Deal Us In

If you could look ahead and see the future, and that future doesn’t appeal to you, then you might want to pivot your strategy or your career aspirations. On this episode of Deal Us In, host Ann Dorsett, counsel at McGuireWoods, welcomes guest Meredith Carter, President and CEO of Edge Capital, a family office-backed specialty finance company outside of Philadelphia focused on providing asset-based loans to lower middle market companies.Tune in to hear how Meredith got started in asset-based lending and how she successfully transitioned from a career in corporate law to niche specialty finance. Meredith also shares strategies for helping women advance in their organizations and advice for women who aspire to have a leadership role. Connect and Learn More☑️ Meredith Carter | LinkedIn☑️ Edge Capital | LinkedIn ☑️ Ann Dorsett | LinkedIn  ☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThis podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

We see people succeed and wonder how they got there. But it’s just as important to look at what they didn’t do, as it is to look at what they did.On this episode of Deal Us In, host Xaviera Webb, an associate at McGuireWoods, is joined by guest Kristin Gunther, partner at Revolution Growth, a venture firm based in Washington, D.C. With over 15 years of experience in private equity, finance, and operations, Kristin shares her journey, her struggles, and her advice for women seeking to achieve success in the finance industry. Tune in to hear Xaviera and Kristin discuss juggling work and family commitments, the trade-offs of being a working mom, and ‘mom guilt’. They also talk about the character traits that have enabled Kristin to succeed in the high-intensity worlds of both private equity and venture capital, the strategies Kristin finds most effective in managing competing priorities, and the specific challenges unique to women in a competitive workplace. Connect and Learn More☑️ Kristin Gunther | LinkedIn☑️ Revolution Growth | Twitter/X | Instagram | LinkedIn☑️ Xaviera Webb | LinkedIn☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThis podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

Depending on where you work, financial institutions can have a churn-and-burn atmosphere. How does this affect work-life balance, particularly for aspiring female business leaders?  Although previous generations did a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of overcoming barriers to female leadership, there's always work to be done.On this episode of Deal Us In, host Phyllis Young, a partner at McGuireWoods, is joined by guest Hannah Jordana, Senior Vice President of Commercial and Industrial Lending at Cadence Bank, to discuss women in the finance industry.Tune in to hear Hannah’s journey and experience in private equity and finance and how she got involved in deal-making. Hannah and Phyllis also discuss some of the obstacles women face in business, how to address those challenges, and ways in which organizations can actively support and empower women to take on leadership roles in deal execution and decision making.Connect and Learn More☑️ Hannah Jordana | LinkedIn☑️ Cadence Bank | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X | YouTube☑️ Phyllis Young | LinkedIn    ☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThis podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

Most of us have experienced imposter syndrome. But when you’re the only woman of color in a predominantly white, male-dominated field, it can feel like you’re shooting above your weight.On this episode of Deal Us In, McGuireWoods associate Xaviera Webb talks to Alyssa Daniel, a private equity associate with PNC Mezzanine Capital, about Alyssa’s journey into private equity, including some of the challenges she faced and how she overcame them. They discuss the role of mentorship, the need to advocate for yourself and the importance of making connections. Alyssa also shares some advice for aspiring private equity professionals.Connect and Learn More☑️ Alyssa Daniel | LinkedIn | TikTok☑️ PNC Mezzanine Capital ☑️ Xaviera Webb | LinkedIn   ☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThis podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

For Tamika Tyson, problem solving has not only always been her greatest strength, but also the driving force behind her co-founding her own private equity firm, TGC Impact. With more than 25 years of experience in risk management and structure, Tamika has worked in banking, energy, industrial, and international markets and through five different economic cycles. What she heard and witnessed over and over were talks of a capital issue. She decided to take matters into her own hands. On this episode of Deal Us In, host Xaviera Webb, an associate at McGuireWoods, is joined by Tamika Tyson, co-founder of TGC Impact, to discuss the access to capital growth, booming business opportunities in the American South, and how other Black women and women of color can break into the private equity sector — and stay there!💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Tamika TysonWhat she does: Tamika is a co-founder of TGC Impact, which invests growth capital in diverse and women-led or managed companies. As an industry thought leader and executive partner, Tamika has supported highly strategic business initiatives across the globe. Company: TGC Impact                Where to find Tamika: LinkedIn 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episode Harness strong characteristics. Tamika advises women and people of color who want to get into private equity to be problem solvers, take calculated risks, be authentic, and be resilient.Remain focused on your goals. Sometimes getting in isn’t the hard part but staying there is. Tamika believes sharp focus and determination are keys to success. Challenges are opportunities in disguise waiting to be conquered. Always rise to the challenge. Take the chance. Bet on yourself.  🎙️ About Deal Us In 🎙️✔️ Thank you for joining us at the table for this episode of Deal Us In. We invite you to join the conversation by using our #Dealusinpodcast on Twitter or LinkedIn. ✔️ Don’t miss another episode! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.✔️ If you have a recommendation for an inspiring interviewee, a question you'd like us to ask, or a topic you would like to hear covered, or if you'd like to tell us about women-focused initiatives in the field, please go to our website. We look forward to hearing from you.This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

