Optimal Expanding as it Celebrates Anniversary of Launch

Approaching the anniversary of its launch, the advisory firm has added a technology and sports practice, a private capital advisory arm, and grown the Optimal Collective.

NEW YORK, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Optimal Advisory opened less than a year ago bringing together experienced thought leaders and proprietary process to create value for its clients through market-informed advisory capabilities. Less than a year later, the firm continues to expand its reach.

Optimal PCA launched, the private capital advisory arm, founded and led by experienced investment banker Blake Best. Optimal PCA advises its clients on placement and capital solutions.

Optimal also regularly convenes its clients with industry players. On October 29th, Optimal will host the next in its series, the Optimal Luxury, Sports & Fintech Summit in New York as these sectors increasingly overlap. 

Sanji Alwis joined as Partner to lead the firm's Technology practice, applying the firm's methods of proprietary analysis paired with decades of operator, management and leadership experience throughout the Tech sector.

"We built Optimal to deliver results for our clients, to give stakeholders an advantage where we can apply our process and learnings of our vast knowledge community. A year in, we're gratified to help so many new clients," said Co-Founder David Schick. "Many of the key themes in Technology are becoming the most important conversations in Consumer and the Sports Ecosystem as well," added Co-Founder Jonathan Feeney.

The Optimal Collective, the firm's affiliated knowledge community of outstanding operators and investors, has continued to grow:

Dan Binder - former Walmart SVP & Treasurer and Wall Street Consumer Analyst, 25+ years of leadership across capital strategy, liquidity management, FP&A, and investor relations

David Cohen - Former Portfolio Manager, Lead Global Consumer Analyst, and Managing Director at Morgan Stanley Investment Management with 25+ years experience

Ben Gore - COO and Board Member at Christie's; formerly a Consumer Portfolio Manager for long-short and long-only investment management institutions 

Barry Henderson – Former Portfolio Manager, Analyst & Partner with 25 years of investing experience at Soros Fund Management, T. Rowe Price, and Durable Capital Partners

Bob Hull - former CFO of Lowe's, Chairman and Co-CEO of Tailored Brands, Chairman of SPX Flow, board member of Mattress Firm, Bojangles, and Cedar Creek; current board member of Belk

Richard Jaffe - Adjunct Professor at SUNY FIT; former highly-regarded Retail Analyst; worked in merchandising and management at Macy's and Dress Barn

Dhani Jones - founder of Qey Capital, founder of BowTie Cause, Aspen Institute Fellow, Washington Nationals Philanthropies

Pete Marino - Former President of Bardstown Bourbon Co. and affiliated brands; former President of Emerging Growth at Molson Coors and has 30+ years of beverage experience domestically and internationally

Gina Martin Adams - Chief Market Strategist for HB Wealth, former Head of Portfolio Strategy and Chief Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence; former Wells Fargo Chief Strategist

Scott Monette - former CFO of Ralcorp, serves as a board member for Emprise Group, Spartan Light Metal Products, and the Commerce Funds

Wendy Nunnelley - former Danone Business Unit President & General Manager, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, decades of leadership roles at Diageo, Coca Cola & BCG

Mark Pogharian - Former head of Investor Relations and Corporate Development roles at Hershey, Simply Good Foods, Nabisco; former Senior Food Analyst at Deutsche Bank

David Strasser - CEO & board member at Jose Andres Group, Partner at Swan & Legend, former board member at Cava, Order Groove, and Urbanstems

Martin Zinny - Former Consumer Analyst and Portfolio Manager at Fidelity, Whale Rock Capital, Point72, Omega, Millenium; Investing and operational experience; SPAC CEO/CFO experience

[email protected]
https://luma.com/optimalevents
www.optimaladv.com
https://optimalpca.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimal-advisory-2025

About Optimal Advisory
Optimal Advisory serves the need for focused, differentiated, market-informed guidance. The firm pairs proprietary analysis with the judgment of its team, Board of Advisors, and Optimal Collective to advise leadership teams and investors on strategic and investment decisions. Optimal PCA provides private capital advisory services through Finalis Securities.

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SOURCE Optimal Advisory, LLC