The Dealist

Inside Shareholder Activism: Boardroom Strategies That Work

SS&C Intralinks — Tue, 26 May 2026 16:30:24 +0000

In the final episode of season three of The Dealist podcast, we explore the evolving world of shareholder activism and corporate governance. We’re joined by Michael Vogele of Alliance Advisors and corporate governance expert Charles Elson, founding director, Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware and executive editor at large, Directors & Boards, to unpack the trends shaping boardrooms and dealmaking today.

Key topics include: • Why activist campaigns are reaching record levels • How boards can prepare for shareholder scrutiny • The growing importance of board composition and refreshment • The role of governance in M&A strategy and corporate performance • Lessons from Elon Musk and Tesla on board independence and shareholder influence • Practical advice for companies facing activist investors

From proxy battles and shareholder proposals to investor engagement and long-term value creation, this episode offers timely insights for executives, directors and dealmakers navigating an increasingly complex market environment.

What Investment Bankers and Advisors Really Do During Due Diligence

SS&C Intralinks — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:27:17 +0000

In the final episode of season one of The Dealist, we go inside the transaction to explore the crucial roles M&A advisors and investment bankers play. From balancing risk and opportunity to guiding founders through one of the biggest decisions of their professional lives, this conversation reveals how these professionals create value throughout the deal process.

Host: Catherine Ford

Guests: • Arash Farin, CEO, Centerstone Capital • Jay Liebowitz, Managing director & co-founder, Centerstone Capital

Key discussion highlights • Balancing risk and reward to maximize opportunities while managing investor concerns • Breaking down commercial, operational and financial due diligence • Managing founders’ valuation expectations to reach fair deals • Using earnouts to bridge valuation gaps and close transactions • Exploring why deals are slowing down despite pressure for speed • Leveraging technology and AI while maintaining essential human trust • Career advice for those starting out in advisory

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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Further reading

The Dynamics of Due Diligence, a report produced by SS&C Intralinks in association with Mergermarket and The M&A Research Centre (MARC) that explores the reasons behind the ever-expanding due diligence period in the past decade and reveals why those deals that have a “medium” duration in terms of timing are the most likely to succeed. Download here: https://www3.intralinks.com/the-dynamics-of-due-diligence-report?&utmcampaign=701pq00000ca6xu&utm_content=podcast-blog)

Discover how Intralinks DealCentre™ revolutionizes deal management with cutting-edge AI technology and smart solutions here: https://www.intralinks.com/products/dealcentre-ai?utm_source=podcast-platform&utm_medium=partner-referrals

The Future of AI in M&A: What’s Next?

SS&C Intralinks — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:05:27 +0000

GenAI has moved from buzz to real utility — and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is on the edge of its next big shift. In the Season 2 finale of The Dealist podcast, host Catherine Ford talks with Austin Corbett of Accenture and Jon Martin of SS&C Intralinks about the early signals of what’s coming, from the rise of agentic AI and smarter diligence workflows to the long-term potential for a digital twin that mirrors the entire deal process in near-real time.

Listen to learn:

How next-gen technology is reshaping every stage of dealmaking
What Accenture’s latest research reveals about AI’s role in the future of M&A
How serial acquirers are investing in AI to accelerate value capture
The ways AI will assist valuations, reduce wasted deal effort and support stronger decision-making
How agentic AI could operate as an autonomous partner in the deal process
Why a digital twin for M&A may be closer than many expect

*Subscribe to The Dealist **

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Timestamps

0:45 Introductions 2:15 Early-stage AI trends 5:30 AI’s competitive edge 7:04 Next-gen tech is reshaping every stage of dealmaking 7:25 Accenture research: AI will revolutionize how deals are done 9:56 Serial acquirers are investing in AI 12:27 AI’s impact now and in the future of M&A 14:00 How AI will help valuations 16:45 Upskilling deal teams to future-proof 19:43 DealCentre AI showcase 20:23 Agentic AI — an autonomous deal team member 23:38 AI will reduce effort on deals that won’t ever close 26:30 The most strategic teams will use AI to win 26:52 We’ve just scratched the surface of what AI can do in M&A 28:28: A digital twin for M&A

PwC on Deals: Reinventing M&A Structures for a Changing Market

SS&C Intralinks — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:45:45 +0000

PwC partners Kevin Desai and Chris Rhodes join this episode of The Dealist podcast to explore how deal structures are evolving as capital markets grow more complex — and why sticking to the old playbook may now be the biggest risk.

