Max Dezara

Founder and Managing Partner @Akoya Capital, Llc

Max is the founder and managing partner of Akoya and is responsible for overseeing all activities of the firm including investment sourcing and valuation, transaction structuring, the securing of acquisition financing, fundraising and all administrative activities. He has a strong track record of identifying and executing successful investment opportunities across a range of industries and has developed expertise in working with founders and CEO’s of family-owned businesses to create value for shareholders. Prior to founding Akoya, Max had extensive experience in talent acquisition, assessment, and human capital recruiting. Max was a pioneer in this field, having founded and led a successful national boutique executive search firm, Carlyle Group, for over two decades. Max successfully sold the Carlyle Group to The Whitney Group and created a top-ten global executive search firm with a strong international presence. His election as vice chairman and board member of The Whitney Group, as well as his leadership of their global private equity practice, suggested that he was highly regarded within the organization and made significant contributions to its growth and success. Max\'s experience in talent acquisition and human capital consulting has been valuable in his role at Akoya, where identifying and partnering with talented executives and business owners is often a key component of creating value for investors. Max is involved in several professional organizations, including Tiger 21, a platform for members to collaborate and learn from one another, leveraging the collective wisdom and experience of their peers. By fostering a culture of peer-to-peer learning and collaboration, Tiger 21 helps its members make informed decisions about their finances, and plan for their legacies. Max is a board member of Hope Chicago and former chairman of the Century Foundation for Lane Technical College Prep High School.