Venita Fields
Treasurer
National Association of Investment Companies

Venita Fields is a senior portfolio manager and partner of private equity and mezzanine investments for Smith Whiley & Company where she manages the firm’s Illinois office
and generates investment opportunities in the Midwest. Venita is a senior member of Smith Whiley’s Investment Committee and has overseen the investment and commitment of 28 mezzanine and private equity transactions that the advisor has directed and managed in its three private equity funds: SW Pelham Fund LP, SW Pelham Fund II LP, and SW Pelham Fund III LP.

Prior to joining Smith Whiley, Venita spent 19 years in the commercial finance departments of various financial institutions, including 10 years at Bank of America. During her tenure at Bank of America, she achieved the rank of senior vice president, leading a team of originators of highly leveraged transactions in the Midwest and Canadian markets. Before joining Bank of America, she managed an investment origination team at Citicorp North America. Venita began her career at Continental Illinois National Bank in Chicago. During her career, she has structured, closed and/or managed approximately $2 billion in investments in the automotive, aviation, environmental, food, industrial manufacturing, retail and service sectors.

Venita has a bachelor of arts degree from Northwestern University and a master of management degree from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.