I am proud to be an IM&A charterholder, having successfully completed the professional certification program and received my qualification in March 2021. The IMAA program provided me with a highly valuable and robust set of M&A skills. The comprehensive curriculum covers the entire M&A lifecycle, from strategy and valuation and due diligence right through to the final acquisition process, making this certification essential for anyone looking to excel in an M&A career. I was able to immediately apply this knowledge in the field, specifically by leveraging my skills during the KFH (Kuwait) acquisition of AUB (Bahrain)—one of the largest M&A transactions in the region. The certification training was directly applicable and instrumental to my success on this landmark deal.

As a part of my MBA program, I enrolled in the Entrepreneurial Finance course. The assessment process required a role-play exercise in which my group represented the buy-side while the target group represented the sell-side in the acquisition of a company. This novel and challenging process made me curious about the overall concept of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and its complete scope. In my research, IMAA was featured many times, and I enrolled in the program. After completing two courses, I can attest that every experience has provided me with new perspectives on how to approach deals and a shift in my understanding of stakeholder engagement/management. The valuation class helped me improve my financial modelling skills, while the IM&A course provided me with knowledge on deal processing, strategy, due diligence and commonly overlooked aspects of a deal that could either make or break the process – before and after a merger. I highly recommend the IM&A course to anyone seeking deeper insights and understanding into the complete end-to-end cycle of mergers and acquisitions. The program has equipped me with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage the intricacies of M&A transactions effectively, and I am confident that it will do the same for anyone who enrols.

In June 2023, I had the opportunity to participate in the Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions & Alliances’ IM&A Cohort in New York City, which consisted of an incredibly diverse group of professionals from a wide range of backgrounds. The cohort was well-structured and gave me the knowledge, skills, and a better understanding of what I needed to succeed. The instructors/practitioners were knowledgeable, supportive, and relatable, and the cohort was filled with real-world examples and applications.  I particularly appreciated the in-person format and networking with my fellow professionals before and after the class day.

I am more than glad I participated and am more confident when operating in the M&A arena as an advisor and acquirer of businesses.

I took IMAA’s IM&A certificate program as I wanted to fill a gap in my skill set on transitioning from the integration team to the deal team. Therefore, participating in IMAA’s on-site IM&A certificate program was a very enriching experience that provided me the space and the right network to discuss, share experiences, and learn from both IMAA’s faculty and M&A professionals with diverse backgrounds. Moreover, IMAA’s on-site comprehensive curriculum and access to an online learning platform and library helped me deepen my understanding of M&A instilling the ability to ask the right questions at the right time, and also equipped me with the necessary practical finance & valuation skills crucial for success in this transition in my career. The real-world case studies and interactive learning modules were particularly valuable, allowing me to apply theoretical knowledge to actual scenarios. Furthermore, IMAA’s global recognition opened doors to new opportunities and bolstered my credibility in the M&A field. I am truly grateful for the supportive community of experts and peers who fostered a collaborative learning environment, enriching my networking capabilities, and instilling confidence in my strategic decision-making abilities.