8-WEEK ONLINE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Private Equity
Certificate Program
February 10 - April 6, 2025

In collaboration with

DURATION FORMAT TUITION

8 weeks Online $4,800* USD

Recommended 8 hrs/week or $960/month

*Early Registration Ends January 13. $200 Application Fee will be added after January 13.
 ENROLL →

Welcome
We would like to personally thank you for your interest in the Wharton and Wall Street Prep Private Equity
Certificate Program.

The private equity industry has evolved in both size and complexity over the last decade, outperforming mutual funds
and public markets. The rapid growth of Private Equity as an asset class has injected liquidity into private markets and
enabled a much broader universe of businesses to access capital.

As the private equity industry has grown, so has the sophistication of investment analysis, due diligence, deal
structuring, and portfolio management and optimization. The industry’s maturation has led to rapidly increasing
demand for qualified talent both directly and indirectly involved in the investment process.

In this theory-meets-practice certificate program, Wharton and the world’s leading PE training provider Wall Street
Prep partner to teach students the practical approaches to private equity investment that up to now have only been
taught inside the world’s largest Private Equity firms.

You will hear directly from the industry’s leading practitioners and top faculty. The program’s pedagogical approach
places heavy emphasis on the practical techniques and best practices currently used by investment professionals
using case studies spanning from lower middle markets to megadeals, from growth equity to traditional buyouts
across a variety of industries.

Over the course of eight weeks, you will learn the concepts and practical technical methods investment professionals
deploy in both evaluating and executing private transactions.

Delivered in a weekly, digestible online format that students complete at their own pace, the program culminates in a
closing ceremony and the receipt of a Certificate from Wharton Online.

We hope you take this opportunity to read through our brochure and learn more about what the Wharton and Wall
Street Prep Private Equity Certificate Program can offer you. We are hoping you will join our upcoming cohort and the
thousands of other alumni who have taken part and benefited in Wharton and Wall Street Prep programs.

Burcu Esmer, Ph.D. Scott Roman

Private Equity Certificate Program Academic Director; Academic Private Equity Certificate Program Director;
Co-Director at Wharton Harris Family Alternative Investments Private Equity Training Director, Wall Street Prep
Program; Senior Lecturer of Finance at The Wharton School
 ENROLL →

The Private Equity

industry is growing rapidly.
Meet the career
opportunity head-on.
Private Equity is a $4.7 trillion dollar industry topics ranging from investment analysis &
— accounting for 35% of all M&A activity — presentation, evaluating competitive dynamics,
and has consistently outperformed investment company & industry analysis, operating model
firms focused on publicly traded companies. and LBO/returns model construction.

The Private Equity Certificate Program, created The Private Equity Certificate Program
in collaboration by Wharton Online and leading is a self paced online program, in which
PE training firm Wall Street Prep, prepares students complete weekly video and reading
students and professionals for a career in assignments, with access to weekly virtual
private equity. office hours.

Over the course of 8 weeks, students learn Upon completion of the program, students
from top faculty and industry experts about receive a certificate from Wharton Online.
 ENROLL →

A unique collaboration
between Wharton Online and
the private equity industry’s
leading training provider

WHARTON SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the
University of Pennsylvania is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing
innovation across every major discipline of business education. With a broad global
community and one of the most published business school faculties, Wharton creates
economic and social value around the world.

WALL STREET PREP

Wall Street Prep (WSP) is a globally recognized financial training provider based in
Boston, MA. The company’s programs are delivered to the world’s most recognized
private equity firms, investment banks and financial institutions to develop their
internal finance professionals. Since its founding, WSP has helped over 300,000
finance professionals bridge the gap between academia and the real world by teaching
the practical skills needed to succeed on the job.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 PROGRAM OVERVIEW ENROLL →

Private Equity
Certificate Program
Learn to analyze private equity investments, blending investment
theory with real world analysis as it is done at the world’s leading
private equity investment firms.

DURATION FORMAT TUITION

8 weeks Online $4,800* USD

Feb. 10 - Apr. 6, 2025 or $960/month

Early Registration Ends January 13. $200 Application Fee will be added after January 13.

Earn a digital certificate

from Wharton to share on WHARTON O NLINE
LinkedIn and resumes
IN COLLABORATION WITH

WALL STREET P REP

Upon successful completion of the Hereby Recognizes

program, a Wharton digital certificate Student Name

Has Successfully Completed The
with personalized details of your
achievement will be emailed to you. Private Equity
In addition to a full program certificate,
Certificate Program
you will earn shareable digital badges
along the way for completion of Patti Williams, PhD
Vice Dean, Aresty Institute of Executive Education
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Matan Feldman
Founder and CEO
Wall Street Prep, LLC

individual program modules.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 WHY TAKE THE PROGRAM ENROLL →

Level up your career with the

world’s most recognized Private
Equity Certificate program

“This collaboration between

Wharton and Wall Street Prep
opens the doors to the world’s
preeminent business school
and brings you the practical
approaches to Private Equity
Investment that until now have
only been taught inside the
world’s largest PE firms.”
Burcu Esmer
Co-Director, Wharton Harris Family
Alternative Investments Program and
Wharton School Senior Lecturer of Finance
 PROGRAM BENEFITS ENROLL →

Career-focused learning with

lifelong resources and support

A CAREER-FOCUSED, START-TO-FINISH AWARD-WINNING FACULTY

PRACTICAL CURRICULUM PROGRAM SUPPORT AND PRACTITIONERS

Lessons combine theory with Individualized support every Learn directly from the most
practical skill building so that step through the program, sought after experts in the
you can apply what you learn from enrollment to certificate. finance industry, using case
right away. studies that connect concepts
to how it’s done on the job.

