Olamide "Lami" Ajibesin (CPA)
Anchin
Olamide "Lami" Ajibesin (CPA)
Managing Director, Transaction Advisory Services
Anchin
What led you to a career in the deal-making industry?
I had an accounting undergraduate degree but decided to get an MBA in finance. My parents were business owners and they inspired me to be very business/deal driven. I got into deal advisory at one of the Big Four accounting firms after business school. I enjoy the fast-pace nature of the industry and my first deal was a private equity acquisition of a mulch business in Texas and I haven’t looked back since!
How does diversity add value in the deal-making process?
We live in a global economy, where products and services are consumed by people with heterogenous cultures and backgrounds. Value can be derived on the deal by understanding the motivations of both buyer and seller, as well as the impact the company has on society. If your deal-making process is too homogenous, you run the risk of leaving money on the table or even losing the deal.
The most memorable deal I worked on....
My most memorable deals are those with relatable products/services. For instance, I worked on diligence on Uber before they went public and I used the app personally. I recently worked on the sale of Thayers to L’Oreal Paris, and both companies have products that I and many people can relate to.
Advice for achieving success in the industry....
Be fearless enough to bring your authentic self to every interaction. It’s also important to build relationships.
Profile:
Lami has a passion for deals and has spent the last 15 years mastering various aspects of the deal continuum, including buy- and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, infrastructure finance and private equity transactions. She has advised on over $10 billion worth of private equity, strategic investments and secondary transactions including both LP-focused and GP-led mandates.
Education: M.B.A in Finance from McCombs School of Business, University of Texas in Austin and B.S. in accounting from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Location: Anchin Accountants & Advisors, New York, New York.
