With more than 21 years of experience in the private equity and debt placement industry, Heather Smith has raised approximately $12 billion in capital for her U.S. and global clients. Today, she serves as the managing director at Houlihan Lokey (NYSE: HLI), heading up the New York-based firm’s structured equity division.

Smith graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a BA in Economics. She later received a master’s in business administration from the Kellogg Graduate school of Management at Northwestern University.

Prior to joining Houlihan Lokey, Smith was a managing director and head of private finance at independent investment bank Sagent Advisors LLC. While there, she focused on raising equity for late-stage companies. Other financial services firms she has worked for include Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB), Greentech Capital Advisors, Credit Suisse Group (NYSE: CS), Prudential Financial Inc. (NYSE: PRU), and Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette.

In her current role, Smith has played a major part in a wide spectrum of deals. Among them, she helped raise $90 million in structured equity acquisition financing for DMI and another $1.25 billion in financing for a partnership between GreatPoint Energy and China Wanxiang.

Smith exercises her leadership outside of work as well, and has previously served as a board member for the non-profit New York Police & Fire Widow’s & Children’s Benefit Fund.