EARN A CERTIFICATE FROM JOIN AN EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO LIFELONG

WHARTON ONLINE PROFESSIONAL NETWORK LEARNING RESOURCES

At the conclusion of the Join professional network that Lifetime access to program
program, participants receive will support you through your materials and to our LinkedIn
a digital certificate from The career through continuous groups for relevant content
Wharton School to add to professional development, and career guidance at the end
LinkedIn and resumes. networking and coaching. of the program.

FOR PROGRAM ALUMNI

Meet program participants & faculty

during exclusive networking events
Pursue career opportunities and build
connections within the industry by attending
exclusive professional networking events.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 PROGRAM BENEFITS ENROLL →

+ Attend In-person Networking Events

Enrollees access a large and highly engaged global network of peers who are committed to give as much as they
get and to support one another. Program Alumni reinforce and strengthen connections built throughout the
program via in person and virtual meetups, discussion groups and networking events.

+ Invitation Only Group on LinkedIn

Upon completion of the program, Alumni receive an invitation to join the Wharton Online/Wall Street Prep
Private Equity Alumni Group on LinkedIn. Through this group, Alumni can directly connect with the entire alumni
network, seek advice and access alumni only online events and resources.

+ Chat on Slack with Your Local Student Group

Program alumni come from over 43 countries, so while the program is global, connection is often created
locally. Alumni gain access to their Local Alumni Slack Channel, designed to facilitate local connection for a
global certificate.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 WHY TAKE THE PROGRAM ENROLL →

Who applies to the program?

The Wharton & Wall Street Prep Private Equity Certificate Program is designed for both finance and
non-finance professionals in their early to mid career seeking to understand private equity.

PROFESSIONALS INVESTMENT BANKERS SPONSORS & SEARCH FUNDS

Early-career private equity and Investment banking analysts and Independent sponsors and search
private markets investment associates seeking private equity funds looking to formalize their
professionals seeking to improve roles or those that work closely investment process.
their expertise. with sponsors.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FAMILY OFFICES PRIVATE LENDERS

Consultants, lawyers, accountants Family offices and institutions Private lenders and credit
and other advisors that work with raising their first fund or professionals that work with
GPs and support transactions. considering private equity. general partners.

SUPPORT ROLES CAREER SWITCHERS STUDENTS

IT, investor relations, custodial Early to mid career professionals Undergrad and graduate business,
accounting and other support seeking to transition into private finance and accounting students
services for PE. markets. applying for private equity
internships and full time roles.

Spotlight: May 2023 Cohort

500+ 40+ 350+

Students Countries Employers

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 WHY TAKE THE PROGRAM ENROLL →

Applicant profile
The Private Equity Certificate Program is designed for finance professionals in
their early to mid career seeking to understand private equity.

Career Level Countries Represented

1. United States 24. Rwanda

2. United Kingdom 25. Belgium

Industry Distribution
3. Germany 26. South Korea

4. Canada 27. Costa Rica

5. France 28. Botwana

6. Singapore 29. Nigeria

7. Australia 30. Thailand

8. Saudi Arabia 31. Croatia

9. Switzerland 32. Luxembourg

10. Kuwait 33. Norway

11. China 34. Spain

12. Italy 35. Kenya

Top Roles Applicants Hold 13. United Arab Emirates 36. Russia

1. Investment Banking Analyst 14. Egypt 37. Peru

2. Investment Associate 15. Japan 38. India

3. Private Equity Associate 16. Mexico 39. Uruguay

4. Associate (Consulting) 17. Austria 40. Ivory Coast

5. Senior Associate (Consulting) 18. Indonesia 41. Bangladesh

6. Private Equity Analyst 19. Netherlands 42. Sweden

7. Financial Analyst (Corporate Finance) 20. Bulgaria 43. Israel

8. Chief Financial Officer 21. El Salvador 44. Panama

9. Investment Analyst 22. Brazil 45. Guatemala

10. Investment Banking VP 23. Columbia

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 ENROLL →

Learning
experience
& curriculum
 LEARNING EXPERIENCE ENROLL →

How you’ll learn

8-WEEK PROGRAM 10 HOUR WEEKLY TIME SELF-PACED ONLINE

FOCUSING ON PRIVATE COMMITMENT LEARNING EXPERIENCE
EQUITY A certificate program that Complete the program via
Gain the skillset of an early- fits into your busy schedule. our online learning platform
to mid-level Private Equity at your own pace.
professional in 8 weeks.

THE SAME TRAINING LEARN DIRECTLY FROM TAILORED LEARNIND

USED BY TOP PE FIRMS PE INDUSTRY LEADERS EXPERIENCE TROUGH

Access the same lessons Hear directly from the best PROGRAM ELECTIVES

and methods taught inside about private equity and the Customize your experience
the world’s leading PE firms. latest industry trends via based on your specific
our Guest Speaker series. learning objectives.

CASE STUDIES THAT WEEKLY OFFICE HOURS PE CERTIFICATION

CAPTURE PERSPECTIVE & DEDICATED SUPPORT ISSUED BY WHARTON

Learn first-hand how top PE TEAM Upon completion, you will

firms execute deals, analyze Offering support every step receive a Certificate of
companies and evaluate of the way towards getting Completion from Wharton.
investment opportunities. your certificate.

