2026 Private Equity Finance Forum

April 22, 2026 | New York, NY

Overview

McDermott Will & Schulte will host the 2026 Private Equity Finance Forum at our New York office at One Vanderbilt.

As the private equity financing landscape continues to evolve, navigating the year ahead requires both strategic insight and practical guidance. Our half-day, industry-agnostic program brings together industry leaders to explore the critical issues shaping finance dealmaking across every sector in 2026.

Designed specifically for senior investment professionals in the private equity ecosystem, including private equity investment professionals, private equity capital markets teams, and lenders and debt investors, this forum provides a platform for candid dialogue with leaders and peers navigating all tiers of capital. Take part in open discussion to raise questions, share perspectives, and gain actionable intelligence that can help inform your strategic decisions.

Following the program, join us for a reception to unwind and connect with fellow industry professionals while enjoying signature cocktails and gourmet bites.

REGISTER

Wednesday, April 22, 2026
1:30 – 6:30 pm (EDT)

McDermott Will & Schulte
One Vanderbilt Ave, 68th Floor
New York, NY 10017

Agenda

***All times in EDT

1:30 – 2:15 pm: Registration and networking

2:15 – 2:20 pm: Welcome remarks

2:20 – 3:05 pm: Deal origination: How to structure your financing

Launching a successful transaction begins with building the right financing approach—and the right team around the table. This session will explore how sponsors and lenders approach deal origination, the initial structuring of a financing, what drives their approach to collaboration, and the key considerations that shape a strong capital structure from day one.

Speakers:

Shannon Block, Principal, Capital Markets, Gauge Capital
Paul Gordon, Head of Business Development and Capital Markets, Lindsay Goldberg
Clare Kim, Director, Credit, BC Partners
Kenneth Saffold, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, o15 Capital Partners
Samantha Koplik, Partner, McDermott Will & Schulte, Moderator

3:05 – 3:50 pm: The portfolio company capital playbook: Funding growth, add-ons, and surprises

From add-on acquisitions and capital expenditure demands to working-capital swings and shifting lender sentiment, portfolio companies face a series of capital inflection points between closing and exit. This session will explore how sponsors and lenders manage capital needs throughout the hold period, including when to lean on incremental capacity, when to support the business with equity, when to pursue a refinancing, and when a structured solution is the right answer. The discussion will focus on the strategic tradeoffs that drive these decisions and how the right capital moves preserve flexibility, support performance, and keep the exit path clean.

Speakers:

Robert Haisch, Partner, A&M Capital
Bren Hall, Partner, WindRose Health Investors
Matthew Kretzman, Managing Director, Global Head of PE Capital Markets, H.I.G. Capital
Ajay Nanda, Managing Director, Oxford Finance
Josh Samis, Partner, McDermott Will & Schulte, Moderator

3:50 – 4:10 pm: Networking break

4:10 – 4:55 pm: Private credit restructuring: How sponsors and lenders navigate distressed situations

This session will explore what borrowers and lenders do when challenges arise, both from a documentation and strategy standpoint and a potential out-of-court restructuring or bankruptcy, along with the impact today of the convergence of the private credit and broadly syndicated loan markets.

Speakers:

Adam Harris, Partner, McDermott Will & Schulte
Neil Luria, Co-Head and Senior Managing Director, SOLIC Capital
Geoffrey Richards, Senior Managing Director, Raymond James
David Arnstein, Partner, McDermott Will & Schulte, Moderator

4:55 – 5:00 pm: Closing remarks

5:00 – 6:30 pm: Cocktail reception