On this episode of Deal Us In, host Rebecca Rheney, an associate at McGuireWoods, is joined by Aneesha Raghunatha, Vice President at Susquehanna Growth Equity. Aneesha has industry expertise across fintech and healthcare and currently focuses on data and enterprise software. Her current companies include Sievo, ZenQMS, LiveBarn, MediSpend, and more.As a woman of color, Aneesha talks candidly about the value of diversity in the private equity sector and what advantages it brings to companies and their potential deals. From beating imposter syndrome and thriving in the private equity sector to learning the “non-glamorous” basics and speaking up in meetings, Aneesha offers an inspiring mix of valuable insights and practical advice to listeners.💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Aneesha RaghunathanWhat she does: Aneesha is the current Vice President at Susquehanna Growth Equity,  an entrepreneur-centric growth equity firm. She has spent the last eight years of her career investing in technology data and software companies across venture capital, private equity, and growth equity stages. Company: Susquehanna Growth Equity Where to find Aneesha: LinkedIn 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episode Diversity is worth the investment. Inclusion and diversity ensures that more perspectives and varying voices are brought to the conversations. Women can lean on women. In a predominantly male sector like private equity, Aneesha sees women supporting women, forming circles of trust. Finding your voice is key. Aneesha’s greatest piece of advice for other aspiring young women in private equity is to not be afraid to speak up. 🎙️ About Deal Us In 🎙️✔️ Thank you for joining us at the table for this episode of Deal Us In. We invite you to join the conversation by using our #Dealusinpodcast on Twitter or LinkedIn. ✔️ Don’t miss another episode! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.✔️ If you have a recommendation for an inspiring interviewee, a question you'd like us to ask, or a topic you would like to hear covered, or if you'd like to tell us about women-focused initiatives in the field, please go to our website. We look forward to hearing from you.This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

In this episode of Deal Us In, hosts Phyllis Young, Ann Terrell Dorsett, and Kelsey Hitchcock welcome guests Xaviera Webb and Rebecca Rheney to the podcast. As newer, younger members of the McGuireWoods team, Xaviera and Rebecca bring a fresh perspective to this series.In their first episode, the two McGuireWoods associates flip the script a little, asking the hosts themselves about their own careers, trajectories, and experiences as women in the private equity and finance space. From industry changes over the course of the last decade to building lasting relationships between women in this sector, Phyllis, Ann, and Kelsey dive deep into the industry secrets they feel have helped them find lasting success. This episode is teeming with advice for young professionals like Xaviera and Rebecca, who share openly about their own experiences in private equity and finance, and reflect on what it means for their budding careers.  💡 Featured Guests 💡Name: Xaviera WebbWhat she does: Xaviera is a Corporate & Private Equity associate at McGuireWoods in Charlotte, NC, where she focuses on capital markets, venture capital, and emerging companies. Company: McGuireWoods          Where to find Xaviera: LinkedIn Name: Rebecca RheneyWhat she does: Rebecca is an associate at McGuireWoods in Raleigh, NC, where she primarily focuses on private equity and other financing transactions, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Company: McGuireWoods               Where to find Rebecca: LinkedIn 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episode Women supporting women through sponsorship is beneficial to everyone involved. Women in leadership roles help other women climb up the mountain. There is still room to improve. Even with more women securing partner and leadership roles in firms, Phyllis, Ann, and Kelsey each agree that there is still room for women in private equity and finance to see more improvements in equality. A strong sense of character will get you far. Each of these women has a strong sense of their own character. 🎙️ About Deal Us In 🎙️✔️ Thank you for joining us at the table for this episode of Deal Us In. We invite you to join the conversation by using our #Dealusinpodcast on Twitter or LinkedIn. ✔️ Don’t miss another episode! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.✔️ If you have a recommendation for an inspiring interviewee, a question you'd like us to ask, or a topic you would like to hear covered, or if you'd like to tell us about women-focused initiatives in the field, please go to

