Team

Sam Ackerman is an Assistant Controller focused on growth equity and fund vehicles. Prior to joining Declaration in 2023, Sam was an Associate on the finance team at Centerbridge Partners, a multi-strategy private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts and distressed securities. Sam began his career at Ernst & Young LLP, where he was a Senior Associate in the Financial Services Assurance practice.

Sam graduated from University at Buffalo, with a Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Reporting. Sam is a Certified Public Accountant with the State of New York. Outside of work, he enjoys playing golf and ice hockey, live music, and spending time with his family.

Etaf Alkhawam is a Client Services Manager on both Declaration Partner’s and BayPine’s Investor Relations teams. Prior to joining in 2021, Etaf was a Business Operations Coordinator at CI Capital, an investment firm focused on lower middle market buyouts. Previously, Etaf was an Investor Relations Associate at Hoplite Capital Management.

Etaf graduated from the University of Delaware. Outside of work, Etaf enjoys spending time with friends & family, hiking, taking Peloton classes, and going out for Omakase.

Jennifer DeJesus is an Executive Assistant for the Operations and Growth Equity teams. Prior to joining Declaration in 2022, Jennifer was an Executive Assistant at McKinsey & Company where she worked in their Strategy & Corporate Finance practice, focusing on their HealthCare and BioPharmaceutical Groups. Prior to that, Jennifer was a Paralegal and Contract Analyst, focusing on energy deals and class action litigation.

Jennifer graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.  Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys dancing, running, and riding her bike around the city.

Victoria Fortman is an Assistant Controller focused on real estate investments and fund vehicles. Prior to joining Declaration in 2022, Victoria worked in the real estate private equity group at KKR, focusing on real estate finance and portfolio management. Previously, she worked at Madison Realty Capital and Ernst & Young.

Victoria graduated from the University at Buffalo, where she studied Accounting, Finance and Spanish Studies. She is a Certified Public Accountant with the State of New York. Outside of work, Victoria is an Advisor for the Westminster Economic Development Initiative in Buffalo, NY. In her free time, she enjoys music & entertainment, tennis, traveling and anything outdoors with her family and two dogs.

Jayna Montalvo is a Senior Accountant at both Declaration Partners and BayPine, which she joined in 2022. Jayna spent 16 years as a senior accountant / treasury associate at Vestar Capital Partners, a middle-market U.S. private equity firm specializing in management buyouts and growth capital investments.

Jayna graduated from Baruch College. Outside of work Jayna enjoys all things health, wellness and fitness related, traveling, music and writing.

Alexa Rachlin is an advisor to Declaration, having played an instrumental role in the firm’s founding in 2017 and growth to date.

Alexa has over 15 years of investment experience, most recently serving as an Investment Director at Cambridge Associates in the firm’s private practice where she worked with family offices on asset allocation and manager selection. Previously she worked at Goldman Sachs in private wealth management. She started her career at Morgan Stanley in real estate investment banking.

Alexa graduated from Harvard College and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School. She served on the board of Lively, a Redesign Health portfolio company, until its recent acquisition by GN Hearing. She also serves on the board of Social Finance, a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit. Outside of work, Alexa enjoys travelling and spending time with her family.

Leigh Rovzar is a Partner and the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of both Declaration Partners, which he joined in 2018, and BayPine, an upper middle market private equity firm. Previously, Leigh was a Senior Vice President and Co-Head of the Legal Department at Magnitude Capital. Earlier in his career, he served as an Associate at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and as a Vice President in the Acquisitions Group at Walton Street Capital.

Leigh graduated from Harvard College and received his JD and MBA from Northwestern University. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qualitas of Life Foundation. Outside of work, Leigh loves spending time with his family and enjoying a wide range of activities in the great outdoors.

Danielle Rubin is a Vice President on the Investor Relations team at Declaration Partners. Prior to joining Declaration in 2022, Danielle was a member of the Institutional Client & Product Solutions team at Apollo. Previously, she was an Investment Marketing Analyst at J.P. Morgan Private Bank.

Danielle graduated from the University of Michigan – Stephen M. Ross School of Business, where she held a concentration in Marketing and served as a Ross Career Services Peer Coach. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis and skiing, volunteering with Achilles International, and is a voracious reader.

Laura Salmon is a Controller at both Declaration Partners and BayPine, which she joined in 2021. Previously, Laura was a Senior Associate on the finance team at Centerbridge Partners, a multi-strategy private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts and distressed securities. Laura began her career at Ernst & Young LLP, where she was a senior associate in the Financial Services Assurance practice.

Laura graduated from Cornell University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Outside of work, Laura loves running, spending time with her family at the Jersey Shore, and cheering for the New York Mets.

