UpField Group’s veteran team has the expertise, knowledge, resourcefulness, focus and judgement that leaders, lenders and investors need and expect in today’s environment.
About UpField Group
UpField Group, founded in 2014 is a national Strategy and Transaction Advisory Services consulting firm that also manages a portfolio of companies the owners have privately invested in. UpField Group’s mission is to above all else, add value and help our clients and businesses grow by providing strategy and finance advisory services. We represent big industry and blue-chip experience, while demonstrating family business values and culture.
Based in the Midwest with offices in Chicago, Peoria and Columbus, as well as a network of satellite offices around the country to best serve our clients, UpField has built a strong reputation in the marketplace with a growing network of lenders, private equity firms and corporate relationships.
Managing Partners
Chad Ward
Co-Founder
Chad Ward is Co-Founder and Partner of UpField Group, a strategy and financial consulting firm. Prior to UpField, Mr. Ward was CFO for multiple private equity backed companies including Welch ATM where he was recruited by the private equity owner and management team to play a senior role in various strategic initiatives including preparation of the company for sale. Welch ATM was successfully acquired by Cardtronics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CATM) in October 2014 for $160 Million.
Prior to Welch ATM, Mr. Ward was CFO & Managing Director at RedRidgeFinance Group, a middle market debt fund and advisory firm.At RedRidgeMr. Ward acted as CFO for the direct investment platform as well as ran all aspects of the due diligence group including:collateral field exams and buy side financial due diligence engagements for 50+ banks, non banklenders and private equity clients. Mr. Ward started his career in the Assurance Services group of Ernst & Young LLP (EY).
Mark Inkrott
Co-Founder
Mark Inkrott is Co-Founder and Partner of UpField Group, a strategy and financial consulting firm with offices in Chicago, Peoria and Columbus. Prior to UpField, Inkrott was most recently the Vice President of Marketing & Business Development for Dairy Management Inc., where he served in a variety of roles, including Director of Strategic Initiatives and Marketing Manager. Inkrott has worked in the ag sector for the previous 15 years, and has a proven track record of successfully commercializing new products and creating strategic marketing and communications strategies for blue-chip food and ag companies.
Prior to DMI, Inkrott was a professional athlete in the NFL where he played Tight End for the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers. He earned degrees in English and Psychology from the University of Findlay, and MBA with honors from Ohio Dominican University. He holds additional certificates in Social Media, and Non-Profit Business Management from the University of Notre Dame.
Brian Rush
Partner
Brian Rush has 15 years of transactional accounting and auditing experience. His commercial finance experience includes due diligence on a variety of lending products such as asset based loans and securitizations, as well as QOE work related to strategic acquisitions. His experience across a swath of industries including healthcare, automotice, energy, retail and packaged goods provides him with a broad insight into deal economics.
Brian was a Senior Consultant in the lender services group at FTI Consulting where he led engagement teams in the organization and due diligence of asset based loans and securitizations. Prior to FTI, he spent over four years with PwC in their Assurance and Business Advisory Services practice. While at PwC, he worked on some of the company’s largest and most important audits including a multi-year restatement at Freddie Mac, as well as the bankruptcy and subsequent sale of Adelphia Communications. Mr. Rush holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame. He is a licensed CPA in Illinois.
Lender Due Diligence Team
Joseph Walsh
Associate Vice President
Joe Walsh is a financial professional and software architect with 10 years of experience in financial diligence, corporate operations, and software development across a broad range of sectors. Prior to joining UpField, Joe was a Sr. Account Executive at Innocean USA working on financial planning & analysis, and then founded Dilbot Systems, a software services company, in 2021. Joe began his financial services career at RedRidge Finance Group, a financial diligence and advisory firm, working on collateral field exams, and M&A due diligence. Joe holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from The George Washington University.
Haran Dunderdale
Associate Vice President
Haran Dunderdale is a Associate Vice President at UpField, with both asset-based lending and transaction advisory experience. Prior to joining UpField, Haran began his career at Corporate Imaging Concepts as a staff accountant, working closely with the CFO and Controller to help facilitate a more in-depth analysis of the company’s financials during the Covid-19 outbreak. Haran holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and an MBA from Bradley University.
Jodie Meardy
Jodie brings a wealth of financial acumen and industry experience to UpField and the companies in the Capital Portfolio. Jodie serves in a variety of roles from Controller to overseeing client and asset management as well as AR and AP.
Matthew Rush
SBA Underwriter
Matthew Rush is an experienced SBA loan underwriter at UpField, bringing over 15 years of expertise in business and accounting. Throughout his career, he has developed a deep understanding of business tax compliance, financial statement preparation and review, and financial analysis. His comprehensive knowledge of both tax and accounting allows him to assess financial risk, evaluate borrower eligibility, and ensure the integrity of lending decisions with precision and diligence. Prior to UpField, Matthew worked extensively with small businesses across a diverse range of industries, providing financial guidance and ensuring compliance with complex tax and regulatory requirements and accurate financial statement preparation. His ability to interpret financial data, identify key risk factors, and communicate insights effectively has made him a trusted resource for both business owners and financial institutions. His analytical mindset and attention to detail enable him to navigate the intricacies of financial reporting, helping businesses make informed decisions that align with their strategic goals. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Ohio Dominican University.
Nelly Kinyanjui
Associate
Nelly Kinyanjui is an Associate at UpField, where she focuses on lender due diligence. Nelly brings valuable experience across multiple industries, including manufacturing, distribution, staffing, agriculture, technology, and retail. Throughout her career in asset-based lending, Nelly has played a crucial role in facilitating comprehensive analyses of company financials, enhancing the understanding of financial health and risk. Nelly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Georgia State University.
Matt Schaeffer
Associate
Matt Schaeffer is an Associate at UpField. Prior to joining UpField, Matt began his career at Deloitte in their Global Employer Services group, followed by roles at Mariner on their wealth management team and Cost Reduction Services, where he gained foundational experience in the due diligence process. Matt holds a Bachelor of Accounting and a Master of Taxation from the University of New Haven.
Nik Alvarado
Senior Associate
Nik Alvarado is a Senior Associate at UpField, where he brings over 5 years of financial consulting across a range of industries. Prior to joining UpField, Nik held progressive roles at national and regional firms, where he gained experience in tax strategy, wealth advisory, and transaction structuring. His work has included advising on mergers and acquisitions, high-net-worth estate planning, and business succession strategies. In a prior role, he played a key part in expanding client relationships and launching a new consulting initiative focused on ownership transitions. Nik holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with a minor in Marketing from the University of Illinois – Springfield and pursued graduate studies in Finance & Management while competing as a Division I baseball player at Purdue University.
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