Disruptions in the marketplace challenge even the most seasoned of leaders. Those who can pause and ask the difficult questions when the market is shifting will find they don’t just have an organization that survives, but one that sustains and thrives. Deal Us In host Phyllis Young welcomes LaDawn Townsend, Founder and CEO of VOS Group, to discuss how to help leaders lead. LaDawn has spent over nine years coaching CEOs and Boards on how to build the next generation of leaders to become influential and authentic leaders. VOS Group is a boutique leadership advisory and strategic agency that helps leaders lead through tough situations. The vision for the company came together after LaDawn personally experienced a layoff that left her vowing to help recalibrate and drive a purpose-driven strategy for organizations. “​​Here's where the leadership lesson is: As a leader, you don't always need a PowerPoint or data, you need to trust your professional gut, your gut that your CV is built on your MBA,” LaDawn says, describing how she coaches clients and herself. “You smell smoke before a fire and that is the moment you need to just lean in and listen.” Throughout the episode, LaDawn shares real-life examples and situations that have shaped how she approaches leadership training to nurture organizations and develop strong leaders. 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: LaDawn TownsendWhat she does: LaDawn is the CEO of the VOS Group, a leadership development and strategic advisory firm, and the creator of the Recalibrate Leadership methodology. She has taught leaders in the public and private sector over the past nine years how to lead effectively through times of crisis, disruption, and change. She believes that business can be a force for good and that begins with the leadership at the helm.Company: VOS GroupWhere to find LaDawn: Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Website🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episode Bring both sides of the aisle together — Strong leaders can bring different opinions and viewpoints to the table and unite both sides toward the common goal of moving the organization forward. Leaders of influence can bring unity to the table so the organization, shareholders, and employees can all win together. Yes is yes and no is no — Being an authentic leader means setting standards and accountability in how you coach your team. Your team must trust you to be a person of your word while still allowing room for a ‘Tom Cruise Moment’ inspired by the Mission Impossible movies, which LaDawn describes as having your team know that when you say you’re working on it you’ll get back to them with a yes or a no when you can. A character trait starts with character — Regardless of the situation, how we choose to show up and respond makes all the difference. Leaders need to have boundaries and character around what they want to communicate. Being clear on this allows leaders to put the company first and move the organization forward. 🎙️ About Deal Us In 🎙️✔️ Thank you for joining us at the table for this episode of Deal Us In. We invite you to join the conversation by using our #Dealusinpodcast on Twitter or...

Are you making deal resolutions for the New Year? In this episode of Deal Us In, we welcome back McGuireWoods partners Jodie Herrmann Lawson and Susan Rodriguez to share their deal resolutions for 2023 with host Kelsey Hitchcock. Kelsey, Jodie and Susan explore what people should be thinking through as they approach deals this year. This includes more upfront scrutiny of I9s, when to consider indemnification provisions, and what you should do if your seller has an ongoing audit. Before you walk into a deal this year, it’s important to understand what you should be prepared for, including how to navigate due diligence and any issues that may arise from it.  Both Jodie and Susan agree that there's no substitute for good counsel that you trust. Having a trusted advisor in your corner who can look at potential roadblocks in advance may help you avoid a phone call to the litigator. 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Jodie Herrmann LawsonWhat she does: Jodie is a high-stakes litigator who represents clients in federal and state court and arbitrations. She defends Fortune 100 companies and other businesses in cases involving torts, contract disputes, property disputes, class actions, and fiduciary, energy, and financial services litigation.Company: McGuireWoodsWhere to find Jodie: LinkedIn Name: Susan RodriguezWhat she does: Susan, co-leader of the firm’s financial institutions industry team, primarily focuses on government investigations and complex civil litigation. She has defended clients in numerous government enforcement actions by the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), among othersCompany: McGuireWoods               Where to find Susan: LinkedIn 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episode Make I9s part of standard due diligence. Instead of adding a review of I9s to the back of a deal, it is now common to make auditing the paperwork part of upfront diligence. Don’t let I9 issues kill a deal. In the event that you discover a serious non-compliance issue with I9s, such as government penalties, you can consider indemnification provisions to protect the deal. Approach with caution if an audit is underway. It’s not uncommon to encounter a company still undergoing an audit, especially as the pandemic caused some audits to drag across several years. 🎙️ About Deal Us In 🎙️✔️ Thank you for joining us at the table for this episode of Deal Us In. We invite you to join the conversation by using our #Dealusinpodcast on Twitter or LinkedIn. ✔️ Don’t miss another episode! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.✔️ If you have a recommendation for an inspiring interviewee, a question you'd like us to ask, or a topic you...

In this episode of Deal Us In, we welcome Renny Sie as she joins host Kelsey Hitchcock to discuss her role as Vice President of Business Development and investor Relations at Boyne Capital and her non-traditional track that brought her there.Renny Sie brings a unique perspective to business acquisition: her formative years were spent as a professional pianist. After following a path orchestrated by her parents, Renny realized her career as a professional musician was no longer sustainable and wasn't sure what tools she could bring into her next professional pursuit. Highlighting her dedication, laser focus, and passion for relationships, Renny began the transition and returned to school. She now recognizes her unorthodox introduction is one of her biggest assets. "The leadership (at Boyne Capital) understands that diverse backgrounds can bring diverse perspectives, and providing diverse value adds to any deal."Kelsey and Renny talk about why representation, discipline, and emotional intelligence are so important and why acquisitions are a relationship business over a financial industry. "There's the overall learning of a new piece that you're in each day of practice. But there's the melody itself and how you play different parts of it. In any deal process, there's new things that come up or new things or parts of the process that are more critical on a certain deal than in others — how you ‘soft play’ or ‘soft pedal’ certain aspects of communications."In this episode, Renny also shares advice she would give to her younger self and encourages everyone to celebrate the small wins.  💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Renny SieWhat she does: Renny is the Vice President of Business Development and Investor Relations at Boyne. She connects with potential acquisition targets or potential partners, and nurtures relationships with Boyne Capital investors. Company: Boyne CapitalWhere to find Rennie: Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episode Why it's essential for women to be in private equity — Renny gives three reasons why women need to be in private equity. It's not just about making friends — One of Renny's early mentors said, "Your job is to make friends." What would you say to your past self at the beginning of this journey? — The most significant lesson Renny has learned since entering private equity is to be kind to herself and others. 🎙️ About Deal Us In 🎙️✔️ Thank you for joining us at the table for this episode of Deal Us In. We invite you to join the conversation by using our #Dealusinpodcast on Twitter or LinkedIn. ✔️ Don’t miss another episode! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.✔️ If you have a recommendation for an inspiring interviewee, a question you'd like us to ask, or a topic you would like to hear covered, or if you'd like to tell us about women-focused initiatives in the field, please email us at wpef@mcguirewoods.com. We look forward to hearing from you.This podcast was recorded and is being made...

