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Past Event  |  06/08/2023  |  San Francisco

PEI Operating Partners Forum: San Francisco 2023

Panel: Operating Partner Perspectives – Tech Trends to Optimize Business Performance in a Recessionary Climate

Accordion’s panel at Private Equity International’s Operating Partners Forum San Francisco – moderated by Mike Cochran, Head of CFO Technology at Accordion, will discuss why portfolio companies must focus on the operational improvement accelerants that will drive performance enhancements – especially in the current economic climate. The panel will cover:

  • Operating partners: what does your tech scorecard look like in a downturn?
    • How is your tech playbook changing/evolving in the current macro climate?
    • What can tech and tech operations do to protect EBITDA? What measures and initiatives are most effective?
    • What can and should be automated?
    • How can tech drive more efficiency across functions in your companies to preserve and deliver value in the current environment?
  • Understanding cost optimization and bringing down your tech debt with better processes and new technologies
  • Sharing tech war stories in the current downturn as well as previous downturns to maximize value in the years to come

Meet the Moderator

Mike Cochran
Mike Cochran
Head of CFO Technology, Accordion

Mike is a Managing Director and head of Accordion’s CFO Tech Services Practice with more than 25 years of experience delivering transformational financial solutions through the enablement of technology. He specializes in Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Analytics, and Cloud Enablement.  Read more

Meet the Panelists

Raj Kushwaha
Raj Kushwaha
Co-Head of Value Creation & Chief Digital Officer, Warburg Pincus

Raj Kushwaha joined Warburg Pincus in 2012 and serves as Co-Head of the value creation function. In addition to providing oversight for the value creation function, as the firm’s Chief Digital Officer, Raj is also responsible for product and technology diligence with prospective investments, as well as ongoing work with the firm’s existing portfolio companies. His work with portfolio companies is focused on identifying opportunities to leverage AI/ML and LLM enabled digital strategies to create new growth platforms, and disruptive business model opportunities.  Read more

Chris Satchell
Chris Satchell
Operating Principal Technology and Digital, Clayton Dubilier & Rice

Mr. Satchell joined CD&R in 2020. Prior to CD&R, he spent twenty-five years in software and technology industries spanning five different CXO roles. Most recently, Mr. Satchell served as CTO of Zume Inc, building AI, logistics and robotic systems to improve sustainability in the food supply chain. Prior to Zume, he served as chief product officer and head of consumer engineering at Comcast, responsible for product, design, and technology for consumer video, high speed data/Wi-Fi, IoT, and home security.   Read more

Carsten Weber
Carsten Weber
Technology Director, The Sterling Group

Carsten joined Sterling in 2021, bringing over 20 years of technology experience in various leadership roles in both industry and consulting, including most recently as Director of PMO and ERP Transformation at Enbridge. In his role as Technology Director, Carsten will be leading the technology value creation across the firm’s portfolio.   Read more