The Smart Business Dealmakers Dealmaker of the Year Awards recognize exceptional individuals who are shaping the landscape of business and innovation in New York.
In addition, The New York Dealmakers Hall of Fame recognized a class of dealmakers that has made an often-groundbreaking impact on their organizations, industries and the region over the course of decades in business.
We celebrated the accomplishments of the 2026 class of winners on June 4 at the New York Smart Business Dealmakers Conference. Together, they provide a strong picture of the New York business community.
Dealmaker Of The Year Honorees
Adam Cook, Co-Founder, Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer, Culper Capital Partners. Adam has led a series of strategic platform investments and add-on acquisitions across industrial and MedTech manufacturing sectors, helping Culper Capital Partners expand its presence in the lower middle market. His disciplined approach focuses on operational scale, targeted growth initiatives and long-term value creation. By combining investment expertise with a hands-on operating philosophy, Adam continues building platform companies positioned for sustained growth and competitive advantage.
Jennifer Keida, Owner & CEO, Standard Heating, Cooling & Insulating. Jennifer has transformed Standard Heating, Cooling & Insulating into a modern, growth-oriented enterprise through operational improvements, expanded service capabilities and a strong commitment to culture. Her hands-on leadership and long-term vision have strengthened the company’s market position in a highly competitive industry while maintaining a deep focus on employees and customers. By balancing performance, sustainability and service, Jennifer has created lasting value and positioned the business for continued success.
Ihar Mahaniok, Founder & Managing Partner, Geek Ventures. Ihar has guided Geek Ventures through a focused strategy of backing high-potential seed-stage technology companies, building a portfolio of more than 70 investments across the United States. His disciplined investment approach has helped drive increasing deal sizes and valuations while identifying emerging opportunities in software and productivity solutions. Through thoughtful capital deployment and a strong commitment to founder success, Ihar continues helping shape the next generation of innovative technology companies.
Andrea Nelson, Managing Director, and James Sidwa, Managing Partner, Heartwood Partners IV, LP. Andrea Nelson and James Sidwa led the successful sale of Sur-Seal to Brodie Generational Capital, positioning the engineered sealing and thermal management company for continued growth and innovation. During their investment period, they guided operational expansion, strategic acquisitions and enhanced manufacturing capabilities that strengthened the company’s market position. Their collaborative, value-focused approach helped drive a successful exit while establishing a strong foundation for Sur-Seal’s next phase of growth.
Jay Sprague, Principal, Tamarix Equity Partners. Jay led Tamarix Equity Partners’ investment in Royal Oak Recycling, supporting the continued expansion of a leading provider of commercial recycling solutions across the United States. The partnership strengthens Royal Oak’s ability to scale operations while improving profitability and environmental outcomes across paper, plastic, and metal waste streams. Through disciplined execution and a focus on long-term value creation, Jay continues advancing impactful investments in sustainable, growth-oriented businesses.
Marco Stegmaier, CFO & COO, Moth Quantum. Marco Stegmaier has helped guide Moth Quantum through significant funding milestones, including a $5 million pre-seed round and an additional $8 million seed raise, while supporting international expansion across the U.K., Switzerland, and the United States. Through his financial and operational leadership, he has positioned the company for future large-scale capital raises while advancing pioneering quantum technologies for media, entertainment and creative applications. His work continues supporting the commercialization of next-generation quantum computing solutions.
Social Impact Honoree
Gregory Leibert, Founder & CEO, Cullet. Gregory Leibert is advancing sustainable materials innovation through his leadership of Cullet, a company focused on modernizing and scaling glass reuse and recycling. In 2026, he led the acquisition of Repeat Glass LLC, establishing the company’s first operating platform and accelerating its expansion strategy. By integrating technology, logistics and processing capabilities, Gregory is building a more efficient and economically viable approach to glass reuse and recycling while supporting the growth of a circular economy.
His work reflects a commitment to aligning environmental responsibility with strong business performance, demonstrating how thoughtful dealmaking can drive both sustainability and long-term value creation. Through Cullet, he continues helping communities and industries reduce waste while improving environmental outcomes.
Dealmakers Hall of Fame Honorees
Norm and Elaine Brodsky. Norm and Elaine Brodsky have spent decades building businesses, mentoring entrepreneurs and shaping the entrepreneurial landscape. Together, they founded, scaled and supported successful ventures while becoming trusted voices for generations of business owners.
Norm Brodsky is known for his resilience — growing a company to $180 million, overcoming bankruptcy, and building and selling another business for $110 million. Elaine Brodsky also has been a successful entrepreneur, founding CitiStorage and playing a key role in building Citipostal into a prominent New York-based business.
Beyond their professional achievements, the Brodskys have dedicated themselves to mentoring entrepreneurs through writing, speaking and programs like Birthing of Giants and Whiskey Wednesdays. Their legacy is defined not only by business success, but by the countless leaders they have inspired.
Tamara Nall, Founder & CEO, The Leading Niche. Dr. Tamara Nall has spent nearly two decades building businesses while directing capital, opportunity, and innovation toward underserved communities. As Founder and CEO of The Leading Niche, she transformed a startup into a globally recognized AI, analytics, cybersecurity, and workforce solutions firm supporting more than 100 federal contracts across 16 federal departments and operations in 22 countries. Her career has combined entrepreneurial growth with institutional leadership, including service on President Obama’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee and the George Mason University Board of Trustees.
Beyond business success, Dr. Nall has built a lasting model for social impact. Through The Leading Niche and AOE International, she has committed millions toward workforce development, education, healthcare access, and community investment initiatives. Her work includes securing multi-million-dollar federal grants for workforce training and re-entry programs serving returning residents in Illinois correctional facilities, along with scholarship endowments supporting future generations of students and leaders. Her legacy reflects the power of entrepreneurship not only to build companies, but to create long-term opportunity and structural change in communities often overlooked.
