Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business

Ann McCloskey, Managing Director at Accel-KKR, joins Sean Mooney for the human side of private equity value creation — the part no amount of AI replaces. From accounting and organizational development into one of PE's founding operations teams at Vista, Ann breaks down the leadership traits she screens for (self-awareness first), why acting on talent faster is every CEO's biggest regret, and how Accel-KKR's Base Camp, Ascend, and Peak programs turn functional experts into real leaders. She gets practical on feedback that actually lands, why a message needs repeating 21 times to stick, and leading people like "fully functioning adults" through constant change. A candid, genuinely useful conversation on the craft of developing people. Episode Highlights: 1:20 - From accounting and org development to a front-row seat on Vista's founding ops team 9:55 - The leadership traits Ann screens for first — starting with self-awareness 17:00 - Why "act on talent faster" is every CEO's biggest regret, and how to know it's time 20:10 - Inside Accel-KKR's Base Camp, Ascend, and Peak leadership programs 24:30 - Feedback that lands: the "spinach in the teeth" rule and why half of it is about you 28:10 - Why a message now takes 21 repetitions to stick, and the "chief repeater" job of a leader 36:10 - The dead-simple travel habit that killed Ann's jet lag for good For more on Accel-KKR, visit https://www.accel-kkr.com/ For more on Ann McCloskey, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-mccloskey-a504b66/

Carr Preston, Managing Director at Akoya Capital, joins Sean Mooney to discuss how leadership, partnership, and commercial discipline shape successful private equity investments. He shares how Akoya evaluates founder- and family-owned businesses, including the importance of a strong CEO, a clear economic model, scalable sales motion, and the right cultural fit. Carr also explains how Akoya’s thesis-driven, operating-centric approach helps companies professionalize, grow revenue, and focus on the few priorities that matter most. This is a practical conversation on building value through people, focus, and disciplined execution—hit play. Episode Highlights 1:00 - Carr’s path from San Francisco to Morehouse, law school, business school, and private equity 4:00 - How a JD/MBA perspective helps with deal structure, diligence, and negotiation 6:33 - Learning investing fundamentals at Allied Capital during a formative period in PE 10:48 - Carr’s Prince concert streak and the music that shaped different chapters of life 14:42 - What Akoya looks for in leadership, strategy, execution, and business model quality 20:00 - Evaluating management teams through decision-making, trust, communication, and plant tours 24:42 - Akoya’s operating-centric approach to value creation before and after close 29:20 - Why sales and business development are major levers for lower-middle-market growth

Jon Haas, Managing Director of Portfolio Transformation at Clarion Capital, joins Sean Mooney to discuss how private equity value creation has evolved from a differentiator into the core of the business. He shares Clarion’s approach to founder-led companies, operational improvement, digital transformation, AI, and the balance between standardized playbooks and customized support. Jon also explains why firms need to distinguish between a broken thesis and a difficult period, and why intelligent risk-taking still matters in an industry under pressure to avoid downside. This is a thoughtful conversation on conviction, adaptability, and building better companies after the deal closes—hit play. Episode Highlights 2:00 - Early exposure to private equity through family connections and portfolio company boards 3:39 - A nonlinear path through consulting, banking, and Clarion’s early days 6:49 - Building Clarion after IMAX disruption changed the original fundraising plan 13:15 - A collections investment tests Clarion’s conviction through COVID and leadership change 20:38 - Why value creation has become the business of private equity 22:03 - Clarion’s eight focus areas for portfolio transformation and value creation 27:24 - The tension between LP expectations, downside protection, and differentiated returns 33:10 - Jon’s book recommendation and the lesson behind intelligent risk-taking

Dave Santoni, Managing Director at Audax Private Equity, joins Sean Mooney to discuss how decades in investment banking shaped his approach to sponsor coverage, business development, and private equity. He shares what Audax looks for in niche market leaders, how the firm uses industry mapping and add-on acquisitions to build stronger businesses, and why preparation before a process can create real edge. Dave also explains how Audax is using AI across sourcing, diligence, portfolio support, and exits without losing sight of relationships and curiosity. This is a sharp look at how modern private equity firms win before the book ever hits the inbox—hit play. Episode Highlights • 2:00 - Dave’s path from Philadelphia and Omaha to law school, banking, and Audax • 6:31 - Why Audax felt like the right next chapter after decades of deal work • 10:19 - Coaching youth basketball and the lasting pull of sports, teams, and leadership • 13:28 - What Audax looks for in niche market leaders across its core verticals • 16:16 - Using add-on acquisitions to expand markets, customers, and capabilities • 21:48 - How Audax maps industries before ownership to accelerate add-on activity • 28:00 - AI becomes a major value creation priority across the firm and portfolio • 39:39 - Dave’s advice to his younger self: be more curious, earlier For more on Audax Private Equity, visit https://www.audaxprivateequity.com/ For more on David Santoni, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsantoni/

Sean Mooney, Founder and CEO of BluWave, breaks down BluWave’s Q2 2026 Private Equity Insights Report and what it signals for the second half of the year. He explains why renewed geopolitical volatility stalled due diligence to an all-time low, how PE firms responded by pushing value creation to a record 84% of activity, and why AI advisory demand continues to surge across the industry. Sean also revisits BluWave’s 2026 predictions on deal flow, growth, software selection, industrialization, and the widening gap between AI adopters and laggards. For PE leaders deciding where to place their bets this year, it’s the quarter’s playbook in one sitting — press play. Episode Highlights • 1:08 – Why BluWave’s project data mirrors where private equity is actually spending time • 3:45 – Geopolitical disruption stalls new deal activity for the second straight year • 5:51 – Due diligence drops to 16% as value creation hits an all-time high • 6:30 – AI advisory services surge 193% year over year in PE • 7:20 – Reading the macro backdrop: manufacturing PMI, tight credit spreads, and a resilient consumer • 13:10 – Why extended holds are driving a surge in interim, PE-grade executives • 23:31 – The case for adopting AI now, before the gap between winners and laggards widens For more on BluWave, visit: https://www.bluwave.net/ To request the full Q2 2026 Insights Report, visit: https://bluwave.net/resources/insights-report