The Consulting Report is pleased to announce The Top M&A Consultants and Leaders of 2026. Mergers and acquisitions are often the most high-stakes moments in a company’s lifecycle, serving as a primary tool for companies to scale or acquire the technology and talent necessary to evolve. The market has already seen a significant resurgence this year, with M&A volumes soaring to $861.1 billion in Q1 2026, the strongest start to a year since 2021. However, the complexity of these deals has only increased alongside the volume. 

This year’s awardees are recognized for managing the structural friction that occurs when two organizations attempt to become one. Their work covers the entire lifecycle of a deal, from the initial due diligence and financial modeling to the multi-year process of post-merger integration. They help boards and C-suite executives navigate the hurdles of international deals while reshaping how a combined business goes to market. Most importantly, they ensure different technical systems merge without stalling the business. Because a poorly executed integration can erode billions in value, these leaders provide the discipline necessary to ensure a deal actually delivers on its promise.

Among this year’s awardees, Brian Salsberg, Global Head of M&A at FTI Consulting, is recognized for guiding nearly 100 transactions over a 25-year career that includes leadership roles at EY-Parthenon and McKinsey, with a particular focus on navigating complex integrations across Asia and Europe. Nate Pratt, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at OneDigital, stands out for his role in expanding the firm’s financial services platform to over $170 billion in assets, utilizing a background in institutional consulting to manage partnerships and integration discipline in a competitive deal environment.

Rebecca Brokmeier, Head of U.S. Corporate Development at KPMG, is distinguished for overseeing strategic growth initiatives and a middle-market investment banking platform, where she advises everyone from family-owned businesses to large multinational corporations on cross-border transactions and complex deal structuring.

Through an in-depth evaluation of their career achievements and work guiding complex transactions, these individuals have emerged as leaders in one of the most consequential areas of business strategy. Please join us in celebrating The Top M&A Consultants and Leaders of 2026.

Brian Salsberg
Firm: FTI Consulting
Title: Senior Managing Director, Global Head of M&A

Brian Salsberg is a Senior Managing Director and Global Head of M&A at FTI Consulting. He is an experienced M&A advisor with more than 25 years in the field and a track record of guiding major transactions. Over the course of his career, he has led nearly 100 transactions.

Brian has deep knowledge of corporate finance, including M&A strategy, private equity, investor relations, divestitures, joint ventures, and, in particular, post-merger integration. He has supported integrations across a wide range of industries, deal sizes, and geographies, with expertise in navigating complex organizations, markets, and diverse business practices outside the U.S., particularly in Asia and Europe. Brian regularly works with boards of directors and C-suite executives at public companies.

Over the past 18 to 24 months alone, Brian and his team have advised on many of the largest and most significant transactions across multiple industries, including advertising, media, airlines, power and utilities, oil and gas, retail, and tech.

Prior to joining FTI Consulting, Brian was a partner at EY-Parthenon, where he served as global M&A leader of the firm’s Strategy & Transactions group. Previously, he was a partner at McKinsey & Company, where he spent 13 years leading numerous strategy, growth, and transaction-related engagements. Brian began his career as an M&A attorney at Cravath, Swaine & Moore. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a JD from Harvard Law School.

Tosson El Noshokaty
Firm: Prophet
Title: Senior Partner

Tosson El Noshokaty is a Senior Partner at Prophet, a global consultancy focused on unlocking growth by connecting business strategy, brand, and demand. He advises senior executives across financial services, insurance, and private capital on high‑impact transformation, with a particular focus on growth strategy, M&A integration, and value creation through brand and marketing.

Tosson’s work centers on translating strategic ambition into measurable market impact. This includes redefining positioning, shaping go‑to‑market models, and aligning brand, marketing, and digital capabilities to accelerate growth. A core area of expertise is complex M&A environments, where he supports leadership teams in turning transactions into tangible outcomes, from integration strategy and narrative development to commercial activation and long‑term value realization.

Tosson brings more than 20 years of experience working with leading global institutions, including banks, insurers, and asset managers. He has played a key role in major transformation and integration efforts, helping organizations navigate structural change while strengthening relevance in increasingly competitive markets.

With a global perspective shaped by work across Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and Asia, Tosson partners closely with C‑suite leaders to drive growth across geographies and business models. Based in Zurich, he regularly works with clients in London, Dubai, and New York, bringing a German‑Egyptian background that enables him to operate effectively in complex, cross‑cultural environments.

Tosson combines a consulting mindset with an entrepreneurial approach and is actively engaged in sustainability and innovation, including ventures in carbon markets and nature‑based solutions. He also co-founded the Yannik Foundation, supporting young people in building emotional resilience, creativity, and confidence. He holds a law degree from the University of Hamburg and a degree in economics from the University of Geneva.

Palash Misra
Firm: Grant Thornton Stax
Title: Partner

Palash Misra is a Partner at Grant Thornton Stax, where he works across the firm’s global M&A and corporate strategy efforts. With more than 20 years of experience, he advises a wide range of clients, including large LBOs, mid-market private equity firms, growth-focused investors, and public market investors.

