Market Trends

Dr. Lindsey Piegza is the Chief Economist for Stifel Financial. She specializes in the research and analysis of economic trends and activity, world economies, financial markets, and monetary and fiscal policies. Prior to her role with Stifel, she was the Senior Economist for an investment bank in New York City for eight years consulting clients in the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
A highly sought-after speaker across national and international forums, Piegza is often quoted in the business press. She is a regular guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN and Fox Business, as well as national radio and other business news outlets. Piegza is also a monthly op-ed contributor for The Hill.
In addition to her role with Stifel, Piegza is an instructor at the Pacific Coast Banking School, a member of the Chicago Federal Reserve Advisory Committee, SIFMA Economic Advisory Roundtable Chair, co-chair of the NABE International Roundtable, and a well-respected author. Piegza has published numerous academic papers in prestigious journals such as the Harvard Business Review and in textbooks from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Piegza is a member of the National Association for Business Economics (NABE), American Economic Association (AEA), the Economic Club of Chicago and the Economic Club of New York. Piegza was also named a 2019 Women of Influence by the Chicago Business Journal. She holds two degrees from Northwestern University in political science and economics, and earned her Ph.D. in economics from the City University of New York. She is a native of Chicago and is based in Stifel’s downtown Chicago office.

Kevin Butts is a Senior Vice President in the Private Equity Group at 50 South Capital Advisors. He is responsible for sourcing, evaluating and executing buyout partnership and co-investment opportunities. Kevin also is responsible for fundraising, investor relations and portfolio management. Prior to joining the Private Equity Group, Kevin was a Senior Credit Portfolio Manager within Northern Trust’s Corporate Banking Group. Prior to being a lender, he spent time as an investment analyst under each of Northern Trust’s Chief Investment Strategist and Wealth Management Chief Investment Officer. Kevin received a degree in finance with Honors from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and an MBA with Honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Kevin continues to be involved with his alma maters as a featured guest speaker on the private equity industry at the University of Illinois and as a panelist at Chicago Booth events. In addition, Kevin serves on several fund advisory boards for funds in which 50 South Capital invests.

Heath Fuller oversees NXT Capital’s capital markets activities, with an emphasis on structuring and syndicating financing transactions. He is responsible for managing relationships with other private credit managers and gathering and analyzing market intelligence. In addition, Heath manages NXT’s co-investment relationships and programs. Heath also is a member of NXT Capital’s Credit and Investment Committees. Heath brings over 26 years of capital markets and direct lending experience to NXT Capital. Previous to NXT’s formation in 2010, he was a Director of Capital Markets at Merrill Lynch Capital responsible for structuring and syndicating transactions originating in the Western, Midwest and Northeastern U.S. Heath’s experience also includes capital markets positions with Antares Capital, Heller Financial and GE Capital, as well as roles at vCapital, Inc. and State Farm Insurance. Heath earned a B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Phil Bronsteatter has over 15 years of private equity experience and nearly 20 years of experience with middle-market companies. Since joining Pfingsten in 2008 as a member of the corporate finance team, Bronsteatter has been involved in all aspects of the Firm’s activities and currently leads the Firm’s investment team and business development function, including the industry investment thesis process for direct transactions. Prior to joining Pfingsten, Bronsteatter was a Financial Analyst with Lazard Middle Market Investment Bank; a Financial Analyst with CIBC Cleary Gull Investment Bank and a Financial Valuation Associate with American Appraisal Associates (a division of Kroll). A Wisconsin native, Bronsteatter holds a B.B.A. in Finance, Economics and Mathematics from Marquette University and an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management and Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Larissa Rozycki is a managing director at Harris Williams. She has nearly 20 years of experience advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, capital advisory and strategic advisory assignments. Larissa received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan.