Off-duty: Vistria’s Adnan Nisar on Daft Punk, Bora Bora and molecular gastronomy

Buyouts’ Off-duty provides a snapshot of top investors, including a few details about what they do when not chasing deals.

When Adnan Nisar, a senior partner at The Vistria Group, began his career in private equity, he made a startling discovery. Investing in the assisted-living sector, he found “you can invest in these businesses and make a difference – and also make a great return.”

“I knew then I wanted to be an impact investor,” Nisar told Buyouts.

His ambition was soon realized. After working for M3 Capital Partners and Mubadala Development Company, Nisar in 2013 joined Kip Kirkpatrick and Marty Nesbitt in launching Vistria, a private equity firm with a social impact lens.

Doing deals at Vistria, Nisar developed an especially strong passion for education investing, becoming co-head of knowledge and learning solutions in 2018. “I fell in love with it,” he said. “I have always felt education is the great equalizer.”

Among Nisar’s favorite investments is Academic Partnerships, an online adult learning solutions provider that benefits not just students, but colleges and universities and the labor market as well. It is representative of “what we’re trying to do here,” he said.

Nisar lives in Chicago with his wife and two daughters.

Where is your hometown?                  

Barrington, Illinois.

If you weren’t in PE, what job would you like to have?

Ideally, I’d be an educator helping young adults navigate life and career at an early stage of their journey.

How do you relax when you’re not working?

I focus on good food, good friends and family.

What book are you reading right now?

While I haven’t had time recently to dive into a book, I make it a habit to read The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post every day to keep up to date on the latest world events.

What is your favorite song, album, performer or music genre?

I’m big into electronic dance music, as I listened to Daft Punk and Paul Oakenfold in high school. Today, I love exploring all sorts of EDM, just not dubstep.

What is your favorite meal, recipe, cocktail or bottle of wine?

Food is a big part of my social life and bonding time with my wife. A perfect meal is otoro nigiri at an Omakase or a tasting menu at a great molecular gastronomy restaurant.

What is your favorite place for a vacation, sanctuary or to explore? 

I can never say no to a great beach! I’ve really enjoyed Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Wailea in Maui and our honeymoon spot in Bora Bora.

Who in your career do you regard as a mentor?

I’m very fortunate to work for my mentor, Vistria Group’s co-CEO Marty Nesbitt.

Professionally, what was your toughest moment?

Being laid off during the Great Recession while I was heading into business school at Chicago Booth. It was very difficult personally but has been very positive for me in the long run.

What was your most rewarding moment?

I know it may seem trivial or trite, but becoming a partner at Vistria was a very meaningful milestone for me. It represented the reality that someone with my ethnic, cultural and familial background had achieved a level of stability and recognition in an industry that is not known for its diversity and inclusion.

What PE buzz words or jargon do you hate most?

I’m very sensitive to the use of idioms and metaphors that either don’t make sense to everyone or are particularly patriarchal.

What advice would you give a young person interested in a PE career?

It’s hard for anyone to believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself. Have confidence, stay humble and work hard to achieve your goals.

What word or phrase best describes you?

I’d like to think my peers view me as trustworthy, authentic and kind.