We all have that voice in our head: the one telling us we’re imposters, we’re not cut out for this, we’ll never be able to catch up to the men in our industry.As a woman in investing, you might not ever have the same opportunities as the men out there, especially if you take time off for maternity leave or have a family at home to provide for. So it’s no surprise that those voices in our heads can nag us into feeling incapable. Avante Capital Partners' Principal* Amanda Kim knows these voices well. She started her career in a finance role at Goldman Sachs before applying for a position as associate at Avante Capital, a role far different from what she was used to. “Even earlier this week, I said, Why am I doing this podcast? […] I don't know if I'm qualified to be on this podcast,” Amanda says. “However, you can work smartly, differently, and add value. Bring[ing] your genius to the table such that you are a force of nature [and] your company is never gonna want to let go.”Tune in to this episode of Deal Us In as host Ann Terrell Dorsett chats with Amanda about what it’s like to work in a 100-percent women-led company and what it means to foster a diverse and welcoming workplace. Amanda also tells us why diversity is so important, and shares her biggest tips for making deals.*At the time of this recording, Amanda Kim held the position of Vice President at Avante Capital Partners.💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Amanda KimWhat she does: As Principal at Avante Capital Partners — a women-owned private capital fund in Los Angeles — Amanda is responsible for identifying, underwriting, executing, and managing investment opportunities.Company: Avante Capital Partners               Where to find Amanda: LinkedIn 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episode Diversity makes a difference — A workplace that prioritizes diversity in both hiring and investing opportunities tends to be more collaborative and empathetic compared with environments that are white and male-dominated, Amanda says.Relationships are key to success — Knowing the anatomy of a sale is valuable in dealmaking, but relationship building is just as, if not more, important. A strong relationship shows that you’re committed and helps build trust between you and your client.A diverse workplace is about more than just hiring — Once you’ve made your workplace more diverse, there’s more work to be done to get them to stay a while, especially in an industry that is male-dominated. A few effective ways to retain your employees are by fostering support networks and making sure your company invests in professional development and childcare.🎙️ About Deal Us In 🎙️✔️ Thank you for joining us at the table for this episode of Deal Us In. We invite you to join the conversation by using our #Dealusinpodcast on Twitter or LinkedIn. ✔️ Don’t miss another episode! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.✔️ If you have a recommendation for an inspiring interviewee, a question you'd like us to ask, or a topic you would like to hear covered, or if you'd like to tell us about women-focused initiatives in the field, please go to our website. We look forward to hearing from...

In this episode of Deal Us In, Amanda Verner Thompson and Vasanta Pundarika join host Kelsey Hitchcock to discuss their now sixteen-year-long career together in investment banking. After working at the same healthcare investment banking group through several acquisitions, the pair eventually went to work for Matrix Capital Markets Group where they built a brand new healthcare group: Healthcare Investment Banking.From financial crises to the COVID pandemic, Amanda and Vasanta are no strangers to an unpredictable, unsteady environment. In fact, the two have grown to thrive on that, accepting challenge after challenge, adapting, and finding creative ways to still make deals for their clients. The two talk about strategies for successful deals, as well as advice specifically for women trying to break into investment banking or simply trying to advance in their organizations.Together, Amanda and Vasanta have navigated the ups and downs of investment banking and have come out on top. They offer insights into the power of both having mentors and being mentors, finding camaraderie amongst a team, and growing those relationships. 💡 Featured Guests 💡Names: Amanda Verner Thompson and Vasanta PundarikaWhat they do: As co-heads of Healthcare Investment Banking at Matrix Capital Markets Group, Amanda and Vasanta develop plans for new clients and manage all aspects of client transactions. They focus on health care services and managed care. Company:  Matrix Capital Markets Group     Where to find them: Amanda's LinkedIn | Vasanta's LinkedIn🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episode Women in investment banking must stay on their toes — Investment banking requires flexibility and adaptability. Being a woman in the field requires that, and much more. Women in investment banking, according to Amanda and Vasanta, need to be smarter and work harder because it is such a male-dominated field. There are benefits to being a woman in investment banking — Amanda and Vasanta cite their inherent emotional intelligence, multitasking skills, and mental prowess as women as some of their greatest assets in the field.  Volume drives trends — At the height of the COVID pandemic, many people steered away from hospitals and nursing homes, choosing smaller healthcare options to keep safe. Amanda and Vasanta say this is still a trend they are seeing today, one that they are very interested in. They anticipate more deal flows into smaller, privatized healthcare systems.   🎙️ About Deal Us In 🎙️✔️ Thank you for joining us at the table for this episode of Deal Us In. We invite you to join the conversation by using #Dealusinpodcast on Twitter or LinkedIn. ✔️ Don’t miss another episode! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.✔️ If you have a recommendation for an inspiring interviewee, a question you'd like us to ask, or a topic you would like to hear covered, or if you'd like to tell us about women-focused initiatives in the field, please go to our website. We look forward to hearing from you.This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods

