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. Prior to Thoma Bravo, Ali was an associate in the investment funds group at Kirkland & Ellis. Previously, she was an associate at Sidley Austin. Ali is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and holds a B.A. 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 Thoma Bravo, Dani was a senior associate at Croke Fairchild Morgan & Beres, where she focused on the formation, structuring and operation of various funds and their management companies. Previously, Dani was an associate in the investment funds group at Kirkland & Ellis, representing sponsors across different private investment vehicles. Earlier, she worked as an associate in the corporate group at Greenberg Traurig. Dani is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and holds a B.A. 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 various roles, including executive assistant to the co-president and paralegal to the legal department. Earlier, she held paralegal positions at Stilp Business Law and the Law Firm of Hartweg, Turner, Wood & DeVary. Hayley has a B.S. in legal studies and political science and a paralegal certificate from Illinois State University.

Gerald (Jerry) T. Nowak is managing director, chief administrative and legal officer at Thoma Bravo. He joined the firm in January 2021, bringing more than two decades of private equity, M&A and capital markets legal experience to the role.

Based in Chicago, Jerry oversees Thoma Bravo’s Legal & Compliance, IT and administrative functions. He works closely with the firm’s Investment Committee, frequently serving as the firm’s lead legal advisor on major transactions.

Jerry has served as lead counsel on hundreds of private equity, M&A and capital markets transactions. He previously was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago, where he advised Thoma Bravo as outside counsel on a variety of transactions and mandates for nearly 20 years prior to joining the firm.

Jerry has been widely recognized as a leading practitioner in the industry—named in The International Who’s Who of M&A Lawyers, a “Super Lawyer” by Law & Politics Magazine and a top high-yield debt practitioner in The Legal 500 U.S. He was also honored as a “Leading Lawyer” for Corporate Finance Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law and Securities & Venture Finance Law by Leading Lawyers Network.

A former Air Force officer and computer systems cost analyst, Jerry began his career in the U.S. Air Force before transitioning into private practice. He holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, an MBA from Auburn University, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Northwestern University and a B.A. in economic policy analysis from Michigan State University.

Colleen O'Kelly is a vice president and senior counsel at Thoma Bravo. Based in Chicago, she joined the firm in 2018. Before 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 holds a B.A. in history from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Steven Schwab is general counsel and chief compliance officer at Thoma Bravo. Based in Chicago, he joined Thoma Bravo in 2015 and plays a pivotal role in supporting the firm’s growth and reputation by overseeing its legal, compliance and regulatory functions. Prior to 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, advising clients across the spectrum of regulated financial services firms. Steven is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, addressing issues affecting the private equity industry. He earned a J.D., cum laude, from Loyola University School of Law in Chicago and a B.A. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Steven also holds a FINRA Series 14 registration and previously held FINRA Series 7 and 24 registrations.