AT ATHENA, WE KNOW HOW DAUNTING IT CAN FEEL TO MAKE CRUCIAL STRATEGIC DECISIONS.
Whether trying to grow through M&A or selling your business, there’s a lot on your plate.
The problem is, you can’t achieve your strategy solo. That’s what we’re here for.
We don't just provide you a roadmap. We execute the deal end to end.
FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER
Sri Malladi
I’m Sri, the owner and founder of Athena Consulting Partners. Growing up in India, I moved to the U.S. to get my Masters in Computer Engineering. I began my career in technology, spending five years at Microsoft designing and developing enterprise software. I was able to lead a global team of software developers across the U.S., India, and China – something that was incredibly rewarding.
After learning how to run various tech projects, I headed to business school at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business to learn more about the strategic side of helping corporations grow. I then made my way into investment banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, moving to Macquarie Capital after a few years.
It was through these experiences I was able to master the craft of mergers and acquisitions along with raising capital. I realized how passionate I was about valuation, due diligence, and deal structuring.
Later, I joined Hertz Corporation’s strategy and corporate development team, helping the $7 billion business expand through acquisitions and divestitures. I also established the valuation and operational model for rental car franchising.
Next came a senior operational role at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, where I was recruited to help run an enterprise digital transformation. I combined my experience in strategic transformation with my love for technology, helping the bank digitize operations and improve workflows from the ground up.
Then came Athena Consulting Partners, with the goal of helping businesses grow through M&A and helping business owners maximize their exit. Now, I’m fortunate enough to work with Fortune 100 and 500 companies, private equity portfolio companies, and business owners to help them with M&A.
I’ve led 40+ deals with more than $8.0 billion in deal value across multiple industries, advising dozens of companies in services, staffing, technology, media, transportation, financial services, and real estate.
When I'm not working, I love spending time with my family or watching a movie.
TRANSACTION LEAD
Nora Emekli Baker
Nora is an accomplished corporate development, strategy, and finance executive with over 25 years of experience. She is a transaction lead for Athena and enjoys helping clients with their strategic corporate development needs.
To date, her corporate development career has brought over $7 billion in value to leading corporations. In addition, Nora developed and directed financial, tax, and treasury strategies, implemented over 50 new customer initiatives, and led over 35 international corporate reorganizations to drive growth and efficiency. Through collaboration, analysis, and leadership, Nora translates strategic vision into successful execution.
Overseeing cross-functional teams and managing outside resources, Nora leads the full deal life cycle for acquisitions, divestitures, strategic partnerships, and joint ventures, from pipeline development to integration. During her career, Nora led over 100 deals ranging in size with the largest being the sale of International Paper’s coated paper business to Apollo for $1.4 billion. Nora has worked across multiple sectors including services, consumer products, retail, technology, packaging, pulp and paper, industrial gases, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing.
Nora’s notable achievements include helping PepsiCo expand its health and wellness products with its coconut water acquisition; being part of the team to develop and implement International Paper’s corporate transformation; and professionalizing Daymon’s international operations as the head of finance to prepare the company for sale to Bain Capital and then to Advantage Solutions. She has supported two successful IPOs, led multiple integration projects, and restructured business operations by bringing unprofitable assets to profitability, reworking teams, and implementing systems. Across her well-rounded background, she worked closely with R&D teams focusing on incubation and innovation.
Nora was the Director of over 30 companies around the world. Her direct oversight of businesses and resources, and knowledge of operating in China, Japan, South Africa, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Korea, Portugal, Spain, and many other countries, give her a unique perspective on risk, governance, and operations.
As a creative problem solver and critical thinker, Nora was recognized at PepsiCo as a nominee for “Contributing Strategic Impact to the Company” and for her skills in “People Leadership” for developing and implementing an onboarding process and mentorship program. Her Board experiences include serving as the Auditor on a JV with AEON, the largest Asian retailer, and on the Board of three independent bottlers in the Pacific Northwest. Nora devotes a portion of her time to giving back to her universities and community. This includes serving as Treasurer of Swim Across America Fairfield County and co-chairing the Finance Review Committee with Impact Fairfield County, a philanthropic organization. She is known for her collaborative leadership style, being hands-on and hardworking, and as a trusted advisor.
Nora has an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a BA in French from Barnard College. When she is not working, she enjoys skiing, playing tennis, and spending time with her family.
INTEGRATION LEAD STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Niv Candade
Nivedita Candade (Niv) specializes in driving complex strategic programs including M&A integrations, divestitures, and enterprise transformations. Her areas of focus are strategic planning, operating model design, KPI tracking and reporting, complex program management and cost side value creation (procurement, working capital and process improvement).
Prior to M&A consulting, Niv spent 8 years in pharma R&D procurement and digital imaging, developing innovative technology and AI algorithms to improve medical image quality in diagnostic radiology.
As an M&A advisor and practitioner, Niv works with corporate development and functional teams to foster cross functional collaboration, data driven decision making and metrics driven execution. She routinely coaches in house teams with M&A best practices, tools and methodologies that they can use to build internal M&A capability. Niv strongly believes in a end-to-end value driven approach to M&A from strategy through execution, breaking silos and facilitating team collaboration.
Below are select examples of transactions that Niv has worked on
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Acquisition integration support for a $7B medical device client: Designed Day 1 operating model and governance structure for the acquisition of a target company. Led Day 1 planning, change management and KPI/metrics tracking and reporting across 12 global functions and 40+ stakeholders to enable successful Day 1 close with clearly defined accountability and measurable project metrics.
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Integration of a service company into a $35B retail products company: Advised client on operating model, organizational design and 3-5-year execution roadmap for a new service business. Designed a new operating model that combined products and services through integrated customer service and field operations, and a “platform model” for future expansion. Developed playbook and coached senior level stakeholders on M&A best practices for future acquisitions.
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Capability building for corporate development team of $5B industrial products company: Led the internal M&A capability development for highly acquisitive client to streamline/accelerate M&A planning across the full deal lifecycle. Established M&A playbook including methodologies, tools, templates and facilitated M&A integration workshops for 50+ stakeholders. Built capabilities for inhouse IMO and supported change management efforts to drive successful adoption of playbook on a live deal.
Niv has an MBA from Georgia Institute of Technology, MS in Biomedical Engineering from University of South Florida and a BS in Electronics and Communication Engineering from PES Institute of Technology (India).
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OUR PARTNERS
We work with a network of trusted partners across various functional areas and disciplines (whether for a quick call or longer term):
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Market Research
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Due Diligence
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Data Analytics
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Accounting, Tax and Quality of Earnings
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Legal
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Integration
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Functional Areas (e.g. Human Resources, IT, Sales, Operations)
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Financing Partners
