Debbie Ackerman has 30 years of experience investing and managing private equity capital with a proven track record of success.  Over the past 25 years, Debbie has specifically focused on middle-market buyout funds and co-investments.

Prior to Amateras, Debbie founded Project Sunflower, a private equity firm focused on women investing in buyout transactions.  She is passionate about empowering women in private equity and has recruited a network of extraordinary women.  As founder, Debbie is leveraging her strong relationships and experience to source opportunities. 

Prior to Project Sunflower, Debbie was the co-founder of Twin Bridge Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm.  As founder, Debbie was responsible for all aspects of creating and growing the firm to nearly $2.5 billion in assets under management.  Returns across the three funds have been extremely strong with each fund generating top quartile performance.  Debbie continues to serve on numerous Boards and Advisory Boards as a Director and/or Observer.  She has invested in impact funds and co-investments and serves as a Strategic Advisor to Impact Engine’s fund of funds and recently became NACD Director Certified. 

Prior to founding Twin Bridge Capital Partners, Debbie was a Senior Vice President and Partner at PPM America Capital Partners where she had numerous responsibilities including helping to create the private equity program, managing client relations and leading the fund investing program.  Prior to PPM, Debbie was a Vice President at Heller Financial, a finance company where she was responsible for financing private equity deals.  Debbie’s undergraduate degree is from the University of Illinois in business with a major in finance and her graduate degree from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management where she studied finance and accounting.

Debbie serves on the Thrivent Financial Board, a Fortune 500 company, where she is a member of both the Audit & Finance Committee and the Investment Committee.  She is also dedicated to education and is proud to serve as member and ex-Chairman of the Illini Leadership Council promoting relations between The University of Illinois and its alumni.  Additionally, she is leading an effort to build schools in Malawi serving children from grades K-12.  Personally, she enjoys traveling with her husband and their three children, playing tennis, and is a masters National Champion in track and field and cross country.