Conniff and Winkel Join Prairie Capital

Investor - People | Aug 13, 2025 | Prairie Capital LP

Prairie Capital LP has expanded its investment team by welcoming two new associates, Cara Conniff and Brett Winkel. Both new hires will be involved in robust investment processes, from assessing new opportunities to managing existing portfolio companies. Cara Conniff joins from Lincoln International where her focus was on M&A advisory in the Consumer Group, while Brett Winkel comes from William Blair where he specialized in M&A advisory in the Supply Chain & Commercial Services Group. Both Conniff and Winkel are alumni of the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois. They expressed their enthusiasm for joining Prairie Capital, highlighting the firm's strong partnership culture and the professional growth opportunities it offers.

Sectors

  • Private Equity
  • Investment Banking

Geography

  • United States – The article discusses activities related to Prairie Capital, which is based in the United States, and the educational background of the new hires from the University of Illinois.

Industry

  • Private Equity – Prairie Capital operates in the private equity sector, focusing on investments and managing portfolio companies.
  • Investment Banking – Both Cara Conniff and Brett Winkel have prior experience in investment banking, specifically in M&A advisory, indicating the importance of this industry to their roles at Prairie Capital.

Financials

    Participants

    NameRoleTypeDescription
    Prairie Capital LPEmployerCompanyA private equity firm that focuses on building long-term partnerships and growing companies.
    Cara ConniffNew AssociatePersonRecently joined Prairie Capital with a background in investment banking at Lincoln International.
    Brett WinkelNew AssociatePersonRecently joined Prairie Capital with a background in investment banking at William Blair.
    Lincoln InternationalFormer EmployerCompanyAn investment bank where Cara Conniff worked in the Consumer Group focusing on M&A advisory.
    William BlairFormer EmployerCompanyAn investment bank where Brett Winkel worked in the Supply Chain & Commercial Services Group focusing on M&A advisory.
    University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignEducational InstitutionCompanyThe educational institution where both Cara Conniff and Brett Winkel completed their undergraduate degrees in Finance.