Michal Katz helped orchestrate two of the largest acquisitions of early 2022.
In January, affiliates of activist investor Elliott Management, along with Vista Equity Partners, announced the purchase of the software company Citrix Systems for $16.5 billion. Mizuho Americas financed the move.
In April, Mizuho financed a private equity consortium including Elliott Management and Brookfield Asset Management that acquired the venerable television ratings groups Nielsen for $16 billion, one of the largest leveraged buyouts ever in the media industry.
The deals were preceded by a blockbuster 2021 when Katz advised Apollo Global Management on its $5 billion purchase of Verizon Media assets. And her team was a bookrunner on the electric vehicle maker Rivian's $12 billion initial public offering and behind Robinhood, UIPath and Coupang going public.
Katz has readily acknowledged that the 2021 and early 2022 market was an unusually strong one, and that the economy has shifted downward.
"The uncertainty is the leading tailwind," she said. "Any acquirer needs to have conviction."
Katz has tried to prepare her team of 530 bankers across North and South America for any market swing. One such tool is Digital Horizons. It is a multimedia campaign in which Mizuho uses podcasts, video and white papers to highlight trends including advancements in cloud storage, artificial intelligence and automation.
The banker's interest in media extends outside of work to serving as treasurer and trustee on the board of the Grammy Museum foundation. The not-for-profit arm of the Recording Academy is dedicated to music education and helping it have a positive impact on communities. Over the past year, Michal has worked closely with the staff as the museum's operations navigated COVID requirements after reopening in May 2021.
Katz started her professional career as a lawyer before joining Lehman Brothers in 1996, eventually becoming head of global software banking. When Lehman folded, Katz landed at similar positions at Barclays and then RBC Markets. She has been at Mizuho in her current role since 2019.
Throughout this journey, Katz has recognized progress for women. For example, when she had her children, parental leave was 12 weeks. Now, many employers provide five months.
Today, Katz is senior sponsor of the Mizuho women's network, coaching bankers and providing career advice.
