Comvest Partners, Executive Partner

Bruce Crain is an operating executive and consultant with broad branded and licensed consumer products and multi-channel distribution experience within public and private companies. He has served as president and CEO of public and private companies, and currently provides board, consulting and due diligence support to private equity, credit providers, and family office sponsors, where he advises primarily on consumer-oriented and ecommerce investments, organizational development, and strategic growth opportunities. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Comvest Partners portfolio companies Renovation Brands, LLC, and BEL USA, LLC.

Among his various executive and board roles, Bruce was a consultant with McKinsey & Company; CEO, President, and Board member of the juvenile products businesses of Russ Berrie, Inc. and Kid Brands, Inc.; Group President of the multi-channel home décor company Blyth, Inc.; and CFO of private-equity-backed Home Innovations, Inc. Bruce has extensive leadership experience managing founder-led businesses and multi-divisional corporations that have been formed through industry roll-ups and integrations. He previously was Executive Chairman of private-equity-owned RugsUSA, Inc., and Chairman of private-equity-owned KidKraft, Inc. Earlier in his career, Bruce was in the investment management and artificial intelligence industries.

Bruce has a B.A. in Economics and Government from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and an M.B.A. from Stanford University in California. He lives in New York City and Connecticut with his wife and their son.

Hyde Park Angels, Managing Director

Pete Wilkins is a purpose-driven leader committed to creating a positive impact on the world. Today, Pete leads Hyde Park Angels (HPA), one of the most active and successful early-stage venture investor groups in the country. He and his firm have helped create billions of dollars of value, but more importantly, he has helped founders manifest their purpose into incredible companies that are changing the world.

Prior to HPA, Pete was a critical part of two technology startups that sold and IPO’d for more than $2.8 billion. He later went on to lead the turnaround of a medical education company from record losses to record profits and built one of the premier online physician education communities, which was followed by starting a double-bottom line company focused on college attainment for Latino families.

Based on his experiences over the course of his life and career, he has put all of his tried-and-true practices into one platform, Purpose First Entrepreneur. The forthcoming book and online resources offer a lifetime of lessons and research into key principles that people can use to lead and live more purposefully, ultimately helping them capitalize on their purpose, turn it into a business, and manifest success and measurable outcomes in everyday life.  

Pete serves as an advisor to many entrepreneurs, sits on several boards, and is actively engaged in building Chicago’s entrepreneurial community. He frequently speaks and writes about investing in people and companies for Forbes, VentureBeat and Thrive Global. In recognition of his contributions, Pete has been named one of the Top 100 Chicago Innovators by Chicago Tribune, 50 on Fire by ChicagoInno, winner of Illinois Technology Association CityLIGHTS Industry Champion Award, and the Chicago Innovation Award.

Chief Investment Officer of Health Forward Foundation

Jim Casselberry is Chief Investment Officer of Health Forward Foundation, where he leads investment strategy and oversees the foundation's financial resources in support of its mission to advance health equity, racial justice, economic inclusion, and healthier communities. With more than 30 years of institutional investment experience, Jim has served as a chief executive, chief investment officer, portfolio manager, consultant, and advisor across foundations, endowments, pension funds, family offices, and alternative investment firms. He has helped raise more than $4 billion in institutional capital, participated in over $50 billion in investment transactions, and advised organizations on investment policy, governance, asset allocation, and strategic planning. In addition to his role at Health Forward, Jim is Co-Founder and Chairman of Known Holdings and serves on the boards of several mission-driven organizations, including Morehouse College, the National Urban League, and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

InMoment, Executive Chairman / Madison Dearborn Partners, Executive Partner

John Lewis is an Operating Partner at Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP), where he oversees the strategy behind investments in Information Services, Data and Analytics businesses. The initial thesis yielded a multi-acquisition strategy in the Customer Experience Software and Analytics space and specifically in support of Salt Lake City-based InMoment. John is the Executive Chairman of InMoment while continuing to lead MDP efforts into broader Data and Software investments.

Before joining MDP, John served as Global President of Nielsen Holdings PLC, where he oversaw the Global “Buy” business and the ex-U.S. “Watch” business, which comprised approximately two-thirds of Nielsen's $6 billion of revenue. During his time at Nielsen, John ran the North American “Buy” business, and both the Latin American “Buy” and “Watch” businesses, leading each of these segments to both accelerated revenue growth and enhanced profitability. He also completed and successfully integrated more than 10 strategic acquisitions.

Prior to Nielsen, John was CEO of Knowledge Networks, a venture capital-backed start-up where he succeeded the founding CEO and led its transformation into a more differentiated provider of specialized market research. John also held an earlier role at Nielsen, where he was the Chief Marketing Officer and the #2 executive in the North American business turnaround from 1995-1999. Prior to his career in information services, John led the Consumer Products division at The NutraSweet Company.

John received his B.A. at Princeton University and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.

Venture Capitalist & Civic Leader 

After 32 years building what became the largest Merrill Lynch Private Wealth Management group in the Kansas City region, Darcy Howe thought retirement might suit her. Two weeks in — and one very organized wrapping paper closet later — she knew she needed purpose again. 

What followed has been a second act as impactful as her first. Recognizing that Kansas City’s recovery from the 2008 financial crisis lagged behind other major cities, Darcy joined KC Rising, a volunteer-led initiative committed to accelerating the region’s growth. As a longtime angel investor in early-stage startups, she helped identify a critical gap: the region needed to retain and grow technology businesses and cultivate a new generation of early-stage tech investors. 

That insight gave rise to KCRise Fund. Ten years on, the fund has raised over $100 million, invested in 58 early-stage technology companies, and seen 11 portfolio companies successfully exit. Darcy currently serves on the Board or as Board Observer to 12 portfolio companies. 

Throughout her career, Darcy has been a tireless advocate for women in business and finance — founding or serving as a founding member of Women’s Capital Connection, Women Corporate Directors (KC Chapter), and Women in Finance. 

She and her husband are the proud parents of two accomplished children and the even prouder grandparents of four.

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