Celebrating 15 years with Mark Steinhardt

From running shorts to suits and ties, Mark’s built a career defined by endurance, focus and momentum. Joining InterFinancial in 2010, Mark has worked his way up to Executive Director today. Known for being sharp, strategic, and approachable, he’s earned the trust of both clients and colleagues through his ability to solve complex problems and drive deals forward. 

Whether he’s guiding clients through complex cross-border transactions or clocking up the kilometres on a weekend marathon, Mark leads with determination, always keeping his eyes on the long-term goal. So, let’s take a moment to hear from Mark as he reflects on 15 years in the M&A industry, what keeps him motivated, and a few things you might not know about him. 

Looking back at your journey, what’s been the proudest moment of your career? 

Probably leading my first transaction independently. When I joined IFL I knew very little about M&A, so it was a steep learning curve. But with great mentors and interesting clients, I learned quickly. Building the expertise and confidence to lead rather than support a deal was a very proud moment, particularly because we achieved such a great outcome for that client! 

You worked your way up to the ranks of M&A Executive Director. What has kept you motivated to stay and grow in this industry over the long-term?

It’s a huge cliche, but I love my work mostly because of the people I get to deal with. Our team is amazing, I have learned so much from both the senior team and the juniors coming through with new experiences and ideas. And it’s such a privilege to work with clients who place such a high amount of trust in us. The team will attest that my favourite part of the deal is hugs at the completion dinner – when we really get to see how much the work we’ve done has impacted someone’s life. 

We know you’re an ultramarathon runner. What similarities do you find between preparing for a marathon and preparing for a major deal? 

There are heaps of similarities – preparation is key, you need a good support crew, and not every race ends in a podium finish. But the biggest similarity is probably perseverance. Whether it’s building a new relationship, or guiding a client through an arduous DD process, you definitely need to play the long game. And there will be parts of the deal that just suck, but the finish line is always worth it! 

In your 15 years, what’s a situation that really pushed you out of your comfort zone, and what did you learn from it?

Probably the toughest part of this job is getting the balance right. Balancing your time between BD, deal execution, and working on the business and team is almost impossible. Not to mention the balance between work, family, and maintaining some semblance of mental health. Probably one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that it’s impossible to have perfect balance all the time, but crucial to aim for balance over the long term. There’s no point in burning yourself out on a great deal if you can’t take some time to enjoy the process and celebrate the milestones. 

When you’re not busy making deals, what’s something about you that might surprise your colleagues?

I don’t think there’s much I could surprise my colleagues with – I’m a pretty open book! Whenever I’m not boring them with running stories, I’m probably whistling random 90s songs that will get stuck in their heads or spamming them with dad jokes 😊.  

Lastly, with all the years of knowledge you’ve gained, what’s one advice would you pass on to junior team members? 

Take your work seriously and always put in your best effort. But try not to stress about things you can’t control. I’m a big believer in things happening for a reason, whether that’s applying for a new position, winning a new client, or closing a deal. What’s meant to be will be, even if it takes longer or follows a different path than we expect. (Of course, don’t ask me to follow my own advice when one of my deals doesn’t close!) 

Looking ahead, how do you see yourself continuing to evolve in your role or career? 

When I first joined IFL, I was very much a “sit in the corner and work on the spreadsheet until you figure out the answer” kind of guy. The thought of business development and talking about fees terrified me. These days I draw way more energy meeting with potential clients, investors and other advisors, and figuring out how we can help. Of course, that’s only possible with the support of an amazing team who can then pick up the spreadsheet for me, so I can’t wait to see how that evolves over the next 15 years! 

Curious about the M&A industry? 🤔 Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest industry news and thought leadership from our team.