Year in Review | The U.S. Private Credit Industry Conference on Direct Lending

Four takeaways from DealCatalyst’s private credit conference 2025

Private credit industry grapples with tariff uncertainties and AI disruption threats at Nashville conference, reports 9fin's Peter Benson and Shubham Saharan. Key themes include workout activity preparation, out-of-court restructuring preferences, software sector vulnerability to AI displacement, and expanded retail access through regulatory wins. Read More.

US: Private credit touts resilience amid economic uncertainty

Private credit demonstrates resilience amid economic uncertainties at Nashville conference, reports LSEG's April Joyner. Despite tariff concerns and slower LBO activity, industry leaders from Blackstone, Oak Hill, and HPS highlight opportunities to gain market share and tout the asset class's appeal for wealth managers seeking stability through market volatility. Read More.

Private Credit’s competitive edge: Opportunities and strategies from DealCatalyst U.S. Private Credit Conference

Private credit showcases durability as market dynamics shift at Nashville gathering, reports Octus's Sarah Chen. While tariff uncertainties linger and BSL markets face headwinds, industry veterans emphasize the asset class's streamlined execution advantages and growing investor appetite for flexible lending solutions amid changing debt capital market conditions. Read More.

We were honored to partner with Courtney Johnson and Culinary Care at our recent U.S. Private Credit Industry Conference on Direct Lending.

Culinary Care is a remarkable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing delicious, gourmet meals to outpatients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Their mission ensures patients feel seen, supported, and properly nourished throughout their treatment journey.

We're proud to support their vital work in the community. To learn more about Culinary Care's inspiring mission and impact, please visit their website: culinarycare.org

"The Private Credit industry has been a powerful catalyst for our mission -- raising over $300,000 to help families facing cancer receive the nourishment, community, and hope they need to heal. We know the demand for our work exists nationwide, and time and again, The Corporate Cook-Off has proven to be the driving force that makes it possible for us to answer that call. You can get your company involved by contacting courtney@culinarycare.org."

Courtney Johnson, CEO & Founder, Culinary Care

ALLOCATORS

1650 WEALTH MGT
Founder

AON
AVP, Structured Solutions

AXIS CAPITAL
VP Investments

BAYSHORE CAPITAL
Partner

BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT CORPORATION
Director, Private Credit

BROOKFIELD OAKTREE WEALTH SOLUTIONS
Senior Vice President

COLORADO PERA
Senior Portfolio Manager, Alternatives

CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Real Estate Investments

GRAMERCY PARK WEALTH ADVISORS, LLC
FA, Head of Alternative Investments

INDIANA PUBLIC RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Director of Fixed Income and Private Credit

MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Head of Fundamental Credit Risk

METLIFE
Director

METRO NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY
Risk and Compliance Manager

MUTUAL OF OMAHA
Head of Alternatives

NEW YORK STATE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Assistant Director of Private Equity

OMERS
Head of Alternative Investments

SANCTUARY WEALTH
Managing Director, Head of Manager Research and Alternative Investments

SOMERVILLE RETIREMENT BOARD
Executive Director

STATE OF TENNESSEE TREASURY
Portfolio Manager

STEPSTONE GROUP
Head of Private Debt Advisory

UNIVERSITY PENSION PLAN ONTARIO
Associate Director, Private Debt

VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Investment Officer

FUND MANAGERS

ANTARES CAPITAL
Chief Executive Officer

APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT
Partner

ARES MANAGEMENT
Partner

AUDAX PRIVATE DEBT
Managing Director

BARINGS
President

BENEFIT STREET PARTNERS
President

BLACKROCK
Head of US Direct Lending

BLACKSTONE
Senior Managing Director

BLUE OWL CAPITAL
Head of Investment Grade Private Credit

CARLYLE
Chief Investment Officer and Head of Underwriting for Direct Lending

CERBERUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
Managing Director

GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-President

GOLUB CAPITAL
Vice Chair

HAYFIN
Portfolio Manager and Co-Head of Direct Lending for Private Credit

HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS
Managing Director

KKR
Principal

MANULIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
Senior Managing Director

MARATHON ASSET MANAGEMENT
Chief Executive Officer & Chairman

OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
Managing Director

PARTNERS GROUP
Partner, Head Private Debt Americas

PGIM PRIVATE CAPITAL
Managing Director

SILVER POINT CAPITAL
Head of Direct Lending

Private Credit Club members enjoyed special perks at the conference including:

Access to our members' only "Private Credit Club Saloon" Networking Lounge
A GP & LP Welcome Brunch co-hosted by McDermott Will & Emery where we have a 1:1 ratio of GPs and LPs
A closed-door Allocators' Breakfast co-hosted by Pitchbook for a peer-to-peer market discussion
Fund manager members shared their IR decks with all allocators ahead of the event, resulting in 4.5 hours of view time by 40 unique allocators
Personalized LP and GP introductions

Private Credit Club membership is open to GPs, LPs, and Borrowers. Join today to be invited to special events and enjoy these member benefits at our next event. For more information, please visit privatecreditclub.com.

"The 2025 US Private Credit Industry Conference on Direct Lending in Nashville was an excellent event. The content was relevant, timely, and insightful, and it was great to reconnect with industry peers and leaders."

– Chris Grizzard
Partner, Bayshore Capital

"Congratulations on an excellent conference! I think it's the best I've ever attended on the subject. Great networking opportunities, lots of LPs, and great speakers."

– Gerry O'Callaghan
Investor Relations, Onate

"Your conference yet again turned out to be very informative and an excellent forum for networking."

– Shuichi Kiyanagi
Senior Director, Asset Management, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank

“The U.S. Private Credit Industry Conference on Direct Lending was very well done, timely and quite informative.”

– Anonymous
Insurance Company Allocator

“I just wanted to thank you again for the invitation to the event. We really enjoyed it, and we found it to be very well run and productive.”

– Daniel Mafrice
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner, Remora Capital Partners

"Very few events during the year are as effective at getting everyone in our private credit orbit to the same location at the same time."

– Anonymous
President, Leading U.S.- Based BDC

"The event was well-attended by key industry people who shared great insights. As a sponsor/exhibitor, we came away with many quality connections and opportunities."

– John Olesky
CEO, LendOS

“Thank you so much for the truly remarkable organization of the event. You and your team did an incredible job, and we all felt very welcomed by your amazing hospitality.”

– Azael Rodriguez
Director & Portfolio Manager, True North Capital

“What a hugely successful event it was this year. A massive congrats to the DealCatalyst team!!”

– Kelly Thompson
Managing Director, KBRA Analytics

Four takeaways from DealCatalyst’s private credit conference 2025

Size Doesn’t Matter: Middle-Market Lenders Stress Their Value

US: Private credit touts resilience amid economic uncertainty

Private Credit’s competitive edge: Opportunities and strategies from DealCatalyst U.S. Private Credit Conference