Happy Saturday, and welcome to CEO Speaks for Saturday, April 5th, 2025 sponsored exclusively by Second Wind Consultants—specializing in Article 9, out-of-court transactional restructurings.
The global landscape of member value and opportunity at TMA continues to evolve, and it is inspiring to witness how our brand—and the talented people behind it—motivate, stimulate, and invigorate. Together, we elevate the experiences we share locally, regionally, and globally, propelling us toward greater success.
Understanding opportunity is about recognizing the engagement and support TMA Global provides to its members. We reach deep into our industry, and together, we are shaping the story of TMA tomorrow.
First, let’s talk about the industry and the exceptional professionals who are driving change in our field. We will soon celebrate the achievements of those who will be recognized through the 2025 Turnaround and Transactions Awards. These prestigious awards shine a spotlight on the best and brightest turnaround professionals whose teamwork and innovative solutions have made a meaningful impact in distressed situations—from mega-cases to nonprofit and small-cap turnarounds.
These awards are a true testament to industry excellence, carefully evaluated by a panel of skilled professionals from our very own volunteer community. We invite you to submit your success stories for consideration by the April 14th deadline and join us in celebrating these outstanding accomplishments at the TMA Annual in New Orleans this October 14th-17th where are winners will be highlighted and celebrated.
Speaking of excellence, TMA Global is committed to enhancing opportunities for our NextGen community. And what better way to promote NextGen talent than through the 2nd Annual TMA Turnaround Tourney?
This global case competition is quickly becoming the gold standard for young professionals in our industry. Last year’s fierce finals, which brought together teams from TMA UK and TMA West Michigan, showcased the incredible talent of our NextGen members. Their strategic thinking, tenacity, and industry insight truly exemplified the value of TMA membership.
Chapters from around the globe are already assembling their top NextGen talent to compete in this year’s competition, which promises to be another exciting and career-boosting event. Don’t miss out! The deadline to register is May 15th.
As TMA Global President-Elect Brian Gleason,CTP (and a certified turnaround professional) wisely said, “Join a team and compete against the best and the brightest next-gen leaders from around the world.”
One of the most anticipated events in the TMA calendar is the 11th Annual TMA Network of Women Summit, taking place this year in Nashville, TN. Led by co-chairs Monique DeSabatino and Michelle Salazar-Rosenbloom, this summit will bring together some of the industry’s brightest women leaders, making it one of the most impactful gatherings of women in the turnaround and restructuring space.
With a dynamic committee of 30 outstanding TMA women leaders, this summit promises unparalleled thought leadership and top-tier networking. It’s no surprise that this event often sells out, so I encourage you to register today! The room block at the Nashville Westin closes on April 9th—don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible experience.
Looking beyond borders, TMA continues to offer unique opportunities for global engagement. This year’s 2025 TMA Global International Symposium and European Annual will be held in the beautiful city of Paris, France, at the renowned Pullman Hotel, located just beneath the Eiffel Tower.
This multi-day event, themed “The Art of Renewal,” will bring together over 200 turnaround and restructuring professionals from across Europe, North America, Australia, India, South Africa, and beyond. With cutting-edge industry expertise, high-value case studies, masterclasses, roundtables, and peer-to-peer networking, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
The conference will also feature programming tailored to TMA NOW, TMA NextGen, and EACTP members, ensuring an even greater return on investment. Early bird registration ends April 18th, with a €400 discount, so be sure to sign up soon for a springtime in Paris you’ll never forget!
In the spirit of supporting our members, I’d also like to highlight the important work being done by TMA Global President Rachael Smiley. She has launched a presidential working group dedicated to addressing mental health issues in our industry. This courageous initiative aims to reduce stigma and provide much-needed support for professionals navigating the mental and emotional challenges that come with our work.
Rachael’s leadership in this space is an incredible example of mentorship, and we commend her for her dedication to ensuring we are all better together.
And on this segment of member moments, we honor the Honorable Rosemary Gambardella, a long-time TMA supporter and leader who has built an incredible legacy over her 40-year career as a respected jurist. Appointed as the first female bankruptcy judge in New Jersey in 1985, Judge Gambardella has always approached her work with compassion, balance, and empathy, words she used in a New York Times Interview upon her appointment.
As she prepares to step down from the bench next month, we celebrate her extraordinary contributions to the profession and her lasting impact on TMA. Thank you, Judge Gambardella, for being a mentor and inspiration to so many of us and making us all #TMAPROUD.
As we wrap up today’s episode, I want to thank you for tuning in and for being a part of TMA’s vibrant community. And a special thank you to Second Wind Consultants for their continued support of TMA and this podcast.
As always, thanks for listening today. As #TMALightsTheWay, your input is critical, your contributions invaluable, and your engagement is the foundation that continues to create a strong, dynamic TMA we are building together.
Until next time, I’m Scott Stuart—be safe, resilient, and TMA proud!