CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Origami Capital Partners, a private equity firm that invests in complex special situations across asset classes, announced the promotion of Julie Klaff to Partner. The firm manages assets in excess of $800 million. With Ms. Klaff’s promotion, Origami counts itself among a limited group of private equity firms where women control forty percent of the Investment Committee and greater than thirty percent of the ownership of the company.
Julie Klaff joined Origami over five years ago from Sidley, Austin. Earlier this year Origami asked her to join the firm as a Partner. In addition to her role on the Investment Committee, Julie focuses on deal sourcing, complex transaction execution and strategic policy for the firm.
Ms. Klaff and her colleague, Joelle Kellam, are two of the four partners at Origami.
Ms. Kellam joined the firm in 2010 and serves as the firm’s COO. Ms. Kellam leads all aspects of financial operations including accounting, compliance, audit and regulatory activities. Prior to joining Origami, Ms. Kellam served as the Director of Financial and Production Planning at Dyson, a privately held vacuum manufacturer. Since graduating from the University of Notre Dame (BBA, Accountancy) and the Kellogg School of Management (MBA), she also worked for Merisant, Bimba Manufacturing Company and Ernst and Young, LLP.
Ms. Kellam notes, "Origami works hard to encourage diversity and empower its team to take on responsibility. Precisely because we evaluate varied investment opportunities, we strive to recruit and retain a team who possess varied work, life and cultural experiences. Those differentiated experiences form the necessary ingredients to tackle complex investment opportunities and create value for our investors."
In 2014, Ms. Klaff joined Origami from Sidley, Austin, LLP. At Sidley, Ms. Klaff focused on advising private alternative investment funds and investment advisers. Ms. Klaff began her career prior to law school as a real estate analyst with Joseph Freed and Associates. Ms. Klaff earned her BS in Human Development from Cornell University and a JD from Harvard Law School.
She noted, "I am proud to become the second female partner at Origami and excited about what we can accomplish for our investors. I chose Origami because I sensed the firm prioritized rewarding hard work and offered women flexibility to balance competing demands. I and the other partners of the firm strive daily to make diversity a priority. When performance justifies promotions, Origami recognizes success. Forty percent of Origami’s investment committee now consists of women. I think this fact, alone, is a very powerful statement about the organization as we look to attract and retain talent."
About Origami Capital Partners
Origami Capital Partners was founded in 2008. Origami seeks to capitalize on inefficient opportunities involving illiquid investments with a goal of generating superior returns with a significant margin of safety. Most Origami’s transactions are proprietary, originating from its extensive network of contacts, including financial institutions, asset owners, former counterparties, intermediaries, attorneys, and fund managers. Origami’s collaborative, problem-solving approach makes it an attractive counterparty whether there is a single seller or a group of sellers. Origami dedicates substantial resources to finding flexible solutions in situations that require intensive due diligence. Because it is willing to invest time and resources upfront, Origami is frequently the sole party with whom potential sellers choose to negotiate. In capturing opportunities, Origami frequently works with investment partners who assist in identifying transactions and enhancing the value of the underlying assets.
