Our Team

Richard Levy is the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer, and Founder of VPC. He oversees the Firm’s investment and operational activities. Mr. Levy is also the chairman of the Firm’s Investment Committee and Valuation Committee.

Mr. Levy serves as chairman of the board of directors of VPC portfolio company, Giordano’s. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of VPC portfolio companies, Caribbean Financial Group, Tradable, and United Automobile Insurance Company.

Previously, Mr. Levy served as head of the Small Cap Structured Products Group and co-head of the Solutions Group at Magnetar Capital. He also co-founded and served as managing partner at Crestview Capital Partners.

Mr. Levy received a B.A. in political science from The Ohio State University, an MBA from the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Stuart School of Business, and a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law. He is a member of the Illinois Bar (inactive).

Mr. Levy sits on the Board of Trustees for the Illinois Institute of Technology (“Illinois Tech”) as well as the university’s Board of Endowment. He serves as the Co-Chair of The Chicago Difference Trustee Task Force (an Illinois Tech Initiative), a community transformation and scholarship initiative focused on developing and retaining talented, underrepresented science, technology, engineering, and math students from Chicago. He previously served on the Board of Camp Kesem.

Brendan Carroll is a Senior Partner at VPC, which he co-founded in 2007. He is responsible for strategic initiatives and Firm operations in addition to sourcing, evaluating, and executing investment opportunities. Mr. Carroll also oversees marketing, fundraising, business development and investor relations for the Firm. He is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee and Valuation Committee.

Previously, as a member of the Solutions Group at Magnetar Capital, Mr. Carroll specialized in direct financings to lower middle market companies. He has held various investment banking positions at William Blair and Robertson Stephens, specializing in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Carroll has also worked in various capacities for former U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman (I- CT).

Mr. Carroll received a B.A. with honors in government from Georgetown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Jeffrey Schneider joined VPC in 2010 and is the Chief Operating Officer. He is responsible for the Firm’s operations and the execution of strategic initiatives and oversees compliance, finance, accounting, tax, and fund operations. He is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee and Valuation Committee.

Mr. Schneider currently serves on the board of directors of VPC portfolio company, Tradable.

Previously, Mr. Schneider served as the controller and vice president of corporate finance for Citadel’s fund administrator, Omnium, now Northern Trust Hedge Fund Services, LLC, where he oversaw the development and build of the corporate accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and planning processes. Previously, he was an auditor in the Investment Banking Group at J.P. Morgan and led a middle office supporting a large proprietary commercial mortgage-backed securities portfolio. Mr. Schneider also has held various finance and accounting roles at Divine, a start-up software company, and was an auditor at Arthur Andersen. Mr. Schneider was named a 2023 Notable Leader in Finance by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Mr. Schneider received a B.S. in accountancy from the University of Illinois. He is a registered Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois (inactive).

Scott Zemnick joined VPC in 2008 and is the General Counsel. He oversees the Firm’s legal operations and the structuring, negotiation, execution, and protection of the Firm’s investment portfolio. Mr. Zemnick is an ex-officio member of the Firm’s Investment Committee.

Mr. Zemnick currently serves on the board of directors of VPC portfolio company, Counsel Financial.

Previously, Mr. Zemnick was a partner in the Restructuring Group at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He focused on representing large domestic and international debtors, lenders, and strategic and financial investors in complex Chapter 11 bankruptcies, out-of-court restructurings, distressed investments, and other corporate and financing matters.

Mr. Zemnick received a B.A. in psychology from the University of Michigan and a J.D. with high honors from the Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he was selected to the Order of the Coif. He is an active member of the Illinois Bar.

Olibia Stamatoglou joined VPC in 2019 and is a Managing Director, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Chief Compliance Officer. She oversees business and fund operations, including finance, compliance, and accounting. She is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee and Valuation Committee.

Previously, Mrs. Stamatoglou served as vice president of finance at Valor Equity Partners, where she managed firm and fund finance activities. Prior to Valor, she served as chief operating officer and chief financial officer of First National Assets, a specialty finance private equity group specializing in tax lien purchases and real estate-owned ventures. She joined First National Assets from Aurora Investment Management, where she progressed through several accounting roles. Mrs. Stamatoglou was named a 2023 Notable Leader in Finance and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by Crain’s Chicago Business. Mrs. Stamatoglou was also recognized as one of Crain’s Notable Women in Finance for 2019.

