Singularly recognizes brilliant and exceptional young dealmakers from the private equity, M&A and restructuring communities for their achievements, dedication, and talents for closing value creating transactions. The “once in a life-time” honors, validates the dealmaker’s success and progressively taking on leadership role for many years to come. The program originates from the popular Top 50 Dealmakers editorial series.

2nd Annual Winners Circle: Features 6 dealmakers from the private equity, VC and lending group, 12 from the financial advisory and 8 lawyers for total of 25 winners, including 6 women.


Jennifer W. Cheng
Profession: Lawyer
Location: New York, New York
Education: LL.B., University of New South Wales

Jennifer focuses on advising companies on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, divestitures, and private equity investments. Recent deals advised by Jennifer include Santander Bank sale of branch assets to First Commonwealth Bank and Cascadian Therapeutics sale to Seattle Genetics.


Shanti M. Katona
Profession: Lawyer
Location: Wilmington, Delaware
Education: J.D., Washington University - St. Louis School of Law

Shanti works with debtors and creditors in all capacities, including handling numerous adversary actions, complex commercial litigation and patent litigation. Recent M&A and Turnaround Atlas Awards winning deals advised by Shanti include – Elements Behavioral Health, Chapter 11 restructuring, and PhaseRx Chapter 11 restructuring and acquisition by Roivant Sciences.


Danielle Lalli
Profession: Private Equity Investor
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Education: M.B.A., Harvard University, School of Business

Danielle is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and analyzing investments made by the firm. As a Director at Sciens Building Solutions, Hansons, and Pueblo Mechanical & Controls, Danielle is involved with several add-on deals such as Sciens Building Solutions buys Mount Dora, Pueblo Mechanical & Controls buys Westover and Commercial Air.


Bomi Lee
Profession: Lawyer
Location: San Francisco, California
Education: J.D., Yale Law School

Bomi concentrates on representing public and private companies in mergers and acquisitions and other complex strategic transactions, including investments, divestitures and carve-out transactions. Bomi has been involved in several M&A Atlas Awards winning deals including Sale of GitHub to Microsoft, Sale of Silver Spring Networks, among others.


Rachael Ringer
Profession: Lawyer
Location: New York, New York
Education: J.D., Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University

Rachael focuses on complex bankruptcy matters on behalf of creditors’ committees, bondholders and companies across a diverse range of industries. Rachel has been part of several Turnaround Atlas Awards winning transactions including Toys “R” Us, Nine West, CHC Group, Arch Coal, Genco Shipping & Trading, etc.


Jamila Justine Willis
Profession: Lawyer
Location: New York, New York
Education: J.D., University of Virginia School of Law

Jamila focuses her practice in the area of financial and corporate restructuring and has extensive experience in complex restructurings across industries. Most recently Jamila was involved in Turnaround Atlas Awards winning transactions as counsel to the debtors Abengoa, Abengoa Bioenergy US Holding, and Appvion restructurings.