About Us
Each of us shares a passion for investing and a set of values that are reflected in every aspect of the way we run our firm. We have spent our careers living in the trenches and investing as principals.
The partners have known each other for over two decades and have more than sixty years of combined experience making public and private equity investments.
Chris’ view of the Clash Col, Sentinel Range, Antarctica
Christopher Heintz
Managing Partner
LinkedInExperience
Chris Heintz is a co-founder and Managing Partner of Perennial. Prior to founding Perennial, he was the founder and Chief Investment Officer of Perennial Investors, a long-biased equity hedge fund that he built to approximately $400 million of assets under management across three value-oriented strategies over nine years. Prior to that, Chris was the founder of MassMedium, an online-based direct marketing company specializing in performance-based advertising and lead generation. MassMedium web properties were among the top 250 visited web sites in 2000 and 2001.
Chris began his career at Morgan Stanley as a generalist in the Mergers, Acquisitions and Restructuring department where he executed transactions for several Fortune 500 clients. Chris subsequently worked in the fixed income department of Goldman Sachs and as a research analyst with Atticus Capital, an event-driven hedge fund with over $1 billion under management. He also was a member of the investment team at Chilton Investment Partners, a growth-oriented investment firm with over $4 billion under management.
Chris received his MBA from Harvard Business School and holds a degree in International Relations from Brown University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude. Chris is a member of the Explorers Club; he has made first ascents of mountains in Antarctica and Greenland and has reached the summits of mountains on multiple continents. He lives in New York City with his wife and three children.
Education & milestones
- Harvard Business School
- Brown University (Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude)
- Morgan Stanley, Mergers & Acquisitions
- Goldman Sachs, Fixed Income
- Atticus Capital, Research Analyst
- Chilton Investment Partners, Research Analyst
- MassMedium, Inc., Founder
- Perennial Investors, Founder and CIO
Personal
- Member of the Explorers Club
- Made first ascents of mountains in Greenland and Antarctica and summited others all over the world
- Resides in New York City with his wife and three children
Why Scott chose Chris as his partner
“Chris is one of those rare individuals with a remarkable degree of intellectual capacity that is balanced by genuine humility and a deep appreciation for ‘keeping things simple.’ He has a gift for distilling complex ideas into understandable terms and a keen awareness for what he knows and what he doesn’t. In a world driven by constantly changing narratives, Chris’ ability to block out the noise and maintain a thoughtful, balanced perspective is refreshing. And his wry sense of humor, enthusiasm for learning and intellectual curiosity contribute to a fun culture that emphasizes teamwork and the pursuit of excellence. Most importantly, Chris is an exceptional partner with uncompromising values and a passion for people, investing and entrepreneurship. These are a few of the many reasons I feel extremely fortunate to call him my friend and have him as a partner and co-founder of Perennial.”
– Scott Strasser
Scott fishing for rainbow trout in the Lamoille River, Vermont
Scott Strasser
Managing Partner
Experience
Scott Strasser is a co-founder and Managing Partner of Perennial. Prior to founding Perennial, he was a Managing Director of GB Merchant Partners (GBMP), the principal investment affiliate of Gordon Brothers Group, where he helped manage a $320 million private equity fund focused on control and minority investments in middle market consumer companies. Prior to that, Scott focused on structured credit, private equity and special situations investment opportunities in the principal investment area of Gordon Brothers and GB Palladin Capital. Previously, Scott was an Associate at the Cypress Group, a private equity firm with over $3.5 billion under management, where he concentrated on investments in the healthcare, business services and specialty finance industries. Scott began his career as a financial analyst in the Investment Banking division of Bear Stearns, where he worked on mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and corporate finance transactions in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industries. Scott has been investing in public and private companies personally and professionally for over twenty-five years.
Scott received his MBA from Harvard Business School and holds a degree in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis. He has served as a board member of several privately-held companies in the U.S. and Canada, and co-chaired the Board of a Charter school in Brooklyn for over a decade. He lives in New York City with his wife and two daughters.
