2026 SPEAKER LINEUP
The 2026 Exit Planning Summit features a variety of industry experts and exit planning thought leaders for introductory to advanced exit planning sessions.
Jeff Knakal
Jeff is a top performing investment banker. He is an investment banking thought-leader, and a strategic engineering center-of-expertise. Jeff built highly successful practices for three world-class firms in New York before embracing entrepreneurship...
ABOUT JEFF
Jeff is a top performing investment banker. He is an investment banking thought-leader, and a strategic engineering center-of-expertise. Jeff built highly successful practices for three world-class firms in New York before embracing entrepreneurship via founding Growth Partners in 1994 and developing: 1) a next-generation investment banking model (vertically integrated), 2) proprietary offerings (decision-making analytics for business owners), and 3) a set of special transaction practices, all dedicated to maximizing the value provided to clients beyond the confines of traditional investment banking. Jeff is a distinguished turnkey resource for companies and their owners. Jeff began his career with JP Morgan handling relationships and transactions with US multinationals in the northeast addressing domestic and international objectives. He was then recruited to Credit Suisse to generate new business and proactively realize synergy among three affiliated firms (First Boston, CSFB and Credit Suisse) before being offered a position in Zurich. Thereafter, Jeff was the first American recruited to build a US investment banking presence for Daiwa Securities (when Japan’s capital market was liberalizing). He achieved “first-time” transaction events for such well-known companies as Colgate-Palmolive and Aetna Life. Jeff received a Bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School, at the University of Pennsylvania (finance major), and a Master of Business Administration from the Stern School, at New York University (finance major).