As Chris highlights, deal complexity isn’t something to avoid — it’s where opportunity lives. With new sources of capital emerging, dealmakers need to rethink how they structure transactions and stay open to approaches that better fit today’s environment. The key takeaway: don’t be afraid of where the money comes from and make sure it’s right for your business, your deal and the governance needed to drive value.

What you’ll learn:

Why the real risk today is doing deals the way you always have
How evolving deal structures are reshaping M&A strategy
The difference between private capital and private credit — and why it matters
How tailored capital solutions can unlock new opportunities
Why governance and active partnership are critical to realizing value

*Subscribe to The Dealist **

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Further reading H1 2026 Global M&A Dealmakers Sentiment Report: Our annual survey published with Reuters reveals how 400 corporate and PE professionals expect disrupted deal pipelines, regulatory changes and ongoing geopolitical risks to shape dealmaking in H1 2026. Download here: https://www.intralinks.com/resources/reports/global-ma-dealmakers-sentiment-report-h1-2026?utm_campaign=701pq00000hlmkc&utm_program=dealist-podcast&utm_content=s3e4

What Lawyers Really Do During Due Diligence

SS&C Intralinks — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 15:13:56 +0000

In this insightful episode of The Dealist, we sit down with Peter Emmi, a partner at Reed Smith based in New York City and a legal expert with a deep technical background, including a 17-year career as an engineer, researcher and dealmaker on the legal team at IBM.

Peter discusses the role lawyers play during the due diligence process in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), particularly as it relates to rapidly evolving technologies.

Reflecting on the collaborative nature of successful transactions, he shares a guiding principle: "[M&A] is supposed to be a win-win, and that's the way we try to approach it."

Listen to hear Peter's insights on:

The highs and lows of performing diligence
Engaging directly with technical experts to unpeel the onion of a target’s operations
Best practices for using AI
The importance of emotional intelligence
Plus, hear a diligence war story you won't believe

Subscribe to The Dealist

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Further reading

The Dynamics of Due Diligence, a report produced in association with Mergermarket and The M&A Research Centre (MARC) that explores the reasons behind the ever-expanding due diligence period in the past decade and reveals why those deals that have a “medium” duration in terms of timing are the most likely to succeed. Download here: https://www3.intralinks.com/the-dynamics-of-due-diligence-report?&utmcampaign=701pq00000ca6xu&utm_content=podcast-blog)

“The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on M&A Deals—Part I” by Peter Emmi published in The Journal of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Law (Volume 8, No. 2; March-April 2025): https://www.reedsmith.com/en/perspectives/2025/03/impact-of-artificial-intelligence-ma-deals-part-i.

Explore our INsights blog for more expert analysis and dealmaking trends. https://intralinks.com/insights

AI Literacy For M&A Dealmakers

SS&C Intralinks — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:13:25 +0000

In this episode of The Dealist, we're joined once again by Professor Scott Moeller, founder and director of the M&A Research Centre at Bayes Business School, City, University of London, and former global head of corporate development at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank.

We discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from the classroom to the boardroom — and how dealmakers at every stage of their career can build AI confidence and capability.

Listen to learn:

How business schools are embedding AI literacy into M&A education
Ways junior professionals can balance GenAI tools with human intuition
How mid-level dealmakers can upskill through training and hands-on experience
Why senior leaders need humility — and practice — to make AI work for them
Where AI is headed next: due diligence, negotiation simulations, scenario planning and PMI

*Subscribe to The Dealist **

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Further reading Download 8 Ways GenAI Is Shaping Corp Dev, Legal and IT here: https://www.intralinks.com/resources/reports/8-ways-genai-shaping-corp-dev-legal-and-it?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=701pq00000zkdcr&utm_content=podcast-s2e4

Lessons for Dealmakers From a Former M&A Reporter

SS&C Intralinks — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 15:14:48 +0000

According to the 2026 SS&C Intralinks M&A Leaks Report, produced with Bayes Business School, nearly one in 10 mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals leaked before its public announcement in 2025. But how does confidential information reach the media, and what can dealmakers do to protect their transactions?

