As we bring to a close the first half of 2022, I wanted to reflect on some highlights that speak to where we are as an organization and where we will journey for the balance of this year and beyond.

Just a few weeks ago, Austin, Texas, was host to three different, yet equally empowering and defining, TMA events. Members of the TMA Global Executive Board gathered to share the progress of TMA and then to participate in an important team-building exercise that set the stage for our strategic planning efforts, which we commenced earlier this year.

From reports on record membership retention numbers and the highest numbers of North American members TMA has boasted since 2018 to the season of conferences that lies ahead, there was a lot to celebrate and be proud of. The meeting capped off with TMA Global President Janey Mitnick introducing the team-building exercise, where members of TMA Global’s senior team facilitated small group breakouts aimed at creating a dialogue on the partnership between our staff and our leaders. Feedback from exercises like this show our collective spirt of cooperation and partnership, which is central to the success of our leaders and the committees they oversee.

Next up was our 2022 TMA NOW Summit, where 120 women, 50% of whom were attending this conference for the first time, came together for a day of thought leadership, frank discussions, learning, connecting, and networking in impactful and important ways. Led by TMA NOW co-chairs Anne O’Donnell and Ebba Gebisa, the day did not disappoint.

One highlight of the conference was a discussion with four trailblazing women of our industry who shared their career journeys through restructuring and, of course, TMA. Moderated by TMA Global VP of Conferences Rachael Smiley, the panel included Sharon Kopman of Oak Point Partners, Jeanine Krattiger of Carl Marks Advisors, and Diana Peterson of AW Properties Global, who shared the challenges they overcame, and those they still face, as successful women in the restructuring industry. This session shed light on how far the women of our industry have come and how far there still is to go.

The culmination of this actionable week was an all-hands-on-deck strategic planning workshop, many months in the planning. We are so fortunate to have assembled this select group of TMA members to participate in this critically important and intense exercise, led by TMA Global Secretary Jonathan Reimche, CTP, and facilitated by Aaron Wolowiec, CEO of consulting firm Event Garde.

This eclectic group of TMA members who were brought together for this critically important strategic planning session represents the diversity of who we are as people and professionals. With representatives from many North American chapters and international members from Brazil and Europe, and including new TMA members as well as tried-and-true members of the organization, this interactive workshop helped shape the vision of TMA Tomorrow while identifying the challenges we will overcome as we build the next iteration of our defining organization.

The future of TMA is bright because of the vision and passion of these women and men who took on this charge with seriousness and honesty. Janey Mitnick; Matthew English, CTP; Michael Cunningham; Alex Dybsky, CTA; Marius Dobren; Rashmi Dube; Jonathan Evans; Scott Gautier; Michael Goodman; Maria Pombo; Anne O’Donnell; Sari Placona; Jennifer Myerowitz; Racheal Smiley; and Eduardo Takemi Kataoka—know their names, for they are the leaders and members who are our future. They personify what it means to be better together and TMA proud.

As the actionable organization we are, being connected, introspective, thoughtful, and constructively critical keeps us vibrant and viable. Our members are engaged because our leaders motivate. Groups like TMA NOW open doors and create pathways and represent what it means to build inclusive cultures for all who are underserved.

And those who came together to help sharpen the vision of our future represent the guiding light of experience and youth, as well as the internationalism, of who we are.

Every sector of TMA thrives because our members and leaders engage with passion, vigor, and truth. That is what keeps us strong and accountable and is why every experience we create makes us exceptional, impactful, and TMA proud.

Scott Y. Stuart, Esq.
TMA Global CEO
sstuart@turnaround.org
@TMA_CEO