AI isn’t just a buzzword in deal rooms—it’s changing how due diligence, contracts, privacy, and integration actually work after close. In this episode, Lisa sits down with tech lawyer Rob Taylor to unpack what “AI risk” really means, why lawyers must understand the technology to spot legal exposure, and how companies can move fast and responsibly. Rob shares practical frameworks from hundreds of AI solution reviews, dives into agentic AI (and why risk goes up when the human leaves the loop), ...
Lisa sits down with litigator and tax specialist Joshua Smeltzer to unpack how Texas is positioning itself as a digital-asset hub, what the new business-court and “business judgment rule” mean for companies, and how tax and regulatory choices ripple through M&A, treasury strategy, and day-to-day operations. From plain-English explanations of blockchains and NFTs to real-world pitfalls like staking-reward taxation and balance-sheet Bitcoin, Joshua translates complexity into practical moves...
In this episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, Lisa Scott sits down with Tim Savage, CPA and Tax Partner at Weaver, who leads the firm’s Blockchain & Digital Assets practice. Tim shares how he built a crypto-forward tax practice inside a traditional firm, where digital assets fit in M&A due diligence, and the tax levers that quietly drive value (or risk) after close. The conversation also digs into stagflation signals, treasury diversification, and one simple move companies can m...
In this timely and wide-ranging episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, host Lisa Scott sits down with Lee Bratcher, Founder and President of the Texas Blockchain Council, during a historic week in U.S. crypto legislation. As the GENIUS Act is signed into law and the Clarity Act gains momentum, Lisa and Lee explore what this federal progress means for Texas, how the blockchain ecosystem has evolved, and where the real M&A activity is heating up in the crypto space. They cover: The ori...
In this episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, host Lisa Scott is joined by Tom Doorley, founder of Sage Partners, co-founder of Braxton Associates, and long-time advisor to top boards and billion-dollar companies. With decades of experience guiding organizations through growth, strategy, governance, and integration, Tom brings a rare blend of insight, candor, and playbook-level clarity to the post-deal landscape. Together, Lisa and Tom unpack: What makes a “decision-ready board” and why...
In this episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, host Lisa Scott sits down with leadership expert and bestselling author Bob Tiede for a masterclass on leading with questions. Bob shares how shifting from telling to asking can radically transform leadership effectiveness, especially during times of transition, such as post-merger integration. Drawing from his bestselling book Leading With Questions (3rd Edition), Bob explains how leaders can: Build trust quickly in high-stakes envir...
In this episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, host Lisa Scott is joined by Michael Richards, a transformational leader with deep expertise in private equity, technology, and software. Michael shares insights from his extensive career spanning Deloitte, KPMG, and leadership roles as CFO, COO, and Chief Transformation Officer. He discusses his work as an Operating Partner at Symphony Technology Group and the strategic execution of carve-outs like RSA Security. This conversation explores t...
In this episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, Lisa Scott sits down with Don Yakulis, a seasoned M&A integration leader who has managed over 50 global deals across countries like Finland, Japan, Korea, and Malta. With executive experience at a variety of companies including: Light & Wonder, Visa, SAP, Nokia, Cisco, and Synopsis, Don brings invaluable insights into building integration frameworks, navigating cultural complexities, and executing successful post-merger transit...
Welcome to M&A+ The Art After the Deal. Lisa introduces the podcast and special guest Ivan Golubic, a corporate finance and development expert, managing partner at Abbott Group. Ivan’s inspiring journey—from immigrating to the U.S. during the Yugoslavian war to becoming a leader in global M&A—sets the stage for insights into the critical gaps in M&A transitions, cultural integration, and post-deal success. Key Discussion Points: Ivan Golubic’s Journey and Lessons: Ivan shares hi...
In this episode of M&A Plus: The Art After the Deal, host Lisa Scott sits down with Keith Crawford, Global Head of Corporate Development at State Street, one of the world’s most respected financial institutions. With over 20 years at State Street and experience as a CFO, Keith shares valuable insights into tackling complex and high-value carve-out acquisitions and integrating them for long-term success. Key Discussion Points: Keith’s Career Journey: From accountant to global...
