Historical Info
Historical Info
Glance through IVCA's past governance, IVCA Scholar Program and past IVCA Award recipients.
Past IVCA Chairpersons
| 2024-25 | Phil Alphonse | The Vistria Group |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Jim Macdonald | First Analysis |
| 2021-22 | Jennifer Steans | Financial Investments Corporation |
| 2020-21 | Rocco Martino | OceanM19 |
| 2018-19 | Tony Palcheck | Zebra Ventures |
| 2017-18 | Walter Florence | Frontenac |
| 2015-16 | Bob Fealy | Limerick Investments |
| 2014-15 | Lee M. Mitchell | Thoma Bravo |
| 2012-13 | Darren Snyder | Prairie Capital |
| 2010-12 | James TenBroek | Wind Point Partners |
| 2009-10 | Ellen Carnahan | Machrie Enterprises |
| 2008-09 | Danny Rosenberg | Sterling Partners |
| 2006-07 | Keith Crandell | ARCH Venture Partners |
| 2005-06 | Keith Bank | KB Partners |
| 2004-05 | Robert Finkel | Prism Capital |
| 2003-04 | Steve Beitler | Dunrath Capital |
| 2002-03 | Bret Maxwell | MK Capital |
| 2001-02 | Carl Thoma | Thoma Cressey Equity Partners |
Past IVCA Scholars
2025 IVCA Scholars
Harrison Bayorgeon, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Fiona Charlton, University of Chicago
Nikhil Chintalapati, University of Chicago
Yasmin Davidov, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Grace Enerson, University of Chicago
Bola Erogbogbo, Northwestern University
Oliva Fila, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Zayd Gonzalez, University of Chicago
Grace Housey, Boston College
Giselle Marquez, University of Illinois at Chicago
Samuel Mathew, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Merwan Nur, University of Michigan
Juan Paul, DePaul University
Krishna Reddy, Northwestern University
Ella Saputra, Yale University
Javier Sebastian, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Varun Talasila, Northwestern University
Christopher Vargas, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Lindsey Wang, Duke University
Jefferson Wu, Northwestern University
2024 IVCA Scholars
Josie Besch, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Tara Bhugra, Indiana University
Meghan Calk, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Shea Fitzgerald, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Tuhin Ghosh, University of Chicago
Abigail Hoyt, Duke University
Tyler Huang, Northwestern University
Jennifer Jang, Northwestern University
Eric Ly, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ivan Parakkal, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Joy Qu, Yale University
Ela Taneja, Indiana University
Emily Villicana, University of Pittsburgh
Carter Wideman, DePaul University
2023 IVCA Scholars
Roberto Adan, Georgetown University
Elizabeth Chen, University of Chicago
Zoe Delis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bella Dirilten, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Gary Huang, University of Chicago
Sabrina Kozarovitsky, Northwestern University
Vivian Li, University of Chicago
Louie Martinez, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Akhil Pandravada, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Roshni Patel, University of Chicago
Gabrielle Piechota, University of Illinois at Chicago
Karolina Rozanski, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Serena Salvato, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Nicole Szczesny, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Tiffany Trujillo, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Kevin Yang, University of Chicago
2022 IVCA Scholars
Farhan Ahmed, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ainsley Bryant, Dartmouth
Curran Chopra, University of Chicago
Alissa Chu, Northwestern University
Ankeith Guntupalli, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Kelly Han, University of Chicago
Simone Harradence, University of Chicago
Ricardo Iriarte, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Jackson Lee, University of Chicago
Katie McManus, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Avanti Parkhe, Northwestern University
Jayna Patel, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Alix Podbelsek, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ting Zhao, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2021 IVCA Scholars
Remi Astronomo, University of Notre Dame
Jibraan Azeemullah, University of Illinois at Chicago
Manya Bharadwa,University of Chicago
Baron Cao, University of Chicago
Jeesu Choi, University of Chicago
Cara Conniff, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Sachin Das, University of Chicago
Abigail Movmyga, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Fanny Munoz, University of Illinois at Chicago
Quam Oluewu, University of Illinois at Chicago
Sergio Palomino, University of Illinois at Chicago
Alyssa Shteyn, University of Chicago
Jared Thompkins, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2020 IVCA Scholars
Megan Baumhover, Indiana University
Lindsey Cwik, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Lindsey Hauch, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Arvind Kannappan, University of Chicago
Lia Kim, University of Chicago
Hanna Kunin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Andrea Peterson, Indiana University
