Leeds Equity Partners distinguishes itself through the profound expertise of its investment professionals. Their deep-seated understanding of companies within the Knowledge Industries allows for a focused and efficient approach to evaluating new opportunities, emphasizing both the potential merits and inherent risks. This specialized domain expertise is also instrumental in supporting their management team partners in achieving ambitious objectives.
Jeffrey Leeds
Managing Partner
212.835.2000
Experience
Jeffrey Leeds brings over 25 years of dedicated experience in private equity investments within the Knowledge Industries. His career foundation includes seven years at Lazard Freres & Co., where he specialized in mergers, acquisitions, and corporate finance. Further enriching his background, Mr. Leeds served as a law clerk to the Honorable William J. Brennan, Jr., at the Supreme Court of the United States. He also practiced corporate law at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York after his law degree.
Partner Companies
Current: CeriFi, engage2learn, Exterro, Fusion Education Group, INTO University Partnerships, LRN and Simplify Compliance
Prior: amplifire, BARBRI, Datamark, Endeavor Schools, Evanta Ventures, Miller Heiman, Real Page and SeatonCorp
Education
Harvard Law School | J.D., Magna Cum Laude
Oxford University | Marshall Scholar
Yale University | B.A. in History, Summa Cum Laude
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-leeds-a1187bb/
Jacques Galante
Partner
(212) 835-2000
Experience
Jacques Galante offers over 27 years of expertise in private equity and investment banking. Before joining Leeds Equity in 2009, Jacques spent more than 9 years at The Carlyle Group as a Principal within the U.S. Buyout team. During his time at Carlyle, he played a key role in establishing the firm’s Global Communications and Media Group. Earlier in his career, Jacques was an investment banker in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group at Salomon Smith Barney.
Partner Companies
Current: Anthology, Archer Review, Archive360, CeriFi, e.Republic, Exterro, Genius, LRN, OffSec and TalentNeuron
Prior: amplifire, BARBRI, Campus Management, Edcentric, Ex Libris Group and Evanta Ventures
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | B.S. in Finance with a concentration in Accounting, Summa Cum Laude
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacques-galante-0552876/
Scott VanHoy
Partner
(212) 835-2000
Experience
Scott VanHoy brings over 23 years of private equity and investment banking experience to Leeds Equity. Prior to joining in 2010, Scott served as a Principal at DLJ Merchant Banking Partners and as an Associate at Quad-C Management. He began his professional journey as an investment banker within the Leveraged Finance Group at Bank of America.
Partner Companies
Current: 95% Group, Big Blue Marble Academy, Crucial Learning, eLuma, engage2learn, Fusion Education Group, Learnosity, OptionMetrics, Prosci, Scaled Agile, Simplify Compliance and TouchMath.
Prior: Endeavor Schools, Evanta Ventures, Fulcrum Financial Data, LePort Schools, Nobel Learning Communities and Project Management Academy
Education
University of Chicago Graduate School of Business | M.B.A., highest distinction
University of North Carolina | B.A. in Economics, high honors
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-vanhoy-536957/
Susan Cates
Managing Partner, Leeds Illuminate
(214) 679-7575
Experience
Susan Cates offers over 25 years of experience spanning investment banking, private equity, and educational leadership. Before joining Leeds Equity, Susan was the Chief Operating Officer at 2U, Inc., overseeing all product and service delivery operations. As a founding team member of ThinkEquity Partners, she spearheaded the education banking vertical, and later directed investments in education platforms across the U.S. and Latin America. Susan also served as President of Executive Development at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, where she designed leadership programs for Fortune 500 companies and led the creation of the school’s online MBA program, MBA@UNC. Her career began in investment banking at Wachovia Bank and Merrill Lynch.
