Mergers & Acquisitions names the 2022 Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A, including GTCR’s Anna May Trala.

How are you a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)?

The finance department that I lead represents strong diversity with 50 percent of management roles held by women. I am heavily involved in the recruitment of female investment professionals and operational management leaders, which has resulted in nearly 40 percent of the firm’s 2022 incoming class including female associates. Through my networking efforts, I also play an important role recruiting the 15 diverse independent directors the firm added to its portfolio company boards.

As part of GTCR’s inclusion efforts, I am co-leading the newly established GTCR Women’s Leadership Group for the firm’s investment professionals and operations managers. It brings together women at the firm to mentor, build a community of support, share ideas and openly discuss topics that impact women, especially as they traverse through their careers.

Describe a recent dealmaking accomplishment.

GTCR acquired Wells Fargo Asset Management from Wells Fargo & Co. The newly-independent company has been rebranded as Allspring Global Investments. I was involved in the carve-out process and currently am providing strategic guidance to Wells Fargo’s female CFO as they stand up the company’s financial office function.

Separately, I worked closely with the deal team and its portfolio company Paya, on Paya’s combination with FinTech Acquisition Corp. III, a SPAC. As a result of my involvement with these two investments, I joined each company’s board as a director.