Earn 65 CPE Credits for the Private Equity Certificate Program

Wall Street Prep & The Wharton School are registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
(NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of
accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered
Private Equity
sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
Certificate Program
 PROGRAM MODULES ENROLL →

Private Equity Certificate

Program Curriculum

MODULE 1

Introduction to the Private Equity Asset Class ✓ History & Evolution of

PE as an Asset Class
Introduction to the Private Equity Asset and how investment strategies vary by
Class lays the foundation for your learning industry, stage, and deal size. ✓ Fund Structure,
experience by providing an overview of the Management & the
This module highlights the different
private equity asset class and how private General Partner /
types of private equity, such as venture Limited Partner
equity firms function. capital, growth equity, middle market Relationship
This module gives you an in-depth investing and larger buyouts, the specific
✓ Private Equity within
understanding of what private equity is, considerations for middle market private
the Private Market and
the inner workings and key operational equity firms compared to “mega-funds,”
Alternatives Ecosystem
considerations of a PE firm beyond direct and the current state of private equity in
investing and portfolio management, the emerging markets. ✓ Current State of PE in
Emerging Markets
economics of a private equity firm, the role
PE plays within the alternatives ecosystem,

MODULE 2

The Private Equity Investment Framework ✓ Common Investment

Strategies
The Investment Framework module various valuation methodologies used by
explores common types of investment private equity professionals, including the ✓ LBO Analysis, Hurdle
Rates and Returns
strategies employed by private equity leveraged buyout model (LBO), discounted
firms, how private equity firms create cash flow analysis (DCF), public equity ✓ Leverage as Tool for
value in their investments, and introduces comparables, transaction comparables, Value Creation
you to the key elements of the private and valuation multiples, in addition to the
✓ Introduction to
equity due diligence process. critical role that debt plays in a private Valuation Methods:
equity deal. DCF, Comparables, and
You will learn about the role these value
Multiples Analysis
drivers and related analyses play in

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 PROGRAM MODULES ENROLL →

MODULE 3

The Private Equity Deal Process

The Deal Process module uses practical considerations, preliminary analyses, the ✓ Anatomy of the Deal
exercises, real life examples and case bidding process, first round bids (IOIs), due Process: Stages,
studies to provide you with a detailed diligence, letters of intent (LOIs), post-LOI Workstreams &
Responsibilities
end-to-end understanding of the private confirmatory diligence, negotiations, deal
equity deal process, the different work documents, the final closing, regulatory ✓ The Role of Third
streams within a deal process, and reviews, capital calls and fund flows. Parties & Their
the responsibilities of private equity Functions
You will learn about both the financial
professionals at the various stages. ✓ Deal Docs: NDAs,
and legal aspects of a deal, including the
We use a case study of a middle market structure of a transaction, the terms of Teaser/CIMs, IOIs/
LOIs, SPA/APA, Credit
private company to walk through the investment and credit agreements, and the
Agreements
stages of a live deal and discuss the key various parties involved in a deal, including
documents and deliverables associated investment banks, lawyers, accountants, ✓ Key Terms and Points
with each stage, including pre-deal and consultants. of Negotiation in a
Transaction

MODULE 4 ✓ Deal Structuring:

Asset sales/338(h)
Deal Structure
(10) vs Stock Sales
The structure of a deal has significant and how the deal structure impacts
✓ M&A Accounting,
implications for deal economics, the proceeds at close, post-transaction cash
Purchase Price
projected cash flow of a business post- flow, sponsor returns at exit and the Allocation and Tax
transaction, and shareholder returns at financial model. Implications
exit. You will take a deeper dive into leveraged ✓ Impact of Deal
In the Deal Structure & Key Concepts finance and the role of debt in an LBO, in Structure on Seller
module, you will learn about the different addition to learning about the structure Proceeds, Cash Flow
deal structures used by private equity and purpose of the Quality of Earnings and Sponsor Returns
firms, including stock sales, asset sales Analysis and purchase price allocation.
✓ Leveraged Finance
and 338(h)(10) elections. You will learn and Private Credit
the tax and financial considerations, and
✓ EBITDA, Working
benefits and drawbacks, associated with
Capital and the
each structure, the competing motivations
Quality of Earnings
and perspectives of the buyer and seller,

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 PROGRAM MODULES ENROLL →

MODULE 5

Private Company Analysis, Valuation & LBO Modeling, Part 1

In Part One of the LBO Modeling comparables, precedent transactions, the ✓ Private vs. Public
module, you will learn how private equity LBO, and football field charting. Company Analysis
professionals analyze private companies in Part One concludes with the start of a ✓ Valuation
order to evaluate investment opportunities Methodologies: DCF,
case study that simulates a real-life middle
and drive valuation. Comparables and
market transaction and brings together
Presentation
The module begins by discussing how everything you’ve learned in the program
to analyze the overall financial health to this point. The case study begins with a ✓ Middle Market
of a business in the early stages of an conference call with the Managing Partner Transaction Simulation
investment process, and explains the of a hypothetical private equity firm and & Case Study
differences between private and public tasks you with providing an investment ✓ Defining & Calculating
company analysis. The module then recommendation for a new deal. EBITDA
explores private company valuation In this module, you will be asked to clean ✓ Financial Modeling Best
methodologies and how they are a raw data set in preparation for modeling, Practices
used in practice. This discussion build out a cash flow statement, define and
includes discounted cash flow analysis, ✓ Income Statement
calculate EBITDA, and forecast both an
understanding free cash flows and and Balance Sheet
income statement and balance sheet.
Projections
weighted average cost of capital, valuation

