Mary Ellen Hennessy-Jones
COO

Mary Ellen Hennessy-Jones

Ms. Hennessy-Jones most recently was President and a co-founder of Solera Capital, a New York-based, women-owned private equity firm that makes majority investments in emerging growth companies across a number of consumer sectors, including, among others, natural/organic food, Hispanic media, green building materials, and women’s sports. Ms. Hennessy-Jones was a member of Solera’s Investment Committee, served as the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer, and served on the board of several portfolio companies. She was involved in all aspects of the investment process as well as administration of the firm. Prior to joining Solera, Ms. Hennessy-Jones had a 20-year career in private finance, investment banking and corporate finance, at firms including J.P. Morgan, Salomon Smith Barney, Nations Bank, Allied Capital Corporation and Exxon Corporation. Her extensive career includes investment and analysis across numerous industries, with a strong ability to assess value and risk across many types of transactions. Ms. Hennessy-Jones’ experience at J.P.Morgan included the position of Head of the Basic Industries Group in M&A/Advisory, where she focused in particular on paper/packaging/chemicals companies. She advised companies on business strategy, financing, acquisitions and divestitures (domestic and international). Ms. Hennessy-Jones graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Durant Scholar from Wellesley College with a B.A in Mathematics and Economics. She also holds an MBA, with a concentration in Finance, from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she was elected to Beta Gamma Sigma.