Mergers & Acquisitions NYC | June 17th, 2025

7:45-9:00 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast

9:00-9:05 AM | Welcome Remarks
Christopher P. Skroupa, Founder & CEO, Skytop Strategies

9:05-9:45 AM | Opening Panel Discussion
Policy Shifts and M&A: The Trump Administration’s Impact 
Moderator: 
Nick Graziano, Partner, 2717 Partners, and Skytop Contributing Author, Host of “Inside the Corporate Boardroom”, SkytopTV Talk Show Series
Panelists: 
Bob Marese, President, MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
Eric Rosenfeld, CEO, Crescendo Partners

9:45-10:15 AM | Exclusive Interview
Navigating the Storm: Managing Integration Risks in M&A 
Interviewer: 
Jeremy Fielding, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Partner, Kekst CNC, Skytop Contributing Author, Host of “Board GPS”, SkytopTV Talk Show Series
Interviewee:
Susan Skerritt, Board Director, Tanger, Inc. and former CEO, Banking

10:15-10:30 AM | Networking Break

10:30-11:00 AM | Keynote Presentation
Tensions Between Leverage and Monetary Policy: A Macroeconomic Backdrop 
Keynote Presenter:
Hans Hoogervorst, Former Dutch Finance Minister, Public Policy Expert and Skytop Contributing Author

11:00-11:30 AM | Fireside Chat 
Valuation: Levers Affecting the Economics of Deal Making 
Moderator: 
Chad Rucker, Senior Managing Director, Valuation Research Corporation
Panelists: 

11:30-12:10 PM | Panel Discussion 
Operational Expansion or Antitrust: Emerging Views on Market Competitiveness 
Moderator: 
Panelists:
Lowell Robinson, Experienced Board Director and Advisor

12:10-1:10 PM | Networking Luncheon 

1:10- 1:50 PM | Panel Discussion 
Technology Sector M&A: Growth and Innovation Targets Attractive for Acquisition or Merger 
Moderator: 
Panelists: 

1:50-2:30 PM | Panel Discussion 
Energy M&A: A Tale of Oil and Gas
Moderator: 
Panelists: 
Francisco J. Morales Barrón, Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity, Vinson & Elkins LLP

2:30-3:10 PM | Exclusive Interview
Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions: Strategies for Navigating New Challenges
Interviewer:
Ronald Orol, Senior Editor, The Deal
Interviewees:
Fred Pletcher, Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais
David A. Katz, Partner, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

3:10-3:25 PM | Networking Break

3:25-4:05PM | Panel Discussion 
Topic: TBA
Moderator: 
Arthur Kohn, General Counsel, Leading Corporate Governance Expert, Skytop Contributing Author, Chair of the Editorial Committee, Skytop Media Group
Panelists: 
Barak Orbach, Robert H. Mundheim Professor of Law and Business, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law

4:05-4:45 PM | Panel Discussion
Driving M&A Success: The Crucial Role of Talent 
Moderator:
Panelists: 
Dwain Celistan, Managing Partner, Diversity Practice, DHR Global
Nick Graziano, Partner, 2717 Partners, and Skytop Contributing Author, Host of “Inside the Corporate Boardroom”, SkytopTV Talk Show Series

4:45-5:25 PM | Panel Discussion 
Topic TBA 
Moderator: 
Panelists: 
Tim McCormick, Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais

5:25-5:30 PM | Closing Remarks

5:30-6:30 PM | Networking Reception