In this episode of Deal Us In, Katie-Rose Higgins joins host Ann Dorsett to share what it’s like to be at the VP level working on deals in M&A. As Vice President at Falfurrias Capital Partners, Katie-Rose has a wealth of knowledge on what it’s like to work on the deal-execution side of the industry. From the intensive demands of due diligence to post close-strategy sessions with CEOs and board of directors, Katie-Rose shares a holistic look at the many facets of work involved with private equity. She also shares ideas for ways to encourage diversity in the profession.“I think it's important to be a little bit more open-minded and consider different backgrounds,” explains Katie-Rose when discussing how to encourage more women to get involved in private equity. “When we recruit, I view it as getting the raw materials right. For us, those are things like intellectual curiosity, how someone carries themselves, their maturity, their intelligence, and their ability to put the team first. These are things that don't change. They're consistent personality characteristics.” In addition to advice on recruiting diverse candidates, Katie-Rose and Ann discuss how firms can support team members in building their networks and helping people feel included and supported throughout their careers. For those weighing the pros and cons of returning to school to pursue an MBA, Katie-Rose shares how she approached the decision herself. She explains that when you’re employed at a firm, you no longer need to have an MBA before advancing to the VP level.  💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Katie-Rose HigginsWhat she does: As Vice President at Falfurrias Capital Partners, Katie-Rose has had a successful career at the firm since joining in 2016 as an analyst. She previously served as an analyst at Charleston-based Sherman Financial Group, a global investment company with a dominant position in the debt-purchases and services industry.Company: Falfurrias Capital Partners                 Where to find Kaite-Rose: LinkedIn 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episode Investing capital is like developing a winning sports team — When considering a capital investment, Katie-Rose takes inspiration from how her dad develops a successful football team. She explains how to identify success in investments by creating a strategic plan: put your A-team out front, cultivate the right culture, and improve operations where needed. When you have these pieces in place, you can guarantee better outcomes in three to five years. Being the only woman in the room — It is your ability to execute and your knowledge of the field you work in that makes you successful in private equity. By doing your homework and holding yourself accountable, you ensure that no one questions why, or whether you deserve to have a seat at the table. Taking an open-minded approach to recruitment — When hiring, it's not uncommon in private equity to have dozens of predominantly male candidates apply for one opening. Katie-Rose aspires to encourage more women to enter the space. She believes it’s important to be open-minded and consider different backgrounds, including what Katie-Rose refers to as the candidate’s “raw materials.”  p...

With 2021 in the metaphorical rearview mirror, it’s time to think about what we learned last year, and the implications for the future.In this episode of the Deal Us In podcast, host Ann Dorsett sits down with McGuireWoods partner Phyllis Young and associate Kelsey Hitchcock to discuss finance and private equity trends they took note of in 2021.If there was one word to sum up 2021, it might be frenetic. It certainly kept the team on their toes. Although it didn’t necessarily look like the busiest year, Phyllis said the debt financing space saw a lot of activity from borrowers and lenders in 2021. Borrowers in particular also benefited from more opportunities in the energy markets. And there were also a lot of acquisitions, necessitating more add-on financing.Indeed, everyone noticed an increase in deal activity. The fluctuating state of the COVID pandemic played a role in the unpredictability of the year, as companies struggled to respond to ever-changing requirements, while also trying to keep employees on board. The general consensus is that these staffing challenges will continue into 2022. “It's hard to imagine the pendulum on a lot of these issues swinging seamlessly back to where we began in early 2020,” Kelsey says. “We're starting from a new normal, and that's an ever-evolving place.” Listen in to hear more of the team’s top trends, which ones they think will have an impact in 2022, and lessons they believe should be applied this year.  💡 Featured Guests 💡Name: Phyllis YoungWhat she does: Phyllis is a partner at McGuireWoods. She’s a transactional lawyer with significant experience in finance, financial restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, and other corporate matters. She routinely handles secured lending transactions, debt restructuring, and complex intercreditor arrangements.Company: McGuireWoodsWhere to find Phyllis: LinkedInName: Kelsey Hitchcock What she does: Kelsey is an associate at McGuireWoods. She focuses on corporate transactions, representing public and private companies in diverse industries in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, commercial transactions, and corporate governance matters.Company: McGuireWoods        Where to find Kelsey: LinkedIn🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episode Debt financing trends in 2021 — Phyllis found 2021 to be a busy year in terms of debt financing. She also noticed lots of first lien deals with commercial banks, energy markets providing new opportunities to borrowers, and an increase in acquisition activity.  Representations and warranty insurance challenges — A hot deal market in 2021 coupled with labor shortages, rising costs, and an abundance of choice for underwriters made it challenging to negotiate rep and warranty insurance for deals. With many deals only receiving one bid, negotiating costs was nearly impossible. Moving into 2022, the market seems to be correcting, with a...