Mrs. Stamatoglou received a B.S. in accounting and finance from DePaul University. She is a registered Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois (inactive).

John Martin joined VPC in 2019 and is a Senior Partner. Based in Chicago, he is primarily responsible for supporting the Firm’s investment strategies while leveraging more than thirty years of experience in the private credit investment industry. Mr. Martin is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee.

Previously, Mr. Martin served as managing partner and co-CEO of Antares Capital, LP, a private debt credit manager. He was a founding partner of the original Antares Capital in 1996, a startup business that provided acquisition financing capital to the portfolio companies of private equity firms across North America. Over the course of nine years, Antares grew to become one of the largest providers of acquisition capital to private equity sponsors in the middle market. Following the firm’s acquisition by GE Capital in 2005, Mr. Martin became President and CEO of the newly branded GE Antares Capital and helped to direct the strategic vision of the business. Following the firm’s acquisition by CPPIB in 2015, he engineered a highly complex carve out of the business from GE Capital and remained as Co-CEO. Mr. Martin sat on the Antares Investment Committee throughout his tenure at the company and was a member of the board of directors. Prior to founding Antares John was a senior executive of Heller Financial, earning four Chairman’s Club awards for outstanding performance. He began his career with Continental Illinois National Bank and spent two years with Citicorp’s Leveraged Finance business.

Mr. Martin earned a B.S. from the University of Notre Dame and served as a member of the Mendoza College of Business Advisory Council for 12 years. In 2019, he was appointed as the first chair of the newly established Advisory Council for the IDEA Center, a hub of innovation at Notre Dame. He serves on the board of the Executives Club of Chicago, Automotive Keys Group LLC, Key Investment Partners, and The Ugly Company. He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and is a director of the Western Golf Association. Mr. Martin also serves as a Board member of the Midtown Educational Foundation, the Center for American Entrepreneurship and is actively involved in a number of non-profit organizations in the Chicagoland area.

Jason Brown joined VPC in 2014 and is a Partner. He is primarily responsible for sourcing, analyzing, executing, and managing investments. Mr. Brown also actively works on value creation initiatives and strategic alternatives for the firm. Mr. Brown is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee.

Mr. Brown currently serves on the board of directors of VPC portfolio company, Labs.Dental Holdings.

Mr. Brown has more than 25 years of experience in financial services. Most recently, Mr. Brown was a managing director for GE Capital, Corporate and Restructuring Finance for more than ten years, where he and his team provided growth, working capital, and turnaround finance to mid-size and large companies. His team also specialized in senior secured loans to distressed companies supporting Chapter 11 filings, plan-of-reorganizations, and out-of-court restructurings. Prior to GE Capital, he worked at Comerica Bank as a manager in their northern Los Angeles office and for Manufacturers Hanover in Sydney, Australia. He has also served as the global chairman and president of the Los Angeles chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG).

Mr. Brown received a B.S. in business administration from the University of Southern California.

Connell Hasten joined VPC in 2018 and is a Partner. He co-founded and manages the Firm’s insurance services platform and is primarily responsible for sourcing, underwriting, executing, and managing investment opportunities. Mr. Hasten is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee.

Previously, Mr. Hasten was a managing director at EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, an insurance company with approximately $20.0 billion in assets, where he oversaw a large portion of private and public debt and equity investments. Prior to EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, Mr. Hasten was a director at Guggenheim Partners and served as a portfolio manager, primarily responsible for investment portfolios on behalf of insurance companies. Beforehand, Mr. Hasten was a vice president at Bank of America in special situations and real estate lending groups.

Mr. Hasten received his B.S. from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He has served as a guest lecturer and panelist at Washington University’s Olin Business School and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Mr. Hasten was a recipient of the ULI 40 under 40 award in 2016 and is also an active Chicago board member of Camp Kesem.

Kinan Hayani joined VPC in 2015 and is a Partner. He is responsible for sourcing, analyzing, executing, and managing investments across multiple industries, including financial services and special situations-oriented investments, and multiple strategies, including asset backed debt, late-stage growth equity, and special purpose acquisition companies.

