Kline Hill Partners’ THE Secondary Day: Celebrating Fiver as Beneficiary & Benjamin’s Journey
We’re thrilled to announce that this year Fiver Children’s Foundation was selected as a charitable beneficiary of Kline Hill Partners’ THE Secondary Day—a premier, three-day (October 14-16th) industry event that united leaders from across the secondary private equity market to connect, collaborate, and give back. THE Secondary Day, hosted annually by Kline Hill Partners, brought together participants from leading buy-side institutions, sell-side advisors, and secondary fund managers.
This event was especially significant as Fiver participant and high school senior Benjamin had the opportunity to speak to the crowd about his journey with Fiver. During a Q&A session following his speech, Benjamin reflected on the experience and the message he shared the following insights below.
How did it feel to share your Fiver story with an audience of professionals? What did you take away from the experience—about yourself, your journey, or your confidence in public speaking?
It felt empowering to share my Fiver story with such a large and accomplished audience. I was definitely nervous at first, both because of the size of the crowd and the fact that all eyes were on me, but once I started speaking, that feeling turned into pride. Standing there, I realized just how far I’ve come over the past ten years. Fiver has been such a big part of my life, and this moment helped me see how much I’ve grown—not just as a public speaker, but as a person. It made me more confident in my ability to tell my story and represent something bigger than myself.
What message did you hope to leave with the audience, and how do you think your words reflected the values or impact of Fiver?
I wanted the audience to walk away feeling proud of the work they do and the difference their support makes. My goal was to remind them that their investment in Fiver truly changes lives. I think my story showed how Fiver builds confidence, leadership, and purpose over time. Even beyond my words, I think the way I carried myself on stage reflected what it means to be a Fiver—someone who shows up with confidence, gratitude, and the values we’re taught through the program.
What was it like to share your story in front of professionals who are pursuing the kinds of careers you hope to have one day?
It was both intimidating and exciting. Being surrounded by people who are already successful in fields I hope to enter one day was inspiring. At first, I felt a little out of place, but after my speech, several people came up to congratulate me and share how impressed they were. That meant a lot—it made me feel seen and gave me a glimpse of what my future could look like. It also motivated me to keep working hard so that one day, I can be in their position, encouraging someone like me.
What was your favorite part of the experience?
My favorite part was seeing the audience respond to my speech—especially when they laughed at my finance jokes. It broke the tension and made me feel like I really connected with them. That moment reminded me that even in a professional setting, authenticity and a little humor can go a long way.
“Your generosity doesn’t just create opportunities; it creates futures. Because of you, kids like me get to dream bigger, work harder, and step confidently into spaces we never imagined. And I can promise you this: the return on that investment is immeasurable—it means more than outpacing the S&P or buying the dip.”
Four Fiver board members—Christina Bohm, Darren Schluter, Richard Golaszewski, and Brian Laureano—are active leaders in the secondary space and passionate champions of Fiver’s mission. We’re excited to expand their impact by engaging a broader network within the industry. This incredible opportunity not only provides vital funding for our ten-year youth development model—it also helps amplify our mission, introduce Fiver to new supporters, and inspire the next generation of champions.