MODULE 6

Private Company Analysis, Valuation & LBO Modeling, Part 2

Part Two of the LBO Modeling module model in the investment process, how an ✓ Bottom-Up LBO
is focused the completion of the middle LBO model is developed in a real-world Model Build
market transaction case study. scenario, what makes a good private
✓ Operating Model
equity investment, the key drivers of an Build & LBO
You will learn how to build a monthly
LBO model, how to develop an investment Integration
LBO model from scratch that answers the
recommendation and get to a go/no-go
seemingly simple question, “is this deal ✓ Developing
decision, and the expectations of senior
financeable, and what do the returns look Transaction & Model
members of a private equity firm. Assumptions
like?” This exercise shows you how to think
independently and come up with solutions Lastly, this module covers the impact of
✓ Using the LBO Model
on your own as you will be expected to on recent tax reforms on financial models, to Inform Investment
the job. Beyond technical modeling skills, specifically the LBO analysis. Recommendations
you will learn the function of the LBO

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 PROGRAM MODULES ENROLL →

MODULE 7

Thinking Like a Private Equity Professional, Part 1

This module begins to explore how including total addressable, serviceable ✓ Understanding
private equity professionals think about addressable and serviceable obtainable Industries and TAMs
investment opportunities in the context of markets using both top-down and bottom-
✓ Barriers to Entry &
the due diligence process.. up approaches, as well as how to analyze a Competitive Advantage
company’s competitive advantages.
You will learn about the intrinsic value
✓ The Data Room
drivers of a company and how these Lastly, you will begin a deep dive into Loop: Working with
impact valuation multiples, including operating models to understand how a Management Data
return on invested capital, moats, product business works using a private company
✓ Drivers of Value in an
differentiation, barriers to entry, capital case study that closely mirrors a typical
Operating Model
intensity, customer concentration, deal process.
seasonality, and cyclicality. ✓ Business Segmentation
This module includes a detailed discussion
& Modeling Common
You will learn how to conduct industry of business segmentation and the Revenue Builds
analysis, including Porter’s 5 Forces construction of numerous revenue builds
Framework to determine the competitive that enable you to understand historical
intensity and attractiveness of a market. business trends and revenue potential
to forecast top line performance more
Using real life examples, you will learn
accurately.
how to define and calculate market size,

MODULE 8
✓ Cost Structures &
Thinking Like a Private Equity Professional, Part 2 Common Expense Build
This module continues the previous use data from the company’s data room Modeling
module’s operating model deep-dive and to gain insights into your model drivers, ✓ Unit Economics &
covers cost structures, expense modeling fine-tune your assumptions and formulate Operating Leverage
and data analysis. an investment thesis. This module includes
✓ Modeling Add-Ons and
growth-focused analyses such as cohort/
You will learn about and model numerous Acquisitions
vintage and customer concentration,
cost structures, including percent of
margin-focused analyses such as operating
revenue, cost per unit, fixed versus
leverage and benchmarking, in addition to
variable, cost waterfalls and headcount-
analysis of unit economics and acquisition
driven builds. The case study then
opportunities. CONTINUES
transitions to data analysis where you will

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 PROGRAM MODULES ENROLL →

MODULE 8, Continued

Thinking Like a Private Equity Professional, Part 2

This module includes an in-depth LBO model from scratch using a case ✓ The SaaS Model,
discussion of the software-as-a-service prompt that provides you with an overview Recurring Revenue
(“SaaS”) business model, including key of the transaction, financing assumptions, Builds and Cohort
Analysis
performance indicators such as lifetime operating assumptions, and required
value, ARR/MRR, churn, customer model outputs. This final case interview ✓ PE Case Interview &
acquisition cost, LTV/CAC and margins, closely mirrors that of an actual private LBO Model Build
in addition to subscription revenue build equity firm and aims to prepare you for
modeling and cohort analysis. the interview process following your
completion of the certificate program.
The module concludes with a detailed
walkthrough of a private equity case
interview. You will be asked to build an

Immersive Online Learning

You’ll complete the program by
progressing through online videos,
readings, case studies, assignments
and guest speakers in a feature-rich
portal that facilitates an engaging
learning experience.

Virtual Office Hours

Participants access weekly live office
hours and Q&A. Review assignments
and interact with your cohort mates
and program faculty.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 ENROLL →

Program
leadership
& faculty
 PROGRAM LEADERSHIP ENROLL →

PROGRAM DIRECTORS

Burcu Esmer
Academic Co-Director at Harris Family Alternative Investments Program, Academic
Director at Wharton-AltFinance Institute, Senior Lecturer of Finance
Dr. Burcu Esmer is the Academic Co-Director at Wharton Harris Family Alternative Investments Program and
Senior Lecturer of Finance at the Wharton School. Dr. Esmer teaches private equity and corporate finance
in Wharton Executive Education and degree programs. She is the recipient of Wharton Teaching Excellence
Reward for the academic year 2018-2019. Dr. Esmer works closely with various non-profit organizations that
aim to increase diversity in asset management industries. She is the Academic Director of Wharton-AltFinance
Institute and Girls Who Invest (GWI) Summer Intensive Program. Dr. Esmer also serves on the Advisory Board
of GWI. Dr. Esmer earned her B.Sc. in Economics and Minor in Mathematics from the Middle East Technical
University (Turkiye) with Highest Honor (Summa Cum Laude), her M.A. in Economics and Ph.D. in Finance from
the University of Iowa.