Erin Radigan, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Weixun "Wei" Ren, University of Chicago
Andrew Shen, University of Chicago
2019 IVCA Scholars
Kennedy Daniels, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Vamshi Eppanapally, University of Chicago
Taylor Folwell, University of Notre Dame
Katherine Lee, Fordham University
Sneha Mathew, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Katie Neill, Washington University
Meaghan O'Hara, University of Chicago
Pavani Pandravada, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Anna Prisco, University of Chicago
Rachel Rosa, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ananya Vasagiri, University of Chicago
2018 IVCA Scholars
Amber Ault, University of Notre Dame
Christopher Ayala, Loyola University Chicago
Mary Claire Cox, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Christine Lee, Fordham University Lincoln Center
Erin Martinez, University of Notre Dame
Serena Upadhyay, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2017 IVCA Scholars
Asier Berhane, Loyola University
Paveena Bhugra, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Kailing Cai, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Enrik Jani, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Leslie Jones-Dove, University of Chicago
John Kim, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Edyta Krejner, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Zain Nomani, University of Illinois at Chicago
Oluwaseyi Olaleye, Stanford University
Brooke White, University of Chicago
2011 IVCA Scholars
Cass Gunderson, University of Illinois
Caitlin Riederer, University of Illinois
2010 IVCA Scholars
Zhiwei Ying, University of Illinois
2009 IVCA Scholars
Nathan Barajas, University of Illinois
Angela Chi, University of Illinois at Chicago
2008 IVCA Scholars
Jason Aguiar, University of Illinois
Roy Beckham, University of Illinois
Azure Nelson, University of Illinois
Mike Webb, University of Illinois
2007 IVCA Scholars
Peter Alonso, University of Illinois
Ashton Clark, University of Illinois
Lesley Winbush, University of Illinois
Past IVCA Stanley C. Golder Awardees
The Stanley C. Golder Award
The Stanley C. Golder Award was created in memory of Stanley C. Golder, a founder of the private equity industry. The award honors individuals who have made profound and lasting contributions to the private equity industry in Illinois.
2025 Award Recipient
Robert P. Morgan, 50 South Capital
2024 Award Recipient
James F. Dugan, OCA Ventures
2022 Award Recipient
Stephen V. King, Prairie Capital
2020 Award Recipient
Glen Tullman, 7wireVentures
2019 Award Recipient
Keith L. Crandell, ARCH Venture Partners
2017 Award Recipient
John A. Hatherly, Wynnchurch Capital
2016 Award Recipient
Paul J. Carbone, Pritzker Group Private Capital
2015 Award Recipient
Peter J. Barris, New Enterprise Associates
2013 Award Recipient
Theodore L. Koenig, Monroe Capital
2012 Award Recipient
T. Bondurant French, Adams Street Partners
2011 Award Recipient
Brian P. Simmons, CHS Capital
2010 Award Recipient
Lester B. Knight, RoundTable Healthcare Partners
2009 Award Recipient
Bryan Cressey, Cressey & Company
John L. Hines, President (Retired) Continental Illinois Venture Corporation, Continental Illinois Equity Corporation
2008 Award Recipient
Kevin R. Evanich, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
2007 Award Recipient
Samuel B. Guren, Guren Capital Management, LLC
2006 Award Recipients
Paul J.Finnegan, Madison Dearborn Partners
Samuel M. Mencoff, Madison Dearborn Partners
2005 Award Recipient
Gary P. Brinson, GP Brinson Investments
2004 Award Recipient
Ned Heizer, Jr
2003 Award Recipient
Bret R. Maxwell, MK Capital
2002 Award Recipient
Carl D. Thoma, Thoma Cressey Equity Partners
Past IVCA Richard J. Daley Awardees
Richard J. Daley Award
In honor of Mayor Richard J. Daley’s vast economic accomplishments, the Richard J. Daley Award honors a single individual who has given extraordinary support to the State of Illinois while participating in or being an advocate for the venture capital and private equity community.
2025 Award Recipient
Bruce N. Barron, Origin Ventures
2024 Award Recipient
Mitchell Petersen, Heizer Center, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
2023 Award Recipient
Jennifer W. Steans, Financial Investments Corporation
2021 Award Recipient
Linda L. Darragh, Kellogg School of Management Emerita
2019 Award Recipient
Oliver Nicklin, First Analysis
2018 Award Recipient
Christopher B. Galvin
2017 Award Recipient
Howard A. Tullman, 1871
2016 Award Recipient
Ellen A. Rudnick, Polsky Center, Chicago Booth
2015 Award Recipient
Warren E. Holtsberg, MVC Capital
2014 Award Recipient
Steven N. Miller, Origin Ventures
2013 Award Recipient
James J. O’Connor, Jr., MVC Capital
2012 Award Recipient
James A. Johnson, Apex Venture Partners
2011 Award Recipient
Scott F. Meadow, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
2010 Award Recipient
Robert L. Fealy, Duchossois Technology Partners
2009 Award Recipient
J.B. Pritzker, The Pritzker Group, New World Ventures
2008 Award Recipient
Richard L. Thomas, First Chicago NBD Corporation
2007 Award Recipient
Steven N. Kaplan, University of Chicago GSB
2006 Award Recipient
Donald W. Phillips, WP Global Partners
2005 Award Recipient
Norman R. Bobins, LaSalle Bank N.A.
