Leveling Up: How One M&A Leader is Strategically Advancing His Career
As Harry prepares to transition to a Managing Director role, he is honing his expertise in corporate strategy to broaden his impact and sharpen his competitive edge. To gain a comprehensive view of the M&A lifecycle, he enrolled in the M&A and Corporate Strategy program. We spoke with Harry to understand how the program has supported his leadership journey.
Harry Phillips, a New York-based M&A Director at KPMG, boasts over twenty years as an advisor to leading companies in the energy, natural resources, chemicals, and industrial sectors. Harry has a proven history in due diligence, Day One readiness, post-merger integrations, and performance improvement for multi-billion-dollar deals, impacting strategic outcomes for Fortune 500 companies. As he prepares to transition to a Managing Director role, Harry is honing his expertise in corporate strategy to broaden his impact and sharpen his competitive edge. To gain a comprehensive view of the M&A lifecycle, he enrolled in the M&A and Corporate Strategy program.
We spoke with Harry to understand how the program has supported his leadership journey.
What motivated you to join the Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Strategy program?
I have primarily gained my M&A expertise through hands-on experience, and I saw this program as an opportunity to network with leading fellow practitioners who view M&A from different perspectives. The investment banking aspect, for example, was an area I wanted to explore further. Donna Hitscherich, with her background in investment banking and law, was a major attraction. Columbia’s esteemed reputation also ensured a high-caliber cohort, which did not disappoint. The quality of my classmates was truly impressive.
How was your overall experience with the program?
My experience was exceptional. Despite the course’s short duration, the content was rich and highly relevant. Donna Hitscherich’s ability to adapt to the diverse needs of attendees, coupled with her deep expertise, was a standout feature. Her teaching style made complex concepts more accessible.
Was there anything about the program that surprised you?
I was notably impressed by the new building at Columbia. Additionally, though New York City isn’t a hub for my primary industries—energy, mining, chemicals, and industrials—I was pleased to find substantial relevant content and networking opportunities within this program.
What were some of your key takeaways from the program?
The program highlighted areas where I could refine my approach and expand my strategic foresight further. A significant takeaway was the importance of organizations having a strong Day One communication plan—and how it is one of the primary leading indicators of a deal’s success, especially for corporates. We always hear about how much ‘dry powder’ private equity firms have, but seeing the latest estimates puts that insight into perspective. We also explored why certain investments aren’t going through now, particularly due to valuation gaps. The holistic perspective I gained has enhanced my strategic approach within the industry.
Who would you recommend the M&A and Corporate Strategy program to?
I enrolled to become a better C-suite advisor to my clients. My vision is to be the partner of choice for companies in energy, natural resources, chemicals, and industrials as they navigate their M&A journeys. This program offers an invaluable foundation for professionals aiming to excel in strategic roles or those aspiring to be leaders in M&A consulting.
Upcoming M&A and Corporate Strategy Program
$10,550
M&A and Corporate Strategy
4 CIBE Credits
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