Lessons from the Rooftop: A Glimpse into Private Equity
By Samantha Azia
On Thursday, June 12th, I had the privilege of attending the Global Female Investors Management roundtable, hosted on a rooftop in Rockefeller Center. The event revolved around the topic of Private Equity Investing in Hidden Assets, bringing together leaders in the investment world and aspiring professionals like myself. I learned about the event through the Opportunity Fund Project, as I will be joining the Fall 2025 cohort of the Building Blocks class. I did not know anyone else going prior to the event, however I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
I decided to drive from my home to Manhattan. The drive-in was roughly three hours long and turned into a test of patience as I navigated city traffic. It was challenging negotiating the confusing streets, aggressive drivers, and overpriced parking which served as a reminder of why most people avoid cars in the city. After a long wait in line to validate my parking during what must have been a nearby graduation, I finally arrived at Rockefeller Center. It was humbling but also part of the learning experience. It's safe to say I will give myself a plentiful amount of time in the future when venturing to the city.
The event was unlike anything I had experienced before. I was surrounded by accomplished professionals and yet the event felt open and welcoming. The two speakers for the roundtable were Marilyn Adler, Managing Partner at Mizzen Capital, and Nicole Adler Kaplan, Founding Partner of Silent Spring Ventures. The event was moderated by Wendy Cohen, Managing Partner at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, who asked the two speakers thought-provoking questions about how they uncover value in overlooked assets.
These are a few of the things that stood out to me from the roundtable. My first key takeaway was that when going in with the right strategy, hidden or overseen assets can be great investments. Another key takeaway came from Marilyn, who shared how she focused on investing in recession-proof industries. She shared how she backs the companies behind everyday services, such as the teams that mow the lawns at Home Depot. Nicole, on the other hand, shared how she has made similar investments in waste and trash management. This was shockingly powerful that these brave women were not afraid to invest in areas that many people wouldn’t think of as valuable yet consistently generate strong returns. Lastly, I learned the importance of scale and the inefficiency of small businesses. Overall, I was impressed by these women’s ability to uncover these unique and lucrative investments.
After the panel, we were given the chance to network on the rooftop. I am still someone early in my career, therefore this part was equally as valuable. I spoke with professionals who were able to share advice I could carry into my future jobs as well as the remainder of my academic experience. One individual shared how it is okay to make mistakes and that it is part of learning. They shared a story about a time they messed up at work and that through proper communication they were able to be successful. It is also important to carefully review everything you send to ensure it is the most updated material. This is valuable information and a reminder of the importance of soft skills in the workplace.
The entire experience from driving into the city to hearing from successful women left me feeling inspired and eager to learn more. This was more than just an event; it was a chance to step outside of my comfort zone and grow as a young professional. I am incredibly grateful for the experience and can’t wait to get started with the Opportunity Fund this fall.