Although women have made big strides in the private equity field, they are still a minority in workplaces dominated by men.In this episode, Melissa Mounce, Managing Director of Leadership, Talent, and Diversity at GTCR, shares her perspective on the impact and experiences of women in the industry – including some of the obstacles stacked against them.One of the most powerful ways women can drive change is by sharing their unique backgrounds and experiences with men.“Your perspective is important, it's valuable, and it may be somebody else's blind spot,” Melissa says.She also shares her own experience working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and how, surprisingly, the forced move away from in-person communications expanded her access to executives and sped up recruitment processes.Yet, remote work has made office drop-ins and coffee chats with mentors and mentees harder to come by. Melissa provides insight into how female professionals can connect with leaders in the private equity industry virtually. 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Melissa MounceWhat she does: Melissa Mounce is Managing Director of Leadership, Talent, and Diversity at GTCR, where she works to build diverse teams of investment professionals for a portfolio of companies. She is also a co-founder of the Private Equity Network of Operating Women.Company: GTCRWhere to find Melissa: LinkedIn 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episodeBe a model of inclusion — Traditions in the workplace can unintentionally exclude women. Companies need to become more inclusive, but women can help bridge the gap by educating male colleagues about their experiences.Use your voice — Don’t be afraid to speak up. Your perspective, especially as a woman, brings valuable and unique insight to a room full of men.Lead the way  — Seasoned women in leadership roles should mentor younger women to help pull them up through the ranks. Find organizations outside of work to engage in mentorship and networking. 🔆 Episode Highlights 🔆[01:44] Chance encounter: Melissa describes how she got into private equity after a coincidental conversation with a venture capital partner on an airplane.[04:13] Advantages and hurdles: Women bring different perspectives and even investment opportunities to the field of private equity. However, as they aren’t the majority group in these organizations, they can sometimes be unintentionally excluded from male-focused norms.[11:15] The remote work boost: While working remotely has its advantages for everyone, Melissa describes how it’s specifically helped her gain executives and quicken recruiting processes. Remote work has also presented some challenges in the way of geographical issues and missed in-person meetings.[16:23] Find mentors outside the office: With many people still working at home, the way we connect with mentors has shifted. Organizations such as the Private Equity Network of Operating Women can help working females build strong connections with like-minded professionals.[18:50] If you only knew: Melissa shares the priceless advice she would now give to her younger (fresh-out-of-college) self. 🎙️...

Women have always faced intense pressure to prove themselves and prioritize the needs of others. While it may be more latent these days, the burden is still very much alive.“I really do think that it's worth recognizing that we still, in many ways, live in a patriarchal society,” says Blair Bishop, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. “A lot of us have internalized that we're supposed to be the perfect worker, the perfect caretaker to our aging parents, the perfect housewife, the perfect mom.”Working mothers can get the brunt of this, but all women feel it to some extent. And the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated long-standing gender-based adversity. Nearly two years into this global event, women continue to navigate increasing demands at work and at home.Blair joins us on this episode of Deal Us In to discuss how women can tune into their needs and learn to ask for help during this time. She shares advice for handling relationship conflict at home, accepting our imperfections, and expressing personal feelings in the workplace.On this episode, Blair also talks about knowing when to apologize and gives tangible suggestions for embracing self-compassion.💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Blair BishopWhat she does: Blair is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Los Angeles who specializes in guiding teens and twenty-somethings through the challenges of young adult life.Company: BlairapyWhere to find Blair: LinkedIn🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episodeAddress the problem, not the person — If your relationships have suffered as a result of pandemic-induced stresses, adopt a “me versus the problem” mindset. Whether you’re butting heads with a partner or a colleague, you’ll be more likely to reach a mutual agreement if you stay open-minded and compassionate.Give yourself permission to mess up (and admit it) — Accepting your mistakes, and owning up to them, are important components of self-empathy. When you let go of the need to be right, you can more easily connect with others and resolve conflicts.The world still puts extra pressure on women — Cut yourself some slack if you feel anxious about keeping all of your proverbial balls in the air. Most women have internalized the unfair societal message that says we must be perfect in all areas of our lives.🔆 Episode Highlights 🔆[02:31] Shift your mindset when it comes to conflict: Relationships at home and work can — and will! — result in conflict sometimes. Since parents have been experiencing extra stress during the pandemic, couples with kids may be especially prone to it right now. Blair recommends getting curious about a problem together, rather than resorting to blame.[06:55] Rupture and repair: Look at your relationship as the balancing of three entities: you, your partner, and the relationship. Things will go off-kilter, but Blair says knowing when to apologize will help you “get it right,” instead of holding onto the need to be right.[9:45] Prioritize self-care: During such stressful times, Blair says it’s particularly important to pay attention to your own needs. Self-care can look different for everyone, but it’s crucial to figure out what works for you.[11:22] Try acceptance and commitment: If you’re overwhelmed — a perfectly valid feeling –– use Blair’s mental model of acceptance and commitment. Accept your stressors for what they are, then identify small commitments you can make to yourself each day.[16:51] Your body...

