Brilliant People Podcast Tory Ramaker: Vistria PRG's Co-Head on Redefining Value Creation and the Future of Operating Talent | E27
What does it take to build a value-creation engine that scales across portfolios, empowers CEOs, and blends purpose with performance?
In Episode 27, host Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Tory Ramaker, Senior Partner and Co-Head of Vistria PRG, LLC ("Portfolio Resources Group") at The Vistria Group, one of the private-equity industry’s most forward-thinking operating leaders.
From founding the PRG from the ground up to re-engineering how portfolio teams drive transformation, Tory shares what it really means to create impact in essential industries — where financial returns and societal outcomes go hand in hand.
For Operating Partners, CEOs, and investors alike, this conversation breaks down the next generation of value creation, grounded in partnership, empathy, and disciplined execution.
What You’ll Learn:
• How to architect a portfolio operations model that bridges strategy and execution
• Why management ownership, not investor direction, determines success
• The playbook for aligning boards, sponsors, and CEOs around one value-creation plan
• Why the best portfolio leaders blend consulting rigor with real operating experience
• The leadership balance between autonomy and accountability that builds lasting trust
Timecodes
00:00 Intro
00:15 Guest Introduction: Tory Ramaker, The Vistria Group
00:54 Early Lessons in Resilience and Adaptability
02:26 Learning to Influence: From Data and Logic to Empathy
07:13 Building the PRG: Founding Vision and Early Model
08:04 Evolving the Model: From Generalists to Functional Specialists
09:51 Portfolio Priorities: Technology, Talent, and Finance
11:06 Hiring Strategy: Product-Minded Tech Leaders and PE-Proven CFOs
11:45 Next-Gen Operating Talent: Consulting Rigor Meets Operating Experience
13:00 Operating Model Shift: Fewer Companies, Deeper Engagement
14:33 Value Creation Planning: It Must Be Management’s Plan
15:14 Execution and Measurement: Defining Success Metrics
17:03 Integrating Impact: Embedding Purpose into Value Creation
19:00 Partnering with CEOs: Building Trust and Candid Collaboration
21:03 Leadership Alignment: Autonomy with Accountability
22:35 Co-Investment Collaboration: Clarity and Over-Communication
23:46 Change Leadership: Applying AI and Data to Transformation
26:42 Capacity Discipline: Forced Scarcity and Strategic Resourcing
29:15 Leadership Standard: Autonomy with Accountability
31:39 Human Capital Playbook: Assessments, Coaching, and CEO Readiness
36:20 Leadership Evolution: EQ Over IQ
38:19 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections
Resources:
Tory Ramaker:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tory-ramaker-a077141/
Linnea Jungnelius:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius
X: https://x.com/itslinnea
Explore the Podcast:
Spotify: https://acertitu.de/tory-ramaker-spotify-podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://acertitu.de/tory-ramaker-apple-podcast
Blog: https://acertitu.de/tory-ramaker-blog
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