Education
University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School l M.B.A. Julian H. Robertson / Tiger Fellow, Dean’s Scholar
Duke University l B.A. in Public Policy Studies Benjamin N. Duke Leadership Scholar and National Merit Finalist
https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanecates/
Elizabeth Chou
Partner, Leeds Illuminate
(212) 835-2000
Experience
Elizabeth Chou brings over 15 years of investment experience across the capital structure, from equity to senior and mezzanine debt. Prior to Leeds Equity, Elizabeth was a General Partner at New Markets Venture Partners, investing for nearly a decade in early and growth-stage companies within K12, higher education, and workforce development. She was also a Senior Associate at The Gladstone Companies, focusing on control equity and mezzanine debt investments. Elizabeth’s career started as an Account Executive with M&T Bank’s Commercial & Industrial Middle Market Lending Group.
Education
Columbia Business School | M.B.A.
Mount Holyoke College | B.A. in Politics, with Honors
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethwillschou/
Annie Shick
CFO
212-835-2000
Experience
Annie Shick’s extensive background encompasses accounting, financial reporting, treasury, performance analysis, and compliance, all in support of private equity funds. Before joining Leeds Equity, Ms. Shick was the CFO for Z Capital Group, a global investment firm with private equity and credit investment businesses. She also spent over 6 years at Riverstone Holdings LLC, a global asset management firm focused on energy, power, and infrastructure. At Riverstone, her roles culminated in Director of Fund Accounting. Earlier positions include investment accounting roles at JP Morgan, General Motors Asset Management, and LS Power Equity Advisors / Edge Principal Advisors. She began her career as a Senior Associate in Asset Management Practice at KPMG LLP in New York and is a Certified Public Accountant in Illinois.
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign | M.S. in Accountancy
National Cheng Kung University | B.S. in Accountancy
Eric Geveda
Managing Director
(212) 835-2000
Experience
Eric Geveda brings over 18 years of experience in private equity and investment banking. Prior to joining Leeds Equity in 2011, Eric was a Senior Associate at Arsenal Capital Partners and an Associate at Lightyear Capital. He launched his career at Credit Suisse First Boston as an Analyst in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group.
Partner Companies
Current: 95% Group, Crucial Learning, CeriFi, eLuma, engage2learn and TouchMath.
Prior: amplifire, BARBRI and Edcentric
Education
Stanford University Graduate School of Business | M.B.A.
University of Notre Dame | B.B.A. in Finance and Economics, Magna Cum Laude
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-geveda-5587854/
Chris Mairs
Managing Director
(212) 835-2000
Experience
Chris Mairs has accumulated over 15 years in private equity and investment banking. Before joining Leeds Equity in 2008, Chris worked at Greenhill & Co. in both London and New York as an Analyst in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group.
Partner Companies
Current: Archer Review, Big Blue Marble Academy, INTO University Partnerships, Prosci, Scaled Agile, Simplify Compliance and TalentNeuron
Prior: Endeavor Schools, LePort Schools, Nobel Learning Communities, Project Management Academy and SeatonCorp
Education
University of St. Andrews | BSc in Mathematics, First Class Honours
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-mairs-555b071/
Kevin Malone
Managing Director
(212) 835-2000
Experience
Kevin Malone brings over 12 years of experience in private equity and investment banking. Kevin joined Leeds Equity in 2010 as an Associate after working as an investment banking Analyst at Harris Williams & Co. in Richmond, VA.
Partner Companies
Current: Archive360, Exterro, OffSec and LRN
Prior: Amplifire, BARBRI and Edcentric
Education
Olin Business School – Washington University in St. Louis | B.S.B.A. in Finance and International Business
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-malone-283090a/
David Neverson
Managing Director
(212) 835-2000
Experience
David Neverson has over 12 years of experience in private equity and investment banking. Before joining Leeds Equity in 2011, David was an Associate at ICV Partners and a GOTV Organizer with the Ohio Campaign for Change. David began his career at Lehman Brothers as an investment banker in the Global Consumer / Retail Group.
Partner Companies
Current: Anthology, e.Republic, Fusion Education Group, Genius, Learnosity and OptionMetrics
Prior: Campus Management, Evanta Ventures, Ex Libris and Fulcrum Financial Data
Education
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania | M.B.A.
