--- title: Our Team description: Backgrounds in private equity, investment banking, consulting, and real estate investing, we have the expertise to structure complicated sale leasebacks. --- [Skip to content](https://ascensionadvisory.com/team#main-content) [![ascension white and green logo](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/ascension%20white%20and%20green%20logo.png?width=200&height=36&name=ascension%20white%20and%20green%20logo.png)](https://ascensionadvisory.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://ascensionadvisory.com) - Sale Leasebacks Show submenu for Sale Leasebacks - [Sale Leaseback Overview](https://ascensionadvisory.com/sale-leaseback-overview) - [SLB For Business Owners](https://ascensionadvisory.com/services-business-owners) - [SLB For Financial Sponsors](https://ascensionadvisory.com/services-private-equity-firms) - [SLB For Referral Partners](https://ascensionadvisory.com/services-referral-partners) - [Build to Suit Financing](https://ascensionadvisory.com/build-to-suit-financing) - [M&A Lease Advisory](https://ascensionadvisory.com/mergers-and-acquisitions-lease-avisory) - [Notable Transactions](https://ascensionadvisory.com/sale-leaseback-transactions) - Mergers & Acquisitions Show submenu for Mergers & Acquisitions - [Sell Your Business](https://ascensionadvisory.com/sell-your-business) - [The Seller's Checklist](https://ascensionadvisory.com/the-sellers-checklist) - [2026 M&A Report](https://ascensionadvisory.com/business-owner-ma-report) - [The Exit Playbook Course](https://ascensionadvisory.com/the-exit-playbook-course) - Insights Show submenu for Insights - [Ascension Blog](https://ascensionadvisory.com/ascension-advisory-blog) - [Press & Publications](https://ascensionadvisory.com/press-and-publications) - [2026 Ascension Magazine](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hubfs/Ascension%20Magazine%202026%20(standalone)%20(4).html) - [SLB and M&A Courses](https://ascensionadvisory.com/ascension-learning) - [2026 M&A Report](https://ascensionadvisory.com/business-owner-ma-report) - [Private Equity SLB Report](https://ascensionadvisory.com/private-equity-sale-leaseback-report) - [Team](https://ascensionadvisory.com/team) - [Contact](https://ascensionadvisory.com/contact-us) - [Home](https://ascensionadvisory.com) - Sale Leasebacks Show submenu for Sale Leasebacks - [Sale Leaseback Overview](https://ascensionadvisory.com/sale-leaseback-overview) - [SLB For Business Owners](https://ascensionadvisory.com/services-business-owners) - [SLB For Financial Sponsors](https://ascensionadvisory.com/services-private-equity-firms) - [SLB For Referral Partners](https://ascensionadvisory.com/services-referral-partners) - [Build to Suit Financing](https://ascensionadvisory.com/build-to-suit-financing) - [M&A Lease Advisory](https://ascensionadvisory.com/mergers-and-acquisitions-lease-avisory) - [Notable Transactions](https://ascensionadvisory.com/sale-leaseback-transactions) - Mergers & Acquisitions Show submenu for Mergers & Acquisitions - [Sell Your Business](https://ascensionadvisory.com/sell-your-business) - [The Seller's Checklist](https://ascensionadvisory.com/the-sellers-checklist) - [2026 M&A Report](https://ascensionadvisory.com/business-owner-ma-report) - [The Exit Playbook Course](https://ascensionadvisory.com/the-exit-playbook-course) - Insights Show submenu for Insights - [Ascension Blog](https://ascensionadvisory.com/ascension-advisory-blog) - [Press & Publications](https://ascensionadvisory.com/press-and-publications) - [2026 Ascension Magazine](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hubfs/Ascension%20Magazine%202026%20(standalone)%20(4).html) - [SLB and M&A Courses](https://ascensionadvisory.com/ascension-learning) - [2026 M&A Report](https://ascensionadvisory.com/business-owner-ma-report) - [Private Equity SLB Report](https://ascensionadvisory.com/private-equity-sale-leaseback-report) - [Team](https://ascensionadvisory.com/team) - [Contact](https://ascensionadvisory.com/contact-us) ![3-Dec-13-2023-07-13-51-1672-PM](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hubfs/3-Dec-13-2023-07-13-51-1672-PM.png) ![2-Dec-13-2023-07-14-12-5417-PM](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hubfs/2-Dec-13-2023-07-14-12-5417-PM.png) # Our Team The Ascension Advisory™ Team is a powerhouse of experts dedicated to helping our partners achieve their financial and strategic goals. With deep industry experience and a relentless commitment to excellence, our team brings together investment banking, management consulting, and real estate investing specialists who provide tailored, high-impact advice. Whether navigating complex transactions or unlocking new opportunities, we partner with our clients to drive results that align with their vision for growth.   ![Chelsea Mandel](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Chelsea%20Mandel.webp?width=1366&height=1706&name=Chelsea%20Mandel.webp) ##### [Chelsea Mandel](https://ascensionadvisory.com/chelsea-mandel-bio?hsLang=en) Founder & Managing Director ![Jack Foley](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jack%20Foley.jpg?width=983&height=1229&name=Jack%20Foley.jpg) ##### [Jack Foley](https://ascensionadvisory.com/jack-foley-bio?hsLang=en) Chief Operating Officer ![Sam Jacobs](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sam%20Jacobs.jpg?width=983&height=1229&name=Sam%20Jacobs.jpg) ##### [Sam Jacobs](https://ascensionadvisory.com/sam-bio?hsLang=en) Global CMO & Head of Canada ![5](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/5.webp?width=1366&height=1706&name=5.webp) ##### Staci Ashkin Chief Financial Officer & Controller ![Adna Pekmezovic](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Adna%20Pekmezovic.webp?width=1366&height=1706&name=Adna%20Pekmezovic.webp) ##### [Adna Pekmezovic](https://ascensionadvisory.com/adna-pekmezovic-bio?hsLang=en) Head of Mergers & Acquisitions ![Sam Clark-1](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sam%20Clark-1.jpg?width=819&height=1024&name=Sam%20Clark-1.jpg) ##### [Sam Clark](https://ascensionadvisory.com/sam-clark?hsLang=en) Director of Business Development ![Clay Skiff](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Clay%20Skiff.jpg?width=983&height=1229&name=Clay%20Skiff.jpg) ##### [Clay Skiff](https://ascensionadvisory.com/clay-skiff?hsLang=en) VP, Business Development ![Mat Wainwright](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mat.jpg?width=983&height=1229&name=Mat.jpg) ##### [Mathew Wainwright](https://ascensionadvisory.com/mathew-wainwright-bio?hsLang=en) Director, European Transactions ![Hannah Wang](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hannah%20Wang.webp?width=1366&height=1706&name=Hannah%20Wang.webp) ##### [Hannah Wang](mailto:hannah@ascensionadvisory.com) Strategic Advisor ![Doug Carey](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Doug%20Carey.jpg?width=983&height=1229&name=Doug%20Carey.jpg) ##### [Doug Carey](mailto:doug@ascensionadvisory.com) Head of Underwriting ![Nina Valtchanov](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Nina%20Valtchanov.webp?width=1366&height=1706&name=Nina%20Valtchanov.webp) ##### [Nina Valtchanov](mailto:nina@ascensionadvisory.com) Head of Transaction Management ![Spencer Freid](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spencer%20Freid.webp?width=1366&height=1706&name=Spencer%20Freid.webp) ##### [Spencer Freid](mailto:spencer@ascensionadvisory.com) Associate ![Hernando Gutierrez](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hernando%20Gutierrez.webp?width=1366&height=1706&name=Hernando%20Gutierrez.webp) ##### Hernando Gutierrez Operations Coordinator ![Hassan](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hassan.jpg?width=819&height=1024&name=Hassan.jpg) ##### Hassan Khan Marketing & Operations Associate ## FEATURED IN ![NBC](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NBC.png?width=500&height=150&name=NBC.png) ![PE Hub](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PE%20Hub.png?width=500&height=150&name=PE%20Hub.png) ![Forbes logo](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Forbes%20logo.png?width=500&height=150&name=Forbes%20logo.png) ![PERE logo (1)](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PERE%20logo%20(1).png?width=500&height=150&name=PERE%20logo%20(1).png) ![MSN logo](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MSN%20logo.png?width=500&height=150&name=MSN%20logo.png) ![The Real Deal Logo (1)](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Real%20Deal%20Logo%20(1).png?width=500&height=150&name=The%20Real%20Deal%20Logo%20(1).png) ![The Manufacturer](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Manufacturer.png?width=500&height=150&name=The%20Manufacturer.png) ![Auto Laundry News ](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Auto%20Laundry%20News%20.png?width=500&height=150&name=Auto%20Laundry%20News%20.png) ### Let’s Talk ### Company - [Home](https://ascensionadvisory.com) - [Team](https://ascensionadvisory.com/team) - [Contact Us](https://ascensionadvisory.com/contact-us) - [Transactions](https://ascensionadvisory.com/sale-leaseback-transactions) ### Services - [Sale Leaseback Advisory](https://ascensionadvisory.com/sale-leaseback-overview) - [M&A Solutions](https://ascensionadvisory.com/sell-your-business) ### Learn - [Blog](https://ascensionadvisory.com/ascension-advisory-blog) - [Courses](https://ascensionadvisory.com/ascension-learning) - [Media](https://ascensionadvisory.com/press-and-publications) ### Locations - NYC - LDN - TOR - MIA - CDMX - MAD ### Subscribe ![Logo](https://ascensionadvisory.com/hubfs/Logo.png) © 2026 Ascension Advisory™ [Privacy Policy |](https://ascensionadvisory.com/privacy-policy?hsLang=en) [Terms & Conditions](https://ascensionadvisory.com/terms-conditions?hsLang=en)