Brooke Nakatsukasa

The Value of Mentorship 

I’ve always been interested in business and worked in a number of different fields along my path to private equity. At one point, I wanted to be a corporate lawyer. Then, I worked for a big bank. And finally, through investment banking, I discovered private equity.  

I owe much of my success to the people I’ve met along the way — people who’ve mentored me, invested in me and allowed me to prove myself.  

One such person is René Yang Stewart, the Co-Head of Vista’s Endeavor Fund and a brilliant investor. To have her as an example is extremely inspiring to me, and I want to be the same type of role model to others. I mentor through a program designed to support undergraduate students who are trying to break into the industry by providing coaching, resources and connections they may not otherwise have access to.  

Empowered to Explore 

What first drew me to Vista was the culture. Being in software is exciting, but above and beyond, it’s really about the people. I find everyone at Vista to be creative, hungry, smart and kind.  

We care about each other, and we invest in each other. In fact, most senior leaders started as analysts or associates, so there’s a culture of nurturing homegrown talent.  

I also love the creative aspect of working at Vista. It’s a meritocracy where the best idea wins, which fosters a culture where people are willing to explore new ideas and unique solutions.  

Blazing a Trail 

Vista takes diversity extremely seriously — it’s not just a talking point. 

For example, one of the boards I have the pleasure of sitting on is majority female, which is rare. Placing me on the board with other women sends a message and sets an example — not just for private equity but across software and technology — that there is space in the boardroom for women.  

Another thing I’m proud of is a project I worked on for Ping Identity, Vista’s first IPO. Playing a part in that type of milestone, which was so important to so many stakeholders, was very special. I was excited to be part of a new exit strategy for Vista that we had never explored before, and it opened doors for many future IPOs.

My advice for others is to be passionate about whatever you’re doing. If you genuinely enjoy what you do, work doesn’t feel as much like work. You’ll be motivated by your own ambitions, your own intellect and your own desire to succeed.