2025 Dealmakers of the Year Honorees
Presented By: Transform Labs
Dolan Falconer
President & CEO
ScanTech AI Systems, Inc.
ScanTech Identification Beam Systems, LLC, an innovator of next generation Computed Tomography (CT) security solutions for use at airport and commercial security lanes, border and public event checkpoints, and cargo and parcel screening centers, completed a successful de-SPAC merger with Mars Acquisition Corporation on January 2, 2025, forming ScanTech AI Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: STAI). As a public company, ScanTech AI now sets its sights on becoming a leading security solution provider of AI-based CT scanners for U.S. and global airport, cargo, homeland, and border security screening.
Chad Hooker
Principal
Fulcrum Equity Partners
Fulcrum Equity Partners and MSouth Equity Partners sold Summit Spine, Atlanta, GA, to WellSpring Capital in March of 2025. Houlihan Lokey and DLA Piper were the advisers on the deal. This deal is a prime example of how a growth equity investment can transform a regional healthcare provider into a scaled, multi-site leader in its field. Summit Spine and Joint Centers was already a strong operator in interventional pain management. With Fulcrum and MSouth’s investment, strategic support, and operational resources, the Company significantly expanded its geographic footprint, broadened its service offering, and increased revenue 600%+ during the hold period. Further, it showcases the power of partnership between a driven management team and a healthcare-specialized capital partner.
Deirdre Kiely
Founding Partner
OVME Aesthetics
Deirdre is a seasoned executive with a proven track record of leadership in finance and operations. She has led two successful exit events in the consumer space. Most recently, she co-founded OVME, a national med spa brand, where she served as President / CFO. OVME, founded in 2018, scaled to 29 locations across 14 states, with $60MM in sales. Deirdre led the company to an exit event to a private equity investor, achieving a 10x return in under 4 years.
Prior to OVME, Deirdre served as CFO of Leblon Cachaca, a Brazilian spirits brand. She played an instrumental role in Leblon’s sale to Bacardi. She began her career in investment banking and private equity.
Deirdre earned her BS in economics at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and her MBA at Columbia Business School. She currently resides in Atlanta with her husband and their two daughters.
Antonio McBroom
CEO
Eric Taylor
CFO
Phillip Scotton
COO
Primo Partners
Primo Partners took on a strategic investment in April of 2025 from Godwin Capital Group, an Atlanta-based closely shared family office platform to support Primo’s growth as a leading Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop franchisee and emerging Starbucks licensee. Primo and Godwin’s partnership is rooted in a shared vision for growth in the future and the cultural foundation on which that will be built. The transaction accelerates the growth of a business owned and operated by members of an ethnic minority. The executives are passionate about giving back to their communities and providing advancement opportunities to under-represented groups and individuals.
Scott Staples
CEO
First Advantage Corporation
First Advantage Corporation, a leading provider of global software and data in the HR technology industry, completed its acquisition of Sterling Check Corp. on October 31, 2024. Valued at $2.2 billion, including the assumption of Sterling’s outstanding debt, the acquisition combines industry leading platforms and innovative solutions to deliver an enhanced customer experience while expanding and diversifying First Advantage’s vertical and geographic exposure, creating a more well-balanced portfolio.
The acquisition of Sterling positions First Advantage for long-term value creation, unlocking efficiencies and opportunities for additional growth and investment in new technology solutions, including AI-driven automation, while further diversifying our business for increased resilience.
Maria D. Toler
Founder & Managing Partner
SteelSky Ventures
Maria D. Toler exemplifies what it means to be a visionary dealmaker, seamlessly uniting capital, strategy, and mission to transform healthcare outcomes at scale. As Founding & Managing Partner of SteelSky Ventures, the largest women’s health venture capital firm, Maria has led one of the most ambitious efforts to close the funding gap in healthcare innovation. She has built a $100M AUM platform and led investments that now impact over 45 million lives globally. Under her leadership, SteelSky’s Fund I has grown to a total portfolio valuation exceeding $5 billion, with portfolio companies generating over $500 million in annual recurring revenue. In 2025, Maria continues to drive strong portfolio value creation by leading SteelSky’s investment in Commons Clinic's Series B round, a high-growth, multi-specialty care platform positioned to deliver outsized returns while transforming musculoskeletal and women’s health access nationwide.
