Online Registration for this event is now closed. Registration is available at the door the morning of the event (starting at 8:00 a.m.).
A People First Approach to M&A
***Please note our event location and time has changed***
Start Time: 8am
New location: Joya Kitchen - 10275 Science Center Dr #150, San Diego, CA 92121
Join for a meaningful discussion of the human experience of a merger or acquisition. While most M&A sessions focus on diligence, value capture, and integration checklists, and these things are important, this session is all about the people who make or break a successful acquisition and integration.
What will participants learn?
- A deeper understanding of the importance of prioritizing the employee experience to ensure post integration success
- How to properly motivate and incentivize a cohesive integration team
- Identify the necessary skills to influence and promote a people first approach to M&A activities
Speakers:
Lynn Kantor Herrick, Esq., is the Chief Operating Officer for Best Buy Health. At Best Buy Health, we help enrich and save lives through technology and meaningful connections by bringing together services, solutions, and technology to help our customers age the way they want to — at home, with a strong sense of purpose and connection to loved ones. In this role, Ms. Herrick has responsibility for operationalizing strategy, leading day-to-day operational functions, and promoting the culture and vision of Best Buy Health.
Lynn joined GreatCall in 2009 as General Counsel and was quickly promoted into key leadership and operational roles as the company grew. Ms. Herrick’s diverse experience, ability to recognize and develop talent, commitment to meaningful work and ability to balance human and business dynamics was essential to the company’s transformation from startup to acquisition by Best Buy in 2018.
Through more than 20 years of leadership at innovative, privately held companies, large private law firms, and public companies, she conveys a unique blend of legal and operational experience that includes a deep understanding of employment law, mergers and acquisitions, business operations, executive leadership, and corporate culture and life cycle.
She graduated from Indiana University School of Law, magna cum laude, and the University of Michigan, with honors.
Sorana Petersen is the Senior Director of Human Resources for Best Buy Health – a division of Best Buy enterprise focused on enriching and saving lives through technology and meaningful connections. Prior to the acquisition and subsequent integration of GreatCall, Inc. by Best Buy, Sorana served as the Vice President of Human Resources and led the human resources and organizational development functions – including talent acquisition, employee relations, payroll, HR systems, compensation and benefits, and engagement programs – supporting over 1500 employees in multi-state locations.
In addition to HR operations expertise, Sorana is a trusted business advisor to executive leaders, and a coach to high potential employees and those navigating challenges within their own professional journeys. Her extensive experience in training, leadership development, and business operations provides a balanced and thoughtful approach to problem-solving, establishing and executing people strategies and creating programs that support a people first culture. She has deep experience in mergers and acquisitions (diligence through integration work) on both sides of deals.
Sorana received a Bachelors of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego and holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation. She resides in San Diego with her husband and two boys, ages nine and seven.
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