Mergers & Acquisitions NYC | June 17th, 2025

8:00-9:00 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast 

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

9:05-9:35 AM | Opening Fireside Chat 
Regulatory Uncertainty, Economic Instability and Geopolitical Risk: Uncovering Opportunities as Companies Adapt to Changing Conditions
Discussants:
TBA 

9:35-10:15 AM | 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 
Sheila Hooda, Independent Board Director, Various Boards  
Adrienne Ramsay, Founder, Delphi Strategies, LLC, Board Member, Former House Appropriations Professional Staff and Skytop Contributing Author  

10:15-10:45 AM | Exclusive Interview 
Navigating the Storm: Managing Integration Risks  
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  

10:45-11:15 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 

11:15-11:30 AM | Networking Break 

11:30-12:10 PM | Panel Discussion 
Transforming Markets: The Evolving Role of Private Equity and M&A 
Moderator: 
Tim McCormick, Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais 
Panelists: 

12:10-12:40 PM | Fireside Chat  
Valuation: Levers Affecting the Economics of Deal Making  
Moderator:  
Chad Rucker, Senior Managing Director, Valuation Research Corporation 
Panelists:  

12:40-1:20 PM | Panel Discussion  
Antitrust and M&A: Government and Its Impact on Deal Making  
Moderator:  
Arthur Kohn, General Counsel, Leading Corporate Governance Expert, Skytop Contributing Author, Chair of the Editorial Committee, Skytop Media Group 
Panelists: 
Lowell Robinson, Experienced Board Director and Advisor 
Barak Orbach, Robert H. Mundheim Professor of Law and Business, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law 

1:20-2:20 PM | Networking Luncheon  
 
2:20- 3:00 PM | Panel Discussion  
Mind the Gap: Technology Sector Capital Flows into AI Companies  
Moderator:  
Panelists:  
Adrienne Ramsay, Founder, Delphi Strategies, LLC, Board Member, Former House Appropriations Professional Staff and Skytop Contributing Author 

3:00-3:40 PM | Panel Discussion  
Energy M&A: A Tale of Oil and Gas 
Moderator:  
Mauro da Cunha, Independent Director, Senior Advisor, Engage.MC 
Panelists:  
Francisco J. Morales Barrón, Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity, Vinson & Elkins LLP 
Jonathan Lurvey, Managing Director, Mergers & Acquisitions, Energy Sector, Bank of America 

3:40-4:20 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 

4:20-4:40 PM | Networking Break 

4:40-5:20 PM | Panel Discussion  
AI and the Digital Transformation: Its Impact on M&A 
Moderator:  
Panelists:  
Anita Allen, Independent Board Director, Various Boards, President and Managing Partner, Allen Advisory Group 

5:20-6:00 PM | Panel Discussion 
Driving M&A Success: The Crucial Role of Talent  
Moderator: 
Dr. Brett Trusko, Associate Professor, University of New Mexico, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Senior Advisor, Global Innovation Management Institute, Skytop Contributing Author and Host, SkytopTV Talk Show Series  
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 
John Glenn Grau, President and CEO, InvestorCom  
 
6:00-6:05 PM | Closing Remarks 

6:05-7:00 PM | Networking Reception