On the Move: January 2026 Hires and Promotions

Yellow Wood Partners: Lindsay Ting and William Newberry

Consumer-focused private equity investment firm Yellow Wood Partners announced this month the additions of Lindsay Ting and William Newberry, according to a press release provided to ACG. Ting, who joined the firm last year, has been named managing director, and brings 15 years of private equity and investment banking experience to the firm. She specializes in consumer and business services. Ting joins the firm from Trilantic North America. Newberry, meanwhile, joins the firm as principal, bringing 10 years of private equity and management consulting experience in consumer, services, and technology. He joins the firm from Charlesbank Capital Partners.

Wipfli: Steve Rudnik

Audit, tax, and advisory firm Wipfli announced Steve Rudnik has joined as head of corporate development. In a recent announcement, Wipfli noted Rudnik will lead the firm’s M&A strategy and execution as it ramps up acquisition activities following its partnership with New Mountain Capital. Rudnik will support growth and client objectives for Wipfli. He joins from Hightower Advisors, a wealth management firm, where he served as. Co-head of M&A.

Paul Hastings: Andrew Davis

Andrew Davis has joined law firm Paul Hastings LLP as its newest tax partner in New York, an announcement said this month. Davis joins the firm from Cravath Swaine & Moore’s Band One tax practice. His expertise spans the tax elements of M&A including private equity deals, strategic acquisitions, spin-offs, and other transaction types. Paul Hastings says the addition of Davis strengthens its M&A platform as well as its global tax practice.

Savory Fund: Shauna Smith and Clay Dover

Savory Fund, a private equity firm based in Utah that focuses on emerging restaurant brands, has promoted cofounder Shauna Smith to the role of managing director. Former Velvet Taco CEO Clay Dover will take up Smith’s former role as CEO of Savory. With Smith’s leadership, Savory now includes 13 portfolio companies that generate a combined $515 million in annual revenue, a press release noted, adding that Smith is now part of the 4% of private equity firms that have female managing partners and/or CEOs, the announcement stated.

Portage Point Partners: Adam Pollak

Middle-market investment banking and advisory firm Portage Point Partners announced this month the appointment of Adam Pollak as head of Advisory, a role that sees Pollack also joining the firm’s Executive Leadership Team. In his role, Pollak will lead the Transaction Advisory Services, Valuations, Transaction Execution Services, Office of the CFO, and Performance Improvement departments. Pollack joins the firm from KPMG Strategy, where he served as global lead partner for value creation as well as U.S. transformation lead partner.

HighPost Capital: David Weston

HighPost Capital, a private investment firm focused on consumer products, services, sports, media, and technology, has promoted David Weston to the role of senior managing director of the HighPost Buyout/Late-Stage Growth Fund. The role will see Weston overseeing the identification and evaluation of new investment opportunities. Weston first joined HighPost in 2023 as a managing director, a role in which he led the firm’s investment in Front Row Group, as well as executed its recent investment in Equip Foods.

Massumi + Consoli: Trevor Katende

Law firm Massumi + Consoli said this month that it has hired Trevor Katende, who joins as a partner in its Los Angeles M&A practice. Katende focuses on supporting public and private companies on complex strategic transactions, and he brings to the firm his experience advising companies, boards of directors, and special committees on complex M&A and other transactions, as well as private equity firms and their portfolio companies. He previously served as cofounder and managing partner of Everest Talent Management.

William Blair: Robert Engelhardt

Robert Engelhardt has been named the newest director of the Tech Enabled Services team at William Blair’s investment banking group. Engelhardt is based in Frankfurt and will provide advisory services to businesses and their financial sponsors across Europe. In its announcement, William Blair noted that the addition of Engelhardt supports its continued investment in tech-enabled services. Engelhardt’s experience spans a variety of industries including professional services, environmental services, facility services, and specialty distribution. He most recently served at Harris Williams.

AVALT: Paige Emerson

Private investment firm AVALT announced the hiring of Paige Emerson as its vice president of Business Development, according to a recent press release. Emerson will strengthen the firm’s relationships across the advisory ecosystem and drive deal flow to support AVALT’s long-term sourcing strategy. Emerson joins AVALT from AlphaSights, where she spent 12 years.

Pritzker Alternative Strategies: Joseph Kusnan

Family capital investment firm Pritzker Alternative Strategies, which focuses on passive investments in private equity funds and related investment opportunities, has hired Joseph Kusnan as senior advisor. He brings more than 25 years of experience in family office investing, advisory, and consulting. Most recently, he led private investments for the Pegula family, which owns the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.

Odyssey Investment Partners: Henry Bendit, Spencer Marks, Tyler Miller, Eitan Lewittes, and Isabelle Lotocki

Private equity firm Odyssey Investment Partners announced several promotions to kick off 2026. The firm named Henry Bendit as its newest managing principal, promoted from the role of principal. He serves on the Board of Directors of several Odyssey portfolio companies. He first joined the firm as an associate. Additionally, Odyssey named Spencer Marks and Tyler Miller as vice presidents, both promoted from the role of senior associate. Finally, Eitan Lewittes has been promoted to senior associate from associate on the firm’s investment team, while Isabelle Lotocki has been promoted to senior associate from associate on the finance team.

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