Palash’s work spans sectors including vertical software, digital marketing and advertising, online marketplaces, and energy software. He has supported companies as they scale and adapt in evolving markets. He’s known for pairing clear strategic thinking with a practical, hands-on approach, helping investors evaluate opportunities and navigate the deal lifecycle, while supporting corporate clients in making actionable, data-backed decisions and recommendations.

Palash first joined Grant Thornton Stax in 1999, working on M&A and corporate growth assignments across multiple industries. He later spent seven years at Monster Worldwide, where he served as director of corporate strategy and development before rejoining Grant Thornton Stax.

While at Monster, Palash developed international market prioritization and entry strategies and helped identify, assess, and execute strategic investments and acquisitions designed to expand the company’s international audience and growth across markets. He also evaluated business unit performance in key markets, with a focus on market trends, growth opportunities, and customer and competitive strategies.

Palash is the author of one of the first research reports on the internet incubation industry, which received citations from National Public Radio and The Wall Street Journal. He previously worked at Capgemini. He holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Bowdoin College.

Nate Pratt
Firm: OneDigital
Title: Senior Vice President of Corporate Development

Nate Pratt is Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at OneDigital, where he supports the firm’s growth across the retirement and wealth advisory markets. Since joining the M&A team, he has helped identify, evaluate, and integrate strategic partnerships that have expanded OneDigital’s financial services platform. Since 2020, the firm has grown to more than $170 billion in combined assets across its retirement and wealth practices.

Nate’s approach to corporate development is grounded in deep experience across investment management, institutional consulting, and advisory services. Before joining OneDigital, he was vice president and regional director at Dimensional Fund Advisors, where he supported sales and consultant relations efforts across North America, EMEA, and Asia. He previously served as an investment consultant at Strategic Investment Solutions, advising pension funds, endowments, foundations, and ultra-high-net-worth families.

That background has helped Nate support OneDigital’s expansion in a competitive deal environment, where relationship development, market understanding, and integration discipline are central to growth. Today, the firm counts more than 675 financial services professionals serving over 7,000 retirement plans and 13,000 households nationwide.

Nate is a CFA charterholder and an active member of the CFA Society of North Carolina. He holds an MBA in finance from the University of the Pacific’s Eberhardt School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications and Spanish from Azusa Pacific University.

Rebecca Brokmeier
Firm: KPMG
Title: Principal and Head of U.S. Corporate Development

Rebecca Brokmeier leads KPMG’s U.S. Corporate Finance business, which includes Capital Advisory and Investment Banking Services. In this role, she is responsible for advising clients across the full capital and transaction lifecycle, including M&A, divestitures, capital raising, structured and leveraged financings, fairness opinions, and strategic and financial advisory.

Rebecca oversees multidisciplinary teams delivering middle‑market and complex advisory solutions, working closely with industry leaders across KPMG to provide integrated advice to corporate, private equity, and private capital clients. Under her leadership, the U.S. Corporate Finance platform encompasses investment banking, capital advisory, an international desk, a private wealth desk, and fairness opinions, enabling differentiated, sector‑focused execution.

In addition to her Corporate Finance leadership, Rebecca has played a central role in driving the firm’s AI strategy, leading initiatives focused on how KPMG leverages AI to create tangible value for clients, modernize advisory delivery, and enhance execution across transaction and capital advisory services.

Previously, as chief operating officer, Rebecca led the acquisition of multiple investment banks and was responsible for their subsequent integration, scaling capabilities, aligning operating models, and expanding the firm’s market presence. She continues to drive M&A activity for the firm, most recently leading the successful acquisition of an AI engineering firm, further strengthening KPMG’s technology‑enabled advisory capabilities.

Rebecca has deep experience across investment banking, capital markets, corporate development, and platform transformation, with a track record of building and scaling advisory businesses, integrating acquired firms, and expanding product capabilities to support growth. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Bryan Barnes
Firm: Deloitte
Title: Partner

Bryan Barnes is a Partner in the M&A Transaction Services group at Deloitte, based in Atlanta. He serves both financial and strategic buyers and sellers and is the national M&A sector leader for consumer products.

Bryan has more than 30 years of finance, administration, and public accounting experience, including more than two decades with Deloitte. In his role, he oversees transaction engagements and assists clients with financial due diligence, deal structuring, pre-acquisition reviews, investment model analysis, and review of transaction-related documents. He has led due diligence engagements ranging from $30 million to more than $13 billion.

Bryan has extensive experience advising domestic and international buyers and sellers on complex transactions across manufacturing, distribution, consumer business and services, hospitality, information technology, retail, transportation, and software. His work includes identifying industry- and deal-specific risks and opportunities, analyzing acquisition and financing agreements, and presenting findings to senior management.

Earlier in his career, Bryan worked at Arthur Andersen, where he served in transaction advisory, audit, and business assurance roles. He is a licensed CPA in Georgia and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Miami University.

