Karin M. Kovacic

Managing Director, East Coast Region, Monroe Capital

Biography:

With an over-15-year track record in originations and direct lending, Karin is a key figure in the middle market. She is responsible for originating new investments in the East coast region and responsible for due diligence, structuring and execution. Prior to Monroe, Karin was a senior vice president at Alcentra Capital Corporation, focusing on business development and deal origination. Before Alcentra, she led CBIZ MHM LLC’s growth, business development and marketing efforts in the New York Metropolitan area. Prior to CBIZ, Karin spent four years as vice president at Fifth Street Capital, where she was responsible for Northeast region deal origination and marketing and business development efforts.

She is a board member and executive committee member of the Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) Global, a network of leading authorities on corporate growth, as well as chairman of the ACG Connecticut Chapter. Karin’s network expands outside of the industry as well. She volunteers with the Junior League of Greenwich and serves on the board of Children’s Day School in Riverside, CT. Karin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from State University of New York (SUNY) Purchase.

What advice would you offer to women just starting out in the industry?

I would encourage them to network early and often. You never know where your next opportunity will come from and building relationships is key to both your current role and potentially finding the right ones in the future.

What do you know now that you wish you knew in the beginning of your career?

Read more. Learn and make sure you know what is being discussed. I wish I spoke up more. As I have grown and gained more confidence, I am no longer afraid to ask questions, clarify information and make sure I completely understand decisions that are made and why.

What kind of role has mentoring and/ or sponsorship played in your career?

Both roles are crucial. I am lucky to have a few mentors that I rely heavily on for advice, guidance and reassurance of decisions I make. I have met them throughout my career and worked hard to maintain and grow my relationships with them over the years. Additionally, at every firm I have been at, I have tried to find a sponsor. I have always valued the importance of having someone as my advocate inside the firm, especially when some decisions about my career are made without me in the room.

What do you think the industry could do to attract and retain the best and the brightest today?

I don’t think it is specific to industry, but more company. The best places that attract and retain talent engage their workforce. They do this by providing a positive working environment (this can include flexibility, work/life balance, creating a sense of unity and team culture); recognizing, rewarding and reinforcing behavior, involving and communicating with their employees; developing skills and potential (through training both hard and soft skillsets); and continuously evaluating their workforce.

Tell us something about yourself that may surprise people.

I volunteer with the Junior League of Greenwich and am co-chair of a program we have spent the past three years creating. Historically, the League has been an organization of women for women. Our project, BAM! (Boys Achieving More) is the first one directed at boys. BAM! is a coordinated effort with other local non-profits in the area to provide an outdoor day of conversations and activities promoting trust, respect, communication and leadership. We have about 100 local 5th grade boys participate annually and hope to continue to expand the program.