Leigh Parrish
Partner
Leigh has over 25 years of experience and a proven track record as advisor to C-suite executives, directing multi-stakeholder communications programs in event-driven, financial and crisis situations. She has extensive special situations experience, having advised companies around M&A, shareholder activism, restructurings and crisis communications, as well as experience in developing ongoing investor and media relations strategies and corporate reputation management.
Recent Highlights
Select Experience
Investor Relations
She has expertise in developing and executing ongoing investor relations programs that adhere to best practices and help clients better engage with the sell- and buy-side through earnings reports, investment conferences, non-deal roadshows and other investment community outreach. She has regularly advised clients on financial guidance issues, financial restatements, management transitions, corporate strategy shifts and other critical announcements, as well as supported large-scale investor events and other company-hosted engagement activities.
Shareholder Activism
She has helped companies of all market cap sizes with shareholder activism communications and strategy spanning private and public activism and proxy contests, as well as preparedness work to preempt an activist or a proxy contest. Her assignments, among others, have included Advance Auto (Third Point); Air Methods (Voce); Alcoa/Arconic (Elliott); Avon (Barington); Bath & Body Works (Third Point); Beyond, Inc. (JAT Capital); Big Lots (Ancora, Macellum); Bloomin’ Brands (Starboard); Box (Starboard); Chico’s (Barington); Cracker Barrel (Biglari); Foot Locker (Vesa); GCP Applied Technologies (Starboard, 40 North); Hain Celestial (Engaged); HanesBrands (Barington); Jack in the Box (Biglari); Kenvue (Starboard; TOMS); Macy’s (JANA; Arkhouse; Barington); SpartanNash (Macellum, Ancora); and Supervalu (Blackwells).
M&A / Transactions
She advises companies for friendly or contested M&A transactions. Her experience includes, among others, advising Kenvue in its sale to Kimberly Clark, TreeHouse Foods in its sale to Investindustrial, HanesBrands in its sale to Gildan, Foot Locker in its sale to Dick’s Sporting Goods, GMS in its defense against QXO and in its sale to The Home Depot, Levi Strauss & Co in the sale of its Dockers business to Authentic Brands Group, Deciphera in its sale to ONO Pharmaceuticals, Teck Resources in the sale of its steelmaking coal business to Glencore and Nippon, Foot Locker in its acquisitions of WSS and atmos, U.S. Concrete in its sale to Vulcan Materials, Supervalu in its sale to United Natural Foods, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals in its merger with Idera Pharmaceuticals, Deltic Timber in its acquisition by Potlash Corporation, Aurora Health Care in its merger with Advocate Health Care, Ariad Pharmaceuticals in its sale to Takeda, Thermo Fisher in its acquisition of Patheon, Johnson & Johnson in its acquisition of Actelion Pharmaceuticals and in the sale of LifeScan, Inc. to Platinum Equity, and Linear Technology in its merger with Analog Devices.
Crisis Preparedness and Communications
She has advised numerous clients on crisis preparedness and crisis response. Her assignments have included preparing for and advising on various cybersecurity issues, as well as responding to environmental NGO attacks, DOJ investigations, SEC inquiries, accounting irregularities, product recalls, civil and criminal litigation, workplace accidents, diversity issues, unplanned leadership changes and negative earnings surprises.
Restructuring and Bankruptcy
She has significant experience in communications related to both out-of-court restructurings and in-court filings under Chapter 11, as well as Section 363 transactions. Her work has included restructurings or reorganizations for companies including Ascena Retail Group, Avianca Airlines, Bon-Ton, CHC Group, Forma Brands, Getronics, GOL Airlines, Gymboree, Pier 1 Imports, Rockport, Sabine Oil & Gas and SAS Airlines.
In Conversation
Personal Side
Credentials
Leigh joined Joele Frank in 2015 following 15 years at FTI Consulting (previously Financial Dynamics). Leigh received a BA in history from San Diego State University.