The View from the Office.

Met Cassandra Kelly AM at the Victory Theater Restaurant in Harlem for drinks. We both got the classic margaritas.

Cassandra co-founded the Australian mergers investment boutique Pottinger that just won an award from The M&A Advisor for Financing of the Year.

She remembers being told when she started the firm that she didn’t have the “mongrel in me to succeed.” For the non-Aussies, mongrel translates roughly as an “attack-dog person.”

Cassandra made it a success without resorting to those tactics.

Cassandra began her career consulting for McKinsey & Company and then worked in finance at Deutsche Bank before starting Pottinger. She has served on boards and advised prime ministers and presidents.

Cassandra was awarded an Order of Australia in 2019 for her contributions to business both in executive roles and as an advocate for gender equity. The award was established in 1975 by Queen Elizabeth II and is given to Australians in lieu of British honors.

She moved to New York a number of years ago because she loves change and challenge and wanted to be closer to the action. She currently serves on boards and advises start ups.

She’s reachable via LinkedIn if you want to connect or DM me for a warm introduction.

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