Catherine Simon
Managing Director
Catherine has supported clients for nearly a decade on communications in high-stakes situations, with a particular focus on transformative M&A, complex restructurings and crisis communications. She also assists clients on crafting long-term communications strategies, including executive positioning, as well as ongoing financial communications and investor relations counsel.
Recent Highlights
Select Experience
M&A / Transactions
Catherine’s recent M&A and spin-off assignments include: S&P Global on the pending spin-off of its Mobility business, Aptiv on the pending spin-off of its Electrical Distribution Systems business, Mallinckrodt on its pending combination with Endo Pharmaceuticals, Mattress Firm on its acquisition by Tempur Sealy, Rio Tinto on its acquisition of Arcadium Lithium, Thermo Fisher on its acquisition of Olink, Merck on its acquisition of Acceleron, S&P Global on its acquisition of IHS Markit, Engagesmart on its acquisition by Vista Equity and Xilinx on its acquisition by AMD.
Restructuring, Bankruptcy and Liability Management
Catherine advises companies involved in out-of-court financial restructurings and in-court Chapter 11 reorganizations. Select assignments include: Mallinckrodt, LTL Management, Prima Wawona, Basic Energy Services, CWT, Belk, Serta Simmons Bedding, Catalina Marketing, Mattress Firm, American Tire Distributors and Bon-Ton.
Crisis Communications
Catherine has experience supporting clients with crisis preparedness and responses related to a range of issues including product recalls, litigation, reputational attacks, regulatory inquiries, short attack campaigns, workforce reductions, facility closures, and management succession and unplanned leadership changes.
Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
Catherine works with clients to enhance their overall corporate communications strategies, including corporate positioning and message development, thought leadership and profile raising, quarterly earnings preparation, employee communications, investor conferences and presentations, investor days and annual shareholder meetings.
Shareholder Activism Defense
Catherine has supported companies in public and private activist situations opposite some of the most notable activist investors, including Starboard Value, Elliott Management, Trian Partners, Sachem Head Capital Management, ValueAct Capital and JANA Partners.
In Conversation
Personal Side
I’ve been a cellist nearly my entire life and still love to play in my spare time. Although I no longer reach the highs of my childhood career—a Carnegie Hall appearance, a performance for Julie Andrews—I still play at home for friends, family and, whether they like it or not, my neighbors.
In the News
Credentials
Catherine received a BA in economics and French from Wake Forest University and was recognized with the Harold Dawes Parcell Award for Excellence in French.