Private equity and venture capital firm Insight Venture Partners has appointed Donna O Smolens (pictured) as a Senior Advisor. Smolens will work with Insight to enhance the firm's investor relations function, bringing the perspective of a long-time limited partner in private equity funds.
"We have known Donna for many years as a limited partner and proactive member of Insight's LP Advisory Boards, and we are thrilled that she has joined our team," says Jeff Horing, Managing Director at Insight Venture Partners. "She has extensive experience in private equity investor relations, due diligence and fund management and she will bring a broader and deeper perspective to our investment strategy and future fund-raising."
In her new position, Smolens will collaborate with Cian Cotter, Managing Director at Insight responsible for capital markets and capital formation activities, to enhance the firm's investor relations.
Smolens says: "I have watched Insight evolve into a global private equity and venture investment manager and am delighted to join the firm to support its commitment to deliver strong returns to limited partners. I look forward to developing new strategies and enhancing performance, communication and governance."
Smolens was most recently a Managing Director and co-Head of the North American Research and Due Diligence Team at Portfolio Advisors, an investment advisory and portfolio management services firm. During her 11 year tenure, she was a voting member on the firm's Investment Committees of numerous Portfolio Advisors' funds, in addition to serving on the Advisory Boards of 13 private equity and venture capital funds.
Before joining Portfolio Advisors, Smolens was a general partner with Technology Crossover Ventures, where she managed investor relations. Prior to this, she was a Senior Vice President at DLJ Securities Private Fund Group, where she was responsible for the origination, screening and due diligence on funds marketed by the firm. Earlier in her career, Smolens was a Portfolio Manager with General Motors Investment Management and an Investment Vice President at New York Life Insurance Company where she managed private equity portfolios.
