Adams Street Expands Executive Leadership and Elevates Key Partners
January 14, 2026
Business News

Adams Street Expands Executive Leadership and Elevates Key Partners

Michael Kurlander Takes On Expanded COO Role as Firm Announces Strategic Partner Promotions

Summary

Adams Street Partners has elevated Michael Kurlander from chief financial officer to chief operating officer, assigning him broader responsibilities that include overseeing the firm's operations and supporting its long-term growth strategies. Alongside this leadership change, the $65 billion private markets investment firm announced the promotion of four partners across investor relations, growth equity, and accounting functions. These developments underscore the firm's ongoing commitment to scaling operations and deepening client relationships globally.

Key Points

Michael Kurlander promoted from CFO to COO, expanding his role to include operational leadership alongside financial strategy.
Managing partner Jeffrey Diehl affirms Kurlander’s trusted leadership in supporting institutional and wealth clients.
Four partners promoted across investor relations, growth equity, and accounting functions, highlighting organizational talent development.
Adams Street manages approximately $65 billion in private markets assets, providing diverse investment solutions to a global client base.

Adams Street Partners, a leading private markets investment management firm overseeing approximately $65 billion in assets, has announced a significant leadership advancement by appointing Michael Kurlander to the position of chief operating officer. Previously serving as a partner and the firm's chief financial officer, Kurlander will now broaden his scope of responsibilities, maintaining oversight of financial strategy while also taking charge of operational management and facilitating the firm's long-term growth and organizational scalability.

In a statement, Kurlander highlighted the firm's focus on developing an operating platform that aligns with the dynamic requirements of its global client base. He expressed his commitment to collaborating closely with Adams Street's partners and colleagues to ensure that the organization remains well-positioned to consistently deliver value to its clients over time.

The firm's managing partner and head of investments, Jeffrey Diehl, emphasized the trust and confidence the firm places in Kurlander's leadership qualities. He noted that this promotion acknowledges the extensive responsibilities Kurlander has already assumed within Adams Street and affirms his judgment in supporting both institutional and wealth clients effectively.

Concurrently with this executive appointment, Adams Street unveiled the promotion of four key partners across various departments—demonstrating an investment in talent development and client service expansion. These promotions span investor relations, growth equity, and accounting functions, each critical to the firm's ecosystem of private market solutions.

  • Peter Andersson joined Adams Street in 2022 and was promoted within the investor relations team. He focuses primarily on nurturing client and consultant relationships in the Nordic countries, a region vital for Adams Street’s global engagement.
  • Ali Cliff, a member of the growth equity practice since 2016, has been recognized for her role concentrating on growth investments in diverse sectors, including application software, financial technology (fintech), consumer products, and digital health.
  • Kristina Milberg, contributing to investor relations since 2016, supports the firm’s capital raising efforts and manages client relationships throughout the United States, facilitating sustained engagement and fundraising activities.
  • Steve Montag has been with Adams Street since 2014 and now oversees accounting and tax operations. His responsibilities include supervising teams managing accounting, reporting, and administration across the firm’s management companies, funds, and investment portfolios, ensuring regulatory compliance and financial integrity.

As a firm, Adams Street continues to provide tailored private markets investment strategies, encompassing private equity and private credit avenues tailored to institutional investors. The firm actively supports growth-stage companies with capital and offers evergreen funds designed to grant investors diversified access to multiple strategies through a streamlined commitment structure.

These organizational changes and promotions reflect the firm's strategic priorities in enhancing operational efficiency, deepening client relationships globally, and bolstering its leadership team to support sustained growth trajectories in the complex landscape of private market investments.

Risks
  • The effectiveness of Adams Street’s strategy to scale operations and support growth depends on successful execution of its expanded organizational roles.
  • Maintaining and deepening client relationships globally requires continuous adaptation to client needs and market dynamics.
  • The firm’s ability to manage accounting, tax, and reporting complexities across various funds and investments remains critical to operational integrity.
  • Growth investments in sectors such as fintech and digital health carry inherent market and sector-specific risks impacting overall performance.
Disclosure
Education only / not financial advice
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