Investing in the Next Generation: Meet our Summer Interns
June 19, 2026 – Overland Park, KS
At Kompass Kapital, we believe investing in people is just as important as investing in businesses. This summer, we’re excited to welcome six talented students, where they’ll gain hands-on experience alongside our team while developing the technical and professional skills needed to succeed in today’s business environment.
Our interns will be immersed in real-world projects, mentorship opportunities, and educational experiences designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to private equity, finance, and strategic business operations.
“The investment industry is built on curiosity, discipline, and continuous learning. Our goal is to give these students exposure to the way investors think—how we evaluate opportunities, assess risk, and create value over the long term.”
Jeff Konnesky
PARTNER & CIO, Kompass Kapital
Building the Foundation of an Investor
Informed by current market trends and investor strategy, our Summer Internship Program provides exposure to the key disciplines that drive investment decision-making.
Throughout the summer, our analysts will learn:
Foundations of Private Equity & Investment Strategy
A deep dive into private equity fundamentals, including sourcing opportunities, conducting due diligence, underwriting investments, and evaluating post-investment growth strategies.
Industry Research & Market Analysis
Students will develop skills in market sizing (TAM, SAM, SOM), industry segmentation, SWOT analysis, competitive positioning, and market evaluation frameworks such as Porter’s Five Forces.
Financial Modeling & Valuation
Analysts will build and evaluate financial models, including DCF and LBO analyses, while identifying key revenue drivers, cost structures, risks, and potential deal breakers.
Due Diligence Process
Through simulated investment evaluations, students will assess operational, legal, financial, ESG, and management considerations while learning how investors identify risks and opportunities.
Strategic Business Planning
Analysts will explore post-close value creation strategies, KPI development, growth initiatives, exit planning, and investment return forecasting.
Capstone Investment Presentation
The program culminates in a final investment presentation where analysts synthesize their findings and present recommendations to the Kompass investment team.
In addition to technical training, our analysts are collaborating on meaningful projects supporting legal, finance, and community initiatives, including a project benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities. Working closely with our team, they are developing critical soft skills such as communication, adaptability, collaboration, and problem-solving—qualities that are essential to becoming successful business leaders.
“At Kompass, we believe our greatest investment is in people. Welcoming interns into our organization is an opportunity to share our experiences, challenge them to think differently, and help them discover their own potential.”
Courtney Conrad
MANAGING PARTNER & CEO, Kompass Kapital
Ava Berger
University: Golden West College
Year: Rising Sophomore
Major: Economics
Industry Interest: Real Estate Development
Kompass Focus: Part-time, Administration, Marketing, Finance
Ava is passionate about the intersection of economics, innovation, and real estate. In her free time, she enjoys beach volleyball, golfing, and spending time with family and friends. She's also currently developing a gamified architecture platform powered by AI and Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology.
Brett Yankovich
University: University of Kansas
Year: Sophomore
Major: Business Administration
Industry Interest: Private Equity, Wealth Management, Logisitics
Kompass Focus: Part-time, Investments, Special Projects
Brett brings a broad interest in business operations and service industries. Outside the office, he enjoys basketball, golf, painting, and involvement with Phi Delta Theta. One of the most interesting facts about Brett is that he's related to world-famous parody musician Weird Al Yankovic.
Max Peterson
University: University of Kansas
Year: Rising Sophomore
Major: Finance & Accounting
Industry Interest: Private Equity and Asset Management
Kompass Focus: Full-Time, Investment Analyst Program
Max is passionate about financial markets and investment strategy. Outside of school, he enjoys golfing and spending time with family and friends. His interest in investing extends beyond the classroom, and he loves learning about the stock market and exploring different investment approaches.
Ben Palmet
University: Cornell University
Year: Rising Sophomore
Major: Applied Economics and Management
Industry Interest: Technology
Kompass Focus: Full-Time, Investment Analyst Program
Ben is interested in the intersection of business, economics, and technology, with a particular passion for innovation-driven industries. As a student at Cornell University, he is building a strong foundation in business strategy and economic analysis. Outside of academics, Ben enjoys lifting, running, and playing poker. A fun fact about Ben: he previously lived in Australia, giving him a unique global perspective and appreciation for new experiences.
Collin Smith
University: University of Kansas
Year: Sophomore
Major: Business Finance
Industry Interest: Private Equity, Investment Banking, and Wealth Management
Kompass Focus: Part-time, Investments, Special Projects
Collin is interested in exploring multiple areas of finance and investment. When he's not studying, you'll find him golfing, spending time with friends and family, or participating in activities with Beta Theta Pi. A fun fact about Collin: he won the Royals Hot Dog Race in 2024.
Tucker Poe
University: Kansas State University
Year: Incoming Sophomore
Major: Finance & Accounting
Industry Interest: Private Equity and Investment Banking
Kompass Focus: Part-time, Investments, Special Projects
Tucker is eager to learn more about investing and financial analysis while gaining practical experience in the private markets. Outside of work and school, he enjoys golfing and following Kansas City sports. A self-proclaimed superfan, Tucker is a massive supporter of the Kansas City Royals.
Learning Across the Portfolio
One of the most valuable aspects of the Summer Internship Program is the opportunity to learn beyond Kompass Kapital.
This summer, our interns are participating in a Lunch & Learn series hosted across our portfolio, spending time with leaders and teams from Airshare, Dynamic Logistix and Kompass Kapital. These sessions provide exposure to a variety of industries, leadership styles, and business functions while helping students better understand how successful organizations operate and grow.
By combining classroom concepts with real-world business experiences, we’re proud to provide our analysts with opportunities to learn, contribute, and build meaningful relationships across our network.
We’re excited to watch this group grow throughout the summer and look forward to seeing the impact they make!