On October 19, 2023, Alvarez & Marsal’s (A&M) Houston office hosted the anticipated event, "Empowering A&M Young Professionals with Tom Elsenbrook and Jeff Smith." Tom Elsenbrook, a leader in A&M’s Corporate Performance Improvement (CPI) division, boasts a three-decade-spanning career in diverse industries such as energy, tech and construction, focusing on driving profitability, streamlining processes and reducing operational costs. Jeff Smith, an A&M alumnus and former Managing Director at A&M’s CPI practice, co-founded Work America Capital, a Houston-based venture capital firm. He leveraged his 17-year tenure at Arthur Andersen and co-founded the Corporate Performance Improvement practice at A&M.

The event was a collaborative effort between the A&M Alumni Network and the Houston Young Professional Board, which brought together an energetic audience of 100 attendees, with watch parties in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, New York City and Phoenix. Throughout the session, participants explored effective networking strategies, leadership development essentials and goal-setting techniques, fostering a unified spirit of collaboration and growth across A&M's diverse professional landscape.

The discussions at the event shed light on the intricate dynamics of making a lasting business impact that transcends team boundaries, providing attendees with priceless insights into tailored goal-setting strategies that adapt to the ever-evolving demands of the professional world.

Placing a premium on balancing work and personal life, the event offered a nurturing space for young professionals navigating the tricky crossroads between ambitious career pursuits and personal responsibilities. Seamlessly transitioning, the interactive dialogue effortlessly revealed the key elements vital for climbing the ladder within the organization, offering down-to-earth advice for the attendees' professional growth journey.

Elsenbrook’s and Smith's thought-provoking reflections on the indispensable traits of aspiring leaders sparked contemplation, igniting a renewed sense of purpose and ambition within the budding young professional community.

Houston

New York