Adelfa Silva oversees office administration at Declaration, which she joined in 2021. Previously, Adelfa held various operations and administrative roles at Pine Book Partners, a New York-based growth equity firm, and Alexandra Investment Management, a New York-based Hedge Fund.

Outside of work, Adelfa loves spending time with her family, traveling and interior decorating.

Annie Sloyer is Chief Financial Officer of Declaration, having joined the firm in 2020. Previously, Annie was Chief Financial Officer of Willoughby Capital a family office investing in venture capital, private equity and public markets.  Prior to Willoughby, she was Chief Financial Officer of Pine Brook Road Partners, a New York-based growth equity firm. Earlier in her career, she was a Controller at Olympus Capital, a private equity firm investing in middle market companies across Asia. She began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Alternative Investments Asset Management audit practice.

Annie graduated from Washington University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Outside of work, Annie loves spending time with her family, traveling, and playing tennis and golf.

Michael Walker is a Managing Director at Declaration Partners focused on investor relations, having joined Declaration in 2021. Previously, Mike was Head of Investor Relations at CI Capital, an investment firm focused on lower middle market buyouts. Prior to that, Mike was Head of Investor Relations at Reservoir Capital, before which he was an Investor Relations/Business Development Analyst in Blackstone’s Hedge Fund Solutions business (BAAM). Mike began his investment industry career in the finance department at Blackstone.

Mike graduated from Boston College and earned his MBA from the Leonard M. Stern School of Business at New York University. Outside of work, Mike loves spending time with his wife and three children, traveling, and live music.

Jeff Waters is the executive assistant to the investor relations team in the New York office.  Prior to joining Declaration in 2022, Jeff was an executive assistant at McKinsey & Company where he was on the relief support team.  Jeff began his career as the executive assistant and operations manager at Geffen Enterprises in Savannah, Georgia.

Jeff graduated from The University of Alabama where he majored in Management and minored in Consumer Sciences.  Outside of work, Jeff enjoys Broadway shows, movies, stand-up comedy, and exploring the city.

Scott Zicherman is a Tax Manager for Declaration Partners, having joined in 2022. Previously, Scott was a Manager at KPMG US in the Business Tax Services, specifically the Asset Management practice, where he managed the tax compliance and consulting for a variety of US and foreign clients.

Scott graduated from Touro College with a Bachelor of Science and is a Certified Public Accountant with the State of New York. Outside of work, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons, reading, cycling, and listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Leigh Rovzar is a Partner and the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of both Declaration Partners, which he joined in 2018, and BayPine, an upper middle market private equity firm. Previously, Leigh was a Senior Vice President and Co-Head of the Legal Department at Magnitude Capital. Earlier in his career, he served as an Associate at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and as a Vice President in the Acquisitions Group at Walton Street Capital.

Leigh graduated from Harvard College and received his JD and MBA from Northwestern University. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qualitas of Life Foundation. Outside of work, Leigh loves spending time with his family and enjoying a wide range of activities in the great outdoors.

Annie Sloyer is Chief Financial Officer of Declaration, having joined the firm in 2020. Previously, Annie was Chief Financial Officer of Willoughby Capital a family office investing in venture capital, private equity and public markets.  Prior to Willoughby, she was Chief Financial Officer of Pine Brook Road Partners, a New York-based growth equity firm. Earlier in her career, she was a Controller at Olympus Capital, a private equity firm investing in middle market companies across Asia. She began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Alternative Investments Asset Management audit practice.

Annie graduated from Washington University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Outside of work, Annie loves spending time with her family, traveling, and playing tennis and golf.

Alexa Rachlin is an advisor to Declaration, having played an instrumental role in the firm’s founding in 2017 and growth to date.

Alexa has over 15 years of investment experience, most recently serving as an Investment Director at Cambridge Associates in the firm’s private practice where she worked with family offices on asset allocation and manager selection. Previously she worked at Goldman Sachs in private wealth management. She started her career at Morgan Stanley in real estate investment banking.

Alexa graduated from Harvard College and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School. She served on the board of Lively, a Redesign Health portfolio company, until its recent acquisition by GN Hearing. She also serves on the board of Social Finance, a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit. Outside of work, Alexa enjoys travelling and spending time with her family.

Michael Walker is a Managing Director at Declaration Partners focused on investor relations, having joined Declaration in 2021. Previously, Mike was Head of Investor Relations at CI Capital, an investment firm focused on lower middle market buyouts. Prior to that, Mike was Head of Investor Relations at Reservoir Capital, before which he was an Investor Relations/Business Development Analyst in Blackstone’s Hedge Fund Solutions business (BAAM). Mike began his investment industry career in the finance department at Blackstone.

Mike graduated from Boston College and earned his MBA from the Leonard M. Stern School of Business at New York University. Outside of work, Mike loves spending time with his wife and three children, traveling, and live music.