When you’re a dealmaker, there’s always a risk that you’ll find yourself stuck in a complicated arbitration if things go awry. Regulatory issues can sneak up on you, so watch out!On this Halloween episode of Deal Us In, McGuireWoods partners and litigation specialists Jodie Lawson and Susan Rodriguez are here to guide you through the haunted maze that is dealing with business disputes.Jodie and Susan both advise digging into the specifics of your situation before deciding whether to handle it via arbitration or litigation. They say that a lot of clients think arbitration will be the easiest and cheapest way to solve a dispute, but that’s not necessarily the case. Don’t think you’re getting a treat and stumble into a trick!Jodie and Susan also discuss the nightmares that Form I-9s can give you. If a company you’re working with doesn’t have a workforce that is fully authorized to work in the United States — or it hasn’t made sure its employees filled out their Form I-9s correctly — you might be in for a long, conflict-filled road ahead.“It can be a real deal-killer: We've actually seen Form I-9 issues kill a deal,” Susan says.Tune into this spooky special to find out what skeletons may lurk in the arbitration closet, so you can be a better and safer dealmaker. With the right kind of legal support, you can unmask those legal monsters, and see that they aren’t so scary after all. 👻 Featured Ghost 👻Name: Jodie LawsonWhat she does: Jodie is a partner at McGuireWoods and a high-stakes litigator, representing clients in federal and state court, and arbitrations. She defends Fortune 100 companies and other businesses in cases involving torts, contract disputes, property disputes, and class actions, and fiduciary, energy, and financial services litigation.Company: McGuireWoodsWhere to find Jodie: LinkedIn 👻 Featured Ghost 👻Name: Susan RodriguezWhat she does: Susan is a partner at McGuireWoods, and co-leader of the firm’s financial institutions industry team, primarily focusing on government investigations and complex civil litigation. She has defended clients in numerous government enforcement actions by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), among others.Company: McGuireWoodsWhere to find Susan: LinkedIn🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episodeBeware of the hidden costs of arbitration — Jodie and Susan say that sometimes attorneys think arbitration will always be the cheapest way to solve a dispute. This can be true, and there are other benefits to handling a conflict this way. However, sometimes litigation is the best route, because of all the fees that come with arbitration.Choose your state cautiously (no ouija boards) — Different states have different provisions that might impact whether you decide to go to court or get an arbitrator involved. If you can choose which state your dispute is addressed in, Jodie recommends picking the one

In order to fully cultivate the kinds of business relationships that result in lucrative deals, private equity firms are starting to look at designating a person or a team to source the most fruitful deals.For Meahgan O’Grady, who joined Palladium Equity Partners as Director of Business Development earlier in 2021, private equity is exciting because of the opportunity to work with founder-owned businesses that can really make waves.“It's such a special opportunity to speak with business owners in multiple different types of industries and talk about ways we could help them grow their business,” Meahgan says on this episode of Deal Us In.As the leader of the firm’s business development team, Meahgan works with a range of stakeholders, developing and enriching personal connections. She believes women often have a special talent in this arena, and although private equity firms are increasingly seeking the benefits of diverse teams, there’s still a way to go when it comes to helping women achieve their full potential in private equity.“Although it has evolved and gotten better by leaps and bounds, there's still room to grow,” she says.Meahgan thinks that women can continue to carve out their own niche in this industry by pushing through the difficult times and always advocating for themselves and others.Her advice: “Be the change that you want to see, and be that change from within. That's the best way to do it.”💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Meahgan O’GradyWhat she does: Meahgan is the Director of Business Development at Palladium Equity Partners where she sources deals primarily with founder-owner businesses for the middle-market private equity firm.Company: Palladium Equity PartnersWhere to find Meahgan: LinkedIn🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episodeFind the right tools to make networking easier — As a self-professed introvert, Meahgan recognizes that networking can be difficult, especially when you’re first starting your career. But eventually, she says, it’ll get easier — you just have to push through difficult moments and come up with some personalized methods that make business networking easier for you.Don’t be too shy to advocate for yourself — Women in business can have a particularly hard time talking about their own successes and highlighting all the ways they’ve helped their team. But advocating for yourself is crucial for professional development and seizing all the opportunities you deserve, so try to conquer that fear and highlight your strengths and talents. Change is best effectuated from within — Women who are involved in private equity leadership need to use their platforms to keep pushing for more diversity — that’s the only way real change will come.🔆 Episode Highlights 🔆[1:12] Path to private equity: Meaghan discusses her career path and background, which includes early years at Goldman Sachs and an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.[07:52] Allocating time, finding her path: When Meahgan was breaking into private equity and looking into professional organizations to join and passion projects to work on, she threw a lot of different ideas against the wall to see what stuck. Eventually, she says, you’ll find your niche, but it’s okay to try a few different ideas on for size.[11:20] It’s okay to be an introvert in BD: Meahgan says she is an introvert by nature, so professional networking isn’t always the most comfortable space for her. You don’t have to be a super bubbly...

