Piper Sandler Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Piper Sandler has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, global equities, private capital, investment banking, marketing, human capital, information technology, and corporate operations.

Focused on delivering superior financial advisory and capital market solutions, Piper Sandler maintains a commitment to excellence for institutional clients and corporations across diverse global sectors.

Leadership Roles at Piper Sandler

  • Chief Executive Officer - Chad Abraham
  • Chief Financial Officer - Sandra Sponem
  • Chief Operating Officer of Global Equities - James Fehrenbach
  • Managing Director. Chief Operating Officer, Private Capital Advisory Group. Aviditi Advisors - Scarlet Montilla
  • Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking - Chad Burton
  • President - Deb Schoneman
  • Managing Director & Chief Marketing Officer - Ellen Frys
  • Chief Human Capital Officer - Christine Esckilsen
  • Chief Information & Operations Officer - Shawn Quant
  • Chad Abraham - Chief Executive Officer

    Chad Abraham, the Chief Executive Officer at Piper Sandler, directs the overarching strategic vision and long-term growth trajectory of the firm. Overseeing the integration of investment banking and institutional securities services, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment across all business units to maximize value for shareholders and clients. This leadership role involves navigating complex market environments while expanding the firm's footprint in both domestic and international capital markets. By fostering a culture of innovation and client-centric advisory, Chad Abraham drives the execution of mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising initiatives that define the company's market position. The Chief Executive Officer maintains rigorous standards for operational excellence, ensuring that the firm remains a trusted partner for corporations, private equity groups, and public entities seeking sophisticated financial solutions in an evolving global economy.
    Chad Abraham

    Sandra Sponem - Chief Financial Officer

    Sandra Sponem, the Chief Financial Officer at Piper Sandler, manages the financial health and fiscal integrity of the organization. Overseeing capital allocation, financial reporting, and treasury functions, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the firm maintains a robust balance sheet to support diverse investment banking activities. This role involves coordinating with the Board and executive leadership to optimize resource distribution across equity and fixed income divisions. By implementing disciplined financial controls and risk management frameworks, Sandra Sponem supports the firm's ability to underwrite municipal issuances and manage alternative asset funds effectively. The Chief Financial Officer monitors market trends to provide actionable insights that guide strategic decision-making, ultimately securing the financial stability required to serve institutional investors and non-profit entities across the United States and international markets.
    Sandra Sponem

    James Fehrenbach - Chief Operating Officer of Global Equities

    James Fehrenbach, the Chief Operating Officer of Global Equities at Piper Sandler, architects the operational infrastructure supporting the firm's equity sales, trading, and research platforms. Overseeing the execution of complex trade workflows, the Chief Operating Officer of Global Equities ensures seamless connectivity for institutional investors navigating volatile market conditions. This role involves streamlining the delivery of research products and enhancing the efficiency of equity execution services across global trading desks. By integrating advanced technology with market expertise, James Fehrenbach drives the scalability of the firm's equity business, ensuring consistent performance for corporate and institutional clients. The Chief Operating Officer of Global Equities coordinates with other C-suite leaders to align trading capabilities with the firm's broader investment banking objectives, maintaining a competitive edge in the highly regulated and fast-paced financial services landscape.
    James Fehrenbach

    Scarlet Montilla - Managing Director. Chief Operating Officer, Private Capital Advisory Group. Aviditi Advisors

    Scarlet Montilla, the Managing Director. Chief Operating Officer, Private Capital Advisory Group. Aviditi Advisors at Piper Sandler, directs the operational framework for the firm's private capital advisory initiatives. Overseeing the execution of private equity placements and advisory mandates, the Managing Director. Chief Operating Officer, Private Capital Advisory Group. Aviditi Advisors ensures that the firm delivers high-impact solutions to private equity groups and institutional investors. This role involves managing the complex logistics of capital raising and secondary market transactions, ensuring compliance and efficiency throughout the deal lifecycle. By optimizing internal processes and cross-functional collaboration, Scarlet Montilla supports the firm's expansion into alternative asset management and merchant banking. The Managing Director. Chief Operating Officer, Private Capital Advisory Group. Aviditi Advisors drives operational excellence, enabling the firm to provide specialized advisory services that meet the unique needs of the private capital sector.