In this episode of The Dealist podcast, presented by SS&C Intralinks, Ed Hammond, founding partner at Collected Strategies and former M&A reporter for Bloomberg and the Financial Times, reveals how journalists uncover confidential transactions and turn fragments of information into market-moving stories.

Drawing on his experience breaking major M&A stories, Ed explores why deals leak, the risks facing cross-border transactions and how companies can respond when sensitive information becomes public.

In this episode, you'll learn: • Why M&A deals leak and how reporters uncover confidential information • How seemingly harmless conversations can expose sensitive transactions • Why cross-border deals face greater leak risks • How dealmakers can minimize leaks and manage the fallout

Further reading 2026 SS&C Intralinks M&A Leaks Report “Confessions of a Former Star M&A Reporter,”Financial Times

Subscribe to The Dealist

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Discover how SS&C Intralinks DealCentre AI™ revolutionizes deal management with cutting-edge AI technology and smart solutions here: https://www.intralinks.com/products/dealcentre-ai?utm_source=podcast-platform&utm_medium=partner-referrals

What Makes A Good IPO?

SS&C Intralinks — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:30:25 +0000

The initial public offering (IPO) market is showing signs of life, but it’s a very different landscape from years past. In this episode of The Dealist podcast, presented by SS&C Intralinks, we explore what it really takes to go public in today’s more selective, fundamentals-driven environment.

Host Catherine Ford is joined by veteran Silicon Valley lawyer Louis Lehot of Foley & Lardner LLP, and Blockstream CFO Michael Golomb who has taken multiple companies public. They unpack why companies are staying private longer, why IPOs are no longer the default path, and what’s driving the current wave of market readiness.

Listen to learn: • What’s changed in the IPO landscape — and why timing matters more than ever • The real reasons companies choose to go public (and when they shouldn’t) • What IPO readiness looks like across teams, systems and strategy • How artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to shape the IPO process • The key ingredients of a successful IPO — from strong fundamentals to a compelling growth story

If you want a clear, insider view of what separates a good IPO from a great one, this episode delivers.

*Subscribe to The Dealist **

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Further reading IPO Readiness in 2026: Our new white paper, informed by expert insights shared during a recent panel Intralinks hosted with Foley & Lardner LLP, examines how investor expectations, sector dynamics and operational discipline are redefining what IPO readiness means in 2026. Download it here: https://www.intralinks.com/resources/whitepapers/ipo-readiness-2026?utm_campaign=701rm00000ynm0b&utm_program=dealist-podcast&utm_content=podcast-s3e4

Corp Dev In the Age of AI

SS&C Intralinks — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:18:48 +0000

AI is transforming corporate development — from how deal teams identify targets to how they manage due diligence and post-merger integration (PMI). In this episode of The Dealist, Alessandro Cozzi, a director at Korn Ferry, and Ronjohn Dadd, senior director of product at SS&C Intralinks, discuss how AI is reshaping this critical business function across the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape.

Together, they explore how corp dev teams are applying AI to source smarter deals, accelerate due diligence and reduce risk — including how platforms like DealCentre AI are helping dealmakers work faster and with greater confidence. The discussion also touches on the evolving role of technology in dealmaking, how organizations can adapt their workflows to maximize the benefits of AI and which skills are essential for corp dev pros.

Listen to learn:

How AI is changing corporate development strategies and streamlining execution
Real-world examples of AI-driven efficiency — from deal sourcing and due diligence to board presentations
How DealCentre AI and similar platforms enhance accuracy, speed and insight in M&A
Why adaptability, data literacy and training are critical to AI adoption

*Subscribe to The Dealist **

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

The Due Diligence Playbook: How Private Equity Pros Navigate Complex Deals

SS&C Intralinks — Fri, 09 May 2025 14:26:10 +0000

What does it take for a private equity (PE) firm to transform a target from a deal thesis to a high-performing portfolio asset delivering returns for limited partners (LPs)? What advantages do PE firms have over their corporate counterparts?