Previously, Mr. Hayani was an investment banking analyst at Greenhill & Co. in Chicago, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Hayani graduated with the highest honors from the University of Illinois, where he received a BBA in finance.

Don Richman joined VPC in 2019 and is a Partner. He focuses on value creation initiatives and strategic alternatives for VPC’s portfolio companies, firmwide business development, and new product development.

Mr. Richman has spent the last 10 years of his career building and scaling consumer-focused, technology-enabled brands and identifying and executing new revenue opportunities within those businesses. He has full company lifecycle operating experience across a variety of industries, from early-stage, venture-backed start-ups to large, international public companies.

Most recently, Mr. Richman was senior vice president of business development and corporate strategy at OneMain Financial (NYSE:OMF), where he managed a $2.3 billion per year origination channel and lead the company’s digital strategy. Prior to OMF, Mr. Richman spent four years as chief marketing officer at Avant, Inc., a leading near-prime consumer lender. In less than two years, Mr. Richman built and managed the team that helped scale the business from $50.0 million per year in origination volume to over $3.0 billion per year. He also helped incubate the company’s Lending-as-a-Service technology offering (Amount) that powers consumer lending at TD Bank, HSBC, Banco Popular, and Regions Bank. Prior to Avant, Inc., Mr. Richman was director of new business development at Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN), where he built a variety of new businesses and revenue streams pre-IPO through the company’s public offering. Before Groupon, Mr. Richman was director of business development at Bonobos (acquired by Walmart).

Mr. Richman began his career in investment banking, spending four years providing sell-side M&A advice to middle market consumer and industrial companies at Robert W. Baird and Mesirow Financial.

He received a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Gordon Watson joined VPC in 2014 and is a Partner. He is primarily responsible for sourcing, analyzing, executing and managing investments across multiple strategies including asset backed debt, late-stage growth equity and special purpose acquisition companies. Mr. Watson is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee.

Mr. Watson currently serves on the board of directors of VPC portfolio company, Bakkt Holdings Inc.

Previously, Mr. Watson was a portfolio manager at GLG Partners, a London-based 31 billion multi-strategy hedge fund that concentrates on a diverse range of alternative investments. He joined GLG when it purchased Ore Hill Partners, a credit focused hedge fund where Mr. Watson was a partner.

Mr. Watson received a B.A. in political science from Colgate University and an MBA from Columbia University.

Tom Welch joined VPC in 2009 and is a Partner. He is primarily responsible for sourcing, analyzing, executing, and managing investments. Mr. Welch also actively works on value creation initiatives and strategic alternatives for portfolio companies and is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee.

Previously, Mr. Welch served as a credit underwriter in the Cash-Flow Lending Group for CapitalSource, concentrating his investment efforts in the industries of industrials, consumer products, and business services. He also worked in the Global Multi-Industries Investment Banking Group at Merrill Lynch, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, leveraged finance, and growth capital transactions.

Mr. Welch received a B.S. in finance with honors from the University of Illinois.

Chad Clamage joined VPC in 2022 and is a Managing Director. He is responsible for sourcing, analyzing, executing, and managing investments within the legal finance industry.

Mr. Clamage currently serves on the board of directors of VPC portfolio companies, Bespoke, Calumet Capital, Counsel Financial, Delta Capital Partners, and Statera.

Previously, Mr. Clamage was a vice president at Burford Capital, where he underwrote and managed litigation finance investments. Prior to Burford, Mr. Clamage was counsel at Mayer Brown LLP, where his practice focused on class action defense, mass tort, and appellate litigation. Before Mayer Brown, Mr. Clamage clerked for the Honorable Diane S. Sykes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Mr. Clamage graduated with distinction from Stanford Law School, where he received a J.D. He graduated with distinction and departmental honors from Stanford University, where he received a B.A. in economics.

Joshua Platek joined VPC in 2018 and is a Managing Director. He co-founded the firm’s insurance services platform and is primarily responsible for sourcing, underwriting, executing, and managing investment opportunities for insurers.

Previously, Mr. Platek was a vice president at EquiTrust Life Insurance Company where he co-managed a private debt and structured credit investment portfolio. Prior to EquiTrust, Mr. Platek worked at Maranon Capital, a Chicago-based provider of senior financing, mezzanine debt, and equity for middle market transactions. He also worked at Paul Capital, a New York-based private equity fund.