Scott Roman
Private Equity Program Director, Wall Street Prep
Scott Roman has over a decade of experience in financial services across the buy-side, sell-side and strategic
advisory. He is the Founder & Managing Partner of White Shark Management, a seed-stage venture capital
firm. Prior to founding White Shark, he was a member of the Century Equity Partners team where he served in
numerous board-level roles, developed and evaluated investment opportunities in the financial services sector,
and provided financial, operational and strategic support to select portfolio companies. Prior to joining Century,
Scott was a member of the Technology Services investment banking group at Raymond James where he focused
on mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, and strategic advisory. Scott earned a B.A. with a
double concentration in Economics and Government from Bowdoin College and studied International Economics
at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 SPEAKERS & FACULTY ENROLL →

PROGRAM SPEAKERS

Martin Brand
Head of North America Private Equity, Blackstone
Martin Brand is Head of North America Private Equity and Global Co-Head of Technology Investing. He also serves
as a member of several of the firm’s investment committees. Martin was involved in Blackstone’s investments
in Refinitiv, Bumble, IntraFi, Paysafe, Vungle, Ultimate Software, Liftoff, Blue Yonder, Optiv, Kronos, Ipreo, Knight
Capital Group, Lendmark, Exeter Finance, Viva, NCR, First Eagle, BankUnited, PBF Energy, Performance Food Group,
Travelport, New Skies, Cine UK, NHP, Kabel BW, Kabelnetz NRW, Primacom, and Sulo. Before joining Blackstone,
he worked as a derivatives trader with Goldman Sachs in New York and Tokyo, and with McKinsey & Company in
London. Martin received a BA/MA in Mathematics and Computation, First Class Honors, from Oxford University and
an MBA from the Harvard Business School. He is a director of Tradeweb Markets, London Stock Exchange Group,
UKG Software, Exeter Finance, IntraFi, and First Eagle.

Dina Dwyer
Managing Partner, Eden Capital
Dina Said Dwyer is the Managing Director of Eden Capital, a PE firm focused in the professional & business services,
education & training, and healthcare services sectors. Dina has spent over 20 years in the private equity industry.
She has served as a managing director at Unifund SA, an Analyst at the Blackstone Group in New York, and trained at
the Carlyle Group in London. She also currently leads Brighter Vision, her family Foundation, dedicated to providing
education and economic empowerment to women in Egypt through partnerships with Ashoka, Education for
Employment and other prominent groups and sits on the Advisory Board of the Children’s Rights Division for Human
Rights Watch. Dina completed her MBA at Columbia Business School, and her undergraduate degree at the Wharton
School of Business.

Carl Chan
Senior Vice President, Thoma Bravo
Carl Chan is a Senior Vice President on the Growth team at Thoma Bravo. Based in San Francisco, he joined the firm
in 2013 as an Associate, and today focuses on supporting and growing the firm’s infrastructure and cybersecurity
software practices. Prior to joining Thoma Bravo, he worked in investment banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Carl holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Commerce degree
with Distinction from the University of Calgary.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
SPEAKERS & FACULTY ENROLL →

Marc Ganzi
Chief Executive Officer at DigitalBridge
Marc Ganzi has been an investor and operator in the digital infrastructure sector for more than 25 years. He
founded Digital Bridge Holdings in 2013 and built the firm into a leading global manager of digital infrastructure
assets with more than $20 billion in AUM. reviously, Marc founded Global Tower Partners, which grew to become
one of the largest privately-owned tower companies in the U.S. before being acquired by American Tower
Corporation in 2013 for $4.8 billion. Prior to GTP, Mark worked as a consulting partner for DB Capital Partners and
served as President of Apex Site Management, one of the largest third-party managers of wireless and wireline
communication sites in the United States. He has served as an assistant Commercial Attaché in Madrid for the U.S.
Department of Commerce and as a Presidential Intern in the White House for the George H.W. Bush administration.
He received a Bachelor of Science from the Wharton School of Business in 1993.

Scott Graves
Co-Head of Private Equity, Ares Management
Scott Graves is a Partner, Co-Head of Private Equity Group, Portfolio Manager and Head of Special Opportunities
at Ares. He serves as a member of the Ares Executive Management Committee and the Ares Private Equity
Group’s Corporate Opportunities Investment Committee and Special Opportunities Investment Committee,
as well as the Ares Direct Lending Group Specialty Healthcare Investment Committee. Scott spent over 15
years in various capacities for Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. He was responsible for a substantial portion
of Oaktree’s credit platform and managed investment portfolios spanning the breadth of Oaktree’s credit
strategies. Prior to joining Oaktree, he served as a Principal in William E. Simon & Sons’ private equity group
and as an Analyst at Merrill Lynch & Company in the mergers and acquisitions group. He holds a B.A. from the
University of California, Los Angeles, in History and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of
Pennsylvania, where he currently serves on the Wharton School Graduate Executive Board.