In this episode of The Dealist, we unpack the playbook fund managers rely on to evaluate opportunities, manage risk and lay the groundwork for a successful exit — all beginning with rigorous due diligence.

Host Catherine Ford sits down with two seasoned industry experts:

Paul Aversano, a managing director at Alvarez & Marsal
Michael Hanigan, a partner at Gamut Capital Management

Together, they explore how diligence is evolving, how dealmakers are adapting to uncertainty and what strategies top PE firms are using to navigate complex transactions.

Tune in for insights on:

Where the diligence process is getting sharper — and where it’s getting harder
How PE teams separate noise from real risk in today's data-rich environment
How PE firms build an exit strategy into their earliest deal stages

Further reading: The Dynamics of Due Diligence

Explore our INsights blog for more expert analysis and dealmaking trends. https://intralinks.com/insights

Subscribe to The Dealist

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Dealmaking in the Land of 80 Million Lawsuits

SS&C Intralinks — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:44:21 +0000

In this episode of The Dealist podcast, Gustavo Rugani and Savio Andrade of Machado Meyer Advogados share how the Brazil-based firm’s early adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) accelerated its digital transformation. In a country with a highly litigious culture — it’s home to more than 80 million lawsuits — AI and legal tech have become essential tools for sifting through vast amounts of data, automating routine tasks and driving efficiency.

Listen to learn how their firm is: • Building digital-first cultures that balance efficiency with safety, security and client trust • Turning massive amounts of publicly available data into actionable insights during M&A target research and due diligence • Using AI to automate repetitive, billable-hour tasks like document review and corporate minutes • Freeing up time to focus on strategic work, innovation and deeper client relationships

*Subscribe to The Dealist **

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Further reading

The Dynamics of Due Diligence, a report produced with Mergermarket and The M&A Research Centre (MARC), explores the reasons behind the ever-expanding due diligence period in the past decade and reveals why those deals that have a “medium” duration in terms of timing are the most likely to succeed. Download here: https://www3.intralinks.com/the-dynamics-of-due-diligence-report?&utmcampaign=701pq00000ca6xu&utm_content=podcast-blog

It’s The End of Desktop Due Diligence As We Know It

SS&C Intralinks — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:22:37 +0000

The most successful M&A deals start with a clear thesis —one grounded in what must be true for the deal to deliver value.

Due diligence has been redefined as a result, shifting toward a more focused, thesis-led approach. And with that shift comes the end of traditional “desktop diligence.” As Kevin Desai, U.S. and Mexico Deals leader at PwC, puts it: “The old days of doing desktop diligence … probably not enough.”

In this episode of The Dealist podcast presented by SS&C Intralinks, Kevin joins us to explore how due diligence has evolved into a far more strategic, hands-on discipline. Today, success starts with a critical question: What must be true for this deal to succeed?

From there, diligence becomes thesis-led — focused not just on validating the numbers, but on understanding whether a business is truly built to deliver on its value creation plan. That means going deeper into operations, talent, culture and technology, and bringing in the right specialists to assess each dimension.

The conversation also highlights a major shift in expectations: diligence is no longer just about identifying risks — it’s about building conviction. In a competitive deal environment, investors need speed to insight, clear answers and actionable solutions to move decisively.

Listen to learn: • How aligning early around the strategic imperative shapes the entire diligence process • The need for multidisciplinary expertise across operations, technology, talent and culture • How to identify and address capability gaps without derailing the deal • Why human interaction — not just data — remains essential to uncovering real insight • The importance of integrating post-merger thinking early, with a focus on long-term value creation • How speed, clarity and stakeholder alignment drive better deal outcomes

The Role of Virtual Data Rooms and AI in Due Diligence

SS&C Intralinks — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 11:10:52 +0000

Welcome to The Dealist, your trusted insider's guide to navigating the complexities of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). This episode of the podcast explores how technology, particularly virtual data rooms (VDRs) and artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the due diligence process. We’re joined by two distinguished guests, Noah Waisberg, CEO of Zuva, and Prakash Kanchinadam, head of AI and analytics at SS&C Intralinks.

