As CEO of Bank of America, Brian Moynihan brings a rare read of both Main Street and the capital markets. To kick off the summit, he’ll share a clear-eyed outlook for the year ahead—how he’s reading demand, credit and the path of rates—and what that means for PE-backed CEOs making bets on growth and capital allocation. Expect pragmatic lessons from his “Responsible Growth” playbook, how to lead at scale when conditions tighten, and where disciplined adoption of AI and technology actually drives ROI—so you can build value with confidence now, not later.
Chair and CEO, Bank of America
Chairman & CEO, Charter Next Generation
President & CEO, Melinta Therapeutics
Partner & Managing Director, AlixPartners
The relationship between CEOs and PE investors is critical—especially in an evolving market. In this candid discussion, a panel of seasoned PE investors shares what they’re looking for in portfolio company leadership today and what will drive success in the year ahead. From navigating economic uncertainty to prioritizing growth and operational excellence, this session offers unfiltered insights and actionable advice from decades of experience partnering with top-performing teams.
Managing Partner, Aquitaine Capital
Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer, Standard General
CEO, Equitable Capital
Participants will grab lunch and then divide into 50-minute peer group discussions facilitated by subject matter experts on relevant topics.
Private equity continues to lean into equity incentives as a way to align the growth and profitability interests of the sponsor and PortCo management team. Join Carta for a deep dive into the types of equity incentives that PE sponsors are issuing to PortCo management teams by leveraging our data for 40,000+ PE and VC backed companies.
Insights Manager, Carta
In the high-stakes world of portfolio company leadership, talent decisions often raise the toughest and least straightforward questions. This roundtable invites CEOs to explore the unknowns shaping their people strategies today: How do you foster leadership steadiness through transitions? What signals that it’s time to evolve your executive team or stay the course? Whether you’re integrating new C-level talent into legacy cultures, navigating a founder-to-professional CEO shift, or structuring incentive plans amid private equity dealmaking, you’re not alone in confronting these challenges. Connect with fellow leaders on pressing issues, emerging strategies, and the human dynamics at the core of value creation.
Managing Partner, JM Search
Managing Partner, JM Search
Participants will select a second topic for another set of 50-minute peer group discussions facilitated by subject matter experts.
Private equity transactions present unique challenges and opportunities for management teams. This roundtable will delve into critical considerations for executives, focusing on compensation structures, rollover equity and upside equity participation through incentive arrangements. Engage with your peers in a candid discussion about negotiation strategies, timing, and the nuances that distinguish management’s role and needs in these deals. You’ll gain actionable insights to advocate effectively for your interests and align with investor expectations in the evolving private equity landscape.
Lead partner of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Lead partner of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Lead partner of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
This deep dive discussion will allow the audience to join in on the conversation and touch on the below:
Partner and Board Member, Simon-Kucher
A must-attend session for PE-backed leaders, this annual favorite offers a comprehensive look at the global market forces shaping business strategies for 2026. From the IPO and M&A markets to the global economic outlook and private equity dynamics, this session provides the insights to capitalize on opportunities, mitigate risks and drive growth in an evolving economic environment.
Managing Director and Global Practice Leader, Global Transaction Advisory, Alvarez & Marsal
In private equity, leadership is everything. Tight timelines, high expectations and relentless pressure mean there’s little room for missteps—especially at the top, especially today. With decades of experience shaping executive teams for PE-backed firms, CEO favorite Ted Bililies shares powerful insights into what today’s state-of-the-art leadership teams are doing to thrive. Learn how to identify and develop the right leaders, avoid costly misalignments, and build a mission-first team capable of driving exceptional results in the high-stakes PE environment.
Global Head of Transformative Leadership practice and Managing Director, AlixPartners
Businesses today are hyper-focused on data. But the true value of information lies in its effective extraction and application. Based on his extensive experience as former Chief Marketing Officer at Marketo and now advising portfolio companies in his role as Senior Vice President at Warburg Pincus, Sanjay Dholakia understands the challenges leaders face in harnessing internal data for strategic advantage.
Sanjay will provide tips to help shift your organization’s data approach from top-down to bottom-up. He will show you how to unearth critical market-focused information embedded within your systems to enhance capital allocation decisions, refocus sales strategies to your biggest opportunities and gain a clearer, more detailed understanding of your business operations. Don’t miss the opportunity to unlock your company data’s potential and drive tangible value creation.
Senior Vice President, Warburg Pincus
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.