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Call
We welcome the opportunity to talk with corporate M&A professionals
+1 (312) 625-2702 -
Email
We will direct your inquiry to the most appropriate team member
[email protected] -
Visit
The Institute is located in the heart of the Windy City overlooking the Chicago River
325 North LaSalle, Suite 550
Chicago, IL 60654-5183 USA
Exclusively for Corporate M&A Teams
Transaction Advisors Institute
Transaction Advisors Institute provides corporate M&A teams with access to timely expertise and a vibrant knowledge network to improve their deal process and transaction performance.
The Institute’s unique data and member-driven focus support the end-to-end deal process, spanning acquisitions, minority investments, joint ventures, and divestitures.
Founded in 2013, the Institute's sole aim is to help corporate M&A teams execute high-performing transactions.
Opportunities at the Institute
The Institute is actively seeking an ambitious Vice President and Head of Membership Development to lead the growth team.
This is a true player-coach role. You will personally originate, develop, and close high-value corporate relationships while building, coaching, and scaling a high-performing Membership Development team.
The ideal candidate will bring:
- A positive mindset: Energy, enthusiasm, and intellectual curiosity
- Adaptability: Comfort thriving in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment
- Professionalism: Sound judgment and a strong aptitude for technology
- High standards: Rigor, consistency, and precision
Meet the Team
William Jefferson Black
Executive Director
William is a co-founder of the Institute.
He also serves as a regular Guest Lecturer on Mergers & Acquisitions at Columbia Business School.
Earlier he was a member of the leadership team at a fast-growing investment banking and financial advisory firm (where he met Nora Hickey).
Nora K. Hickey
Managing Director & President
Nora is a co-founder of the Institute and works across the full range of M&A programs and activities.
She brings a unique combination of academic publishing, professional services marketing, and business operations experience to the Institute.
Chris Evans
M&A Conference Chair
Chris is responsible for defining and curating the Institute’s M&A Conferences and M&A Forums. His focus is on ensuring diverse panels featuring seasoned M&A professionals.
With over 25 years of deal experience, Chris has worked as a technology investment banker in London and Hong Kong, and also led Amazon's M&A Integration team for over 14 years, overseeing due diligence and integration for more than 100 closed transactions.
Elizabeth Nassar
Executive Vice President
Elizabeth plays a key role in delivering the Institute's M&A programs while providing exceptional and well-aligned support to both new and long-standing Members of the Institute.
She joined the Institute in 2014 after a career in business development and account management at a large financial services company.
Greg Schlimm
Executive in Residence
Greg heads a range of strategic initiatives all geared toward helping the Institute scale and support a growing number of member companies taking action to improve their M&A performance.
Prior to his current role, he has experience on both sides of M&A transactions, including roles as sell-side CEO, buy-side business unit executive, IMO change program lead, and multiple experiences as Integration Executive. He has significant expertise in helping clients make faster, better, and more informed decisions with the ever-growing wealth of available data.
Greg earned his research doctorate at Warwick Business School (WBS) in London studying value creation when large companies acquire technology via small and mid-sized company M&A.
Stephen G. Morrissette
Faculty Director
Professor Morrissette teaches Merger & Acquisition Strategy at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His 30 years of transaction experience includes various Chief Financial Officer roles where he was responsible for M&A and
post-merger integration.
Professor Morrissette has been teaching for the Transaction Advisors Institute since 2015. He was appointed to serve as the Institute's Faculty Director in 2020.
April Thurmond Dumas
Vice President of Marketing
April leads the Institute's marketing strategy across the full range of the Institute's programs, research, and membership initiatives.
She brings experience across M&A professional development and technology, with a focus on developing marketing strategies that help corporate M&A teams strengthen internal capabilities and improve transaction performance.
Alicia Gillentine-Carr
Marketing Communications Manager
Alicia leads the Institute's lifecycle marketing, email communications, and marketing automation initiatives, helping strengthen engagement across the full member and program journey.
She joined the Institute after more than 20 years in digital marketing and communications, with experience spanning higher education, SaaS, and professional services.
Jimmy Mulvaney
Member Development Associate
Jimmy plays a key role in supporting member development by coordinating outreach to prospective members and enhancing the operational efficiency of our programs. His efforts help drive engagement and ensure our initiatives run smoothly and effectively.
Jimmy holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Northwestern University. Prior to his current role, he worked as a Domestic Operations Agent for a global logistics company, where he gained valuable experience in coordination, logistics, and process improvement.
Martha Brown
Member Development Associate
Martha supports the growth of Transaction Advisors Institute by developing relationships with prospective members and supporting the execution of the Institute’s programs. She brings an analytical, relationship-driven approach to member development and engagement.
Martha holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Marketing from Miami University. Prior to joining the Institute, she worked in federal consulting, supporting complex initiatives through process improvement, stakeholder engagement, and critical analysis.
Diane Damian
New Member Development
Diane dedicates her time to making meaningful introductions and fostering new relationships with corporate M&A professionals.
Her experience includes serving as Legal Assistant to the Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of a large public company supporting them through multiple complex M&A transactions.
Spencer Lyons
Member Engagement Associate
Spencer brings an analytical approach to his role assisting with Member engagement, M&A surveys, and benchmarking. He also contributes to operational excellence and reporting for the Institute.
He is a graduate of Indiana University Kelley School of Business, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and International business.
Drishti Agarwal
Marketing Specialist
Drishti drives strategic marketing initiatives, event promotions, and data-driven campaigns that elevate the Institute’s presence and impact within the global M&A community.
As a Master’s graduate in Marketing Analytics from DePaul University, Drishti brings expertise in branding, digital strategy, and analytics, delivering programs that engage, inform, and connect dealmaking professionals.
Amelie Krebs
M&A Intelligence & Partnerships Analyst
Amelie drives the coordination of the Institute’s M&A programs by integrating data, partnerships, and program operations to enhance member and partner value. She manages M&A research materials, faculty logistics, and partnership initiatives that advance the Institute’s M&A intelligence platform.
Amelie earned her Master’s degree in International Business with STEM Analytics from Hult International Business School in Boston and previously worked at PwC Germany, gaining experience in client engagement, project coordination, and financial analysis.