Elizabeth Kaske
Firm: EY
Title: Partner

Elizabeth Kaske is the EY-Parthenon Global and Americas Mergers and Acquisitions Leader, based in San Francisco. She focuses on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and large-scale transformations for Fortune 500 clients, with experience spanning strategy, due diligence, integration, business process design, intellectual property management, supply chain, fraud and risk analysis, internal audit, finance, and accounting.

Elizabeth oversees large international teams across more than 40 countries and has managed P&Ls of up to $45 million and transactions valued at up to $39 billion. Her work spans complex transactions and transformation efforts across sectors including technology, media, telecommunications, retail, social media, entertainment, energy, professional services, and aviation.

Before joining EY, she was an M&A partner at Deloitte, where she focused on strategy, operations, transformation projects, and M&A across the telecom, media, and high-tech sectors. Earlier, she was a senior manager in Accenture’s Management Consulting Strategy practice, where she led the PMO for a $30 billion global telecom merger, conducted private equity due diligence, and advised on sales transformation.

Elizabeth also previously worked at Microsoft, where she supported strategic planning and business decisions for the Xbox and Interactive Entertainment Business. Her work there included business development with developer partners, due diligence on potential acquisitions, post-merger integration support for an acquired game studio, and Kinect product launch activities. She holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in business from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

Mukul Agrawal
Firm: PwC
Title: Managing Director

Mukul Agrawal is a Managing Director in M&A Advisory at PwC. He focuses on M&A transformation, enterprise architecture, operating model design, and technology-enabled value creation, helping clients align business objectives with scalable technical and organizational solutions.

Mukul has extensive experience leading complex M&A and transformation projects across consulting and corporate environments. His expertise spans solution architecture, IT business strategy, application portfolio management, SAP implementation and strategy, program management, process governance, software development leadership, and PMO establishment.

Earlier in his career, Mukul was a specialist leader in M&A at Deloitte Consulting. Before that, he spent nearly 18 years at Halliburton, where he held several senior IT leadership roles across corporate applications, delivery excellence, business intelligence, and M&A project services. In these roles, he led global teams, managed portfolios of more than 50 applications, oversaw strategic vendor relationships, and supported systems delivery and cutover planning for divestiture-related work tied to the proposed Baker Hughes–Halliburton merger.

During his Halliburton tenure, Mukul served as the IT lead for M&A activities across share purchase deals, asset acquisitions, divestitures, franchising, global projects, and multi-product acquisitions. He also led SAP functional teams and supported application integration for multiple acquisitions. He holds an MBA from East Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Punjab Engineering College.

Rebecca Doherty
Firm: McKinsey & Company
Title: Partner

Rebecca Doherty is a Partner at McKinsey & Company. She co-leads the firm’s growth strategy work and advises executives on growth transformations, M&A, and strategic growth opportunities. She works primarily with healthcare, industrial, and technology companies, helping clients define and execute growth roadmaps and build the organizational capabilities needed to support them. Her work spans both organic and inorganic growth, including partnerships, joint ventures, acquisitions, and divestitures.

Once a growth path is defined, Rebecca supports clients through planning and execution, with a focus on helping initiatives achieve their objectives and create value. Her areas of expertise include strategy and corporate finance, M&A, industrials and electronics, semiconductors, healthcare, and technology, media, and telecommunications.

Rebecca serves as Board Treasurer of the San Francisco SPCA. She holds an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Jim Kadavy
Firm: RSM US
Title: Partner

Jim Kadavy is a Partner and National Mergers and Acquisitions Leader at RSM US. He has more than 40 years of experience in public accounting and more than 35 years with RSM, where he has held senior leadership roles across M&A, regional management, assurance, and business advisory services.

As National M&A Leader, Jim is responsible for overseeing the alignment and execution of RSM’s M&A strategy and activities. His work includes acquisitions and divestitures that support the firm’s broader growth strategy. He partners with firm leaders across lines of business, industries, markets, channels, and internal business units to identify segments and potential investment or acquisition targets, evaluate acquisition opportunities, and develop financial modeling.

Jim previously served on RSM’s executive management team, where he oversaw strategy and operations for 31 offices across the firm’s Central and West markets. He also led the firm’s expansion into Denver and Omaha and oversaw client service and business development efforts for nearly 800 professionals.

Trained as an assurance professional, Jim has advised middle-market organizations across healthcare, services, and nonprofit sectors. His client work has included assurance, tax, and business advisory services, as well as financial projections, feasibility studies, debt capacity analysis, debt issuance, corporate restructuring, internal control reviews, and related management services. He has worked closely with C-level management teams, audit committees, and boards of directors on accounting, tax, and business issues.

Prior to RSM, Jim was a senior manager at Coopers & Lybrand. He is a CPA in Iowa and a fellow of the Health Care Financial Management Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Marquette University and completed RSM’s Business Advisor Executive Education program through the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.