Every PE firm says talent matters. These 7 leaders are showing what that really looks like.
They’re the ones working with deal teams and CEOs at critical moments: during due diligence, when growth stalls, when a key exec steps down, or when a founder is ready to bring in their first experienced CFO.
From TCV to Five Elms, these talent leaders are building leadership teams that move the needle. They enable their portfolio companies to perform better, grow faster, and scale with the right people in place.
Coley Florance, Head of Talent at Spectrum Equity
Coley Florance is Head of Talent at Spectrum Equity, where she shapes how the firm’s portfolio companies scale through leadership. Since 2018, she’s built and led Spectrum’s talent platform, guiding investment teams, CEOs, and boards on executive hiring, team performance, and organizational design.
Coley’s impact spans dozens of high-growth software and data companies. With prior roles at TPG Capital and Heidrick & Struggles, she brings a strategic approach to talent that drives value creation across Spectrum’s investment lifecycle. Coley’s work exemplifies how strategic talent management can be a lever for value creation in private equity.
Steve Maxwell, Senior Vice President at Audax Private Equity
Steve Maxwell is a Senior Vice President at Audax Private Equity, where he partners with management teams to align talent with growth. A former tech operator, VC talent partner, and search executive, Steve brings a multifaceted view of what it takes to scale.
He’s led leadership builds across industries, helping founders and CEOs upgrade teams, fill critical gaps, and drive execution. At Audax, Steve helps portfolio companies build the foundations for sustained performance.
Amy Mills, Talent/HR Operating Advisor at Atlantic Street Capital Advisors
Amy Mills is a Talent/HR Operating Advisor at Atlantic Street Capital Advisors, where she helps portfolio companies build scalable talent strategies that drive performance. With 20 years of experience at Fortune 100 and private equity-backed businesses, she’s led transformations in culture, retention, and organizational health.
Her work has delivered measurable ROI and multi-million-dollar savings through data-driven programs. Amy previously held senior HR roles at Empire Today, Pampered Chef, and Allstate, supporting large-scale teams across the U.S. and Canada.
Patrick Morrison, Head of Portfolio Talent at TCV
Patrick Morrison is Head of Portfolio Talent at TCV, where he helps CEOs and founders use talent strategy to accelerate growth. He leads the firm’s executive network and plays a pivotal role in shaping the human capital strategies of the firm’s portfolio companies. Patrick advises on senior hiring, succession, and org design across stages and sectors.
With experience at Khosla Ventures, Adobe, and other top organizations, Patrick brings a rare blend of venture, enterprise, and private equity perspective. His approach is characterized by a deep understanding of the intersection between talent and business strategy. He emphasizes the importance of aligning leadership capabilities with organizational goals, fostering environments where companies can scale effectively and sustainably.
Erin Peterson, Head of Talent at Great Hill Partners
Erin Peterson is Head of Talent at Great Hill Partners, where she works with portfolio companies to attract, retain, and develop exceptional leadership. She brings global talent expertise from Amazon, Accenture, and other top organizations, and now applies that experience to embedding inclusive hiring practices and scaling high-growth businesses.
A recognized voice in the industry, Erin hosts the podcast Big Fish in the Talent Pool and advises founders on building inclusive, high-impact teams that align with business strategy and drive results.
Ketty Russeva, Human Resources, Talent Development, Private Equity at Elliott Investment Management
Ketty Russeva leads talent and HR strategy at Elliott Investment Management, where she partners with portfolio leaders to elevate organizational performance. She brings global HR leadership experience from Credit Suisse and Merrill Lynch, with a focus on transformation, workforce strategy, and leadership development.
Ketty’s impact spans continents and industries. She’s implemented enterprise-wide HR models, led diversity and inclusion initiatives, and used data-driven insights to align people strategy with performance across private equity and financial services environments.
Laura Wildman, Director of Talent at Five Elms Capital
Laura Wildman is Director of Talent at Five Elms Capital — a firm headquartered in Kansas City, MO, that focuses on backing application software companies — where she helps portfolio companies scale faster by securing the right leadership. She leads senior hiring across the portfolio and drives internal recruiting for the firm.
With experience in executive search, tech operations, and consulting, Laura’s work has led to faster CEO transitions, stronger boards, and improved execution. Her impact shows up in performance, not just placements, across the Five Elms portfolio.
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