After the powerful session “M&A from a Woman’s Perspective” at the 2024 M&A Source Fall Conference, we wanted to capture the energy and excitement of the moment by sitting down with Jaclyn Ring (JR) to revisit questions from the session. As REAG continues to lead through innovation and diverse perspectives, Ring’s insights offer a timely window into the transformation of the M&A landscape.
Leadership and Deal-Making in M&A
Q: In your experience, what qualities do women uniquely bring to the M&A lifecycle that can give them an edge over their male counterparts?
JR: The current M&A environment demands a sophisticated approach to value creation and relationship building, and I’ve observed several strengths that women often bring to the table. Women frequently excel at forging deep, trust-based relationships with stakeholders at every level of a deal. There’s also a tendency to take a more holistic view of business operations – seeing beyond just the numbers to understand how all the pieces fit together.
Emotional intelligence becomes particularly valuable during complex negotiations, allowing us to read the room and navigate delicate situations effectively. Perhaps most importantly, we tend to bring fresh perspectives to traditional deal structures, often seeing opportunities and solutions that might otherwise be overlooked.
Q: How have you navigated common stereotypes in the M&A industry, and how has this impacted your approach to deal-making?
JR: Let’s be candid – we’ve all walked into rooms where we were the only woman present. But what’s fascinating is how we’ve turned that into an advantage. When you’re the only one who sees things from a different angle, you start spotting opportunities that others might miss. I’ve found that building rock-solid technical expertise isn’t just about proving yourself – it’s about leading with strong ideas.
These industry challenges have become our competitive edge. We’ve learned to leverage our unique perspectives to deliver exceptional outcomes. And at the end of the day, nothing speaks louder than results. When you consistently perform at the highest level, everything else becomes secondary.
Strategic Approaches in Lower Middle Market Investment Banking
Q: Have you found that your approach to negotiation differs from your male colleagues? If so, how has this difference been an advantage in deal closures?
JR: Every negotiator brings their own unique perspective to the table. I’ve found that combining different approaches enriches the deal process. For example, in post-meeting debriefs, while some team members might focus on specific financial metrics or deal terms, I might pick up on underlying concerns about company culture or long-term integration challenges. This diversity in perspective doesn’t make one approach better than another—it creates a more comprehensive understanding that leads to stronger, more sustainable deals. Having both perspectives makes a team unstoppable.
Q: M&A often requires building trust with different stakeholders. Do you think women approach relationship-building differently and in a way that adds value to the process?
JR: Success in M&A comes down to trust, full stop. What I’ve found most effective is going beyond surface-level discussions to understand the real motivations driving decisions. When a seller has spent 30 years building their company, they care about legacy, employees, and community impact just as much as purchase price. By focusing on these deeper concerns early – bringing them into the open and addressing them head-on – I often unlock solutions that might otherwise stay hidden. This approach leads to stronger deals and, importantly, deals that actually close. I’ve seen countless deals succeed or fail based on recognizing the human element behind the transaction.
Professional Development for Women Investment Bankers in M&A
Q: M&A can be demanding, with high expectations and long hours. How do you manage work-life balance, and does being a woman influence your approach?
JR: I’m a lot of things to a lot of people – colleague, advisor, wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, the list goes on and on. The reality is, particularly in M&A, there’s never a time when I’m performing perfectly in all these roles simultaneously, and I’ve learned that’s okay. This perspective has actually made me a better deal advisor – understanding that success isn’t about perfection, but about being present and effective in the moments that matter most.
Q: How important is mentorship and sponsorship for women in M&A, and have you seen a difference in how women support each other in this industry?
JR: Here’s where I get really excited about the future. When I started in M&A, there was no infrastructure, no clear path for women. We were all figuring it out on our own.
Now? We’re deliberately building what we wish we’d had. I’m seeing powerful mentorship programs where seasoned women leaders are actively pulling up the next generation, sharing not just technical knowledge, but the unwritten rules of the game.
We’ve created these incredible peer networks where women can have real, honest conversations about challenges and opportunities.
But what really gets me fired up is seeing how these initiatives are creating tangible opportunities. Women who come through these programs aren’t just surviving in M&A – they’re thriving, leading major deals, and reshaping the industry. More young women are starting to become interested in the field. Today, women are taking their rightful place at the deal table, not just working behind the scenes.
Industry Evolution of Investment Banking and M&A
Q: What changes would you like to see in the M&A landscape to better support the success of women, and how can the industry continue to evolve in that direction?
JR: We are seeing an unprecedented rise in women entering the M&A space, a trend that reflects a growing recognition of the value strong women bring to private equity and investment banking teams. Whether intentional or not, REAG was ahead of the curve in embracing this perspective. From the very start, they supported me through education, real-world experiences, and, most importantly, by providing the opportunity to grow professionally on my own terms.
Our industry must continue fostering and supporting the growth of women in the same way you and Todd did for me. In my view, mentorship and opportunity are the two most critical drivers of success for women in M&A. By championing these elements, we can create an environment where more women can thrive and make a lasting impact.
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This Q&A document reflects insights from the groundbreaking “M&A from a Woman’s Perspective” panel at the 2024 M&A Source Fall Conference & Deal Market. The success of this panel helped establish the foundation for the inaugural Women’s Networking Event, marking a significant step forward in promoting diverse perspectives in the M&A landscape.
Connect with REAG to learn how our innovative approach to M&A can drive value for your business.
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Bio: Jaclyn Ring CM&AP, M&AMI joined REAG in 2013 and has over 10 years of mergers and acquisitions experience. She is responsible for the execution of buy-side and sell-side transactions. Jaclyn is an active member of the M&A Source earning the prestigious CM&AP designation in 2020 and more recently, the M&AMI. She is also a recipient of the 2023 Gold Club Award from the M&A Source and more recently the M&A Source Service Award. She is a member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and an active participant in the ACG Women’s Network and the recipient of the 2024 ACG Pittsburgh Women in Transaction Award. In 2023, Ring was elected to the M&A Source Board of Governors and serves as the sponsorship chair. In 2026 she will serve as the Chair of the Board for M&A Source.
Prior to joining REAG, she worked in the front office of the Pittsburgh Pirates, where she had a strong track record of client service, satisfaction, and retention.
Jaclyn lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and three children. She enjoys being on the sideline for children’s youth sporting events. As a family they enjoy skiing, exploring new places through travel, and spending time outdoors.