Together, they explore:

The history and evolution of M&A, and the introduction of virtual data rooms as an essential tool for secure transactions
Why VDRs are indispensable for managing today's complex deals, with their built-in security features and ability to handle vast volumes of data
The role of AI in enhancing due diligence for dealmakers — from automating labor-intensive processes like document classification and redaction to identifying key contractual obligations
The future of AI in M&A, its opportunities to reduce manual work and its limitations that highlight the continued importance of human judgment
What the rise of agentic AI could mean for the future of due diligence
Don’t miss out on this engaging discussion. Subscribe to The Dealist wherever you get your podcasts or visit our website to explore more episodes.

Host: Catherine Ford Further reading: The Dynamics of Due Diligence Explore our INsights blog for more expert analysis and dealmaking trends. https://intralinks.com/insights

Subscribe to The Dealist Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Corporate Divorce: Why Some M&A Marriages Don't Last

SS&C Intralinks — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 13:15:04 +0000

Inorganic growth is often essential to achieving business objectives, making M&A a strategic necessity. Yet despite the significant time, capital and resources invested in transactions, nearly half are eventually undone. Why do so many corporate marriages end in divorce, and what can dealmakers do to avoid the same fate?

In this episode of The Dealist, presented by SS&C Intralinks, Henrik Cronqvist, professor of finance at Chapman University, and Désirée-Jessica Pély, CEO of GetAlfa.AI and research associate at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, discuss their research into the behavioral patterns behind failed acquisitions.

Drawing on an analysis of more than 1,500 mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions involving S&P 500 companies, they explore why some deals are doomed from the start while others unravel because of unforeseen market disruptions. They also examine the role of corporate culture, executive overconfidence and fear of missing out (FOMO) in M&A decision-making.

In this episode, you'll learn: • Why 46 percent of M&A transactions in the study were eventually undone • How overconfidence, confirmation bias and FOMO can derail even promising deals • What Microsoft–Nokia and Unilever–SlimFast reveal about why acquisitions fail • Why cultural compatibility can make or break a transaction • Five practical steps to avoid corporate divorce and recognize when it's time to walk away

*Subscribe to The Dealist **

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Further reading Research article in MIT Sloan Management Review: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/why-mergers-fail-and-how-to-spot-trouble-early/ Full academic research paper: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3662469

AI and Deal Privacy: Safeguarding M&A Deals in the Digital Age

SS&C Intralinks — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 17:14:03 +0000

In Season 2, episode 2 of The Dealist, host Catherine Ford explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping deal privacy in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), accelerating due diligence, securing virtual data rooms (VDRs) and detecting breaches in real time while underscoring why human oversight remains critical in high-stakes transactions. Listen to gain practical insights into how AI can strengthen security without compromising the trust and judgment that drive successful deals.

Guests • Thomas Meurer, Hengeler Mueller • Pierre G. Zickert, Hengeler Mueller
• Prakash Kanchinadam, SS&C Intralinks

Key takeaways • Security-first design is essential for AI in M&A • AI accelerates due diligence and safeguards sensitive data • VDRs gain stronger defenses with AI monitoring • Human oversight ensures trust and balance in high-stakes transactions

*Subscribe to The Dealist **

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Further reading

The Dynamics of Due Diligence, a report produced with Mergermarket and The M&A Research Centre (MARC) explores the reasons behind the ever-expanding due diligence period in the past decade and reveals why those deals that have a “medium” duration in terms of timing are the most likely to succeed. Download here: https://www3.intralinks.com/the-dynamics-of-due-diligence-report?&utmcampaign=701pq00000ca6xu&utm_content=podcast-blog)

Discover how Intralinks DealCentre AI™ revolutionizes deal management with cutting-edge AI technology and smart solutions here: https://www.intralinks.com/products/dealcentre-ai?utm_source=podcast-platform&utm_medium=partner-referrals

The New Reality of Cross-Border M&A

SS&C Intralinks — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:47:18 +0000

Cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) dealmaking is back on the agenda — even as geopolitical tension and regulatory scrutiny remain high. In this episode of The Dealist podcast, Jannan Crozier, partner and global head of M&A at Baker McKenzie, shares what’s driving renewed optimism and how dealmakers can navigate the evolving landscape.

