Welcome to the Private Equity Program
Columbia Business School graduates have played leading roles in shaping the private equity and venture capital industries. The Private Equity Program serves as the Business School's primary point of contact with the private equity industry, unifying students, alumni, and the business community into a single network. Industry relationships developed and deepened by the program enable the Business School and Columbia University to collaborate on private equity-related initiatives.
Advisory Board
The program's advisory board provides additional professional depth, guidance, and support to the program. Composed of successful and experienced Columbia Business School alumni, this group brings insight and representation from all aspects of the industry - not to mention an intimate understanding of the student experience - to the Program.
Academics
Private equity electives, which build on the MBA Program's rigorous core curriculum, reflect the demands of the industry and are offered in these areas: credit markets, later stage buy outs, restructuring, and venture capital.
Events
The Private Equity Program produces a full calendar of events beyond the classroom. Senior-level practitioners - including many alumni - come to campus as event participants, speakers, panelists, and mentors, providing students with exceptional opportunities to gain in-depth insight into current topics of interest as well as the general culture of the industry and specific firms they aspire to join. Each winter the annual Private Equity and Venture Capital Conference is offered, now in its 19th year and drawing more than 700 participants. The Private Equity Program also collaborates with industry and government entities as well as other academic institutions to offer programs specific to these varied audiences.
In addition, the program works on professional-development programs for current students, such as the Annual Deal Camp.
Leadership
The Private Equity Program was launched in 2007 by founding director Professor Laura B. Resnikoff ('76). In Fall 2010, Professor Donna M. Hitscherich (`90) was announced as director of the Program.
For more information, please contact pep@gsb.columbia.edu.
