From lab coat to deal sheet: celebrating Michael Kakanis’ journey to Director
17.9.2024We’re thrilled to announce the promotion of Michael Kakanis to Director at InterFinancial and his recent appointment as Co-Chair of Healthcare at Clairfield International.
Michael’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Working as a lecturer in Physiology and Biochemistry while completing his PhD in Immunology, Michael was all set for a long career in Academia. But in 2017, he took a leap of faith and left behind a promising career in science to explore the dynamic financial industry. Along with a CFA Level 1 under his belt, Michael was determined to get his foot in the door.
After countless coffee catch-ups and a fair share of setbacks, Michael’s persistence paid off when our Executive Chair, Sharon Doyle offered him a 10-day internship. This opportunity quickly translated into a part-time analyst position, and from there, Michael’s career path took off.
Since then, Michael has been lucky to work across various sectors, both on the buy-side and sell-side, including financial services, defence, IT services & software, professional & engineering services, mining technology & services. However, it is in the health services and technology space that Michael has truly found his niche. His expertise in M&A over the years has seen him drive some key deals at InterFinancial, such as:
- Alliance Automation: Michael achieved an exceptional outcome for the client while navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- National Veterinary Care: Michael’s first public-to-private deal saw him deliver outstanding results while collaborating with a fantastic team.
- Microba: A cross-border buy-side deal with a strong scientific core in a rapidly emerging field, a space where Michael’s passion lies.
Please join us once again to congratulate Michael on his well-deserved promotion and recognition. We are proud to have him on the team and represent us on a global stage at Clairfield International. He’s truly an inspiration to all of us at InterFinancial!