Jennifer James
Managing Director, COO and Head of Investor Relations, Thoma Bravo
Jennifer James is Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Investor Relations & Marketing at
Thoma Bravo. She joined the firm in 2015 with 20 years of experience in private equity/venture capital investor
relations, fundraising, and marketing. Today she leads Thoma Bravo’s business operations strategy, efforts to serve
the needs of new and existing investors, and the firm’s industry communications programs. Wall Street Journal and
WSJ PRO Private Equity named Jennifer one of the Women to Watch in fundraising, and San Francisco Business
Times honored her as one of the Most Influential Women in the Bay Area. Before Thoma Bravo, she served as
Partner, Investor Relations & Marketing, for Sofinnova Ventures. Previously, she served as Director of Marketing &
Communications for Alta Partners, and she held several marketing and financial services leadership roles. Jennifer
earned her MBA from Northwestern University and her AB degree in History from Bowdoin College.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
SPEAKERS & FACULTY ENROLL →

AJ Jangalapalli
Principal, Thoma Bravo
AJ Jangalapalli is a Principal on the Discover team at Thoma Bravo. Based in San Francisco, he joined the firm
in 2016. Prior to joining Thoma Bravo, he worked as a software investor at JMI Equity from July 2011 to June
2014 and as an investment banker at Deutsche Bank from July 2009 to June 2011. AJ currently serves, and
has previously served, as a director of several software and technology service companies in which certain
investment funds advised by Thoma Bravo hold an investment, including Greenphire, Inc., Riskonnect, Inc.,
Syntellis Performance Solutions, LLC, and Zipari, Inc. AJ holds a B.A. in Economics from Dartmouth College and
an M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

David C. Lee
Partner, Gibson Dunn
David Lee is a Corporate partner in Gibson Dunn’s Orange County Office. He structures and negotiates
domestic and cross-border transactions on behalf of corporations, venture capital firms, and private equity
houses. His practice includes M&A, private placements, IPOs, follow-on offerings, recapitalizations, take-private
transactions, hostile takeover defense and other corporate transactions. He has experience in a number of
sectors including healthcare, cleantech, energy, and digital media. David advises venture capital and private
equity firms on their strategic investments and acquisitions throughout the investment lifecycle. He also
handles equity and debt capital markets offerings on behalf of both issuers and investment banks. He earned
his Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, in 2004 from Northwestern University School of Law, his MBA from
Northwestern University and his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Carl Press
Partner, Thoma Bravo
Carl Press is a Partner on the Explore team at Thoma Bravo. Based in San Francisco, he joined the firm in 2015 as
a Vice President. Today, Carl is responsible for co-leading the firm’s Explore platform, which focuses on investing
in high growth lower middle-market software and technology companies. Previously, he was a Senior Associate at
HighBar Partners, an Associate in the Special Situations Group at Oaktree Capital Management, and an Analyst at
UBS Investment Bank. GrowthCap named Carl to its list of Top 40 Under 40 Growth Investors for 2021. Carl holds
an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Palmer Scholar, and a BS
degree with Honors in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
SPEAKERS & FACULTY ENROLL →

Steven Rattner
Chairman, Willett Advisors; Op-Ed Writer, New York Times; Economic Analyst, Morning Joe
Steven Rattner is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Willett Advisors LLC, a Contributing Opinion Writer
for The New York Times and the Economic Analyst for Morning Joe on MSNBC. Prior to these roles, Steven served
as Counselor to the Secretary of Treasury. He later wrote a book entitled, Overhaul: An Insider’s Account of the
Obama Administration’s Emergency Rescue of the Auto Industry, which offers a first-hand account of how he led
the administration through a successful restructure of the automobile industry. He founded private investment firm
Quadrangle Group LLC in 2000. The firm had over $6 billion of assets under management under his leadership.
Prior to this, Steven served as Deputy Chairman and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Lazard Frères & Co., which
he joined as a General Partner in 1989. He previously served as a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley after
launching his investment banking career in 1982 at Lehman Brothers. Steven graduated with honors from Brown
University in 1974 and received the Harvey Baker Fellowship.

David Rubenstein
Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, The Carlyle Group
David Rubenstein is Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group. He is a 1970 graduate of Duke University
and a 1973 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School. He served as Chief Counsel to the U.S. Senate
Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments before becoming the Deputy Assistant to
the President for Domestic Policy during the Carter Administration. He also practiced law in both New York City
and Washington, D.C. He is Chairman of the Boards of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the
Council on Foreign Relations, the National Gallery of Art, the Economic Club of Washington, and the University
of Chicago; a Fellow of the Harvard Corporation; a Trustee of the World Economic Forum; and a Director of the
American Academy of Arts and Sciences, among other board seats. David is an original signer of The Giving
Pledge; the host of The David Rubenstein Show and Bloomberg Wealth with David Rubenstein; and the author of
The American Story, How to Lead, The American Experiment, and How to Invest.

Ali Satvat
Partner, Private Equity, KKR
Ali Satvat co-leads the Health Care industry team within KKR’s Americas Private Equity platform and serves as
Global Head of KKR’s Health Care Strategic Growth platform. He is a member of the Investment Committee and
the Portfolio Management Committee for Americas Private Equity and chairs the Investment Committee and the
Portfolio Management Committee for Health Care Strategic Growth. Prior to joining KKR, Ali was a principal with
Apax Partners, where he focused on health care private equity and growth equity investments. Previously, he held
various positions with Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation, Audax Group and The Blackstone Group.
He holds an A.B., magna cum laude, in History and Science from Harvard College and an M.B.A. in Health Care
Management and Entrepreneurial Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
SPEAKERS & FACULTY ENROLL →

Nizar Tarhuni
Senior Director, PitchBook
Nizar Tarhuni leads the institutional research and editorial departments at PitchBook. He is responsible for
managing the firm’s investment strategy, fund performance and emerging technology research offerings,
in addition to a daily news product tailored to private market investors and advisors. Nizar is credited for
developing PitchBook’s first institutional-grade research product and under his leadership, the team has grown
to include over 60 global analysts and journalists. He also serves on PitchBook’s senior leadership team. He has
been a featured speaker at various industry conferences and is regularly cited in top-tier publications including
The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Bloomberg and the Financial Times. Tarhuni received a bachelor’s degree in
economics and finance from Linfield University.

