Cathleen Hughes is a director in the Corporate Finance practice, based in Chicago. She leverages more than 20 years of experience working with middle market companies and their advisors to provide corporate banking and advisory services.
Her broad network and extensive experience in the middle market supports growth initiatives across Kroll’s investment banking, corporate finance, restructuring and insolvency services to investors, asset managers, companies and lenders.
Prior to joining Kroll, Cathleen served as a director in Commercial Middle Market practice at BMO Harris Bank. There, she built and maintained a portfolio of middle market companies, providing solutions to optimize working capital, manage cash flow, increase enterprise value and act as a strategic partner to clients. Prior to BMO, she was part of the team of LaSalle Bank employees who, upon the acquisition of LaSalle by Bank of America, joined The PrivateBank and Trust Co (now CIBC), where she led efforts to build out a large commercial middle market group.
Cathleen received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Economics from Marquette University and serves on the Board of Directors at Fenwick High School.
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Advisory
Kroll’s investment banking practice has extensive experience in M&A deal strategy and structuring, capital raising, transaction advisory services and financial sponsor coverage.
Fairness Opinions
#1 ranked provider of fairness opinions for boards of directors and special committees.
Solvency Opinions
Duff & Phelps Opinions practice helps boards of directors and special committees formed by boards fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities when considering many corporate transactions. In 2018, Duff & Phelps acquired Kroll and unified under the Kroll brand in 2020.
Distressed M&A and Special Situations
Kroll professionals have advised hundreds of companies, investors and other stakeholders at all stages of distressed transactions and special situations.
Secondary Market Advisory Services
As the largest independent valuation advisory firm, Kroll brings extensive industry experience to the secondary market for alternative investments to address the transfer needs of general partners and limited partners.
ESOP and ERISA Advisory
Kroll's Corporate Finance ESOP/ERISA practice is a leading corporate finance and valuation advisor to companies and ERISA fiduciaries.
Financial Sponsors Group
Dedicated coverage and access to M&A deal-flow for financial sponsors.
Private Capital Markets – Debt Advisory
Kroll has extensive experience raising capital for middle-market companies to support a wide range of transactions.