Track 01 | The Chief of Staff as a value creation engine in private equity

October 20, 2026
Human Capital
  • The execution gap in PE portfolios: why value creation plans often stall post-close due to stretched leadership teams, lack of cross-functional ownership, and limited change management capacity
  • The Chief of Staff as the missing link: how a properly designed and empowered Chief of Staff (or transformation role) accelerates execution, aligns leadership, and extends operating partner impact
  • What the role really looks like in practice: scope, mandate, and day-to-day dynamics between the operating partner, CEO, and Chief of Staff — and why “set it and forget it” doesn’t work
  • From single hire to system: how leading PE firms are institutionalizing the role across portfolio companies through a center-of-excellence model and talent flywheel
  • Getting started: practical first steps for firms at different maturity levels — from piloting the role in one portfolio company to scaling it firm-wide
Moderator
Susan Scutt
Susan Scutt, Advisor - The Chief of Staff Association
Speakers
Burt Chao
Burt Chao, CFO - VelocityEHS
Will Reising
Will Reising, VP, Strategic Projects - VelocityEHS
Russ Trpkovski
Russ Trpkovski, Operating Principal - CVC Capital Partners