News
Denise Persau Tait
June 7, 2023
Denise Persau Tait is the Co-President of Starwood Infrastructure Finance (“SIF”). In this role, Denise leads the origination, underwriting and portfolio management of the businesses investing in the thermal power, renewable energy, and oil and gas infrastructure projects, in the U.S. and globally.
Prior to joining SIF in 2018, Denise was the Global Head Project Finance Debt Business at GE Energy Financial Services. In this role, Denise led the origination, underwriting and portfolio management of $3bn of debt investments across the energy industry in the U.S. and globally.
Denise is a member of the National Charity League, Inc. – Westport Chapter, and a Board Member of Earthplace – Westport.
Denise spent 24-years at GE and began her career with GE Capital in the Commercial Equipment Finance group holding various positions in Portfolio, Risk and Origination. Denise joined GE Energy Financial services in 2004 as an investment originator and held roles of increasing responsibility before being named to Global Head Project Finance Debt Business in 2015. During her tenure, Denise played an instrumental role in the growth of the businesses debt book, originating $4bn of new investments over the course of ten years as an individual contributor and increasing the size of the book by $2.7bn in hold volume under her leadership since 2015. A key focus of the group was the expansion into quasi-merchant transactions, where the team was the leader in arranging and structuring the initial transactions for large, new build power projects in the U.S.
Denise also led GE Energy Financial Services’ charitable contributions program which donated approximately $300,000 annually. Additionally, she led the businesses Associate / AVP / Analyst career program which focused on growing and retaining energy finance professionals with undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Denise graduated from American University’s Kogod School of Business, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.