Experienced, focused and approachable. We are Thoma Bravo.

Ali Bennett is a Counsel at Thoma Bravo. Based in Chicago, she joined the firm in 2022 and assists with legal, compliance and regulatory functions. Before joining Thoma Bravo, Ali was an Associate in the Kirkland & Ellis Investment Funds Group, representing investment advisers and private investment funds. Previously, she was an Associate at Sidley Austin. Ali is a Georgetown University Law Center graduate, and she holds a BA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Danielle (“Dani”) W. Dixon is a Counsel at Thoma Bravo. Based in Chicago, she joined the firm in 2021. Before joining Thoma Bravo, Dani served as a Senior Associate at Croke Fairchild Morgan & Beres, where she focused on the formation, structuring and operation of various funds and their management companies. Prior to that, Dani was an Associate in the Kirkland & Ellis Investment Funds Group, representing sponsors across different private investment vehicles. Earlier she worked as an Associate in the Corporate Group of Greenberg Traurig. Dani is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, and she holds a BA with distinction in Biopsychology Cognition and Neuroscience (BCN) and Political Science from the University of Michigan.

Hayley Hegwood is a Senior Paralegal at Thoma Bravo. Based in Chicago, she joined the firm in 2024. Before Thoma Bravo, Hayley spent seven years at Valor Equity Partners in a variety of roles, including Executive Assistant to the Co-President and Paralegal to the Legal Department. Before Valor, she held paralegal positions at Stilp Business Law and the Law Firm of Hartweg, Turner, Wood & DeVary. Hayley has a BS in Legal Studies and Political Science and a Paralegal Certificate from Illinois State University.

 

 

Gerald T. "Jerry" Nowak is Managing Director, Chief Administrative and Legal Officer at Thoma Bravo. Based in Chicago, he joined the firm in 2021 and is responsible for Thoma Bravo's Legal & Compliance, IT and other administrative functions. Previously, Jerry served as a Partner in Kirkland & Ellis LLP's Chicago office, where he was a leader in the firm's Private Equity, M&A and Capital Markets practices, working closely with Thoma Bravo for almost 20 years on a variety of transactions and mandates. Jerry has been the principal attorney on hundreds of private equity, M&A and capital markets over the years. He has been named as a top practitioner in The International Who's Who of Mergers & Acquisition Lawyers, as a “Super lawyer” in Law & Politics Magazine's annual review, and as a top high yield debt practitioner in The Legal 500's yearly review of Corporate & Finance attorneys. Earlier in his career, Jerry served as a Military Officer and Computer Systems Cost Analyst with the United States Air Force. He earned a JD from the University of Michigan Law School, an MBA from Auburn University, and a BA degree in Economic Policy Analysis from Michigan State University.

Colleen O'Kelly is Vice President, Senior Counsel at Thoma Bravo. Based in Chicago, she joined the firm in 2018. Before joining Thoma Bravo, Colleen was a Senior Consultant in Deloitte & Touche’s Regulatory and Operations practice, where she focused on regulatory and compliance matters for investment managers and institutional investors. Colleen is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, and she holds a BA in History from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Steven Schwab is Senior Director, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Thoma Bravo. Based in Chicago, he joined Thoma Bravo in 2015 and is responsible for the firm’s legal, compliance and regulatory functions, which includes the design, implementation and operation of the firm’s compliance program. Prior to joining Thoma Bravo, Steven held senior legal, compliance and management positions, including General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, at international investment firms and broker-dealers. Before moving in-house, he practiced law in the Financial Services Groups at Winston & Strawn and Katten Muchin Rosenman in Chicago, where he advised clients across the spectrum of regulated financial services firms. Steven is a regular speaker at industry conferences on topics affecting the private equity industry. He earned a JD, cum laude, from Loyola University School of Law in Chicago and a BA from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Steven also holds a FINRA Series 14 registration and has previously held FINRA series 7 and 24 registrations.