Mr. Platek received a B.B.A. in finance and economics from the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is a CFA charter holder.

Sergio Ruffolo joined VPC in 2018 and is a Principal. He is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Mr. Ruffolo was an investment banking analyst in the Restructuring Group at Lazard Frères & Co. in New York. At Lazard, he focused on in and out-of-court corporate restructurings and other distressed debt transactions.

Mr. Ruffolo received a B.A. in economics from the University of Chicago.

Drew Schwartz joined VPC in 2019 and is a Principal. Since 2023, he has led the firm’s strategy and corporate development function and is responsible for evaluating growth opportunities for the firm. Prior to that, he served as a member of the investment team, responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities for the firm’s funds and managed several investments.

Before joining VPC, Mr. Schwartz was an investment banking associate at Goldman Sachs in New York, where he focused on middle market leveraged finance. Prior to investment banking, Mr. Schwartz worked in Goldman Sachs’ asset management division, focusing on alternative and opportunistic investments for institutional clients.

Mr. Schwartz graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a B.A. in economics with a minor in history.

Nicole Berkman joined VPC in 2024 and is a Vice President. She is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Ms. Berkman was a vice president at Blackstone in the Multi-Asset Investing Group, focusing on structured and corporate credit investments.

Ms. Berkman received a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Matt Luckoff joined VPC in 2022 and is a Vice President. He is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Mr. Luckoff was director of operations and strategy at ProApprove, a consumer lending platform based in Detroit, MI, that he co-founded. Prior to ProApprove, Mr. Luckoff was an associate at VPC and an investment banking analyst in the DCM and Restructuring Group at Piper Jaffray in New York and Chicago, focusing on healthy and distressed debt financing transactions across a range of industry sectors.

Mr. Luckoff received a B.A. in economics with a minor in finance from the University of Michigan.

Adam Nelson joined VPC in 2021 and is a Vice President. He is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Mr. Nelson currently serves on the board of directors of VPC portfolio company, Delta Capital Partners.

Previously, Mr. Nelson was a senior investment analyst in the Corporate & Project Workouts Group at PGIM Private Capital in Chicago, focusing on special situations and distressed debt investments as well as portfolio restructurings.

Mr. Nelson received a BBA in finance and risk management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Natalie Pasicznyk joined VPC in 2021 and is a Vice President. She is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Ms. Pasicznyk was an investment banking analyst in the Financial Restructuring Group at Houlihan Lokey in Chicago, focusing on corporate restructurings and distressed debt transactions.

Ms. Pasicznyk received a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan. She is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and a CFA charter holder.

Mike Salko joined VPC in 2020 and is a Vice President. He is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Mr. Salko was an investment banking associate in the Financial Institutions Group at Credit Suisse in New York, focusing on M&A and corporate financings.

Mr. Salko received a B.A. in economics from The University of California, Los Angeles.

Joy Gu joined VPC in 2022 and is a Senior Associate. She is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Ms. Gu was an analyst in the Leveraged Finance Group at J.P. Morgan in Chicago, focusing on capital markets transactions and corporate financings.

Ms. Gu graduated from Northwestern University, where she received a B.A. in economics along with minors in legal studies and the business institutions program.

Spencer Jacque joined VPC in 2023 and is a Senior Associate. He is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Mr. Jacque was an investment banking associate in the Global Industrials Group at Credit Suisse in Chicago, focusing on M&A, debt, and equity transactions. Prior to being an investment banker, Mr. Jacque worked at 5th Century Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, where he focused on middle-market buyout transactions across various industries.

Mr. Jacque received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a B.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

James Naumovski joined VPC in 2022 and is a Senior Associate. He is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Mr. Naumovski was an investment banking analyst in the Restructuring and Capital Solutions Group at Lazard Frères & Co. in Chicago. At Lazard, he focused on in and out-of-court corporate restructurings and other distressed debt transactions.

Mr. Naumovski received a B.A. in economics from the University of Chicago.

Andrew Pascal joined VPC in 2024 and is a Senior Associate. He is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Mr. Pascal worked at Bardin Hill Investment Partners on the opportunistic credit team, focusing on private debt and litigation finance investments. Prior to Bardin Hill, Mr. Pascal was an associate at Scopia Capital Management and a senior analyst at Northern Trust.

