Katharine, Managing Director/Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified: Advize Career Interview

A career path shaped by a surprising switch from product management to investment banking, fueled by initiative and strong communication skills, led to a Managing Director/Head of Business Development role at Compass Diversified.

This individual's journey highlights the value of self-belief and continuous learning, showcasing how a well-rounded undergraduate education, combined with proactive networking and a determined approach, can overcome perceived barriers to entry in traditionally male-dominated industries.

The daily work involves analyzing businesses, building relationships, traveling to conferences, and navigating the dynamic world of private equity.

Success in this field requires passion, hard work, analytical skills, and adaptability, with the most rewarding aspect being the ability to contribute to the growth and success of diverse companies.

The interview debunks the myth of needing a top finance degree, instead emphasizing the importance of intellectual curiosity, a strategic mindset, and a willingness to learn from varied experiences.

A strong work ethic, exemplified by extracurricular involvement in college, is also a key takeaway.

This individual's story offers valuable insight into a challenging yet fulfilling career in private equity, demonstrating alternative paths to success and inspiring students to explore unconventional routes to their professional goals.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Katharine (Katie) Melzer

Managing Director/Head of Business Development

Compass Diversified

University of Michigan

UCLA Anderson School of Management - MBA

Business Management & Admin

Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)

Business Strategy

None Applicable

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Career Path of a Managing Director Business Development at Compass Diversified

Katharine's career path was unexpectedly shaped by a "complete career switch" from product management to investment banking, a decision inspired by interactions with investment bankers at a startup. This transition, despite lacking formal finance training, was facilitated by initiative—auditing a university finance course—"it cost me absolutely $0"—and culminated in a move to a private equity firm, previously a client, where Katharine now leverages strong communication and organizational skills to source investment opportunities.

Career Path of a Managing Director Business Development at Compass Diversified

Main Responsibilities Of A Managing Director At Compass Diversified

Katharine's main responsibility as Managing Director/Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified is "finding businesses for us to invest in," which involves building relationships with investment bankers, identifying target companies, and pitching Compass Diversified as the ideal investment partner by highlighting "what makes our business different." This requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, combined with a solid foundation in finance and strategy.

Main Responsibilities Of A Managing Director At Compass Diversified

A Day in the Life of a Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified

A Managing Director/Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified spends "a lot of time going to conferences and trade shows" across consumer, industrial, and healthcare sectors to network and identify potential investments. This involves analyzing companies' financial information, tracking deals using CRM systems, and maintaining relationships with investment bankers to "keep[ ] a finger on the pulse" of market trends and investment opportunities.

A Day in the Life of a Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified

Top Skills for a Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified

Katharine, a Managing Director/Head of Business Development, emphasizes the importance of strong "interpersonal skills," building relationships, and "analyzing businesses" using financial acumen and critical thinking to identify opportunities. A fast-paced environment necessitates "intellectual curiosity" to stay energized and adapt to new industries and trends.

Top Skills for a Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified

Favorite Parts Of Being A Head Of Business Development At Compass Diversified

Katharine, Managing Director/Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified, thrives on the dynamism of her role, enjoying "constantly new" learning about companies and industries, building relationships, and traveling. The most rewarding aspect is witnessing the growth of companies after investment, taking pride in "watching it grow and change and evolve" and contributing to their success.

Favorite Parts Of Being A Head Of Business Development At Compass Diversified

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified

Katharine's biggest challenge as Managing Director/Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified is the inherent uncertainty in private equity; "the companies are not always available for sale," leading to significant effort invested in deals that ultimately fail to materialize, requiring resilience and a robust deal funnel to maintain momentum. This necessitates the ability to "pick your head up and say, okay, let me go out there and get the next one."

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Private Equity Industry As A Managing Director

Katharine, a Managing Director/Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified, finds the most rewarding aspect of private equity "seeing the companies thrive" after investment. The ability to contribute to companies' growth across diverse sectors—consumer, industrial, and healthcare—and leave them "better than when [they were] found," is what Katharine loves most about her career.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Private Equity Industry As A Managing Director

Who Thrives In Investment, According To A Head Of Business Development At Compass Diversified

Katharine, a Managing Director/Head of Business Development, identifies passion, hard work, and analytical skills as crucial for success in the industry, emphasizing the need for adaptability: "one day you may be analyzing a company the next day you may be at a trade show." Intellectual curiosity and a broad, strategic approach, comfortable with both numbers and people, are also highlighted as key traits.

Who Thrives In Investment, According To A Head Of Business Development At Compass Diversified

What A Head Of Business Development At Compass Diversified Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Private Equity Industry

Katharine, a Managing Director/Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified, reveals a misconception about private equity roles requiring a finance background, stating "you don't need...a finance degree from a top university to do this if you have the drive". Katharine's own career path, encompassing economics, communications, and psychology, demonstrates alternative routes to success in the industry, highlighting the importance of self-learning and exposure to investment banking over strictly traditional educational pathways.

What A Head Of Business Development At Compass Diversified Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Private Equity Industry

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Private Equity Professionals

Investment banking analyst programs are "an absolute great feeder" into private equity, but other entry-level options exist; Katharine suggests roles in consulting, strategy, or finance-focused communications, citing a journalist who transitioned into a similar role after covering investment banking and private equity.

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Private Equity Professionals

Significant Career Lesson From a Managing Director at Compass Diversified

Katharine's most significant career lesson is "to believe in yourself and to know that you can do it," a lesson particularly relevant given their non-traditional finance background, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and continuous learning through diverse avenues, not solely formal education, to achieve career goals.

Significant Career Lesson From a Managing Director at Compass Diversified

College Experiences That Helped A Managing Director At Compass Diversified Succeed

Katharine's well-rounded undergraduate education, including minors in business, communications, and psychology, provided a strong foundation for their career. The initiative Katharine demonstrated by starting an advertising club and the commitment shown through four years on the crew team highlighted teamwork, hard work, and reliability—attributes that helped differentiate Katharine and ultimately contributed to their success as a Managing Director/Head of Business Development.

College Experiences That Helped A Managing Director At Compass Diversified Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced a Managing Director at Compass Diversified's Career

Katharine's career in the previously male-dominated finance industry required proactively seeking mentorship outside traditional channels, as "there just weren't a lot of women in what I did," but a determined approach and "demanding that [she] belong" ultimately allowed the industry to adapt to a more balanced representation. The experience highlights the evolving landscape of finance and the importance of assertive self-advocacy.

How Identity Has Influenced a Managing Director at Compass Diversified's Career

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharine-melzer-b5a44315/