2004 Award Recipient
James C. Tyree, Mesirow Financial
2003 Award Recipient
Bruce V. Rauner, GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC
2002 Award Recipient
Martin J. Koldyke, Frontenac Company
Past IVCA Beitler Awardees
Stephen S. Beitler Award (formerly the IVCA Fellows Award)
The IVCA Fellows Award recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to the venture capital and private equity profession and to the Illinois Venture Capital Association (IVCA).
2024 Award Recipient
James Macdonald, First Analysis
2021 Award Recipient
Rocco J. Martino, OceanM19
2020 Award Recipient
Tony Palcheck, Zebra Venures
2018 Award Recipient
Walter C. Florence, Frontenac
2015 Award Recipient
Lee M. Mitchell, Thoma Bravo
2014 Award Recipient
Darren M. Snyder, Prairie Capital
2013 Award Recipient
James F. Dugan, OCA Ventures
2012 Award Recipient
James P. TenBroek, Wind Point Partners
2010 Award Recipient
Mark Glennon, Ninth Street Advisors
2009 Award Recipient
Danny Rosenberg, Sterling Partners
2008 Award Recipient
Keith L. Crandell, ARCH Venture Partners
2007 Award Recipient
John R. Willis, Willis Stein & Partners
2006 Award Recipient
Keith D. Bank, KB Partners
2005 Award Recipient
Robert Finkel, Prism Capital
2004 Award Recipients
Stephen S. Beitler, Dunrath Capital
Bob Geras, LaSalle Investments
2003 Award Recipients
Ellen Carnahan, William Blair Capital Partners
Steven Lazarus, ARCH Venture Partners
2002 Awards Recipients
Jack S. Levin, Kirkland & Ellis
T. Bondurant French, Adams Street Partners
John A. Canning, Jr., Madison Dearborn Partners Inc.
Past IVCA Portfolio Company of the Year Awardees
IVCA Portfolio Company of the Year
2025 Recipient for Venture Capital
Simple Mills
Investor: HPA
2025 Recipient for Private Equity
Door & Window Guard Systems (DAWGS)
Investor: NextGen Growth Partners
Previous Awardees:
| 2023 | Nerdio (Venture backed) |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Right At School (Private Equity backed) |
| 2022 | AIM Clinics (Venture backed) |
| 2022 | TPC (Private Equity backed) |
| 2021 | Factor (Venture backed) |
| 2021 | Option Care (Private equity backed) |
| 2020 | Sprout Social (Venture backed) |
| 2019 | Livongo (Venture backed) |
| 2019 | Evans Food Group (Private equity backed) |
| 2018 | Aptinyx (Venture backed) |
| 2018 | The Stepping Stones Group (Private equity backed) |
| 2017 | Naurex (Venture backed) |
| 2017 | Kronos Foods Corp. (Private equity backed) |
| 2016 | Cleversafe (Venture backed) |
| 2016 | Sage Products (Private equity backed) |
| 2015 | Paylocity (Venture backed) |
| 2015 | Sterigenics International (Private equity backed) |
| 2014 | GrubHub (Venture backed) |
| 2014 | Fieldglass (Private equity backed) |
| 2013 | Gogo (Venture backed) |
| 2013 | Actient Pharmaceuticals (Private equity backed) |
| 2012 | SurePayroll (Venture backed) |
| 2012 | Flexera Software (Private equity backed) |
| 2011 | Accretive Health (Venture backed) |
| 2011 | Great Kitchens (Private equity backed) |
| 2010 | Initiate Systems, Inc. (Venture backed) |
| 2010 | Ovation Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Private equity backed) |
IVCA Foundation Award
IVCA Foundation Award
The IVCA Foundation Award recognizes an individual or firm who has significantly contributed to the IVCA Scholar Program or has made impactful strides in enhancing diversity within the private equity and venture capital community in Illinois.
2025 Recipient
Shoshana M. Vernick, Avathon Capital
2024 Recipient
Walter Florence, Frontenac
IVCA Rising Star Award
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star award recognizes a private equity or venture capital firm that is demonstrating exceptional promise and leadership in Illinois’ investment ecosystem.
2025 Recipient
M25