Macquarie’s latest AGM sent shockwaves through the financial world—executive pay challenged, succession plans unclear, ESG pressure rising, and investor activism louder than ever. Is this a turning point for corporate accountability in Australia?

Today, I had the absolute privilege of filming with the incredible Justin Smith from Ansarada—not just our go-to M&A dataroom partner, but a true ally in championing women in finance. We’re thrilled to share more soon about how this collaboration is amplifying impact and elevating the voices that matter.

Australia’s M&A activity is gaining momentum, driven by strategic acquisitions, competitive bids, and growing international interest.

The market is tough, but opportunity is real for founders who are lean, early, and AI-savvy.

Global markets are on edge as U.S. tariff hikes, tech disruptions, and mixed macroeconomic signals send shockwaves through stocks, commodities, and currencies. From tumbling airline shares to surging oil service stocks and record-breaking Bitcoin highs, investors are scrambling to read the tea leaves in a volatile financial landscape.

Australia’s M&A market revealed a year of contrasts—an active first half driven by strategic deals, followed by a slower second half amid rising rates and regulatory pressure. Despite the shift, targeted opportunities persisted in resilient sectors like infrastructure and healthcare.

Will innovation be won through agility and vision, or will deep pockets and prestige prevail?

MSA is growing – with stronger leadership and greater impact.

Virgin Australia’s long-awaited ASX return sparked excitement, with shares surging 8.3% on debut. The $685 million IPO was oversubscribed, underscoring institutional confidence in the airline’s post-restructure growth under Bain Capital. Now holding a 35% domestic market share, Virgin’s revival also hints at broader IPO market recovery in Australia.

Silicon Valley is abuzz as Meta, under pressure to stay relevant in the AI arms race, is offering jaw-dropping $100 million sign-on bonuses to top developers — just to get them in the door. Meanwhile, Australia’s corporate landscape is undergoing its own shakeup, with activist investing gaining traction and reshaping how deals get done. From Nufarm to Lendlease, activist investors are no longer just shareholders — they're strategists with playbooks, pitch decks, and M&A agendas.

S&P Global has revised its global growth forecasts upward, buoyed by resilient Q1 activity and looser financial conditions — but the fragile calm may not last. Geopolitical flashpoints and looming U.S. policy decisions could still derail momentum.

In a world where every minute counts and leadership never sleeps, effective time management isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership imperative. I recently explored The Time Management Toolkit for Busy CEOs by Vistage, and it’s easily one of the most practical, strategy-packed reads I’ve come across for executive productivity. This isn’t just theory—it’s a distillation of real habits, data, and expert tactics grounded in 60+ years of coaching experience.

Global shifts in technology, investment flows, and political influence are reshaping priorities—from DEI funding declines to billion-dollar bets on AI infrastructure and crypto-fueled political war chests.

With over 110 amazing women registered, last night’s By Women in Finance event was a powerful reminder of what happens when ambitious, supportive, and driven professional women come together.

Inbound M&A into Australia has surged to USD 19.6bn across 160 deals in 2025 so far — its second-highest year-to-date on record. Japan and the US are leading the wave, fueled by megadeals in mining, technology, and financial services. As global uncertainty rises, Australia shines as a low-risk, high-opportunity destination for capital.

On Friday, MSA proudly stepped in as the first-ever official sponsor of The Friday Lunch Club — an exceptional networking hub for visionary founders and business leaders.

Tariff Turbulence: Trump Doubles Down on Steel and Aluminum Imports
In a late-night move, President Donald Trump signed an executive order doubling tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, igniting fresh concerns across global markets and manufacturing sectors.

Working in M&A, you move in lockstep with the rhythm of the economy — and right now, the beat is unmistakably marked by one word: uncertainty. Whether it’s political upheaval, interest rate turbulence, or shifting liquidity conditions, the current climate has many holding their breath.

But let’s be clear — the word isn’t recession. And that’s key.

Beneath the caution lies resilience. As dealmakers recalibrate, one thing is certain: where there is flux, there is opportunity. The bull may just be stretching its legs.

Just a day after a federal trade court blocked most of President Trump’s tariffs, they were reinstated—setting off a wave of uncertainty that could rattle global markets throughout the summer. While equity indexes rebounded on investor optimism, signs of deeper caution remain under the surface.

Salesforce seals the deal to acquire Informatica for $25/share, marking a major move in data management and integration. With voting control in hand via Permira and CPP Investments, and potential signals from Bank of America's Q1 positioning, the transaction is set to close early FY2027. This could reshape Salesforce's data ecosystem strategy — and shake up the broader cloud landscape.