Chicago

Emma Denoble, Co-president & CFO

Emma currently works as an associate at Eldridge Capital Management on the Fundraising team. Prior to joining Eldridge, she was an Investment Associate at Maranon Capital and started her career as an Investment Banking Analyst at William Blair. Emma graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in economics from Colgate University where she played Division One Field Hockey.

Outside of Synergist, Emma volunteers with the Junior League of Chicago helping develop community programs to support local women and children through mentoring, education, and advocacy. In her spare time, she enjoys long walks with her pup, relaxing with a good book, and playing tennis!

Marisa Garcia, Co-President & co-VP of Sponsorship

Marisa currently works as an Associate at Kinzie Capital Partners where she is involved with investments, business development and investor relations. She graduated Northwestern University with a BA in Economics.

Outside of Synergist, Marisa volunteers with and is a mentor for HFS Chicago Scholars, a non-profit organization providing academic guidance, admissions support and scholarships for Chicago high school students. In her spare time, she enjoys running half marathons, traveling the world and trying new restaurants.

Hilary Sun, Co-President & co-vp of sponsorship

Hilary currently works as a Senior Associate at GTCR on the Healthcare team. Prior to joining GTCR, she was an investment banking analyst at Greenhill & Co. on the M&A advisory team. Hilary graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a BBA in Finance.

In her free time, Hilary enjoys traveling, finding new picnic spots in the city, exploring farmers markets, and attending yoga classes.

Annie o’brien, co-vp of membership

Annie is a Senior Associate on The Vistria Group's credit and debt capital markets team. Prior to joining Vistria, Annie was an Associate at Maranon Capital in Chicago, underwriting and managing debt investments supporting private equity-owned companies. She began her career in PricewaterhouseCoopers’ assurance practice.

Annie graduated magna cum laude from The University of Notre Dame with a B.B.A. in Accounting.

Kristin Clemens

Kristin is currently an Associate Vice President at Industrial Opportunity Partners, LLC. Prior to joining IOP, Kristin began her career in investment banking at Citi in Chicago. Kristin graduated summa cum laude from The University of Alabama, where she received her B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration with majors in Economics, Finance and Spanish.

Outside of Synergist, Kristin is a member of the Associate Board for Make-A-Wish Illinois. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with family and friends, fitness, and cheering on her favorite sports teams, the Chicago Cubs and Alabama Crimson Tide.

Kate Fawcett

Kate is currently an Analyst at GTCR, where she works on the Strategic Growth Fund team supporting investments across healthcare, fintech and financial services, technology, and consumer services. Kate graduated cum laude from Northwestern University with a double major in Economics and Journalism.

Outside of Synergist, Kate enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, going to Pilates classes and running, playing golf and tennis, and long walks along Lake Michigan.

Anna Hofmockel

Anna currently works as an Associate on the investment team at Shorehill Capital, a lower-middle market industrials firm based in Chicago. Prior to joining Shorehill, she was an M&A Associate at B2B Industrial Packaging. Anna graduated cum laude from DePaul University with her BS in Hospitality, and worked in the restaurant industry as a line cook and butcher while in school.

Outside of Synergist, Anna volunteers with the Chicago Spirit Brigade, a volunteer team of dancers and cheerleaders raising money for various Chicago organizations through performances. In her free time, Anna enjoys gardening, snowboarding, and cozying up with her dog and knitting.

Erica friedman, co-vp of membership

Erica currently works as a Senior Associate at Pritzker Private Capital. Prior to joining Pritzker Private Capital, Erica was an investment banking associate in the Consumer & Retail group at William Blair in Chicago. She started her career as a consultant in Deloitte's M&A group. Erica received her B.A. in Economics from Northwestern University.

Originally from South Florida, Erica enjoys trying new workout classes, reading, and traveling with friends and family.

Tess Casey

Tess is an Associate at PSP Partners, where she works across both the private equity and venture capital strategies. Prior to joining PSP, Tess spent three years in investment banking at Houlihan Lokey where she focused on the Consumer sector. Tess earned her B.S. in Finance from Miami University. Outside of Synergist, Tess serves on the associate board of Minds Matter Chicago. In her free time, Tess enjoys spending time outdoors, at pilates, and traveling.

Mary doheny

Mary currently works as an Associate at The Vistria Group on the Healthcare team. Prior to joining Vistria, she was an Investment Banking Analyst at Deutsche Bank in the Industrials Group. Mary graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where she received her B.B.A. with majors in Finance and Theater.

Originally from Lake Forest, IL, Mary enjoys taking long walks along the lakefront, exploring the Chicago restaurant scene and traveling with family and friends.

Olivia Gomez

Olivia joined S2G Investments in 2023 and is an Associate on the Oceans team, where she focuses on the evaluation and execution of new investments across the blue economy. Prior to S2G, Olivia was an Analyst in Cowen's Technology Investment Banking Group in New York City. Olivia graduated from Williams College with a B.A. in Economics and concentration in Environmental Studies and was a member of the Women's Lacrosse team.

During high school, she participated in a semester abroad at the Island School in Cape Eleuthera, the Bahamas, which she credits as driving her passion for championing the ocean’s role in combatting climate change. Olivia loves a good shark dive, bird walk, farm tour, and NYT crossword.

Kim phung

Kim is an Associate at Linden Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm focused exclusively on healthcare. Prior to joining Linden, Kim was an Investment Banking Analyst at JP Morgan in the Healthcare group. Kim graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Finance from Northeastern University.

Originally from Boston, Kim enjoys walking along the river, making her own bone broth, and finding new restaurants in Chicago.