Morehouse College | B.A. in Business Administration, Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-neverson-a888b694/
Kara McCrossan
Head of Investor Relations
212-835-2000
Experience
Kara McCrossan leads investor relations at Leeds Equity, bringing significant experience from leading growth equity investors. Prior to joining Leeds, Kara was Head of Investor Relations for Greenoaks Capital Partners, a global growth equity investor in internet companies. Before Greenoaks, she was a Managing Director at Third Point for nearly a decade, driving investor relations, marketing, and communications strategy. Earlier, McCrossan was part of the private equity team at Park Hill Group and began her career at Goldman Sachs within the Structured Credit team of the investment banking division.
Education
Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business | Finance and Accounting with a minor in English, Cum Laude
Emily Bernstein
Principal
212-835-2000
Experience
Emily Bernstein has over 8 years of experience in private equity and investment banking. Joining Leeds Equity in 2024, Emily previously served as a Vice President at The Carlyle Group, focusing on private equity transactions across business services, consumer, and media industries. Prior to Carlyle, she was an Associate at Centerview Capital and started her career at Morgan Stanley as an investment banking Analyst.
Partner Companies
Current: engage2learn, e.Republic, Genius, Learnosity, OffSec and Prosci
Education
Dartmouth College | A.B. in Economics, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Harvard Business School | M.B.A. with Distinction
Jack Marous
Vice President
212-835-2000
Experience
Jack Marous has accumulated over 6 years of experience in private equity and investment banking. Before joining Leeds Equity in 2021, Jack was an Associate at PWP Growth Equity and previously an Analyst at Brookwood Associates.
Partner Companies
Current: 95% Group, LRN, Simplify Compliance and TouchMath.
Education
Emory University, Goizueta Business School | B.B.A. in Finance and Strategy
Columbia Business School | M.B.A.
Theo Zhang
Vice President
(212) 835-2000
Experience
Theo Zhang offers over 4 years of experience in private equity and investment banking. Prior to joining Leeds Equity in 2018, Theo was an Associate in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group at Rothschild and an Analyst at Dresner Partners.
Partner Companies
Current: Archer Review, Archive360, INTO University Partnerships, Exterro, and TalentNeuron
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | B.A. in Economics
https://www.linkedin.com/in/theomzhang/
Hudson Boles
Senior Associate
(212) 835-2000
Experience
Hudson Boles joined Leeds Equity in 2020 as an Associate. Before that, Hudson worked at Macquarie Capital as an Analyst in the Leveraged Finance Group.
Partner Companies
Current: Big Blue Marble Academy, CeriFi, eLuma, Crucial Learning and Fusion Education Group.
Prior: BARBRI and Endeavor Schools
Education
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania I B.S. in Economics with concentrations in Finance and Accounting, Summa Cum Laude
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hudsonboles/
Olivia Caccia
Senior Associate
212-835-2000
Experience
Olivia Caccia joined Leeds Equity in 2021 as an Associate. Previously, Olivia worked at Raymond James as an Analyst in the Technology & Services group.
Partner Companies
Current: Archer Review, Engage2Learn, Genius, OptionMetrics and Fusion Education Group.
Education
Northeastern University | B.S. in Economics and Business Administration with a concentration in Finance
Will Teplitz
Senior Associate
212-835-2000
Experience
Will Teplitz became part of Leeds Equity in 2021 as an Associate. Before joining, Will worked at Canaccord Genuity as an Analyst in the Technology group.
Partner Companies
Current: Anthology, Big Blue Marble Academy, CeriFi, e.Republic, Exterro & OffSec
Prior: Amplifire
Education
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania I B.S. in Economics with concentrations in Finance and Operations, Magna Cum Laude
Jonathan Behar
Associate
212-835-2000
Experience
Jon Behar joined Leeds Equity in 2023 as an Associate. Before joining Leeds Equity, Jon worked at MTS Health Partners as an Analyst in the Healthcare Group.
Partner Companies
Current: eLuma, LRN, TalentNeuron and TouchMath.