Mr. Pascal received a B.A. in economics from Miami University. He is a CFA charter holder.

Raul Vergara joined VPC in 2023 and is a Senior Associate. He is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Mr. Vergara was an investment banking associate at Goldman Sachs’ Financial Institutions Group in New York, where he focused on M&A, Debt, and Equity transactions for firms in the Fintech and Asset Management sectors. Prior to being an investment banker, Mr. Vergara worked at the Central Bank of Mexico, focusing on policy and regulation for the retail payments market.

Mr. Vergara received an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he was a J. Chico Scholar. He also received a B.A. in Economics from Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City.

Jack Budde joined VPC in 2024 and is an Associate. He is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Mr. Budde was an investment banking analyst in the Technology Group at Barclays in Chicago, focusing on M&A and capital markets transactions.

Mr. Budde received a B.A. in finance from Michigan State University and was a member of the Financial Markets Institute.

Annalee Dannegger joined VPC in 2024 and is an Associate. She is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Ms. Dannegger was a senior investment analyst at PGIM Private Capital’s corporate mezzanine fund in Chicago. At PGIM Private Capital, she focused on underwriting new investments and portfolio monitoring.

Ms. Dannegger received a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Iowa.

Ford Johnstone joined VPC in 2023 and is an Associate. He is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Mr. Johnstone was an investment banking associate in the technology & services group at R.W. Baird in Chicago. At Baird, he focused on tech-enabled services, M&A, and capital markets transactions.

Mr. Johnstone received a B.A. in economics and computer science from Swarthmore College.

Joyce Lu joined VPC in 2024 and is an Associate. She is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Ms. Lu was an associate in the Leveraged Finance Group at J.P. Morgan in Chicago, focusing on capital markets transactions and corporate financings.

Ms. Lu received a B.S. in industrial engineering from Northwestern University and a Kellogg managerial analytics certificate.

Hugh Peggram joined VPC in 2022 and is an Associate. He is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Mr. Peggram was an investment banking senior analyst in the Financial Institutions Group at Jefferies, focusing on M&A and capital markets transactions. Prior to Jefferies, Mr. Peggram interned at VPC as an investment analyst.

Mr. Peggram graduated with First-Class Honors from the University of Bath, where he received a BSc in Business Administration.

Joey Trubnick joined VPC in 2023 and is an Associate. He is responsible for due diligence and financial analysis related to new investment opportunities and assists with portfolio monitoring and managing current investments.

Previously, Mr. Trubnick was an investment banking analyst at Stifel, focusing on tech-enabled services M&A and capital markets transactions.

Mr. Trubnick graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maryland, where he received a B.S. in Finance along with a minor in real estate development.

Sora Monachino joined VPC in 2022 and is a Managing Director. Ms. Monachino leads investor relations and is primarily responsible for investor relations, marketing, and communications for the firm.  Ms. Monachino is also actively involved in sourcing and fundraising for VPC funds.

Previously, she was vice president of investor relations at Pomona Capital, a private equity secondaries firm in New York. Prior to Pomona Capital, she was an assistant vice president at Monroe Capital and held various investor relations roles at Mesirow Financial.

Ms. Monachino received a B.A. in English and Art History from Drake University and an M.B.A. from Cornell University. She also serves on the Development Board of PAWS Chicago.

Stephanie Mesheski joined VPC in 2024 as a Principal. Ms. Mesheski is primarily responsible for fundraising. 

Previously, Ms. Mesheski was head of marketing at Gladius Capital, an asset manager specializing in volatility and derivative based strategies. Prior to joining Gladius, Ms. Mesheski was a managing director and co-head, of the client relationship group at Balyasny Asset Management where she was responsible for developing and leading the marketing strategy designed to launch products, build relationships, and attract new investors. Ms. Mesheski joined Balyasny in 2005, just after the fund opened up to outside capital. Ms. Mesheski has over 20 years of industry experience devising strategies, building relationships, and raising assets that have positioned firms for growth.

Ms. Mesheski earned a BA in Economics, French and International Studies from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Ms. Mesheski has been an active supporter of the Giving Rocks Foundation, an organization with a mission to eliminate pediatric cancer with a focus on LCH research.

