Our valued member
Core Expertise:
- M&A and deal negotiation
- Equity syndication & capital raises
- Operational turnarounds
- Community-focused investing
- Strategic exits and vertical integration
Kristal Mtaza-Lyons:
Founder & Managing Partner
Kristal Mtaza-Lyons is a dynamic private equity strategist, seasoned investor, and founder of Ironcrest Equity, a minority-led private equity firm focused on control investments in underserved markets. A former licensed stockbroker with Scottrade, Kristal brings over 15 years of cross-sector experience in financial services, social impact, and strategic business growth.
She is a graduate of Columbia Business School’s Mergers & Acquisitions program, where she deepened her expertise in deal structuring, vertical integration, and capital markets. Kristal has led transformative projects across workforce development, real estate acquisition, and non-profit funding, generating over $50M in value across mission-aligned portfolios. Her unique approach merges financial acumen with cultural intelligence, creating sustainable scale for founder-led and family-owned businesses.
Core Expertise:
- M&A and deal negotiation
- Equity syndication & capital raises
- Operational turnarounds
- Community-focused investing
- Strategic exits and vertical integration
Vision:
To shift the private equity narrative by placing ownership, access, and generational wealth at the center of the investment strategy.