Andreas Vigil – University of Rochester

🎓 School Case Study: Navigating Ambiguity with Executive Intelligence

Andreas Vigil – Blackmore Partners Intern
University of Rochester | B.S. Business: Finance + B.A. Accounting

1. Executive Summary

This summer, I joined Blackmore Partners as a Private Equity Business Development Intern. Compared to my structured coursework in Finance and Accounting at the University of Rochester, the Blackmore internship placed me in a fast-moving, ambiguity-rich environment where I was expected to operate with autonomy, think like a dealmaker, and engage directly with executives and capital providers. My responsibilities spanned from building strategic outreach campaigns to participating in live private equity meetings. I learned how to translate messy transcripts into executive-ready insights, use AI-powered tools like SignalMate to model strategic behavior, and reflect recursively to improve both internal systems and my own learning trajectory. I moved from a checklist mindset to one that focuses on signal analysis, strategic alignment, and behavioral modeling.

2. Context & Challenge

I entered Blackmore during a critical inflection point. A new outreach initiative for the August 20th PE Deal Flow Conference was underway, and I was tasked with leading the second wave of outreach to independent sponsors and C-level executives. The challenge was not just building a list, but using transcripts from the McGuireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference and advanced AI tools to craft high-conversion messaging that aligned with executive needs. I had to learn how to use tools like Power Automate, structure outreach cadences, and think systemically about how signals like prior attendance, deal history, or executive language affect PE engagement.

3. What I Did

✅ Executive Outreach & Conference Enablement

• Led the development of five new outreach templates targeting capital providers and executives for the August and October conferences.
• Integrated insights from 140+ McGuireWoods transcripts to inform messaging themes and decision triggers.
• Used SignalMate to analyze behavioral patterns from transcript data (e.g., hesitation, curiosity, alignment) and tailor outreach.
• Coordinated with senior staff (Gerald, Chris) to review, revise, and prepare final template deployment using Power Automate.

✅ Executive Presentations & Deal Flow Exposure

• Conducted multiple Executive Lite presentations, learning how to pitch Blackmore’s model to CEO-level prospects.
• Adapted real-time feedback into improvements for the script and value proposition framing.
• Shadowed post-conference meetings to learn how executives interpret platform value and align deal theses with PE strategies.

✅ System-Building & Recursive Practice

• Participated in the development of a new Blackmore Visibility Reset system, helping tag uploads and structure intern file naming.
• Created first-pass reflections after every meeting, including Alain Messi’s onboarding and internal PEBD debriefs.
• Modeled SignalMate use by integrating AI into every project — from outreach scripting to self-reflection uploads.

4. Tools & Thinking Models Used

• SignalMate AI: Used for first-pass uploads, email template refinement, and transcript reflection
• Power Automate: Built outreach sequences for high-volume, signal-based email deployment
• PitchBook + McGuireWoods Archives: Sourced company signals and capital provider insights to drive targeting
• SharePoint / OneDrive: Managed all uploads using internal naming protocols and visibility alignment
• Model 2 Communication: Used reflective questioning and second-order thinking during ambiguity in project definitions
• Canvas Protocols: Followed recursive learning steps for reflection, synthesis, and system contribution

5. Results & Deliverables

• Built and refined 5 outreach templates that passed executive review and were queued for Power Automate deployment
• Reviewed and modeled insights from 140+ transcripts for behavioral signal tracking
• Conducted or supported 6+ executive presentations to pitch the Blackmore platform
• Created system-aligned case studies and reflections for use in internal training and external storytelling
• Demonstrated recursive use of SignalMate across outreach, executive reflection, and professional development