The discussion explores how stabilizing interest rates, private equity dry powder, supply chain shifts and shareholder activism are fueling activity across regions. It also unpacks the growing complexity of foreign direct investment (FDI) regimes and what it takes to structure deals that can withstand heightened scrutiny.

Key themes include:

• Why optimism is returning to cross-border M&A
• Bridging valuation gaps with creative deal structures
• The expanding role of FDI and regulatory scrutiny
• Managing risk, timelines and deal certainty
• How advisors and clients can work together to find a path to “yes”

*Subscribe to The Dealist **

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Guarding Against Deal Leaks: Strategies for Confidentiality in M&A

SS&C Intralinks — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 13:58:47 +0000

Welcome to the second episode of the first season of The Dealist, focusing on the critical topic of due diligence. Today, we’re turning our attention to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deal leaks — why they happen, how they can derail transactions and what dealmakers can do to protect confidentiality throughout the M&A process.

Together, we explore the difference between strategic and accidental leaks, the role of cybersecurity and training, the tools and processes that can mitigate risk, and how leaks impact both deal timing and public perception. Listen in for practical insights and real-world examples that will help you navigate one of the most sensitive aspects of M&A due diligence.

The difference between intentional and accidental leaks
Impacts of leaks on private and public M&A markets
The role of virtual data rooms, governance and training in safeguarding sensitive data
Strategies to address breaches and reinforce confidentiality

Guests:

Dan Scorpio, Head of M&A and Activism at communications firm H/Advisors Abernathy
Nitin Kumar, Independent Market Commentator
Matt Wells, Vice President of Product Marketing at SS&C Intralinks

Host: Catherine Ford Additional reading: 2024 SS&C Intralinks Deal Leaks Report

Explore our INsights blog for more expert analysis and dealmaking trends. https://intralinks.com/insights

Discover how Intralinks DealCentre™ revolutionizes deal management with cutting-edge AI technology and smart solutions. here: https://www.intralinks.com/products/dealcentre-ai?utm_source=podcast-platform&utm_medium=partner-referrals

Northbound Capital: Inside the U.S.-Nordics M&A Surge

SS&C Intralinks — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 21:18:53 +0000

In this episode of The Dealist podcast, presented by SS&C Intralinks, we explore what's fueling U.S.-Nordics mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity, the sectors attracting investment, and the regulatory, cultural and execution challenges facing cross-border dealmakers.

Guests • Airi Hammalov, Partner, White & Case LLP • Johan Steen, Partner, White & Case LLP • Mark Mua, Regional Lead, Nordics, SS&C Intralinks

Key topics discussed • Why U.S. buyers are increasingly targeting Nordic companies, particularly in technology, industrial automation and life sciences • How Nordic deal structures, negotiation styles and cultural norms differ from those in the U.S. • The impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) screening and regulatory approvals on deal timelines • Why early preparation, disciplined due diligence and post-merger integration planning are critical to successful transactions • How AI is streamlining cross-border due diligence while human judgment remains essential to assessing risk and negotiating deals

Further reading The New Geography of Cross-Border M&A, produced in association with PitchBook.

Demystifying AI in M&A

SS&C Intralinks — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:19:04 +0000

In this season two premiere of The Dealist, host Catherine Ford is joined by Jeff Haxer, a partner at Bain & Company, and Ken Bisconti, co-head of SS&C Intralinks, to cut through the misconceptions surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) in mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

The discussion also explores how AI is accelerating due diligence, reshaping virtual data room (VDR) analysis and redefining the balance between human judgment and machine support. “We're starting to see that there's a correlation between frequent M&A transactions and early adoption of AI and shareholder return,” says Haxer, “and we expect that gap to widen over time.”

