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Alexandra Benedict
Director
Alex has a background in public affairs, crisis communications and financial communications. She began her career in New York public affairs, working closely with public interest groups, labor organizations and non-profits on high-profile issue advocacy campaigns before pivoting to high-stakes, special situations work. At Joele Frank, Alex assists clients on a range of event-driven work, including corporate and reputational crises, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder activism defense, and C-suite management changes, as well as ongoing reputation management, investor relations and media relations.
Recent Highlights
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M&A / Transactions
Alex has advised on a number of large- and small-scale M&A, bolt-on acquisitions and divestitures. Notable projects include the partnership between United States Steel Corporation and Nippon Steel Corporation; The Elmet Group’s partnership with the United States Department of War; MP Materials’ partnership with the United States Department of Defense (now Department of War); Terex in its combination with REV Group; Eaton’s Mobility Group Reverse Morris Trust transaction with Dana Corporation; Iridium Communications in its pending sale to Rocket Lab; Silence Therapeutics in its pending sale to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany; James Hardie in its pending divestiture of its European operations; Spirit AeroSystems in its sale to Boeing; Arcosa in its sale to CRH; Core Scientific in its attempted transaction with CoreWeave; STAAR Surgical in its attempted transaction with Alcon; and Endeavor Energy in its sale to Diamondback Energy. Post-announcement, Alex supports companies through complex regulatory review processes and integration.
Investor Relations
Alex works closely with management teams and outside financial and legal advisors to develop and enhance clients’ overall investor relations narratives and strategies. This includes advising on quarterly earnings, financial reporting and guidance issues, investor events, corporate strategy launches, planned leadership changes and other corporate events.
Shareholder Activism Defense
Alex counsels clients in their interactions with varied activist investors, including Ancora Advisors, Elliott Management, Third Point, D.E. Shaw, Trian Partners, Carl Icahn, JANA Partners, Land & Buildings and Engine Capital, among others.
Corporate Communications and Reputation Management
Alex partners with clients to set and deliver on communications objectives across earned, owned and paid media that drive real-world business outcomes. She works from start to finish on message development and strategic execution to help her clients take control of their narrative in public.
Crisis Communications
Alex supports clients in preparing for and responding to a range of complex crises and special situations, including reputational attacks, government investigations, litigation, management succession and unplanned leadership changes, workforce reductions and facility closures, short seller reports, and cybersecurity incidents.
In Conversation
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In the News
Credentials
Alex joined Joele Frank in 2023. She received a BA in Politics from New York University.