Katherine Carusona joined VPC in 2022 and is a Senior Vice President. Ms. Carusona is primarily responsible for investor relations, marketing, and communications for the firm.  Ms. Carusona is also actively involved in fundraising for VPC funds.

Previously, she was vice president of investor relations at Harrison Street, a private real estate firm in Chicago. Prior to Harrison Street, she was a manager of Client Service Support at Guggenheim Investments and held various consulting and investor relations roles at Mesirow Financial, Huron Consulting Group, and Attain, LLC.

Ms. Carusona received a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Stefanie Kahan joined VPC in 2017 and is a Senior Vice President. She is primarily responsible for investor relations, marketing, and communications. Mrs. Kahan is also actively involved in fundraising for VPC funds.

Previously, Mrs. Kahan was the marketing and operations associate at Greenbriar Asset Management LP. Prior to that, she held various roles in the investment banking division of William Blair and subsequently at Robert W. Baird.

Mrs. Kahan graduated with honors from the University of Illinois, receiving a B.S. in psychology with a minor in communications.

Jordan Barry joined VPC in 2019 and is a Director. She is primarily responsible for investor relations as well as marketing and communications for the firm. Ms. Barry is also actively involved in fundraising for VPC funds.

Ms. Barry graduated from Stanford University where she received a B.A. in communication with a minor in psychology.

Joel Hart joined VPC in 2014 and is a Managing Director and the Chief Risk Officer. He is responsible for risk management across VPC’s portfolio companies.

Previously, Mr. Hart was a manager in the Risk and Compliance practice at global consulting firm, Protiviti, where he specialized in credit risk and lender due diligence for asset securitizations and other structured finance transactions.

Mr. Hart received a B.S. in finance and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Illinois. He is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and certified Financial Risk Manager (inactive).

Mark Smith joined VPC in 2018 and is a Principal of Data Analytics in New York. He is responsible for creating and maintaining performance and risk management analytic systems to support due diligence, monitoring, reporting and structuring across VPC funds and their investments.

Previously, Mr. Smith served as a consultant at Birch Grove Capital Advisors LLC where he conducted data analysis and reporting, valuation, strategy and financial analysis on behalf of financial services investors and clients. Prior to Birch Grove, Mr. Smith was an investment banker in the FIG group at BMO Capital Markets where he specialized in modeling, valuation, strategic advice and capital raising. Prior to BMO, Mr. Smith was a software professional at Misys (currently part of Finastra) where he designed, built and managed large-scale implementations of enterprise financial reporting and accounting software systems for financial services and corporate treasury clients.

Mr. Smith received a B.A. in economics from the University of Michigan and graduated with honors from Columbia University, where he received an MBA.

Nick Simoncelli joined VPC in 2023 and is a Credit & Risk Operations Director. He is responsible for risk management across VPC’s portfolio companies, as well as supporting performance and risk management analytic systems.

Previously, Mr. Simoncelli was an associate within analytics for BMO Capital Markets, a global investment bank, where he focused on cash flow modeling, structuring, and quantifying credit risk of asset-backed security collateral and other structured finance assets.

Mr. Simoncelli received a B.A. in Finance and Management from St. Ambrose University.

Michelle Sterne joined VPC in 2022 and is a Credit & Risk Operations Director. She is responsible for monitoring and overseeing VPC’s portfolio companies.

Previously, Mrs. Sterne was a manager in the risk and compliance practice at Protiviti, a global consulting firm, where she focused on credit risk and lender due diligence for asset securitizations and other structured finance transactions.

Mrs. Sterne graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she received a B.S. in Finance.

Justin Maleson joined VPC in 2024 and is the Assistant General Counsel, assisting with oversight of the Firm’s legal operations.

Most recently, Mr. Maleson was a director at Longford Capital, where he was responsible for originating litigation finance opportunities, conducting due diligence, and managing commercial investments. While at Longford, Mr. Maleson was ranked by Chambers & Partners as one of the top twenty litigation finance professionals in the U.S., and by LawDragon as one of the 100 global leaders in the industry. Before Longford, Mr. Maleson was a litigation partner at Jenner & Block, where he advised and represented clients on a wide-array of complex and high-value commercial and intellectual property matters across the U.S. and abroad.