    Chad Burton - Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking

    Chad Burton, the Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking at Piper Sandler, manages the operational efficiency and strategic execution of the firm's investment banking division. Overseeing the administrative and procedural workflows for mergers, acquisitions, and debt financings, the Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking ensures that deal teams operate with maximum agility. This role involves coordinating resource allocation across various industry sectors, including healthcare, education, and transportation, to support complex advisory mandates. By refining internal systems and project management protocols, Chad Burton drives the successful delivery of capital market solutions for corporations and public entities. The Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking collaborates with senior leadership to align operational capacity with market demand, ensuring the firm maintains its reputation for high-quality advisory services while scaling its investment banking operations across the United States.
    Chad Burton

    Deb Schoneman - President

    Deb Schoneman, the President at Piper Sandler, manages the day-to-day business operations and strategic execution across the firm's diverse service portfolio. Overseeing the coordination between investment banking, institutional sales, and asset management, the President ensures that all divisions operate in harmony to deliver comprehensive financial solutions. This role involves driving growth initiatives and overseeing the firm's expansion into new markets and sectors, including healthcare and hospitality. By maintaining a focus on operational excellence and client satisfaction, Deb Schoneman supports the firm's ability to provide high-quality advisory and capital raising services to a broad range of entities. The President collaborates closely with the Chief Executive Officer to implement long-term strategies, ensuring that the firm remains a leader in the investment banking and institutional securities industry.
    Deb Schoneman

    Ellen Frys - Managing Director & Chief Marketing Officer

    Ellen Frys, the Managing Director & Chief Marketing Officer at Piper Sandler, directs the firm's brand strategy and market positioning. Overseeing the development of integrated marketing campaigns and client communications, the Managing Director & Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the firm's value proposition resonates with institutional investors, corporations, and non-profit entities. This role involves managing the firm's public image and digital presence to support business development across all service lines, from public finance to alternative asset management. By leveraging data-driven insights, Ellen Frys drives engagement strategies that highlight the firm's expertise in equity and fixed income markets. The Managing Director & Chief Marketing Officer collaborates with executive leadership to ensure brand consistency and strategic alignment, ultimately strengthening the firm's market presence and supporting long-term growth objectives in the competitive financial services industry.

    Christine Esckilsen - Chief Human Capital Officer

    Christine Esckilsen, the Chief Human Capital Officer at Piper Sandler, manages the firm's talent acquisition, development, and organizational culture. Overseeing human resources strategy, the Chief Human Capital Officer ensures the firm attracts and retains top-tier professionals capable of delivering sophisticated financial advisory services. This role involves designing performance management systems and professional development programs that align with the firm's commitment to excellence in investment banking and institutional securities. By fostering an inclusive and high-performance work environment, Christine Esckilsen drives the organizational health necessary to support the firm's diverse business units. The Chief Human Capital Officer collaborates with the executive team to ensure that human capital initiatives directly support the firm's strategic goals, enabling the organization to maintain its competitive advantage in the global financial services market.
    Christine Esckilsen

    Shawn Quant - Chief Information & Operations Officer

    Shawn Quant, the Chief Information & Operations Officer at Piper Sandler, directs the firm's technology infrastructure and operational systems. Overseeing the digital transformation of trading platforms and data security protocols, the Chief Information & Operations Officer ensures that the firm maintains a robust and resilient technological foundation. This role involves managing the integration of advanced software solutions to support equity and fixed income trade execution, as well as public finance advisory services. By optimizing operational workflows and cybersecurity measures, Shawn Quant drives the efficiency and reliability of the firm's service delivery to institutional and corporate clients. The Chief Information & Operations Officer collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align technology investments with the firm's strategic priorities, ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of innovation in the financial services sector.
    Shawn Quant

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Piper Sandler Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Piper Sandler?
    Piper Sandler is led by Chad Abraham (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Sandra Sponem (Chief Financial Officer) and James Fehrenbach (Chief Operating Officer of Global Equities).
    Who is part of Piper Sandler’s executive team?
    The executive team of Piper Sandler includes leaders such as Chad Abraham (Chief Executive Officer), Sandra Sponem (Chief Financial Officer), James Fehrenbach (Chief Operating Officer of Global Equities) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Piper Sandler have?
    Piper Sandler has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Piper Sandler’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Piper Sandler includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer of Global Equities, Managing Director. Chief Operating Officer, Private Capital Advisory Group. Aviditi Advisors, Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking.