Wharton PE & VC Alumni Forum
Wharton Private Equity & Venture Capital Alumni Association is excited to invite our global community to join us at the Alumni Forum, April 16, 2026 in NYC.
Wharton and UPenn alumni who are private equity, venture capital, private credit, other private alternative investors and allocators are invited to attend this marquee event.
AGENDA (timing subject to change)
This must-attend event attracts 200 alumni to re-connect and re-engage around the common bond of the Wharton/UPenn education and the private investment industry. Join us for a day of deep content and peer networking opportunities.
This must-attend event attracts 200 alumni to re-connect and re-engage around the common bond of the Wharton/UPenn education and the private investment industry. Join us for a day of deep content and peer networking opportunities.
1:00 PM Registration
1:25 PM Welcome
1:30 PM Geopolitical Outlook
This fireside chat will examine global security risks, U.S. foreign policy priorities, and how escalating geopolitical tensions—particularly in the Middle East—are reshaping energy markets, supply chains, and the broader investment landscape.
- Michael O'Hanlon, Philip H. Knight Chair, Defense & Strategy, The Brookings Institution in conversation with Kevin Dowdell, Managing Director, Cerberus Capital Management
2:15 PM AI Disruption in Private Markets
Expect a candid discussion on where AI is creating opportunity, where it introduces new challenges, and what leading investors are seeing on the ground.
Expect a candid discussion on where AI is creating opportunity, where it introduces new challenges, and what leading investors are seeing on the ground.
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Vikram Mahidhar, Operating Partner & Co-Head of Technology Solutions & Services Group, Gryphon Investors
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Dylan Pearce, Partner, Greycroft Partners
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David Waltcher, Partner, FirstMark
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Phil Schmoyer, Principal and Co-leader, Digital Strategy and Transformation practice, Baker Tilly US (Moderator)
3:00 PM Networking Break
3:20 PM Value Creation in Action: Lessons from the Field
This fireside chat will unpack how today’s leading investors are generating returns through operational rigor, disciplined execution, strategic repositioning, and hands-on value creation.
This fireside chat will unpack how today’s leading investors are generating returns through operational rigor, disciplined execution, strategic repositioning, and hands-on value creation.
- Tim Fazio, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Atlas Holdings in conversation with Kevin Kaiser, Professor of Finance and Senior Director, Harris Family Alternative Investments Program, The Wharton School
Institutional leaders and pioneers across the ecosystem will discuss the evolution of team ownership, impact of global mega-events, and how data-driven strategies are reshaping the business of sports.
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David Abrams, Founder, Velocity Capital Management
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Drew Cukor, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, TWG Global
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Alex Lasry, CEO, FIFA World Cup 26 NYNJ Host Committee
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Michael Spirito, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, 359 Capital
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Eric Feinstein, Partner, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz (Moderator)
4:30 PM Commuting Break
4:45 PM State of the Markets: Torsten Slok, Chief Economist & Partner, Apollo Global Management
As a leading voice in global economics, Dr. Slok will provide expert analysis on the pressing issues shaping today's financial landscape.
As a leading voice in global economics, Dr. Slok will provide expert analysis on the pressing issues shaping today's financial landscape.
5:30 PM CIO Perspectives in a Demanding Market
An LP panel with perspectives around capital allocation, manager selection, portfolio construction, and the evolving nature of LP–GP partnerships in a higher-rate, lower-liquidity environment.
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Geeta Kapadia, VP & CIO, Fordham University
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MaDoe Htun, CIO, William Penn Foundation
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Valerie Red-Horse Mohl, DCIO for Responsible Investing, Bureau of Asset Management Office of New York City Comptroller
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Ya Tung, CIO, Jefferies Family Office
- Finley John, Quilvest Capital Partners, Partner (Moderator)
6:30 - 8:30 PM Cocktail Reception & Networking
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM Registration opens; 1:30 - 6:30 PM Programs; 6:30 - 8:30 PM Cocktail Reception
Location: New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019
Open to Wharton/UPenn alumni who satisfy the membership eligibility below.
Time: 1:00 PM Registration opens; 1:30 - 6:30 PM Programs; 6:30 - 8:30 PM Cocktail Reception
Location: New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019
Open to Wharton/UPenn alumni who satisfy the membership eligibility below.
Thank you to our Annual Corporate Sponsors!
Thank you to our Event Sponsors!
Learn about sponsorship opportunities.
Email Jen Simons, jsimons@wpevc.org
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Membership Eligibility:
Wharton Private Equity & Venture Capital Alumni Association is open to private equity, venture capital, or other private alternative investors or allocators AND who have graduated from The Wharton School or the University of Pennsylvania.
Investment professionals include those who are investing equity capital in venture-stage companies, growth equity, buyouts, real estate, take-privates, or secondaries from a dedicated firm, family office, institutional limited partners, or professionals who manage third-party fund-of-funds targeting the private equity and venture capital space. Mezzanine debt /private debt and angel investors who invest actively in private companies may also qualify.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received via email to jsimons@wpevc.org by Wednesday, April 8 to receive a refund, less a $15 processing fee. Substitutions are welcome in advance or on-site but guests must meet the membership eligibility outlined above.
Room Block: A limited room block is available at the New York Athletic Club at a rate between $345 - $365++ per night. Please call the reservations line at 212-767-7135 or email reservation@nyac.org and refer to "Wharton Alumni Forum". Rooms should be booked by March 18th otherwise it is based on availability.
Membership Eligibility:
Wharton Private Equity & Venture Capital Alumni Association is open to private equity, venture capital, or other private alternative investors or allocators AND who have graduated from The Wharton School or the University of Pennsylvania.
Investment professionals include those who are investing equity capital in venture-stage companies, growth equity, buyouts, real estate, take-privates, or secondaries from a dedicated firm, family office, institutional limited partners, or professionals who manage third-party fund-of-funds targeting the private equity and venture capital space. Mezzanine debt /private debt and angel investors who invest actively in private companies may also qualify.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received via email to jsimons@wpevc.org by Wednesday, April 8 to receive a refund, less a $15 processing fee. Substitutions are welcome in advance or on-site but guests must meet the membership eligibility outlined above.
Room Block: A limited room block is available at the New York Athletic Club at a rate between $345 - $365++ per night. Please call the reservations line at 212-767-7135 or email reservation@nyac.org and refer to "Wharton Alumni Forum". Rooms should be booked by March 18th otherwise it is based on availability.
Dress Code: A jacket and collared shirt are required for men. Women should dress with equal formality. Jeans are not permitted.
Questions with registration or log-in issues: Contact Jennifer Simons, jsimons@wpevc.org
Alumni Volunteers
STEERING COMMITTEE
Alina DiMeglio, WG'14, Tessa Capital Partners
Mark Solovy, L'96, Monroe Capital LLC
Sabrina Chaudhury, WG'17, Beach Point Capital
Chirag Chotalia, WG'13
Javier Davila, W'06, o15
Kevin Dowdell, WG85, Cerberus Capital Management
Albert Hu, WG'18, Neuberger Berman
Vivek Jain, WG'14, H.I.G. Capital
John McCarty, W'99, Star Mountain Capital
Dave McCoy, WG'04, RCP Advisors
Ryan Morley, WG'21, SpringTide
Ronen Nandi, WG'08, Stats Perform
Dave McCoy, WG'04, RCP Advisors
Ryan Morley, WG'21, SpringTide
Ronen Nandi, WG'08, Stats Perform
Marilyn Yang, W'16, Branford Castle Partners
Sheryl Mejia, WG'94, Steward Asset Management
Sheryl Mejia, WG'94, Steward Asset Management