Team

  • Founder & CEO


    Prior to founding WaterLily Capital, Zain Pirani was the co-founder of Zenn Capital, where she led capital-raising advisory services for growth companies and fund managers, specializing in private placements across equity, debt, and hybrid financing solutions.

    Before Zenn Capital, Zain immersed herself in the world of consumer products and startups, including founding a skincare brand, leveraging her entrepreneurial spirit and strategic vision.

    Zain's journey began with a distinguished 14-year career in finance, including 11 years at Ares, where she specialized in fundraising and business development across public and private funds. She gained extensive experience working across global markets in Los Angeles, New York, and London, with expertise spanning Private Debt, Infrastructure, Private Equity and Liquid Credit strategies.

    Zain holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management Information Systems with a minor in International Studies from Boston College. 

  • Managing Director & COO

    Jan serves as Managing Director at Waterlily Capital and brings over two decades of experience in financial services and investment management. Over the last several years, Jan has served in an advisory capacity to various alternative investment firms. 

    Prior to her advisory roles, Jan spent over ten years at several firms including Centinela Capital, Ares Management, Grove Street Advisors where her responsibilities and focus were primarily on fund manager evaluation, due diligence, and selection as well as investor relations and marketing. 

    Jan earned a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with an English minor from UCLA.

  • Business Development Consultant

    Prior to joining Waterlily Capital as a BD Consultant, Hugh was the Head of Marketing at Community Fund.  Previous to that he was a Managing Director (Marketing) for 19 years at Post Advisory Group, where he oversaw business development and relationship management.  Previously, he was a Relationship Manager at Deutsche Bank and State Street in their Trust & Custody services.  He started his financial career with Citibank International Private Bank as a Service Officer.  Hugh holds a BA degree in Telecommunications and Business from the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN).

  • Business Development Consultant

    Prior to joining Waterlily Capital, Jessica spent more than 10 years in the consumer sector, both as an investment banker and an editor. In her most recent role at Lincoln International, Jessica provided sell-side M&A advisory services to middle-market consumer companies offering beauty, wellness, home and apparel products, as well as multi-unit consumer services businesses. Jessica was formerly the Director of Beauty Brands Strategy at Intrepid Investment Bankers, where she worked on a number of beauty & personal care deals. 

    Prior to investment banking, Jessica was the Executive Beauty Editor at Conde Nast’s Allure Magazine, and provided consultative services to financial professionals at firms like Blackstone, Credit Suisse and TPG as it relates to the beauty and personal care landscape.

    Jessica earned her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Southern California (USC) and Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Sociology from Baylor University.