Marching forward: Celebrating women in dealmaking

Returning for its third year, Ansarada's 2025 International Women's Day panel luncheon at the Crown Hotel in Sydney was a resounding success. Hosted by our Managing Director, Justin Smith, the event was a powerful celebration of the progress made towards gender equity, while also addressing the challenges that remain.

Following the UN's 2025 theme, "March Forward," our conversations centered on driving meaningful change and empowering women in the dealmaking industry. We were privileged to host an extraordinary panel of speakers, each a leader in their respective fields: 

• Ani Satchcroft – Senior Managing Director & Co-Head Infrastructure APAC, Macquarie Asset Management

• Chara Seow – Managing Director, Blackstone

• Katie Klosterman – Managing Director & Co-Head FIG, UBS

• Alexandra Williams – Managing Director Valuations, Alvarez & Marsal

• Philippa Stone – Partner & Co-Head Equity Capital Markets, Herbert Smith Freehills

These remarkable women shared their unique insights on how the conversation around gender equity has evolved in the finance and legal sectors, the confidence gap, tangible steps organizations are taking to accelerate female leadership, and the critical roles of sponsorship and mentorship in career growth. 

Their insights created a day filled with powerful conversations and a true sense of community. We are grateful for their contributions and for the valued customers who joined us, reinforcing our shared commitment to championing women in dealmaking.

2025 ANZ Women In Dealmaking M&A Outlook Report: Key insights

Beyond the celebration, the luncheon also served as the official launch of our ANZ Women In Dealmaking Report which highlights the critical trends shaping the Australia and New Zealand deal market in 2025. 

The report found global forces like the energy transition, AI, and complex geopolitics are significantly influencing transactions. In particular, AI is not just driving M&A activity but fundamentally transforming deal processes, becoming an increasingly critical factor. Closer to home, dealmakers are navigating a complex mix of dynamics, including interest rates, M&A law reform, cyber risks, and upcoming federal elections. 

Thank you to the 12 leading female dealmakers who contributed their expert perspective. Each is an industry leader who has steered transactions through market cycles, driven change, and set the pace for the sectors: 

• Ani Satchcroft – Senior Managing Director & Co-Head Infrastructure APAC, Macquarie Asset Management

• Courtney Roe – Director, McGrathNicol

• Edwina Baruffi – Director, General Industries, Citi 

• Gaynor Tracey – Head of Corporate, and Madeleine Kulakauskas – Partner, Hamilton Locke

• Harriet Hawksworth – Senior Manager, Deal Advisory, BDO

• Helen Sutherland – Partner, KPMG Mergers and Acquisitions

• Holly Stiles – Partner, National Head of Corporate Finance, Grant Thornton Australia

• Katie Klosterman – Co-Head Financial Institutions Group, Managing Director, UBS Investment Bank

• Lynda Reid – Corporate Advisory Partner, Mills Oakley

• Natasha Davidson – Deputy General Counsel, Software & Digitization, Renesas Electronics

Their invaluable contributions not only provide crucial insights into the market but also underscore the significant strides being made towards a more inclusive and diverse M&A industry in the region.

Our commitment to progress

The International Women's Day luncheon and the 2025 ANZ Women In Dealmaking M&A Outlook Report are testaments to Ansarada's commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue and driving positive change. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of women in dealmaking and to continue supporting their advancement.