Advent hires first COO

Boston-based private equity firm Advent International has named Heather Kennedy Miner as its first chief operating officer and managing director.

She will assume the COO role on January 1, 2023. The firm said the COO position is a new role that builds on the work of Richard Kane, who served as Advent’s managing director and senior vice president of business operations for the past 14 years. As part of a seamless transition, Kane and Miner will work closely together before his retirement at the end of 2024.

As COO, Miner will be responsible for driving Advent’s operations globally, including executing strategic growth initiatives, overseeing marketing and communications and delivering on talent development priorities.

Miner joins Advent from Goldman Sachs, where she served as partner and COO. She also served as global co-head of client solutions and capital markets for Goldman Sachs’ $2.4 trillion asset management business. Miner was served as Goldman Sachs’ global head of investor relations.

Miner’s appointment marks the third female leadership hire by Advent in the last two months. Last month, Amanda McGrady Morrison was named general counsel and chief legal officer to replace James Westra, who is retiring.

The firm also named Susan Gentile as CFO, replacing Eileen Sivolella, who also retired after being in the role since 2009.

Advent also promoted Shweta Jalan to managing partner earlier this year.