This episode offers dealmakers practical insights on staying competitive in an era where technology is no longer optional.

Key takeaways: • AI isn’t just for mega-deals • AI doesn't understand meaning like humans do — yet • Early AI adopters see 2-3x better shareholder returns • The gap between AI adopters and laggards is widening rapidly

*Subscribe to The Dealist **

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Further reading

How Are Dealmakers Really Feeling About 2026?

SS&C Intralinks — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:24:45 +0000

In the first episode of Season 3 of The Dealist podcast, we're joined by Liam Stoker (Market Insights Lead, Reuters) and Todd Partridge (SVP of Marketing, SS&C Intralinks) to break down what’s shaping M&A as dealmakers look ahead to 2026.

Drawing on fresh market data and real-world perspectives from the H1 2026 Global Dealmakers Sentiment Report, the conversation focuses on where M&A momentum is building, where risks remain and opportunities exist, and how corporate and private equity dealmakers are adapting to geopolitical turmoil.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why cautious optimism is returning to M&A — and how dealmakers are positioning for the next cycle
How regulatory shifts are unlocking new capital flows into private equity
What tightening financing conditions mean for deal structures in 2026
Why Europe and Asia are gaining ground as attractive M&A regions
How AI is moving from experimentation to execution in dealmaking

*Subscribe to The Dealist **

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

M&A's Biggest AI Risk Isn't What You Think

SS&C Intralinks — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:21:02 +0000

Artificial intelligence (AI) is moving fast in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). However, governance is not. Dealmakers are using AI to accelerate diligence, sharpen analysis and streamline execution, but the rush to adopt new tools is creating new exposure related to security, accuracy and control.

In this episode of The Dealist podcast, host Catherine Ford is joined by Liam Stoker from Reuters Professional and Ashwin Moranganti from SS&C Intralinks to unpack findings from AI in M&A Dealmaking: A Benchmark Study. Based on responses from 400 global deal professionals, the research reveals just how quickly AI is becoming embedded in deal workflows — and where the risks are beginning to outpace the safeguards.

The conversation explores: • Why AI adoption is no longer the headline — governance is • What it means that nearly 80 percent of dealmakers have experienced AI-related security or accuracy incidents • Why senior leaders remain cautious even as deal teams push ahead • How tool sprawl is creating new challenges across the deal life cycle • Why permission-aware access, secure AI architecture and model context protocol (MCP) matter to M&A workflows

Subscribe to The Dealist podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Further reading Download AI in M&A Dealmaking: A Benchmark Study here: https://www.intralinks.com/resources/reports/ai-ma-dealmaking

Advanced M&A Diligence Strategies: Elevating Your Framework

SS&C Intralinks — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome to SS&C Intralinks' new podcast, The Dealist, created exclusively for corporate and private equity mergers and acquisitions (M&A) dealmakers. In our first season, we're diving deep into due diligence, unpacking how to master the diligence process and drive smarter deals.

For our first episode, "Advanced M&A Diligence Strategies: Elevating Your Framework," we're joined by Valeriya Vitkova and Scott Moeller, of the M&A Research Centre (MARC) at Bayes Business School, City, University of London, who discuss:

Advanced diligence methodologies and frameworks
Real-world case studies of complex diligence challenges
How experience, intuition and data-driven analytics combine for better outcomes
Plus, don’t miss an M&A war story you have to hear to believe

Host: Catherine Ford Further reading: The Dynamics of Due Diligence

Explore our INsights blog for more expert analysis and dealmaking trends. https://intralinks.com/insights

The Dealist Season 2 Trailer: How AI Is Changing M&A Dealmaking

SS&C Intralinks — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:54:21 +0000

In Season 2 of The Dealist, Catherine Ford and senior M&A leaders cut through the hype to reveal how AI is reshaping M&A — from faster due diligence to sharper efficiencies and real competitive advantage. Discover where AI is taking dealmaking next when the first episode premieres September 2, 2025.

Don’t miss these conversations. Subscribe to The Dealist wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe to The Dealist

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks

Further reading