MBA - Culture and Community - Clubs and Organizations - Private Equity

Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization, which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.

This organization does not restrict its membership, programs, or activities on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, military status (which includes active-duty members, reserve service members and dependents), national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and family or genetic information absent an approved petition restrict.

The Darden Private Equity Club hosts and participates in a variety of events and activities throughout the year, such as workshops, speaker series, job treks, case competition, and much more.

• Darden Private Equity Speaker Series
• Case Competitions:
  • Cornell Case Competition for Family Ownership
  • Wash U Olin Impact Investing Challenge
  • Wharton MBA Buyout Case Competition

Check out the Mayo Center calendar for event details and more information on Darden's Private Equity Initiative.

2025- 2026 Leadership

Connect with the leadership team: DardenPrivateEquityN@darden.virginia.edu

Sam Cancienne, President
Darden Summer Internship: Carr’s Hill Partners

Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana 
Prior City: Houston, Texas
Professional Background: Commercial & Investment Banking

Favorite Book: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Ask Me About… Private Equity Deal Team recruiting, anything DPEC

Ben Wheeler, Executive Vice President
Darden Summer Internship: Iron Path Capital

Hometown: Longmeadow, MA
Prior City: San Francisco, CA
Professional Background: Commercial Banking & Venture Debt

Favorite Book: The Martian by Andy Weir
Ask Me About… PE Ops Recruiting, Mtn Biking in C’Ville 

Nick Garrett, VP of Careers
Darden Summer Internship: Cuadra Capital

Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
Prior City: Charlotte, North Carolina
Professional Background: Private Equity Real Estate

Favorite Book: Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis
Ask Me About… PE Recruiting, the Georgia Bulldogs

Santiago Marvan, VP of International
Darden Summer Internship: Venture Capital

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico
Prior City: Mexico City, Mexico
Professional Background: Family Offices, Business Development & Asset Management

Favorite Book: Zero to One by Peter Thiel
Ask Me About… VC/PE Investing; Entrepreneurship.

Ernesto Selman, VP of Finance
Darden Summer Internship: Brightside Valley Family Office

Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 
Prior City: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 
Professional Background: Private Equity

Favorite Book: Barbarians at the Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco by Bryan Burrough & John Helyar
Ask Me About…Private Equity Deal Team Recruiting, the Dominican Republic

Martha House, VP of Events
Darden Summer Internship: Wacona Capital

Hometown: Houston, TX​​​​​​​
Prior City: Dallas, TX​​​​​​​
Professional Background: Energy Investment Banking and Private Equity

Favorite Book: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver 
Ask Me About… Private Equity Deal Team Recruiting, Flyfishing

Ryder Sadler, VP of Communications 
Darden Summer Internship: Operating Partner w/ H.I.G. Capital

Hometown: Richmond, Virginia ​​​​​​​
Prior City: Durham, NC​​​​​​​
Professional Background: Process Engineer

Favorite Book: Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Ask Me About… Private Equity Operating Partners, Cville Restaurants, Shenandoah National Park