In Network
Emília Mamajova, MBA ’11 (EXP-16), highlights members of her Booth network who have had a strong impact on her.
- By
- April 09, 2025
- Community
Emilia Mamajova, MBA ’11 (EXP-16), lives in Prague and is a founding partner of private-equity firm ESPIRA Investments—the only fund to focus on female entrepreneurs in the region since 2017. The native of Slovakia has been investing growth capital in small and medium-sized companies in Central Europe for 20 years. She recently started a new fund, EVERITA Capital.
We asked Mamajova to tell us about her Booth network. She chose four colleagues to spotlight as having a strong impact in her personal and professional life:
Her boss at Prague-based Benson Oak Ventures, Gabriel Eichler, who earned a masters degree in international relations at the university before returning to Europe to start the investment firm where they met.
Richard Seewald, the founder and managing partner at Evolution Equity Partners, whom Mamajova considers a trusted advisor.
Kathleen Fitzgerald, who is currently clinical associate professor of strategic management at the school, where she maintains a connection with EMBA students, including Mamajova.
Mamajova’s friend and fellow classmate, Eva Prokopova, who runs a property management business in Prague.
Gabriel Eichler, AM ’74
When and how did you meet?
“Gabriel and I met in 2007. I had been working in private equity in Slovakia when I decided to make the move to Prague. After exploring the investment landscape there, I chose Benson Oak because of its great reputation and international angle. Its investee—AVG, an antivirus software company—is notable for being the first Central European company listed on the New York Stock Exchange with a $1 billion valuation on IPO. Gabriel is Slovak, but he studied and worked in the United States and Western Europe before bringing his extensive finance experience to the Czech Republic.”
What’s the value of your bond?
“I was able to pursue my Booth MBA while working at Benson Oak thanks to Gabriel. I got the flexibility and time to travel regularly to London to complete the program. We’ve stayed in touch since then, and when I went on my own and launched the ESPIRA Fund, he backed me and became an investor.”
Richard Seewald, MBA ’05 (EXP-10)
When and how did you meet?
“Richard and I also met in 2007, through my husband. I was in Prague at the time, where Richard was based for many years. I was thinking of doing an MBA, and he described his experience in Booth’s Executive MBA Program. He also wrote a letter of recommendation for me. He’s now based in New York and is a founder of Evolution Equity Partners, a leading global cybersecurity-focused growth-equity firm.
What’s the value of your bond?
“Richard is an incredibly creative and resourceful person, and I always enjoy brainstorming with him. When I launched the ESPIRA Fund, he was the first person I pitched to, and he became my first investor and an advisor to the fund. In fact, most members of Evolution’s founding team were connected with AVG in Prague. They met because his employment with Benson Oak coincided with that original investment.”
“Kathleen is the glue between the school and the students. She connects with each new group and links alumni across cohorts.”
— Emília Mamajova
Kathleen Fitzgerald, MBA ’03
When and how did you meet?
“I met Kathleen in 2009 while I was studying at the London campus. In addition to teaching, she provided academic support for the Executive MBA students across all campuses and joined us at social events. She was the heart and soul of the whole campus for me—and I know for many others as well.”
What’s the value of your bond?
“To me, she’s the glue between the school and the students. She connects with each new group and links alumni across cohorts. Kathleen went beyond her role to ensure everyone made the most of their experience. I really appreciated her positive energy, and we remain in touch as friends to this day. She’s also been a valuable resource for networking and getting updates on alumni activities and offerings.”
Eva Prokopova, MBA ’11 (EXP-16)
When and how did you meet?
“We were business contacts in Prague when Eva was working on PE deals with White & Case as a tax structuring advisor. I had a business lunch with her one day and told her I was about to start an MBA program at Chicago Booth. She got very interested and decided to apply as well.”
What’s the value of your bond?
“We began the Europe program together and bonded during our trips to London classes and during international sessions in Singapore and Chicago. Eva had a baby during the program—it was remarkable how she balanced it all, including later changing her career and completing yet another university degree. We’re still in touch: We saw each other in November at a Booth alumni dinner in Prague.”