BOSTON – April 1, 2021 – Advent International (“Advent”), one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors, is pleased to welcome the inaugural class to the Advent Leadership Academy.

In collaboration with Harvard Business School, the Advent Leadership Academy provides 40 high-performing executives from companies across Advent’s North American portfolio with the chance to participate in a tailored executive education program designed and taught by faculty members from the world’s most prestigious business school.

The inaugural program was open to high-performing women, people of color and those who identify as LGBTQ+ who are employed at Advent portfolio companies across North America. Classes started today, April 1, 2021, and will run for the next three months.

“We launched the Leadership Academy as a key part of our commitment to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion and cultivating talent across our portfolio,” said Chris Pike, a Managing Partner at Advent. “As a firm, we recognize that developing a new generation of portfolio-company leaders who have diverse experiences, backgrounds, ethnicities and thought processes will help us build better businesses positioned for long-term success.”

“The Academy will empower talented individuals within our portfolio companies to expand their skillsets and prepare for future leadership opportunities,” added Marco Mendes, Head of Advent’s North American Portfolio Support Group. “We are thrilled to welcome the inaugural Advent Leadership Academy class and are excited to see how their learnings and experiences will foster new ideas and growth within our portfolio companies.”