Leading With Head & Heart: Achieving the Most Successful Outcomes in M&A

Matthew Gurwin is a Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor for Graystone Consulting at Morgan Stanley. He specializes in advising wealthy business owners and families, especially those considering substantial liquidity events due to the sale or recapitalization of a privately held business. A veteran of the financial services industry, Matt draws on his 20 years of experience in the field to collaborate with professionals in a range of industries, build relationships with existing and prospective clients, and enhance internal operations to improve our clients' experience.

Matt earned both his Bachelor’s Degree and his MBA from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining Graystone Consulting -Chicago, Matt was a Principal at Doeren Mayhew leading their firm’s business development efforts

Earlier in his career, Matt worked at TelemusCapital Partners, LLC, as a managing director and as an Investment Banker for Deloitte Corporate Finance. Outside the office, Matt enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Aundrianna and their four children.

Saber has more than 25 years of experience in business management and operations. His entrepreneurial drive led him to start several successful businesses, most of them retail-oriented. Wireless Vision, a family-owned business established in 2004, today operates more than 500+ T-Mobile locations in 25 states. The expansion has come through a combination of acquisitions and organic growth.

Mary DiChristofano is a Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor, Lending Specialist and Family Wealth Director for Graystone Consulting – Chicago at Morgan Stanley. She currently services the firm’s clients as their Family CFO, coordinating all their financial and estate planning needs as well as philanthropic intents. Backed by a talented team of specialized professionals, Mary’s attention to the nuances of each client profile and unique financial goals has cemented Morgan Stanley/Graystone’s reputation as a firm in a category of one.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Mary launched her financial career in 1988 with LaSalle Bank’s Financial Planning Group, where she worked with ultra-high net worth clients in every facet of their comprehensive financial plans. Mary then helped launch Frye Louis Capital Management, Inc. as a founding partner and Managing Director. The new venture was the first multi-family office business created in the Midwest, a historic accomplishment. Frye Louis was subsequently acquired by Credit Suisse in 2001 where Mary and the team served as the Family Office team within Credit Suisse. Mary and her team eventually joined Morgan Stanley in 2016 and have been with the firm ever since. With over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry across several companies, Mary has amassed a familiarity with every facet of Private Wealth Management from estate planning to tax strategy and investment management. Her network of industry specialists that she has collaborated with throughout her career extends beyond Morgan Stanley, and Mary prides herself on leveraging this network to connect her clients with the experts and advisors they need. Given her mastery of the industry, Mary seamlessly integrates the work of these various professionals to provide holistic advice to her clients.

Bill George, founder and CEO of WHC Worldwide, is a driving force in the transformation of the passenger ground transportation industry. Since its inception in 2018 zTrip has become the largest taxi operator in North America. zTrip’s fleet of 2,800+ vehicles and 3,400 contracted drivers annually complete 22 million trips across 38 cities in 20 states. During Bill’s 38-year career he has continually redefined what is possible in the transportation sector. M&A activities include 60+ acquisitions and launching greenfield operations in cities eager for modern, professional transportation services.

Ethan Rigel is a Founding and Managing Partner of Gore Range Capital. He has more than 15 years of investing experience and spent most of his time actively working with small businesses with limited resources. During the course of his career, he has invested more than $900 million in companies with a combined enterprise value of greater than $2 billion across dozens of investments. Most of Ethan’s investments have been very hands-on, and he has taken an extensive role in the operations of the business in order to help drive the company’s success.

Rich is founder of Xylogenesis | Family Office Advisory with 25+ years of family enterprise and office, legal, business, financial services, and professional service firm experience focused on serving multigenerational families primarily through their family offices. Rich is a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center (LL.M.), Gonzaga University School of Law (JD) and the University of Illinois (BS). Rich was just named in the World's Top 50 Family Enterprise Advisors by Family Capital. Rich and his family reside in St. Louis, Missouri.