Executive Leadership Forum
A Quarterly Breakfast Series
Presented by GA Group, Holland & Knight, and Plante Moran
Presented By
What to Expect
Join us at the Executive Leadership Forum, a quarterly breakfast series co-hosted by GA Group, Holland & Knight, and Plante Moran. This series is built to be practical, intimate, and useful, giving senior finance and transactional leaders a forum to share data-drive insights, compare notes, pressure-test assumptions, and leave with a clearer read on the road ahead. Each session will also preview the following quarter's topic so attendees can make plans to return and stay connected.
October 27
OBBB in Action: Practical Insights for Business Leaders
October 27, 2026
8:00 am
200 N. Martingale Road
The Forum
Schaumburg, IL 60173
As organizations assess the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the focus is shifting from the legislation itself to what to do about it. Join us for observations from our work with clients across industries, along with planning opportunities, areas of concern, and the practical considerations executives should have on their radar.
Breakfast will be served, and the discussion will be held at Plante & Moran PLLC - The Forum, starting at 8:00 AM CT.
| Timeline |
|---|
| 8:00 - 8:30 AM: Breakfast, Networking & Welcome Remarks |
| 8:30 - 9:30 AM: Presentation |
| 9:30 - 10:00 AM: Q&A, Closing Remarks, & Networking |
Partner, CPA, MST
Plante Moran
Partner, CPA
Plante Moran
Partner, CPA, MST, MSA
Plante Moran
Senior
Plante Moran
Featuring:
Matthew Denman: As a Tax Partner with more than 25 years of experience, I provide tax and business consulting services to upper middle-market, privately held, owner-managed, and private equity-owned businesses in the professional services and manufacturing industries. I work closely with business owners and management teams to develop practical tax strategies, navigate complex tax and compliance matters, and address the challenges and opportunities facing their organizations. By staying ahead of industry developments and changes in tax law, I help clients make informed decisions, identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and position their businesses for long-term success.
Melissa Anderson: As a Partner within Plante Moran, I specialize in tax planning, compliance, and ASC 740 income tax provisions for middle-market businesses. I serve privately held, foreign-owned, private equity-backed, and closely held companies, with a particular focus on the service, manufacturing, and distribution industries. I collaborate closely with specialists across Plante Moran, including our State and Local Tax and National Tax Office professionals, to deliver solutions tailored to each client's business objectives. I take pride in developing long-term relationships with business owners, executives, and private equity stakeholders, serving as a trusted advisor who provides proactive guidance and clear communication on the tax issues that matter most to their organizations.
Jessica Wargo: As a leader within our international tax services group, many of my clients are globally active middle-market businesses in the manufacturing, distribution, and services industries. I assist them with FDDEI (formerly Foreign Derived Intangible Income Deduction) and NCTI (formerly GILTI) planning, transaction- and structure-related planning, cash repatriation strategies, foreign tax credits, treaty analysis, Pillar 2 support, and other compliance matters. My expertise includes U.S. international compliance, planning, and consulting, as well as a background in general business tax issues. With nearly 20 years of experience, I frequently speak on international tax topics at professional gatherings such as the Praxity North American Tax Conference, U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, and Association for Corporate Growth Chicago.
John Koenig: Since joining the National Tax Office, I have concentrated my technical research on the eligibility criteria, structuring strategies, and compliance requirements for claiming IRA tax credits across a broad spectrum of industries. Before joining Plante Moran, I conducted U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored research focused on the viability of the production tax credit, the ideal value of the credit, and exploring commercialization pathways for large-scale industrial projects to optimize their tax credit potential.
July 29
The Current Landscape of the Credit Markets
July 29, 2026
8:00 am
150 N. Riverside Plaza
Suite 2700
Chicago, IL 60606
Our quarterly session shifts focus to the Current Landscape of the Credit Markets, providing a deep dive into the strategies, risks, and restructuring opportunities emerging in the current market. As shifting interest rates and tightening liquidity put pressure on balance sheets, understanding the mechanics of debt workouts and opportunistic credit is more critical than ever.