Vanessa Webb
Partner at Oliver Wyman, Head of Private Equity (Americas)
Vanessa Webb leads Oliver Wyman’s Private Capital Practice in the Americas and co-heads its Education &
Training Practice globally. She has over 15 years of advisory experience and specializes in helping private equity
investors with diligence education and training assets, and working with education companies to accelerate their
growth. Her teams lead partners who work on deals and post-transaction at the intersection of Private Equity
and Financial Services, Insurance, Aerospace and Defense, Industrial Products, Communications, Media, and
Technology, Telecommunications, Healthcare, as well as Operations and Commercial Effectiveness. Vanessa
holds a BA with honors from Duke University, and an MBA from The Wharton School. Before her career in
consulting, she played tennis professionally on the WTA Tour.

Larry Wieseneck
Co-President and Head of Investment Banking, Cowen/TD Bank
Larry Wieseneck is Co-President of Cowen and Company and Head of Investment Banking. Under his leadership,
the Investment Bank has emerged as a leading strategic advisor, offering a broad array of solutions both within
Advisory (M&A, Private Capital Solutions, Sponsors) and Underwriting. Prior to joining Cowen, he was COO and
Head of Merchant Banking at Roundtable Investment Partners, a Multi-family Office and Registered Investment
Advisor. Prior to that, Larry was with Barclays and its predecessor, Lehman Brothers. During the majority of his
17-year tenure, he was the Head of Global Finance and Risk Solutions. He also served in a variety of senior roles
including Co-Head of Markets and Chief Strategy Officer for the Corporate and Investment Bank.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 SPEAKERS & FACULTY ENROLL →

PROGRAM FACULTY

Ayodele Ekhator
Ayodele Ekhator is a Private Equity Instructor with Wall Street Prep and the Founder and CEO of AllStreet, a private
fund marketplace. Prior to joining WSP and founding AllStreet, Ayo was a Summer Associate at Apex Digital. Prior to
Apex, Ayo was an associate in the Blackstone Group’s Strategic Capital Group, the business that acquires minority
GP stakes in alternative asset management companies. Prior to joining Blackstone, Ayo was an analyst at Citigroup,
where he focused on Municipal and Project Finance investment banking and capital markets origination. Ayo is an
incoming MBA Candidate at Harvard Business School and earned a B.A. in Political Science from Williams College.

Matan Feldman
Matan Feldman is Wall Street Prep’s Founder and Managing Partner. His responsibilities include business
development, development of courses, and overseeing training programs. Matan has overseen training programs
for clients including Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, Raymond James, Stifel Nicolaus, FBR Capital Markets, Sagent
Advisors, Giuliani Capital Advisors, JP Morgan, Cerberus, Wharton Business School, London Business School,
Kellogg, Booth, Stern (NYU), and Cornell. Prior to founding Wall Street Prep, Matan served in several capacities
on Wall Street — first as an Analyst in Chase Manhattan Bank’s Mergers & Acquisitions Group in New York, and
subsequently as an Associate within JP Morgan’s Equity Research Group, covering Food & Drug Retail Equities.

Zach Freeman
Zach Freeman is a Senior Private Equity Instructor at Wall Street Prep. Prior to joining Wall Street Prep, Zach was an
associate at Bernhard Capital, an energy services private equity firm where he focused on evaluating investments,
building valuation models, conducting financial analysis, diligence and managing portfolio companies within the
energy services space. Before Bernhard Capital, Zach was an associate at Goldman Sachs in the TMT Investment
Banking Group. Zach majored in Math at Duke University.

Jessica Holton
Jessica Holton is a Senior Instructor with Wall Street Prep and the Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Ours, a relationship
wellness company. Prior to Wall Street Prep and Ours, Jessica was an associate in the Carlyle Group’s U.S. Buyout
Consumer & Retail group, where she focused on evaluating investments, building valuation models, conducting
financial analysis and diligence and managing portfolio companies within the consumer and retail space. Before
Carlyle, Jessica was an analyst in the Financial Sponsors Group at Morgan Stanley. She majored in finance and
accounting at Georgetown and earned an MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
PROGRAM FACULTY ENROLL →

Marc Howland
Marc Howland’s experience spans investment banking advisory, private equity buyout, minority investing and
capital raising across various industries and transaction types and sizes. While at Goldman Sachs and The Carlyle
Group in New York City, Marc helped execute $70 billion worth of global M&A and financing transactions in the
technology, media, telecom, infrastructure and sports facility finance markets. He earned his M.B.A., with Honors,
from Harvard Business School and his B.A. in Business Economics, Magna Cum Laude, from Brown University.

