Deal Us In

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!

Name: Tamika Tyson

What 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 

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.  

✔️ 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.

Name: Aneesha Raghunathan

What 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 

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.

✔️ 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.  

Name: Xaviera Webb

What 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 Rheney

What 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 

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.

✔️ 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.

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. 

Name: LaDawn Townsend

What 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 Group

Where to find LaDawn: Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

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.

✔️ 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.

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. 

Name: Jodie Herrmann Lawson

What 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: McGuireWoods

Where to find Jodie: LinkedIn 

Name: Susan Rodriguez

What 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 others

Company: McGuireWoods               

Where to find Susan: LinkedIn 

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.

✔️ 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 [email protected]. 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, 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.  

Name: Renny Sie

What 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 Capital

Where to find Rennie: Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube

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.

✔️ 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 [email protected]. 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.

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.

Name: Amanda Kim

What 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

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.

✔️ 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, 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. 

Names: Amanda Verner Thompson and Vasanta Pundarika

What 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

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.   

✔️ 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 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, 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.  

Name: Katie-Rose Higgins

What 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 

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.”  

[03:37] A fortuitous path into private equity: Katie-Rose explains how she landed in private equity. Falfurrias recruits analysts straight from college, and while not a typical recruitment approach, this was how she got her start. 

[06:06] Finding commonalities with peers: When you work in private equity, you have to be comfortable with small talk. Katie-Rose shares how she approaches finding common ground with colleagues and uses that to build relationships, especially within the industry. 

[07:41] Encouraging diversity through recruitment practices: Katie-Rose is actively involved in recruitment at her firm. In this role, she experiences first-hand the challenges of receiving 100 mostly-male applicants. Companies that rely on regimented talent pipelines struggle with diversity. 

[10:20] There’s no textbook for real-world problems: Anyone considering pausing their career to return to school, Katie-Rose sees it differently. She recommends not discounting the real-world experience you will gain while doing the work, likely in the same amount of time it takes to temporarily leave the industry to get your MBA. 

[12:28] Building your network: Katie-Rose shares how she has built her network by getting involved in boards and community groups, such as The Arts Empowerment Project. She is also grateful to members of her firm for the introductions they provide. 

[16:05] Don’t wait until you’re an expert to participate: From Katie-Rose’s perspective, she has seen women hold back from participating in events because they don’t see themselves as an expert in their field. Her advice is to stop waiting for success to come to you: Jump in with both feet; put yourself out there and build your connections now.  

✔️ 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. 

✔️ If you have questions about today’s conversation, please feel free to reach out to Molly White at [email protected] or Ariail Barker at [email protected].

✔️ 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.

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. 

Name: Phyllis Young

What 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: McGuireWoods

Where to find Phyllis: LinkedIn

Name: 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

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 return to multiple bids per deal, and stabilizing costs.  

Optimizing your work life — After a few years of working from home or hybrid, all three lawyers have advice on optimizing work environments for maximum productivity. Suggestions include creating a dedicated workspace set up with everything you need, taking breaks, and having clearly defined to-do lists. 

[02:22] Energy markets opening up: Phyllis saw energy markets opening up in 2021, providing borrowers with better terms.

[03:39] New challenges in purchase agreements: Kelsey reviews some of the changes she saw when putting together purchase agreements over the course of 2021. Businesses are struggling to achieve financial continuity, and pandemic relief programs have made it harder to reach accurate valuations.

[07:24] The rep and warranty insurance squeeze: Ann describes the challenges she saw getting representation and warranties for deals in 2021, thanks to a busy market, labor shortage, and rising costs.

[10:21] Look out for these 2021 trends in 2022: Kelsey observes that the trends and challenges she saw in 2021 have continued into the new year. 

[13:43] Interest in new products: Phyllis predicts that we’ll continue to see a strong interest in new markets, including fintech, ad tech, bitcoin, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG). 

[24:53] Working from home efficiently: Phyllis believes that people can be just as efficient working from home as they are working in the office. All three lawyers share how they make it work for them. 

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