Laird Koldyke, Winona Capital

Episode 77 features Laird Koldyke, a founding partner of Winona Capital Management which is a Chicago based private investment firm focused on growth investments in branded consumer companies.  Winona Capital manages investments on behalf of high net worth families, institutions and individuals.  

 

Mr. Koldyke has served on the boards of numerous consumer companies including Chipotle Mexican Grill (Chairman) , Einstein’s Bagels (Founding Investor), Wild Oats Markets,  Fat Brain Toys, Petsense, Kjus Apparel, Fusion Academy, and the Laird Norton Company, Mr. Koldyke is currently a director of CYMI, Inc., Monica Vinader, PLC; Rodd and Gunn, LLC , Indie Lee, LLC,  Ancora Beauty and the Desire Company.

 

Mr. Koldyke holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Northwestern University (1983) and a Masters in Management (MM) from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management (1989).

 

He previously served on the Board of Trustees of the San Miguel Schools; a Chicago based schools initiative serving crime ridden city neighborhoods; is a former trustee of Northwestern University and is a founding member of the Springboard Foundation, a venture philanthropy group based in Chicago.

 

He is a board member of Naturally Chicago, the Chicago Lakeshore Improvement Committee and also serves as the ranking Commissioner of the Chicago Park District.

 

Mr. Koldyke resides in Chicago with his wife Deirdre, they have four grown children.

 

After rooting each and every summer for as long as he can remember, Laird was ecstatic when the Chicago Cubs broke the curse in 2016.  He roots on.