People are returning to work in person at offices — but that doesn’t mean everything is back to business as usual.On this episode of Deal Us In, employee benefits and labor attorneys Carolyn Trenda and Dawn Cutlan Stetter continue our two-part conversation about the impacts of the pandemic on the workplace, particularly for women. One thing that has definitely changed: People don’t want to go back to working in the office in the same way they used to. “Very few employers are saying they’re going to make people come back to the office five days a week,” Dawn says. “If you’d told me that in January 2020, I would have laughed at you.” This shift in attitudes means new considerations for businesses. “What are the challenges moving forward in having at least a partially remote workforce? What does that look like? How do you accommodate employees who want a little bit more flexibility?” Dawn says.These questions are top of mind for Carolyn and Dawn, who advise employers on best practices when it comes to employee benefits and labor issues.In this episode, they also discuss how traditional benefits packages are changing, and what women can do to continue striving for success in a workforce that is still male-dominated. 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Carolyn TrendaWhat she does: Carolyn is a partner at McGuireWoods who focuses her practice on advising public, private, and non-profit employers on a range of employee benefits topics. Company: McGuireWoods              Where to find Carolyn: LinkedIn 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Dawn Cutlan Stetter What she does: Dawn is an attorney at McGuireWoods who represents and advises management in all aspects of labor and employment law. Company: McGuireWoods             Where to find Dawn: LinkedIn 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episodeThe impacts of the pandemic are here to stay — A lot about the way we work has changed in the past year and a half, for better or worse. When it comes to things like flexible, remote work schedules and a focus on the importance of childcare, COVID-19 brought a cultural shift that isn’t going away anytime soon. The future of employee benefits packages is in flux — More and more companies — especially bigger ones with more employees — are looking at increasingly progressive benefits packages that incorporate things like mental healthcare, and include medical coverage for transgender people.Women still face hurdles when it comes to leadership — One thing holding women back in the workforce has become more obvious during the pandemic: It’s very difficult to be the sole person responsible for childcare and also hold a full-time leadership role. But there are other cultural factors that are keeping women from achieving their potential, and...

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers have had to contend with a host of new labor issues.For McGuireWoods lawyers Carolyn Trenda and Dawn Cutlan Stetter, who focus on employee benefits topics and general labor law respectively, the pandemic has changed the kinds of questions their clients are asking.“COVID-19 came on like a tidal wave for employers. It challenged employers both large and small in almost every conceivable way,” Dawn says on this episode of Deal Us In, which is part one of a two-part interview with Carolyn and Dawn.Beyond dealing with transitioning to a virtual workplace, employers had to look at how to handle giving employees time off for COVID-19-related reasons, and rethink employee benefits generally. These issues may continue even as employees start returning to in-person work.“On the benefits side, the immediate issues were what to do with layoffs and furloughs. You had lots of employers trying to furlough employees and maintain access to benefits,” Carolyn says. “There were immediate COVID effects and challenges, but now we’re dealing with more of the issues surrounding returning to work.”Despite the challenges, employers can navigate this new world with the help of advisors like Carolyn and Dawn, especially if they keep their employees’ needs in mind, and do the work to help them.“As long as employers are acting in good faith and doing their best to comply with the changing regulations and statutes, there's a sense that some of this is going to pass,” Carolyn says. 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Carolyn TrendaWhat she does: Carolyn is a partner at McGuireWoods who focuses her practice on advising public, private, and non-profit employers on a range of employee benefits topics.Company: McGuireWoods              Where to find Carolyn: LinkedIn 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Dawn Cutlan StetterWhat she does: Dawn is an attorney at McGuireWoods who represents and advises management in all aspects of labor and employment law.Company: McGuireWoods              Where to find Dawn: LinkedIn🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episodeCOVID-19 really changed employment — For obvious and less-obvious reasons, all aspects of employment were thrown for a loop when the pandemic hit. This created an entirely new world for labor and employee benefits lawyers to navigate.The pandemic’s effects on employment were not created equal — While most professions had new challenges to deal with as a result of the pandemic, some industries had a tougher time than others. Handling the concerns of employees who were required to show up in-person was one of the most urgent legal issues facing employers.We might never get “back to normal” — For better or worse, COVID has changed certain aspects of employment forever. As we move back into a world where it’s safe...