Arkady Libman
Arkady Libman co-authored many of Wall Street Prep’s training materials and has conducted corporate training
for many of Wall Street Prep’s clients, including Enogex, Rosetta Resources, Hess Corporation, Silicon Valley
Bank, RBC Capital Markets, Stifel Nicolaus, and FBR Capital Markets. In addition, Arkady conducts training
programs at top business schools across the world, including Wharton, MIT Sloan, Wharton, Tuck, INSEAD,
London Business School, and University of Michigan. Prior to joining Wall Street Prep, Arkady was an Associate
within the Energy & Natural Resources of the Equity Research Group at FBR Capital Markets.

Adam McGowan
Adam McGowan is a Senior Instructor with Wall Street Prep. Adam’s diverse career in finance includes
investment banking, corporate finance and transaction advisory services consulting. Adam has held senior
corporate strategy and transaction advisory positions at Cisco, Capgemini and C&S. Prior to Wall Street Prep,
Adam was a Vice President at McNamee Lawrence & Co., a technology boutique investment bank, where he
specialized in M&A and private financings. Adam was also a Senior Financial Analyst at one of the top 10 largest
private companies where he assisted the company with its first debt offering. Adam has consulted numerous
senior management teams and boards of directors on their M&A strategies. Adam holds Series 7 and Series 63
licenses. Adam received an MBA from Yale, a Master’s of Engineering from MIT and a BS from Virginia Tech.

Lidia Napier
With over 15 years of valuation experience, Lidia Napier specializes in the valuation of businesses, intangible
assets, and equity securities for financial and tax reporting, M&A, and litigation support purposes. Before joining
CFGI, Lidia was a Manager in the Transaction Services practice of PwC. She was a leading advisor to clients
on valuation principles, methodologies, and assumptions used in the valuation of debt and equity securities,
complex instruments, inventory, customer relationships, technology, IPR&D, and trade names. Lidia has extensive
experience working with Big 4 auditors and possesses the ability to anticipate expected concerns presented by the
audit review process and offers pro-active solutions prior to the review stages of an engagement.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
PROGRAM FACULTY ENROLL →

Zach Ranen
Zach Ranen is a Private Equity Instructor with Wall Street Prep and the Founder and CEO of RAIZE, an online
bakery for healthy, gluten-free desserts. Prior to joining Wall Street Prep and founding RAIZE, Zach was an
associate at Warburg Pincus in the Industrial & Business Services group where he focused on evaluating
investments, building valuation models, conducting financial analysis, and managing portfolio companies. Zach
is an alumnus of The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and
Beta Gamma Sigma with a B.S. in Finance and Economics.

Chris Reilly
Christopher Reilly is a Denver-based M&A and FP&A Contractor and finance course creator. He began his career
with FTI Consulting, Inc. and focused on Bankruptcy and Restructuring, then worked at Hilton Worldwide in its
Corporate Finance and Treasury Departments, and then spent several years in Middle Market Private Equity
before starting his own Contractor and Education business in 2020. Chris is a 2009 graduate of the Villanova
School of Business.

Michael Stack
Michael Stack is currently the Chief of Staff at DICK’S Sporting Goods and Founder of Bokeh Partners, a
boutique financial advisory firm. Prior to DICK’S, Michael was a Senior Private Equity Instructor at Wall Street
Prep. Prior to Wall Street Prep, Michael was Director of Product Development at DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.
Prior to attending business school, he was an Associate at Warburg Pincus, a global private equity firm with
more than $44 billion in assets under management. He began his career at PJ Solomon, a boutique investment
bank, as an analyst advising clients primarily on M&A transactions. He is a graduate of the University of
Pennsylvania and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Alex Stoyanov
Alex Stoyanov is a Senior Private Equity Instructor with Wall Street Prep. Alex has 13 years of investment
banking experience, with a main focus on mergers and acquisitions and the oil & gas sector. Alex began his
career at Lehman Brothers in New York (later acquired by Barclays), before moving to Goldman Sachs in their
Houston and London offices. Currently, Alex is focused on investing in growth companies across various sectors,
including cryptocurrencies, real estate, healthcare, and technology. Alex has graduated with an MBA from
Columbia Business School in New York and is a CFA charterholder.

Private Equity
Certificate Program
 ENROLL →
PROGRAM TUITION

Tuition and payment options

PROGRAM TUITION

$4,800
For enrollments before January 13.
$200 Application Fee added after
January 13.

OR

$960/month
Pay 5 monthly installments of $960.

PROGRAM TUITION

$550 off
Apply to get $550 off your tuition fee

A P P LY T O D AY

Private Equity
Certificate Program
Frequently asked questions
What will I learn from taking this program? How do I register for this program?
The Private Equity Certificate Program will teach You can register for the program at any time through
learners how to analyze private equity investments, our Enrollment Form.
blending investment theory with real world analysis
as it is done at the world’s leading private equity How much does the program cost?
investment firms. The program costs $4,800 for early enrollments
before January 13 ($200 application fee is waived)
How often are programs offered? and $5,000 for enrollments after January 13.
Programs will be offered three times each year.
Cohorts will begin in January, May, and September. Is tution assistance offered?
Tuition assistance will be available for every cohort.
How much time will it take to complete this Use our Tuition Assistance form to apply.
certificate?
The course is designed to run for eight weeks, with a What is the program refund policy?
recommended workload of 6-8 hours of lectures, live This program is non-refundable.
sessions, and assignments per week.

Who can I contact for additional questions?

What languages will the program be If you have any additional questions, please reach
offered in? out to our enrollment team at enrollment@wharton.
This program is offered in English only. wallstreetprep.com.

Private Equity
Certificate Program