectors. Suzanne and her team move beyond traditional
oversight to serve as hands-on partners, utilizing tech-driven efficiencies to scale
established businesses while honoring their heritage.
 
A recognized industry trailblazer, Suzanne has been honored by The Wall Street Journal as a
Top Female Deal Maker and by Mergers & Acquisitions as a leading voice in Mid-Market
M&A. Beyond the firm, she serves on the board of NYSE-listed ADT and the Chicago Bears
Women's Advisory Board. An avid outdoorswoman and proud University of Iowa alumna,
Suzanne enjoys golfing and fishing with her husband and three children.

Andy Unanue is the founder and Managing Partner of AUA Private Equity Partners, an operationally-focused, lower middle market investment firm with expertise in supporting and growing family-owned and demographic-driven businesses. Andy is a member of AUA Private Equity's Investment Committee, and under his leadership, AUA has deployed over $800 million of capital to date.
 
AUA's business model is driven by Andy's own family background – he is a member of the Unanue family, which owns and runs Goya Foods, the largest producer of Spanish- and Latin-American foods in the United States. Andy's grandfather, Prudencio, founded the company in 1936, and Andy's father, Joe, was a legendary CEO of the company himself. Andy was a leader of Goya for many years, ultimately serving as its Chief Operating Officer before founding AUA.
 
Andy currently serves on the boards of Tropical Cheese Industries and Westminster Pet Products, and previously served on the board of Goya Foods. Additionally, he serves on several not-for-profit boards including his family's charitable foundation, The C&J Unanue Foundation. Andy is a member of the University of Miami's Dean's Advisory Committee, the New America Alliance and is on the Columbia University Medical Center's Board of Advisors.
 
Andy received his M.B.A from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and his B.B.A. from the University of Miami.

Eric Wiklendt is a Managing Director at Speyside Equity, where he is responsible for sourcing, executing, managing, and exiting investments. Eric has previously held senior leadership and operational roles, and he currently serves on the Boards of several portfolio companies.
 
Before joining Speyside Equity, Eric was President & CEO of Kelix Heat Transfer Systems. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at Eaton and Hilti Corporation, where he oversaw M&A activities, established a manufacturing plant in Mexico, managed a large marketing team, and directed industrial sales operations.
 
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Eric obtained his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.