In this episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, Lisa Scott sits down with Jim Buckley, a veteran in M&A integration with leadership experience at tech giants like Microsoft, PayPal, and VMware. With a career spanning over 150 integrations, Jim shares his insights on managing complex, multi-acquisition environments, working effectively with legal teams, and leveraging technology for seamless integration. Jim discusses the challenges of integrating companies of varying sizes, his...
In this insightful episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, host Lisa Scott is joined by Brant Wilson, president of Customer Value Systems. With over 30 years of marketing and management experience across industries such as technology, healthcare, and financial services, Brant shares his journey to leading a successful marketing research firm. This episode dives into the strategic role of customer insights and market research in driving successful mergers and acquisitions, emphasizing cust...
In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Mikulsky, an expert in operations and leadership, to discuss key principles for effective leadership and operational success. We explore themes from his book, L.O.V.E. 2 Lead, discussing the importance of self-reflection and humility in leadership. Aaron emphasizes the need to focus on people's strengths and how leveraging these can create high-performing teams. We also touch on the significance of Six Sigma in streamlining processes and reducing ...
Join us on this episode of "M&A+ The Art After the Deal" as I discuss the intricate world of cross-border mergers and acquisitions with our esteemed guest, Lawrence Howorth. With his vast international experience, Lawrence brings invaluable insights into the challenges and nuances of helping US companies venture into foreign markets and assisting foreign entities in establishing a presence in the US. Key Discussion Points: Global Expertise:Lawrence shares his extensive experience a...
Peter Connor, author of The T-Shaped Lawyer, shares his extensive experience transitioning from traditional legal roles into significant business-oriented positions, enhancing both legal and business outcomes. His T-Shaped Lawyer program, instrumental in over 50 workshops worldwide, advocates for a multidisciplinary skill set, preparing lawyers to work not just on the business but in it, enhancing their impact across industries. Key Discussion Points: Peter’s Journey and Inspiration:Ba...
In this enlightening episode, we welcome John Troxel, a seasoned procurement expert, to discuss the critical role of procurement in mergers, acquisitions, and corporate spin-offs. John shares invaluable insights on the strategic importance of involving procurement early in the M&A process, the methodologies for extracting maximum value, and the nuances of standing up a new procurement team during these transitions. What You Will Learn: * The strategic value of focusing on...
In this episode of our podcast, we're joined by John Shin, the Managing Director at RSI Security, who brings over 18 years of experience in information technology and cybersecurity leadership. John discusses the critical role of cybersecurity in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) process, emphasizing how advanced security measures are pivotal in safeguarding assets and ensuring a smooth transition. Listen in as John provides expert insights into integrating cybersecurity strategies into M...
In this insightful episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, we're joined by Vidur Bhandari, most recently Senior Vice President of Strategy and Value Creation at Shiseido. With extensive experience in leading transformation programs and managing M&A integrations globally, Vidur shares his expert insights on the three pillars of successful integration: people, value capture, and clarity of the asset purchased. This discussion dives into the critical aspects of M&A from initial negot...
In this compelling episode of our podcast, we sit down with David Edgar, an esteemed M&A deal lawyer at the international law firm K&L Gates. David brings his extensive experience to the table, discussing the often overlooked but critical aspects of integration in the M&A process. The conversation sheds light on the pitfalls that businesses might encounter if integration isn't properly managed from the outset of deal-making. What You Will Learn: The essential role of integration...
In this insightful episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, we're joined by Cliff Gardner, an accomplished M&A strategist and a visionary behind ECP Ventures. Cliff shares his extensive journey from a CPA to a leading M&A advisor, delving into the critical importance of cultural fit, strategic negotiation, and personalized advisory in mergers and acquisitions. What You Will Learn: How a deep understanding of cultural fit influences the success of M&A transactions.The signific...