Building the Next Generation: Inside the Evolution of the IVCA Scholars Program
How IVCA is strengthening Illinois’ private equity and venture capital talent pipeline
Christie Pruyn, Executive Director, IVCA
How has the IVCA Scholars Program evolved under your leadership, and what have you implemented based on feedback from scholars and participating firms?
What we have really focused on over the last couple of years is evolving the program so it aligns directly with IVCA’s broader strategic plan, specifically building a strong, sustainable talent pipeline in Illinois and across the Midwest.
One of the biggest shifts has been tightening our geographic focus. While we have always had a national applicant pool, we are now prioritizing Illinois and Midwest students because our goal is very clear. We want to build and retain talent in this market for our member firms.
We have also continued to build more structure into the program. That includes stronger onboarding, clearer expectations for both host firms and scholars, and adding more formal learning components so scholars are set up to contribute with confidence and get the most out of the experience.
On the scholar side, we have placed a greater emphasis on connection and community. We launched a LinkedIn group for the current cohort and alumni, which is already becoming a hub for mentorship, job opportunities, and ongoing engagement with IVCA.
More broadly, we have matured how we measure success. We now have consistent surveys and KPIs for both scholars and firms, which gives us a much clearer picture of program impact and helps guide how we continue to evolve.
What have you observed as the expectations scholars have coming into the program versus what they get out of it?
Most scholars come in expecting a fairly traditional internship, learning technical skills, getting exposure to a firm, and building their resume.
What they do not expect is how much access they get to the broader ecosystem. They are meeting professionals across private equity and venture, hearing directly from partners and operators, and building relationships not just at their firm, but across the entire cohort.
That network piece is often the biggest surprise and ultimately one of the most valuable outcomes. They leave with a much clearer understanding of the industry and where they might fit within it.
As you have built the program year over year, what has been most rewarding to you as a facilitator?
Honestly, it is the level of engagement from both sides.
Our member firms are incredibly invested. They are not just offering an internship. They are mentoring, providing real exposure, and thinking long term about how these students fit into the industry.
On the scholar side, the drive is remarkable. Many are stepping into environments that are completely new, and you can see their confidence grow over the course of the program.
What is especially rewarding now is seeing this become something bigger than a single summer. With the alumni network, ongoing programming, and stronger ties back to IVCA, this is really becoming a pipeline, not just a program.
How does the IVCA Scholars Program fit into IVCA’s long term vision for the Illinois investment ecosystem?
This has become a core pillar of IVCA’s strategic plan.
At a high level, this is about building and retaining talent in Illinois and the Midwest. Our member firms need a strong pipeline, and this is one of the most direct ways we can support that.
What is different now is that we are not just delivering a program. We are building infrastructure around it. We are tracking outcomes, we have introduced consistent surveys, and we are using that data to continue strengthening the model. Scholars are rating the program extremely highly, and more than 90 percent say it increased their interest in pursuing a career in private equity or venture capital.
Just as important is the role of the IVCA Foundation. The Foundation’s support allows us to expand the program thoughtfully, not just in size, but in quality, programming, and long term impact. Because I oversee both organizations, there is strong alignment between strategy, fundraising, and execution.
I am really proud of how this has evolved. It is not just a program anymore, it is part of a long term effort to strengthen the Illinois investment ecosystem.
Where do you see the program going over the next few years?
We are still early in what this can become.
The focus now is on continuing to build depth, stronger engagement with member firms, more structured programming throughout the year, and continuing to grow the alumni network into a real community.
We are also thinking more intentionally about creating multiple entry points into the industry. Not every student is ready for the same level of experience at the same time, so building a continuum of opportunities is a natural next step.
Longer term, the goal is for this to be a go to pipeline for talent in Illinois, where firms know they can find strong candidates and where students see a clear path into private equity and venture.
If we get that right, the impact goes well beyond IVCA. It strengthens the competitiveness of this entire market.