By: David Levy
Keen-Summit Capital Partners & Summit Investment Management
Dear TMA Chicago/Midwest Members,
It’s hard to believe we’ve already entered the fourth quarter—the year has flown by! Together, we’ve staged 28 successful events so far, with our marquee program still ahead: the Executive Speaker Forum featuring former Secretary of State Antony Blinken on November 20th.
As I like to say, “nothing but good comes from attending TMA events.” Each gathering helps you be in the right place at the right time to create opportunities for yourself, your firm, and your industry colleagues that make up your bench. For me, two events this year stand out as true highlights in expanding and strengthening our professional bench.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Last summer our NextGen and University Relations Committees collaborated to host a student-focused program featuring Larry Perkins, CEO and Founder of SierraConstellation Partners. Larry shared valuable insights on careers in restructuring and his book, “Don’t Be a Stranger: Create Your Own Luck in Business through Strategic Relationship Building”. Every attendee received a copy and Larry generously stayed late into the evening answering career questions until security told us it was time to leave!
Thanks to the tremendous support of KPMG, Alvarez & Marsal, AlixPartners, and many leading law firms, the event drew more than 70 students—some traveling hours just to attend. This turnout confirmed there is real demand for student-focused programming.
A special thanks to Latham & Watkins for hosting in their beautiful space, and to Stephen Viz (Hilco), Brandon Seni (Areté Capital), and Chris Draper (GA Group) for helping plan and moderate.
Meeting so many eager future professionals was inspiring. It also underscored an exciting opportunity for TMA to welcome and guide students who might otherwise “stumble” into restructuring, helping them discover and intentionally pursue this rewarding career path.
Expanding Into Large-Cap Restructuring Programming
At the other end of the spectrum, we launched the inaugural TMA Chicago/Midwest Large Cap Symposium on July 22 at The Ivy Room. This exclusive afternoon conference brought together more than 150 attendees—including top firm leaders, elite restructuring professionals, and Judge Michael Slade—for insightful conversations on the unique challenges of large-cap deals.
To be candid, this program drew many professionals who don’t typically attend TMA events. That’s exactly why it was such a success: by tailoring content to this specialized space, we expanded our reach and strengthened our bench.
Looking ahead, my vision is for the Large Cap Symposium to grow into the restructuring industry’s version of the Davos Economic Forum, Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, Aspen Ideas Festival, or New York Times DealBook Summit. The foundation has been laid, and I’m excited to help build on it next year. Click this link to enjoy three of the panel presentations.
As we head into the final stretch of 2025, let’s keep the momentum going. With your energy and support, TMA Chicago/Midwest continues to expand opportunities for our members, inspire the next generation, and create new platforms for thought leadership at every level of our industry.
Thank you for being an essential part of this journey—let’s finish the year strong!
Make It Rain,
David Levy
President, TMA Chicago/Midwest Chapter