Education & milestones
- Harvard Business School
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Bear Stearns, Investment Banking
- The Cypress Group, Private Equity
- GB Merchant Partners (Gordon Brothers), Private Equity and Principal Investments
Personal
- Fly fishing in remote places, tennis and snowboarding
- Resides in New York City with his wife and two daughters
Why Chris chose Scott as his partner
“I have known Scott, personally and professionally, for over twenty years. In all that time, I have never met anyone as universally trusted and admired by his friends and colleagues, both personal and professional. No one I know is more thoughtful and careful in the way he makes decisions — exhaustively thorough and detail-oriented. His work ethic is herculean, especially when it comes to caring for and protecting those he cares about. Much of the time, he is selflessly doing this behind the scenes and rarely gets or takes credit for it. But it doesn’t matter to Scott; for him, it’s just the right thing to do.”
– Chris Heintz
Shyamli rafting with her family down the Salmon River in Idaho
Shyamli Milam
Partner
Experience
Shyamli Milam is a co-founder and Partner of Perennial, where she is responsible for overseeing all activities related to portfolio research and analysis. Prior to founding Perennial Advisors, Shyamli was the Director of Research at Perennial Investors, a long-biased equity hedge fund with over $400 million under management across three value-oriented strategies. Shyamli began her career in the Investment Banking division of Bear Stearns, where she worked on mergers and acquisitions in the technology, aerospace and defense sectors. Shyamli subsequently worked as an analyst at the Chatterjee Group, a private equity firm with over $1 billion under management, and as an analyst with Rudman Capital Management.
Shyamli holds a degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School), where she was a Joseph Wharton Scholar and graduated summa cum laude. She was also the valedictorian of her class at College du Leman in Geneva, Switzerland. Shyamli is a member of the KiDS of NYU Langone Board, Grace Church School, and Christodora. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children.
Education & milestones
- Wharton School (summa cum laude and Joseph Wharton Scholar)
- College du Leman, Switzerland (Valedictorian)
- Bear Stearns, Investment Banking
- Chatterjee Group, Private Equity Analyst
- Rudman Capital, Research Analyst
- Perennial Investors, Director of Equity Research
Personal
- Member, KiDS of NYU Langone Board
- Board Member, Christodora
- Board Member, Grace Church School
- Resides in New York City with her husband and three daughters
Why Chris chose Shyamli as his partner
“It’s simple: Shyamli is the best securities analyst I have ever known. I have worked closely with her for more than twenty years; during that time, I have witnessed first-hand her unequaled capabilities in research and portfolio management. Always up for new challenges, Shyamli possesses the rare and enviable ability to identify simple solutions to complex problems. I can think of no person on earth I would rather have leading our firm’s investment management effort. I am humbled to be able to call her my partner.”
– Chris Heintz
Max running the 2026 Miami Marathon
Maxwell Levi, CFP®
Vice President, Wealth & Investment Management
Experience
Maxwell Levi is a Vice President of Wealth and Investment Management at Perennial, where he helps lead comprehensive financial planning for the firm’s clients and contributes to the firm’s investment process. He works with families, professionals, and entrepreneurs to build and maintain the plans that guide their long-term financial decisions. Maxwell also contributes to the management of Perennial’s fixed income portfolio and the implementation of investment strategies across client portfolios.
Maxwell holds a degree in Finance from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. Outside of work he competes in marathons and is currently training for his first half Ironman.
Education & Milestones
- McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
Mala and her daughter at a concert
Mala Sanchez
Director of Client Service
Experience
Mala Sanchez is Director of Client Service at Perennial Advisors. With extensive experience in wealth and asset management, she brings a deep understanding of investment operations and a longstanding commitment to client service. Throughout her 40-year career, Mala has served as a primary liaison to clients and brokers, supported investment and trading activities, prepared client reporting and presentations, and worked closely with senior investment professionals. At Perennial, for over six years, she is dedicated to making every client interaction thoughtful, responsive, and personal.
Personal
- Sees tribute bands with her daughter
- Going to the beach and line dancing
Jacqueline hiking Bear Mountain in upstate New York
Jacqueline DiSanto
Associate, Wealth & Investment Management
Experience
Jacqueline DiSanto is an associate at Perennial, where she works on wealth and investment management. Jackie graduated from Wake Forest University School of Business with a major in Business and Enterprise Management, a concentration in financial advising, and a minor in psychology.
Jackie was an active member of Kappa Beta Gamma sorority, serving as gala chair and raising over $130,000 for the Special Olympics.
Education & Milestones
- Wake Forest University School of Business
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Perennial team offsite 2026
1350 Avenue of the Americas
Suite 1920
New York, New York 10019
212.652.3900
info@perennial.com