Mr. Maleson received his B.S. from the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, and his J.D. from the University of New Hampshire, where he graduated with the highest honors. He is an active member of the Illinois Bar and is also admitted to practice in New Hampshire and Maine (both inactive).

Andrew Murray joined VPC in 2014 and is the Managing Director of Operations. He leads the treasury, valuation, investment allocation, performance analytics, and internal reporting processes for the VPC funds and their investments. He is a member of the firm’s Valuation Committee.

Previously, Mr. Murray was an associate at Scout Capital Management, LLC covering the operations, risk management, and trade support functions of the firm. He also worked as a senior operations analyst at Highland Capital Management, L.P.

Mr. Murray received a B.S. in business management from Providence College.

Carly Altieri joined VPC in 2018 and is a Principal. She oversees the fund accounting team in the execution of accounting, finance, tax, audit, reporting and treasury related activities for the VPC funds.

Previously, Ms. Altieri was a vice president in Financial Control for Northern Trust Hedge Fund Services, where she was responsible for the fund accounting team supporting hedge fund clients. Prior to Northern Trust, she was an officer at JPMorgan Chase, where she worked in Private Equity and Real Estate Services. Ms. Altieri started her career in audit at KPMG LLP, specializing in the financial services industry.

Ms. Altieri received a B.S. in accountancy and finance from Marquette University. She is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Amy Boyle joined VPC in 2023 and is a Principal. Ms. Boyle is the Director of Human Resources and is primarily responsible for leading the firm’s human capital strategy, including attracting, developing, and retaining members of the VPC team.

Previously, she held leadership roles in various industries and most recently led the United States Human Resource support for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce’s private wealth and private banking lines of business; prior to that, Ms. Boyle was the human resource director at Geneva Advisors, LLC.

Ms. Boyle graduated magna cum laude from Loyola University of Chicago, where she received a B.A. in Communications.

Alex Cordover joined VPC in 2021 and is a Principal and the Head of Technology. He oversees various strategic technology initiatives, including development and implementation of new tools.

Previously, Mr. Cordover co-founded and was chief technology officer at Crowd Point, an AI-powered marketing technology startup, where he led the development of all the firm’s technology products and infrastructure which resulted in large-scale social data ingestion and modeling engine. Prior to Crowd Point, Mr. Cordover was a machine learning architect at Grainger, where he led the development and implementation of a high-performance AI platform that empowered 100+ data scientists in their daily work and hosted real-time, AI-powered services that generated several hundred million dollars per year of revenue. Mr. Cordover also served as the director of data science at Block Six Analytics, acquired by Excel Sports Management, where he led new AI product development and built much of the firm’s core technology products.

Mr. Cordover received an A.B. in statistics from the University of Chicago.

Tom Gazdziak joined VPC in 2015 and is a Principal. He oversees the fund accounting team in the execution of accounting, finance, tax, audit, reporting and treasury related activities for the VPC funds.

Previously, Mr. Gazdziak was an assurance senior associate within the financial services practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, specializing in the banking and capital markets industry.

Mr. Gazdziak received a B.S. in accountancy and finance and an MBA in accountancy and financial analysis from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Stephanie Rupinski joined VPC in 2021 and is a Senior Vice President, Operations.  She assists with the treasury, valuation, investment allocation, performance analytics and internal reporting processes for the VPC funds and their investments.

Previously, Ms. Rupinski was a Director at Valor Equity Partners where she assisted with all firm and fund accounting functions. Ms. Rupinski started her career in audit at Plante Moran, specializing within the financial services industry.

Ms. Rupinski received a B.B.A. in accounting and finance from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Accounting from the University of Michigan. She is a registered Certified Public Accountant.

Beth Bender joined VPC in 2022 as a Vice President. She assists the fund accounting team in the execution of accounting, finance, tax, audit, reporting and treasury related activities.

Previously, Ms. Bender was an accounting analyst for William Harris Investors, a private investment firm and family office. She was responsible for the accounting of private equity vehicles, hedge funds and their family foundation. Prior to that, she had experience at a public real estate investment trust and a specialty finance private equity group. Ms. Bender began her career advancing through various accounting roles at Aurora Investment Management.

