The 2022 Women Leaders In Technology: Shari Mager

Shari Mager is KPMG US' National Leader for Capital Markets Readiness, with 25 years of experience, both in the US and internationally. Her focus is on advising clients, from VCs and startups to some of the world's leading technology companies, on capital markets and M&A transactions. Shari is recognized by her peers for subject matter expertise on SEC/IPO/SPAC topics in the technology industry and is a trusted advisor to her clients for her ability to be ahead of the curve and help them prepare for obstacles they may face. Her passion for supporting women in M&A is evidenced through her role as partner champion of KPMG's Women of Deal Advisory and Strategy (DAS) community, and involvement with KPMG's Network of Women (KNOW), where she supports, connects and champions women in the M&A profession.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

I am most proud of the varied career I have had and my willingness to take risks. From leaving Canada to start my career with KPMG in the US to spending 4 years on rotation with KPMG France and dipping my toe in the world of consulting, to returning to the US and joining KPMG's Advisory practice, to ultimately joining KPMG's Deal Advisory group and becoming a successful female leader in Technology M&A, my desire to continuously seek out the unknown and try something new, became easier each time I did it. And I'm not done!

What advice would you give a professional just beginning a career in consulting? Say yes.

• When someone asks you to work on an engagement that you might know nothing about, say yes. – You will learn a lot.
• When someone asks you to create a presentation, say yes. – Read what's written in the presentation. You will learn something new.
• When someone asks you to develop pricing for an engagement, say yes. – You will learn how to run a business.
• When someone asks you to attend a meeting, say yes. – Listen to the leaders talk. You will become a better leader.
• When someone asks you to work on "business development activities", say yes. – You will learn how to strategize a business.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

Consulting has allowed me to gain exposure to different industries and functions, to work with clients to solve their toughest problems, to develop valuable transferable skills, to work in a team-oriented environment, and to travel the world!

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

The best career advice I've received is related to deciding timing and next steps in any job: 1) Am I learning and growing? 2) Am I contributing? 3) Is my contribution being recognized? 4) Am I having fun?

What does being honored as a Woman Leader in Technology mean to you?

This recognition validates the commitment I've made to being a trusted advisor to my clients and helping to create a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace within M&A at KPMG. It hopefully reinforces to the next generation of female leaders how workplaces are evolving to ensure everyone is accepted and valued for who they are and that they can thrive in their careers, especially in a male-dominated environment.