Danielle Rubin is a Vice President on the Investor Relations team at Declaration Partners. Prior to joining Declaration in 2022, Danielle was a member of the Institutional Client & Product Solutions team at Apollo. Previously, she was an Investment Marketing Analyst at J.P. Morgan Private Bank.

Danielle graduated from the University of Michigan – Stephen M. Ross School of Business, where she held a concentration in Marketing and served as a Ross Career Services Peer Coach. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis and skiing, volunteering with Achilles International, and is a voracious reader.

Laura Salmon is a Controller at both Declaration Partners and BayPine, which she joined in 2021. Previously, Laura was a Senior Associate on the finance team at Centerbridge Partners, a multi-strategy private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts and distressed securities. Laura began her career at Ernst & Young LLP, where she was a senior associate in the Financial Services Assurance practice.

Laura graduated from Cornell University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Outside of work, Laura loves running, spending time with her family at the Jersey Shore, and cheering for the New York Mets.

Victoria Fortman is an Assistant Controller focused on real estate investments and fund vehicles. Prior to joining Declaration in 2022, Victoria worked in the real estate private equity group at KKR, focusing on real estate finance and portfolio management. Previously, she worked at Madison Realty Capital and Ernst & Young.

Victoria graduated from the University at Buffalo, where she studied Accounting, Finance and Spanish Studies. She is a Certified Public Accountant with the State of New York. Outside of work, Victoria is an Advisor for the Westminster Economic Development Initiative in Buffalo, NY. In her free time, she enjoys music & entertainment, tennis, traveling and anything outdoors with her family and two dogs.

Sam Ackerman is an Assistant Controller focused on growth equity and fund vehicles. Prior to joining Declaration in 2023, Sam was an Associate on the finance team at Centerbridge Partners, a multi-strategy private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts and distressed securities. Sam began his career at Ernst & Young LLP, where he was a Senior Associate in the Financial Services Assurance practice.

Sam graduated from University at Buffalo, with a Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Reporting. Sam is a Certified Public Accountant with the State of New York. Outside of work, he enjoys playing golf and ice hockey, live music, and spending time with his family.

Scott Zicherman is a Tax Manager for Declaration Partners, having joined in 2022. Previously, Scott was a Manager at KPMG US in the Business Tax Services, specifically the Asset Management practice, where he managed the tax compliance and consulting for a variety of US and foreign clients.

Scott graduated from Touro College with a Bachelor of Science and is a Certified Public Accountant with the State of New York. Outside of work, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons, reading, cycling, and listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Etaf Alkhawam is a Client Services Manager on both Declaration Partner’s and BayPine’s Investor Relations teams. Prior to joining in 2021, Etaf was a Business Operations Coordinator at CI Capital, an investment firm focused on lower middle market buyouts. Previously, Etaf was an Investor Relations Associate at Hoplite Capital Management.

Etaf graduated from the University of Delaware. Outside of work, Etaf enjoys spending time with friends & family, hiking, taking Peloton classes, and going out for Omakase.

Jayna Montalvo is a Senior Accountant at both Declaration Partners and BayPine, which she joined in 2022. Jayna spent 16 years as a senior accountant / treasury associate at Vestar Capital Partners, a middle-market U.S. private equity firm specializing in management buyouts and growth capital investments.

Jayna graduated from Baruch College. Outside of work Jayna enjoys all things health, wellness and fitness related, traveling, music and writing.

Jennifer DeJesus is an Executive Assistant for the Operations and Growth Equity teams. Prior to joining Declaration in 2022, Jennifer was an Executive Assistant at McKinsey & Company where she worked in their Strategy & Corporate Finance practice, focusing on their HealthCare and BioPharmaceutical Groups. Prior to that, Jennifer was a Paralegal and Contract Analyst, focusing on energy deals and class action litigation.

Jennifer graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.  Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys dancing, running, and riding her bike around the city.

Adelfa Silva oversees office administration at Declaration, which she joined in 2021. Previously, Adelfa held various operations and administrative roles at Pine Book Partners, a New York-based growth equity firm, and Alexandra Investment Management, a New York-based Hedge Fund.

Outside of work, Adelfa loves spending time with her family, traveling and interior decorating.

Jeff Waters is the executive assistant to the investor relations team in the New York office.  Prior to joining Declaration in 2022, Jeff was an executive assistant at McKinsey & Company where he was on the relief support team.  Jeff began his career as the executive assistant and operations manager at Geffen Enterprises in Savannah, Georgia.

Jeff graduated from The University of Alabama where he majored in Management and minored in Consumer Sciences.  Outside of work, Jeff enjoys Broadway shows, movies, stand-up comedy, and exploring the city.