Ms. Bender received a B.S. in accountancy honors and finance from DePaul University. She is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Dan Brendich joined VPC in 2022 and is a Vice President of Fund Accounting. He oversees the accounting, finance, reporting and treasury related activities for various VPC funds, including working with the third-party fund administrator to prepare the fund financial and investor statements, compiling internal and external reporting, and assisting with audits of the funds.

Previously, Mr. Brendich was an assurance manager within the financial services practice at Ernst & Young LLP, specializing in the wealth and asset management industry.

Mr. Brendich received a B.S. in Accounting from Saint Louis University and a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Illinois (Chicago). He is also a Certified Public Accountant (active).

Brendan McDonagh joined VPC in 2024 and is a Vice President, Corporate Controller. He manages the firm’s corporate accounting, tax, and finance matters.

Previously, Mr. McDonagh was a manager at Citadel, where he assisted with firm accounting and treasury-related functions. He began his career with EY in the assurance practice, primarily focused on the real estate industry.

Mr. McDonagh received a B.S. in accountancy from DePaul University.

Tim Ruder joined VPC in 2023 and is a Vice President of Fund Accounting. He assists with accounting, finance, tax, audit, reporting and treasury related activities for various VPC funds.

Previously, Mr. Ruder was an assurance manager within the financial services practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP serving hedge fund, mutual fund, and private equity clients.

Mr. Ruder received a B.S. in Accounting and a Master of Science in Accounting from Marquette University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Brad Williams joined VPC in 2021 and is a Vice President, Operations. He assists with valuation, deal execution, risk management and reporting processes for VPC funds and their investments.

Previously, Mr. Williams was an Associate at GCM Grosvenor covering the operations and trade support functions within the strategic investments group. He also worked as an experienced associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Mr. Williams earned his B.S. in finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

Chase Costin joined VPC in 2022 and is a Director, Operations. He assists with treasury, finance, and reporting processes for the VPC funds and their investments.

Previously, Mr. Costin was an associate at Magnetar Capital, focused on portfolio financing and treasury services within the fixed income group.

Mr. Costin earned his B.S. in accounting and finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (active).

Carrie Gulick joined VPC in 2024 and is a Director of Fund Accounting.  She assists with accounting, finance, tax, audit, reporting and treasury related activities for various VPC funds.

Previously, Ms. Gulick was an Audit and Assurance Manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP serving mutual fund, exchange-traded fund, and private equity clients.

Ms. Gulick received a B.S. in Business Accountancy and a Master of Accountancy from Miami University. She is a registered Certified Public Accountant (active).

Derek Reiche joined VPC in 2024 and is a Fund Accounting Associate. He assists with accounting, finance, tax, audit, reporting and treasury related activities for various VPC funds.

Previously, Mr. Reiche was an assurance senior associate within the financial services practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, serving insurance clients.

Mr. Reiche received a B.S. in Accounting and a M.S.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (active).

Kelsey Richard joined VPC in 2023 and is an Analyst and the Office Manager.

Previously, Ms. Richard was a recruiting coordinator at Akuna Capital, a proprietary trading firm in Chicago. Prior to this, she was a talent relations specialist at Medix Staffing Agency where she focused on candidate onboarding and payroll administration. Before Medix, Ms. Richard was a secondary English teacher for six years.

Ms. Richard received a Bachelor of Science in Education with a minor in English from Arkansas State University.

Stephanie Dunwoody joined VPC in 2017 and is an Executive Assistant.

Previously, Ms. Dunwoody worked at Moelis & Company for nine years, where she served as a philanthropic ambassador to raise educational awareness, organized office recruiting events and handled administrative and office manager responsibilities.

Ms. Dunwoody received a B.A. from The University of Dayton.

Michelle Philbin joined VPC in 2023 and is an Executive Assistant.

Previously, Michelle was an Executive Assistant at Cressey & Company, where she supported the firm’s Founder and other senior team members. She has additional experience from Pearlmark as an Executive Assistant and Capital Markets Coordinator. Prior to this, she gained administrative and office management experience from Northwood Investors, Magnetar Capital, and Brandimage.

Daniela Valenciana joined VPC in 2023 and is an Executive Assistant.

Previously, Daniela was an executive assistant at Maple Hospitality Group and has several years of experience as a hospitality coordinator at Live Nation. Daniela also worked at Convene and Careerbuilder.com.

Daniela has a B.A. in marketing communications from Columbia College Chicago.