Helana Robbins Huddleston
CIRA, Partner, Manufacturing and Distribution Industry – Co-Leader, Transaction Advisory Services – CohnReznick Advisory LLC
Helana Robbins Huddleston provides transaction and related advisory services to clients in a range of different industries. She has over 22 years of expertise in financial due diligence, restructuring, cash flow budgeting, financial auditing, internal control evaluation, and business process improvement.
Experience and credentials
Certified Public Accountant
In addition to her role in transaction advisory, Helana is a member of the Private Equity and Venture Capital practice
Leads buy-side and sell-side financial due diligence engagements with strategic and financial buyers for private and public companies in the middle market
Manages the complexity of carve-out transactions including assisting on synergy cost analyses and transition service agreements
Industry experience includes manufacturing and distribution, food and beverage, retail, technology, government, construction, hospitality, and business services
Provided accounting and consulting services to financially troubled companies with sales ranging from $80 million to $350 million
Advises clients in multiple areas including cash management, financial projections and modeling, operational cost improvement and cost reductions, and implementing internal control processes
Advised senior secured creditors in and out of bankruptcy proceedings
Began her career with a Big 4 firm where, among other things, she led a buy-side transaction with an enterprise value of $10 billion
Crain's Chicago Business Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting, and Law list (2024)
Chicago Business Journal Women of Influence list (2024)
Mergers & Acquisitions Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A List (2023)
Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law Award (2021)
M&A Advisor Emerging Leaders Award (2018)
Young Broadcasting, LLC Turnaround of the Year Award (2011)
Education
MBA – University of Chicago Booth School of Business
B.S., Finance – DePaul University
B.S., Accountancy – DePaul University
Professional affiliations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors
ACG Chicago, Inc., Board President and Co-Chair of Manufacturing & Distribution Committee
Chicagoland Food and Beverage Network
DePaul University, Females in Finance Chair
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