Long-Term
Partners of Choice

Mike has over 20 years of professional experience. Before joining Thrivent in 2006, he worked as a high yield analyst at Ameriprise Financial.

Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Minnesota in 1999 and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota in 2006. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, a board member of Gourmet Culinary, and serves on numerous LPACs.

Mike is a member of Thrivent’s Private Equity Investment Committee.

Sam has 7 years of professional experience. Prior to joining Thrivent in 2021, Sam worked at Lazard Middle Market on the Consumer, Food & Retail team where he helped support M&A advisory.

Sam earned a Bachelor of Science in Financial Economics from the University of Maine in 2019.

Andy has over 12 years of professional experience. Before completing his MBA and joining Thrivent in 2017, Andy worked for General Mills focusing on growth investments and new business development.

Andy earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University in 2017 and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Olaf College in 2011. Andy is a board observer of Café Valley and serves on numerous LPACs.

Andy is a member of Thrivent’s Private Equity Investment Committee.

Brad has more than 18 years of professional experience. Before joining Thrivent in 2015, he worked at GMB Mezzanine Capital, a mezzanine fund focused on making debt and equity investments in the lower middle-market. Prior to that, he was a public equity and debt research analyst at Piper Jaffray covering healthcare companies, as well as a healthcare consultant at UnitedHealth Group.

Brad earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a concentration in Finance from St. Olaf College in 2004. Brad serves on numerous LPACs.

Brad is a member of Thrivent’s Private Equity Investment Committee.

Matt has over 15 years of professional experience. Before completing his MBA and joining Thrivent in 2016, Matt worked for W. P. Carey as a Vice President focusing on Capital Markets. Previously, he held positions at Sandler O’Neil and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Matt earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago as well as a Master of Science in Accounting from Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami.

He completed his CPA designation, is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and serves on numerous LPACs.

Matt is a member of Thrivent’s Private Equity Investment Committee.

Josh has over 3 years of professional experience. Prior to joining Thrivent in 2023, Josh worked at Houlihan Lokey on the Industrials (Specialty Distribution) team where he helped support M&A advisory.

Josh earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of St. Thomas.

Andy has 10 years of professional experience. Prior to joining Thrivent in 2020, Andy worked in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group of BMO Capital Markets (formerly Greene Holcomb Fisher) where he advised public and private companies and private equity firms on sell-side transactions. He also worked in the Investment Banking Division of Goldman Sachs.

Andy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Carleton College in 2015.

Andy is a member of Thrivent’s Private Equity Investment Committee.

Grace has 7 years of professional experience. Prior to joining Thrivent in 2021, Grace worked at Vӓrde Partners as a Product Specialist Analyst. Grace began her career at BMO Capital Markets in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group where she advised private companies and private equity firms on sell-side transactions.

Grace earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Accounting from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

Joe has over 3 years of professional experience. Prior to joining Thrivent in 2024, Joe worked at Five Elms Capital, a lower middle-market software private equity firm. Prior to that he was a director at gener8tor.

Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting with concentrations in Finance and Entrepreneurship from Saint John’s University.

Garrett has over 10 years of professional experience. Prior to joining Thrivent in 2020, Garrett worked for Yukon Partners, a mezzanine capital firm that makes debt and equity investments in the middle market. Before that, he worked for Wells Fargo’s Corporate and Investment Banking Division in the Financial Sponsors Group.

Garrett earned a Master of Business Administration from IE Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Bethel University.

Garrett is a member of Thrivent’s Private Equity Investment Committee.

Sam joined the Thrivent Private Investments team in 2024 as Executive Assistant, supporting the Vice President, managing office operations, and coordinating key client marketing events. Prior to joining Thrivent, Sam taught high school Social Studies in a large-format Minnesota school district.

Sam earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public History with a Sociology minor from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire in 2012 and a Master of Education from Saint Mary's University (MN) in 2020.

Matt joined Thrivent Private Investments in 2022 and supports core operational functions across reporting, portfolio management, and data systems. He plays a key role in streamlining processes and enhancing internal infrastructure, leveraging AI and emerging technologies to improve workflows and insights. Prior to joining Thrivent, he worked in business development at Open Systems International, with a focus on projects across Latin America and Europe.

Matt earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics, magna cum laude, from St. John’s University.

Ben has over 6 years of professional experience. Prior to joining Thrivent as an analyst supporting a variety of private asset classes, he began his career in EY’s assurance practice, focusing on private equity investment managers, hedge funds, and other clients within the Wealth and Asset Management industry. Ben transitioned to Thrivent’s Private Equity Operations team in 2023.

Ben earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in 2019. He holds an active CPA license.

Jen joined Thrivent in 2019 as the Director of Operations for Private Investments. She began her career in the Sponsor Coverage group at Piper Jaffray in 2008 and transitioned into strategy and business development roles for Global Investment Banking and Equity Capital Markets.

Jen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a concentration in Finance from St. Olaf College in 2006.