Senior Manager, Corporate Strategy and M&A

DIEGO CAT

*****@****.******.*** • 469-***-**** • Coppell, TX; EU / US Resident

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegocat

Experienced multilingual Finance and Strategy Manager, with a record of accomplishment in diversifying business in CPG and Airline Catering industries. Change agent, driving innovation in global business settings. Skilled in developing organic & inorganic growth plans, overseeing mergers and acquisitions, and optimizing operations. Autonomous problem solver and strategic researcher, focused on continuous improvement and lean operations. Implemented leadership and talent development initiatives to enhance employee development, retention, motivation, and loyalty. CORE COMPETENCIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

• Leadership and Strategic Counsel: Expert in providing strategic guidance to global executives, collaborating with C-suite teams, and leading corporate development initiatives, M&A evaluations, change management, and innovation. Proven ability in problem-solving, data-driven decision-making and agile methodologies. Experienced team leader adaptable to dynamic environments.

• Sales and Business Development: Demonstrated success in enterprise-level deal closures in LATAM, with expertise in pre- and post-sale relationships, investor relations, customer inquiry quoting, and financial planning. Skilled in pitch deck preparation and presentation. Market penetration evaluation and mapping for business deployment planning. Solution driven selling approach.

• Creativity and Innovation: Proactive in generating and implementing unique solutions for problem solving and gaining a competitive edge. Developed and implemented a global Talent Development & Management Platform. Customer-centric approach, earned customer service quality recognitions for consistent performance throughout deal agreement processes.

• Project Management: Exceptional PM skills from ideation to completion, with ongoing program management training. Collaborative agile advocate. Bias toward action and delivering results.

• Data Analytics and Financial Acumen: Skilled in accurate budgeting, market research & competitor analysis, financial modeling, and lean cost optimization. Ongoing pursuit of CFA. Curious and open to implement new solutions. Strategic pricing via value-based tactics under ambiguous scenarios.

• Communication. Cross-cultural work experience: effective communicator across all levels of the organization up to the Board level, able to prepare diverse, global business cases with cultural sensitivity, and emotional intelligence. Bilingual in English and Spanish (C2); basic speaking in Portuguese. Accomplished public speaker. Able to communicate complex ideas into simple tasks and actions. Proven change agent, influencing and building strong relationships earning trust.

• Technologies & Skills. Agile & SCRUM techniques, SaaS, Prototyping, Innovation and Design Thinking processes, Science Management. Python, R, SQL, EVIEWS, FactSet, Bloomberg, Reuters Eikon, SAP, Microsoft Office & Excel skills including pivot tables, v-lookup implementations for optimization analysis.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Manager, Corporate Strategy and M&A Feb 2022 - Current LSG GROUP – Irving, TX

• Spearheaded operational decision-making, driving growth through strategic evaluations and execution

• Managed numerous global projects (>5), ensuring sustained corporate accounts success and profitability

• Collaborated with 10+ cross-functional teams to resolve complex scenarios

• Utilized advanced analytics for C-level presentations and stakeholder alignment in decision-making processes

• Participated in pricing negotiations for new business development in food commerce segment

• Evaluated >8 M&A and JV opportunities, actively participating in new ownership integration

• Championed entrepreneurial initiatives, contributing to global projects and establishing the new PMO

• Designed innovation workshops for customer solutions & employee trainings for retention & sustainability

• Developed multiple price action initiatives to improve top and bottom line, via deal negotiations Chief Of Staff Jul 2021 - Jan 2022

ZEA BIOSCIENCES – Walpole, MA

• Led biotech startup operations team, innovating in new KPIs for operational excellence

• Assessed incoming business channels and opportunities, executing fundraising strategies aligned to objectives

• Established investor relations & negotiated successfully, securing Seed capital of up to $7M from investor VCs

• Oversaw monthly Board of Directors meetings and managed related financial reporting processes Corporate Strategy & Business Planning – Summer Intern Jun 2020 - Sep 2020 HARVARD BIOSCIENCES – Holliston, MA

• Conducted data-driven market research to inform commercial strategic decisions identifying cross-selling opps.

• Assessed new product pricing & development initiatives, conducted cost optimization analysis for 6 segments

• Constructed company's strategic financial plan together with a 3-year financial model Financial Advisor – Portfolio Manager Sep 2017 - Dec 2019 RENMAX STOCK EXCHANGE – Montevideo, Uruguay

• Managed +100 customers, achieving consistent Sales growth. ROI exceeding 10% through innovative solutions

• Expanded corporate client base and advised on capital allocations for high-net-worth clients

• Structured high-yield private debt deals through securitization, enhancing customer profitability by 3% Commercial Credit & Underwriting Manager Oct 2013 - Sep 2017 SCOTIABANK – Montevideo, Uruguay

• Negotiated terms and agreements, consistently reducing bank’s risk for over 100 customers

• Led credit risk evaluation team for multinational accounts +$3M, enhancing financial modeling processes

• Facilitated +20 cross-border operations, supporting international headquarters in M&A risk assumptions Business Development and Growth Strategist Jul 2013 - Nov 2015 FITZROY TRADING – Montevideo, Uruguay

• Established remote operations, navigating international trade regulations, transportation and logistics

• Generated >12 commercial export leads, boosting sales by >$30k through market penetration strategies

• Strengthened negotiation processes for global clients by structuring deal analytics procedure ACADEMIC PROJECTS & ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES

Founder – Fintech Startup: Babson Entrepreneurship & Innovation (BEI) Jan 2020 - Dec 2020 FUND HERO – Needham, MA

• Developed market research, financial viability strategies on loans & debtors, and surveyed potential customers

• Negotiated for software and cloud service suppliers for platform deployment and maintenance Consultant – Academic Research: Babson Consulting Experience (BCE) Jan 2020 - May 2020 MAPFRE – Babson Park, MA

• Conducted market research for >6 competitors’ products

• Peer collaboration with industry leaders on solution-driven projects for +5 market value propositions Accounting Analyst Consultant – FP&A Further details upon request Jun 2012 - Jul 2013 BKZR CONSULTING – Montevideo, Uruguay

FP&A – Executive Assistant to Director Further details upon request Mar 2010 - Sep 2011 ICUB – Montevideo, Uruguay

Sales – Rotational Program Further details upon request Mar 2009 - Feb 2010 MULTICONTAINER – Montevideo, Uruguay.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

MBA from BABSON COLLEGE, F.W. OLIN: STEM in Business Analytics; Concentration in Entrepreneurship, Innovation

& Digital Transformation. Wellesley, MA, USA. 08/2019 – 05/2021 CPA from UNIVERSIDAD DE MONTEVIDEO: BSc. in Business, Finance & Economics. Uruguay, 03/2009 – 02/2014

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