Americas  Rising Dealmakers

Awards Recognition Ceremony & Editorial


WHAT, about: The inaugural A-list features highly accomplished, brilliant, and talented young dealmakers from the North American investor, legal and advisory transactional communities.

WHY, value: “Once in a life-time” recognition, validates the young dealmaker’s record and enthusiasm for closing value-creating deals. Likewise, these professionals will progressively take-on leadership role at their firms and industries for years to come.

WHO, criteria: Objectively selected based on the professional’s deal execution record, seven plus years of experience, and abilities – personifying the “Distinction in Dealmaking” qualities.

2018, list: Features 18 dealmakers from the private and growth equity investor class, 12 from the financial advisory group, 20 lawyers for a sum total of 50 dealmakers including 7 women.


Mehdi Ansari
Profession: Lawyer
Location: New York, New York
Education: J.D., UC Berkeley School of Law

Mehdi primarily advises on M&A transactions involving intellectual property matters and general strategic advice. Recent deals involving Mehdi include Amazon.com purchase of Whole Food and Bayer acquisition of Monsanto.


Darío D. Avram
Profession: Lawyer
Location: San Francisco, California
Education: J.D., George Washington University School of Law

Darío mostly advises on deals related to private equity buyouts, financings and restructuring matters. Transactions recently advised by Darío include sale of Accela to Berkshire Partners, HealthCare Source HR, company of Francisco Partners purchase of Centricity Contingent Staffing business from GE.


Alan Boyko
Profession: Restructuring Consultant
Location: Denver, Colorado
Education: M.B.A., University of Notre Dame

Alan is a member of the Turnaround & Restructuring Services practice within FTI's Corporate Finance group. Alan most recently advised on Chapter 11 Bankruptcy cases of Arch Coal and 21st Century Oncology.


Patrick Bremmer
Profession: Investment Banker, Middle Markets
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Education: M.B.A., Kellogg School, Northwestern University

Patrick is responsible for executing mergers and acquisitions transactions in a variety of industries, with a particular focus on the Industrial Services and Manufacturing sectors.


Holly Buckley
Profession: Lawyer
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Education: J.D., Loyola University, School of Law

Holly counsels on healthcare transactions and related matters for private equity funds and clients, including hospitals and health system. Holly recently advised Revelstoke Capital Partners in its partnership with Cincinnati Eye Institute in formation of CEI Vision Partners.


David Burdette
Profession: Transactions Advisor, Boutique
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Education: Virginia Military Institute

David provides valuation and strategic advisory advice to business owners involving Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) related transactions. David is an expert in ESOP analysis and formation, financing, restructuring and post-transaction related matters across a wide variety of industries.


Garrett T. Charon
Profession: Lawyer
Location: New York, New York.
Education: J.D., Brooklyn Law School

Garrett practices in the Private Equity Transactions group, advising on buyouts, mergers and acquisitions. Deals advised by Garrett include CCMP Capital led group comprising of MSD Partners, Alberta Investment Management purchase of Hayward Industries; and Aretex Capital purchase of Alerian.


Leon Chen
Profession: Growth Equity Investor
Location: Los Angeles, California
Education: University of Wisconsin

Leon concentrates on sourcing and evaluating growth investment opportunities, and management of portfolio companies. Earlier this year, Leon was involved in the sale of Consero Global Solutions to Ottawa-based, CareWorx, a provider of managed services solutions.


Rafael Cofiño
Profession: Growth Equity Investor
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Education: M.B.A., Harvard Business School

Rafael is responsible for sourcing investment opportunities in the tech, consumer and health care related industries. Rafael was most recently involved in recapitalization of Nashville-based Vatica Health, and Columbus-based, Quantum Health.


Brian Decker
Profession: Private Equity Investor
Location: San Francisco, California
Education: M.Eng., Electrical Engineering, Cornell University

Brian concentrates on identifying investments in the infrastructure software and security related sectors. Notable transactions closed by Brian include purchase of Bomgar, as well as Sandvine acquisition by Procera Networks.