After the Deal: The Emotional Side of Liquidity Events and What Comes Next
Presented By: Benesch / JP Morgan Chase
Liquidity events, whether from selling all or part of a business, are more than just a financial milestone—it’s a deeply personal transition. This session goes beyond the mechanics of the transaction to explore what happens after the liquidity event. From navigating the emotional impact of letting go to redefining purpose and privacy in the wake of a major exit, hear how founders and owners have handled the shift. We’ll also discuss the importance of discretion around deal details and how to thoughtfully plan for wealth management, legacy, and life beyond the business.
Moderator:
Co-Chair, Corporate Practice Group
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Megan Mehalko represents public and private companies in domestic and international mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, domestic and cross-border strategic alliances, joint ventures, general business counseling, distressed/insolvent company acquisitions and restructurings, and with corporate governance and securities law issues, ESG, and compliance matters. In addition, Megan is a member of Benesch’s Executive Committee, Professional Development Committee and Finance Committee.
Panelists:
Executive Director & Market Team Lead
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
David Allen is an Executive Director and Market Team Lead in the Cleveland office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank, covering Northern Ohio. Dave manages a group of professional advisors and specialists dedicated to designing integrated strategies that help families plan, invest, bank and borrow. A native of Cleveland, he delivers a local presence, extensive industry experience and the global capabilities of J.P. Morgan.
Dave is particularly focused on working with executives, entrepreneurs and business owners to help unlock the value of their concentrated wealth. As a former Chief Operating Officer, he is attuned to the diversity of their needs and takes a personalized approach to address their complex ecosystem. Dave is a dynamic leader who builds an environment of excellence for team members and clients alike. He is known for his ability to solve problems, remove obstacles and turn challenges into successes.
Over the course of his 20+ year career, Dave has built a well-diversified and successful background in financial services. Before joining J.P. Morgan, he was the Chief Operating Officer with Equity Trust Company, and spent the majority of his career in senior roles with Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
Dave has a B.S. from Miami University and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, specializing in Finance, Strategy & Marketing. He holds FINRA Series 7, 9, 10 and 63 securities licenses.
Partner
Edgewater Capital
Bob Girton is a partner at Edgewater Capital, a private equity firm focused on investing in smaller performance materials businesses. In addition to traditional PE roles in sourcing, executing, and managing investments, Bob chairs Edgewater’s DEI initiative and is the partner in charge of the firm’s business development efforts. He lives in Shaker Heights, is a life long learner, and is very proud of his two kids, Ava and Theodore.
Co-Founder & Board Member, Ph.D.
GL CHEMTEC INTERNATIONAL
Dr. Lisa Studnicki Hunt is a co-founder of GL CHEMTEC. Lisa obtained her Degree in Natural Sciences from John Abbott College. She then pursued her Bachelor of Science (Honours B.Sc., 2000) with a minor in French and Master of Science (M.Sc., Chemistry, 2002) at the University of Toronto. Lisa went on to complete her Doctor of Philosophy in Organic Polymer Chemistry at Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena, Germany. Lisa has several scientific publications and patents.
She earned her Professional Sales Designation from the Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA) in 2008 and pursued the E2-Entrepreneur's Edge course at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2009. She then attended Harvard Business School in 2015 under the guidance of renowned professor Clayton Christensen. She further expanded her business acumen by completing the "Marketing Innovation" course at the MIT Sloan School of Management in 2017.