Our Team

Mike has over 18 years of investment 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.

Mike is a board member of Gourmet Culinary.

Sam has three years years of investment experience. Prior to joining the team at Thrivent, 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, where he also played college hockey.

Andy has over nine years of investment experience. Before completing his MBA and joining Thrivent, Andy worked for General Mills from 2011 through 2015 as a Financial Analyst focusing on new business development and venture capital investments.

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.

Sam joined the Thrivent Private Investments team in 2024 as Executive Assistant, supporting the Senior Managing Director, 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.

Brad has more than 14 years of investment experience. Before joining Thrivent in 2015, he worked for four years 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.

Matt has over 10 years of investment experience. Before completing his MBA and joining Thrivent, Matt worked for W. P. Carey as a Vice President focusing in 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 and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.

Matt joined the team in 2022 to support key operations and process improvement initiatives, including database management, reporting, and portfolio management. Prior to joining the team, Matt worked as a business development coordinator at Open Systems International.

Matt graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. John’s University.

Josh has two years of investment experience. Prior to joining the team at Thrivent, 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 (MN) in 2022.

Andy has over five years of investment experience. Prior to joining Thrivent, 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.

Ben joined Thrivent in 2020 as an analyst supporting a variety of private asset classes in Investment Operations before transitioning to his current role as Private Equity Portfolio Operations Associate in 2023. He began his career in the assurance practice of Ernst & Young, which focuses on private equity investment managers, hedge funds, and other clients within the Wealth and Asset Management industry.

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

Grace has three years of investment experience. Prior to joining Thrivent, Grace worked at Vӓrde Partners as a Product Specialist Analyst where she supported the Corporate & Traded Credit, Financial Services and Real Estate teams. 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 and Accounting from the Carlson School of Management, where she also was a member of the University of Minnesota Dance Team.

Brett has over 12 years of investment experience. Prior to completing his MBA and joining Thrivent, Brett worked for Carlson, Inc. from 2010 through 2013 as a Senior Financial Analyst and Senior Internal Auditor. During the summer of 2014, he was an Investment Banking Associate at Wells Fargo.

Prior to that, he worked at Deloitte as an Audit Senior. Brett earned a Master of Business Administration from Duke University in 2015 and a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He is a member of the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management Alumni Board.

He completed his CPA designation and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.

Joe has three years of investing experience. Prior to joining Thrivent, 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 (MN).

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 Finance concentration from St. Olaf College in 2006.

Garrett has over seven years of investment experience. Prior to joining Thrivent, 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.