Education
Emory University, Goizueta Business School | B.B.A. in Finance and Strategy
Tim Dye
Associate
212-835-2000
Experience
Tim Dye joined Leeds Equity in 2024 as an Associate. Prior to this, Tim worked at Nomura as an Associate in the Technology Investment Banking Group.
Partner Companies
Current: 95 Percent Group, Crucial Learning and Learnosity
Education
Cornell University | B.A. in Economics
Nathan Washington
Associate
212-835-2000
Experience
Nathan Washington joined Leeds Equity in 2024 as an Associate. Previously, Nathan was an Analyst at Jefferies in the Technology & Telecom group and at Goldman Sachs in the Credit Research group.
Partner Companies
Current: Big Blue Marble Academy, Prosci and Scaled Agile.
Education
University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business | M.S. in Finance
California State University, Northridge, David Nazarian College of Business and Economics | B.S. in Finance
David Xian
Associate
212-835-2000
Experience
David Xian joined Leeds Equity in 2024 as an Associate, after working at Cain Brothers as an Analyst.
Partner Companies
Current: Archive360, Learnosity, OptionMetrics and Simplify Compliance
Education
Duke University | B.S. in Economics with a concentration in Finance
Danielle Klimchak
Investor Relations
(212) 835-2000
Experience
Danielle Klimchak joined Leeds Equity in 2017 and is responsible for investor relations and business development. Before joining Leeds Equity, Danielle worked in the Financial Services Group at Knowledgent, a data and digital intelligence provider.
Education
Salve Regina University | M.B.A.
Salve Regina University | B.A. in Marketing with a concentration in Business Administration
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellederrico/
Chris Kaminski
Controller
212-835-2000
Experience
Chris Kaminski has over 12 years of accounting and financial reporting experience within the asset management industry. Before joining Leeds Equity, Chris was an Accounting Manager at Centre Lane Partners, LLC, managing several private equity vehicles. Earlier in his career, Chris was a Senior Associate in the Wealth & Asset Management practice at EY in New York. He is a Certified Public Accountant in New York.
Education
University of Virginia | B.S. in Commerce
Meredith Wachel
Tax Director
212-835-2000
Experience
Meredith Wachel offers over 7 years of tax accounting experience. Prior to joining Leeds Equity in 2022, Meredith worked at PwC in their Asset and Wealth Management group. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the AICPA.
Education
Baylor University | Masters of Taxation, B.B.A. in Accounting
Elle Sukalic
Finance and Business Operations Manager
(212) 835-2000
Experience
Elle Sukalic joined the accounting and finance team at Leeds Equity in 2018. Before Leeds Equity, Elle worked in the accounting and finance department at Anbau Enterprises, a real estate development company.
Education
Fordham University | B.A. in Economics
Katie Griffin
Senior Fund Accountant
212-835-2000
Experience
Katie Griffin joined Leeds Equity in 2019 as part of the accounting and finance team. Prior to Leeds Equity, Katie worked at Deloitte in the Audit and Assurance department.
Education
University College Dublin | B. Comm
Kacey Wu
Senior Fund Accountant
212-835-2000
Experience
Kacey Wu has over 7 years of private equity fund accounting experience. Before joining Leeds Equity in 2023, Kacey was a senior fund accountant at NCH Capital. Previously, Kacey was an associate in the private equity operations team at J.P. Morgan Asset Management and began her career at Gen II Fund Services.
Education
Baruch College | M.S. in Accounting
Baruch College | B.B.A. in Accounting
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Tucker Best
Fund Accountant
212-835-2000
Experience
Tucker Best joined the accounting and finance team at Leeds Equity in 2022. Before joining Leeds Equity, Tucker worked at PwC in their Asset and Wealth Management group and later at SS&C in their Private Equity Fund Administration group.
Education
Villanova University | B.B.A. in Accounting
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Justin Heller
Fund Accountant
212-835-2000
Experience
Justin Heller became a member of the accounting and finance team at Leeds Equity in 2022. Previously, Justin worked at SS&C Technologies as a fund accountant and started his career at Citrin Cooperman in the financial services audit division.
Education
The Ohio State University | B.B.A. in Accounting
