Stonegate Capital hired Heather LaFreniere as a managing director in its Chicago office. She will be focused on growing Stonegate’s strategy into the Emerging Brands and Technology markets.

“We are ecstatic to have Heather join our team. She perfectly embodies the culture and drive we are employing at Stonegate, and her longstanding career in creative debt originations, most recently in the technology market, will be an immediate contributor to the growth we continue to experience in our business,” said Darren Latimer, CEO.

Before joining Stonegate, LaFreniere spent her career in asset-based finance at Wells Fargo, Castle Pines Capital, Gibraltar Business Capital and, most recently, in the Technology Banking Group of Silicon Valley Bank.

“I am extremely happy to join the Stonegate team,” LaFreniere said. “There is significant opportunity in the better-for-you food and beverage space today given the shift in consumer eating habits. The software industry remains vibrant as well. Stonegate’s credit platform is well-suited to serve high growth companies in both sectors, and I’m very excited to deliver it.”