On the Move: September 2026 Hires, Promotions, and New ACG Members

Alvarez & Marsal: Lynn Sommer

ACG Boston’s Lynn Sommer, who currently serves on the boards of both ACG Global and ACG Boston, has rejoined Alvarez & Marsal as a managing director. Based in the firm’s Boston office, Sommer will support A&M’s expansion of its Transaction Opinions group. She joins the firm from her most recent role as a managing director at BDO, where she was also New England Advisory Market Leader. She also served as a senior director in A&M’s valuation group from 2013-2014.

Gordon Brothers: Tron Allen

Gordon Brothers, an asset advisory, lending, investment and disposition firm, hired Tron Allen, a member of ACG Houston, as senior managing director in its Transaction Office. Based in Texas, Allen will lead business development efforts across North America, working with the firm’s appraisal, disposition, investment, and advisory teams to serve private equity sponsors, lenders, and investment bankers. Allen brings more than 30 years of experience in corporate finance, business development, enterprise client management and asset-based lending, most recently serving as chief commercial officer at Eclipse Business Capital.

Vector Capital: Kiran Rao

Vector Capital, a private equity firm focused on software and technology businesses, appointed Kiran Rao as Managing Director and Head of Value Creation, with a seat on the firm’s Management Committee. Based in San Francisco, Rao will lead operational improvement and AI-driven value creation initiatives across Vector’s portfolio companies. He brings extensive experience in portfolio operations, technology transformation, and artificial intelligence implementation. Most recently, he spent five years as chief operating pfficer of Vista Equity Partners’ Operations team, where he led the firm’s AI task force across more than 50 software companies.

The StratonHunter Group: Anna Mancini

The StratonHunter Group, a Canadian advisory firm focused on franchising, food and beverage manufacturing, and M&A, named Anna Mancini as director of sales and business development, according to a LinkedIn announcement. Based in Toronto, Mancini will lead commercial strategy across the firm’s franchisor advisory, food and beverage manufacturing advisory, and M&A practices. She brings more than 20 years of operational, business development and growth leadership experience supporting franchise systems and middle-market businesses. Most recently, she served as a national account executive and business development professional at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

McDermott Will & Schulte: Sina Hekmat and Leslie Hung

McDermott Will & Schulte, a global law firm, added Sina Hekmat as a partner in its Capital Markets Group. Based in New York, Hekmat advises issuers, underwriters, investors, and private equity sponsors on cross-border debt and equity offerings, structured finance transactions, M&A, and private capital matters. He brings more than 30 years of experience spanning U.S. and European capital markets, with particular expertise in Germany and broader European markets. Most recently, he was a partner at Hogan Lovells, where he built a practice advising clients on complex cross-border financing and capital markets transactions.

Separately, the firm also announced this month it has hired Leslie Hung as a partner in its Investment Management practice. Also based in New York, Hung will advise private fund sponsors and institutional investors on the formation, structuring, offering, and operation of private investment funds, as well as regulatory and compliance matters. Her practice spans buyout, credit, growth, GP stakes, and real estate funds, along with co-investments, secondary transactions, and other complex investment structures. Most recently, she was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, where she advised clients on private fund formation and related transactions.

Womble Bond Dickinson: Joshua Becker

Womble Bond Dickinson, an international law firm, hired Joshua Becker as a partner in its Corporate & Securities Group. Based in Phoenix, Becker advises franchisors, technology companies and other businesses on corporate transactions, franchise law, intellectual property matters, and M&A. His practice focuses on franchise system development, franchise disclosure documents, licensing arrangements, acquisitions, and operational compliance. He joined the firm from Gallagher & Kennedy, where he maintained a franchise, technology, and commercial law practice.

Freshfields: Andrea Devoe

Freshfields, a global law firm, announced it added Andrea Devoe as a partner in its U.S. Life Sciences practice. Based in Boston, Devoe will advise pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medtech companies, as well as private capital investors, on strategic transactions. She brings significant experience in licensing and collaboration agreements, joint ventures, M&A transactions, and minority investments across the life sciences sector. Most recently, she served as head of strategic transactions at Flagship Pioneering.

William Blair: Pete Dalrymple and Bill Nay

William Blair, an investment bank and financial services firm, welcomed back Pete Dalrymple as managing director and vice chair of Investment Banking this month. Based in Boston, Dalrymple will advise technology clients, deepen senior client relationships, and support strategic advisory opportunities across the firm’s global investment banking platform. Dalrymple previously spent more than 14 years at William Blair, most recently serving as global head of technology investment banking from 2020 to 2025 and as a member of the firm’s executive committee. Prior to his earlier tenure at William Blair, he worked at Canaccord Genuity.

Separately, the firm also announced that it added William “Bill” Nay as managing director within its Financial Services investment banking team. Based in Atlanta, Nay will advise insurance distribution and broader financial services companies on M&A, capital raising and strategic transactions. He brings extensive sector expertise, including 16 years as an insurance investment banker. Most recently, he served as chief acquisition officer at Galway Holdings and EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, where he led acquisition strategy and execution.

Vision Ridge Partners: Jason O’Briant

Vision Ridge Partners, a private equity firm focused on sustainable real assets, announced it hired Jason O’Briant as head of portfolio talent in a newly created role. O’Briant will work with portfolio company boards, management teams, and Vision Ridge’s investment professionals on executive recruiting, succession planning, leadership assessment, and organizational design. He brings more than 30 years of experience across corporate human resources, private equity, and advisory work. Most is also the founder of O’Briant Advisory, a consultancy focused on leadership effectiveness and organizational design for private equity-backed companies.