SOCIAL IMPACT INVESTING AWARD HONOREES:
Jon Dangar
Director
Stonehenge Capital Company
Stonehenge Capital Company, an impact-oriented private credit firm, manages around $325 million dedicated to companies located in underserved markets and disadvantaged owners, such as minority/female/veteran owned businesses. Stonehenge invested around $150 million last year in twenty-one new deals and two follow on financings, across all its funds, to support acquisitions and growth initiatives. Stonehenge is focused on being a partner to underserved, lower middle market companies and it works diligently upfront to understand clients’ opportunities and provides flexibility post-closing to help them realize their full potential.
Donna Ennis
Associate Vice President, Community-Based Engagement
Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2)
Donna Ennis provides leadership across EI2 to ensure the integration of communities into programs and services. As part of this role, she serves as Co-Director of Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM), a collection of projects across the state dedicated to fostering the development and deployment of innovation and talent in AI for manufacturing. Georgia AIM offers a community-based approach that provides customized, grassroots-level programs supporting innovation and workforce development. Georgia AIM is providing the tools and knowledge to empower all communities to fully participate in a robust AI manufacturing workforce, and to date has served nearly 1,000 small and medium manufacturers, connected more than 7,000 Georgia K-12 students to STEM programs, and sparked AI-focused outreach and innovations in more than 100 Georgia communities.
Mary Parker
Founder-CEO
Mary Parker Foundation
The Mary Parker Foundation identifies underserved communities to provide resources unlimited to uplift and empower all generations through entrepreneurial education and lifelong learning. We see a better, more prosperous future for our youth and families.
The Foundation is an extension of the heart and passion of its namesake Dr. Mary H. Parker. From humble beginnings to CEO, Mary defines success as the ability to give back. Since 2012, the Foundation has been steadily advancing communities and inspiring future leaders.
It is passionate about Business Education, Youth Enrichment, and Community Empowerment. We see the unlimited potential of people engaged in self-care and sustainable wellbeing.
Frank Rucker
Deputy General Manager
Jackson Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, Infrastructure
Frank Rucker is responsible for the airport’s capital improvement program, which includes an $11 billion to-do list that encompasses expansion of Concourse D, two new parking decks, updated technology, expansion of the ticket lobby, and improvements to the Plane Train and SkyTrain systems. Mr. Rucker assures that women and minority owned founders/entrepreneurs of construction-related companies are afforded opportunities to participate in several of the Sate of Georgia's largest on-going construction projects.
Brent Rutherford
Executive Director
Made for More Ministries
Made for Ministries was created to empower individuals to embrace their true potential and become the best version of themselves through the transformative power of Christ. Its founding scripture is Ephesians 5:14. This is why it is said “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Made for Ministries believes every life is destined for transformation. They are dedicated to fostering spiritual growth, personal development, and community support, guiding each person to live a purpose-driven life. By focusing on healing the heart and empowering its community through intentional discipleship and mentoring, it cultivates environments where individuals can thrive. They lead people into a journey of restoration and renewal, equipping them with the spiritual, emotional, and practical tools necessary for lasting change. They are committed to cultivating a community where brokenness is met with compassion, and potential is unlocked through faith and support.
Harry Savage
Vice President
o15 Capital Partners
o15 Capital Partners is an alternatives investment firm focused on providing private growth capital to undercapitalized companies and communities across the Healthcare, Education, and Business Services sectors. The o15 Emerging America Credit Opportunities Fund I is a $400 million investment vehicle targeting market-rate returns alongside measurable social outcomes. The firm invests in businesses with strong fundamentals and the potential to create quality jobs and strengthen under-resourced economies over the long term.