Join speakers GA Group's Dan Daitchman, Managing Director, Advisory & Valuation Services, and G2 Capital Advisor's Rob Ramirez, Managing Director, Restructuring & Revitalization, for an expert-led analysis of credit cycles, liability management exercises, and the interplay between creditors in out-of-court restructurings. This session is designed for CFOs, private equity professionals, commercial lenders, and legal advisors who need to navigate or capitalize on distressed situations in the 2026 credit environment.
Breakfast will be served, and the discussion will be held at Holland & Knight LLP, overlooking downtown Chicago, starting at 8:00 AM CT.
| Timeline |
|---|
| 8:00 - 8:30 AM: Breakfast, Networking & Welcome Remarks |
| 8:30 - 9:30 AM: Presentation |
| 9:30 - 10:00 AM: Q&A, Closing Remarks, & Networking |
Managing Director, GA Group Advisory Services
Managing Director, G2 Capital Advisors
One (1) hour of general CPE credit is approved for Illinois attendees.
Featuring:
Dan Daitchman, ASA is a Managing Director for GA Group Advisory Services with over 15 years of experience in financial advisory and valuation. He specializes in transaction services, derivatives, and intangible assets, supporting clients through M&A, bankruptcies, and solvency opinions across the consumer, industrial, and energy sectors.
Rob Ramirez is a Managing Director at G2 Capital Advisors, specializing in complex restructurings, liability management, and special situations M&A. With over a decade of experience, including a tenure at Guggenheim Securities, he has advised on over $100 billion in liabilities and led several award-winning "Turnaround of the Year" transactions.
January 22
Inaugural Session: "2026 Outlook"
January 22, 2026
8:00 am
150 N. Riverside Plaza
Suite 2700
Chicago, IL 60606
Our inaugural session focuses on the 2026 Outlook, bringing together CFOs, Controllers, C-suite executives, private equity professionals, wealth managers, commercial lenders, and advisors across the M&A ecosystem. Expect a sharp, forward-looking conversation on economic conditions, capital flow, deal activity, regulatory considerations, and the dynamics that will define 2026.
Breakfast will be served, and the discussion will be held at Holland & Knight LLP, overlooking downtown Chicago, starting at 8:00 AM CT.
| Timeline |
|---|
| 8:00 - 8:30 AM: Breakfast, Networking & Welcome Remarks |
| 8:30 - 9:30 AM: Presentation |
| 9:30 - 10:00 AM: Q&A, Closing Remarks, & Networking |
One (1) hour of general CPE credit is approved for Illinois attendees.
Featuring:
Paul Hogan, Partner, is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Chicago office, where he focuses on corporate matters and strategic transactions, with an emphasis on M&A, joint ventures and equity financings. Mr. Hogan advises clients on all matters of corporate governance and risk management and has extensive experience guiding clients through complex transactions. These include acquisitions and dispositions of stocks, assets and divisions, along with joint ventures, strategic alliances and other similar transactions.
Ryan Linenger, Partner, is a Plante Moran wealth advisor, focused on comprehensive financial planning, including investment and risk management, tax and estate strategies, charitable giving, and retirement planning. He brings experience as both an independent firm owner and a leader within Plante Moran's wealth management practice, where he is known for thoughtful, client-focused guidance and a holistic, personal-CFO approach. Mr. Linenger enjoys giving back; providing pro bono financial planning to those in need.
Melissa Anderson, Principal, is a Plante Moran tax advisor specializing in complex planning and compliance for manufacturing, automotive, plastics, and private equity clients, including multinational organizations with cross-border structures. She identifies strategic opportunities such as tax credits, monitors evolving legislation, and collaborates with firm specialists to deliver seamless, informed client service. Ms. Anderson is active in the Illinois Women in Manufacturing chapter and is a recipient of the firm's Morrison Award.
