Denise Carkhuff, a partner in Jones Day's Private Equity Practice resident in the Cleveland Office, was recognized at Smart Business magazine's annual "Smart Women Awards" in a virtual event on October 9, 2020. She is one of only 10 named in the awards' "Progressive Woman" category. The Smart Women Awards recognize the achievements of leading businesswomen, inspiring male advocates, and effective women's programs.
Ms. Carkhuff participated in a panel discussion at the awards event, along with co-panelists Shelly Cayette, Vice President, Global Corporate Partnerships, Cleveland Cavaliers; April Miller Boise, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Eaton Corporation; and Adrienne Boissy, Chief Experience Officer, Cleveland Clinic. Reporter Romney Smith of WKYC-TV moderated the panel.
Ms. Carkhuff has spent her entire legal career at Jones Day, starting as an associate 25 years ago and becoming a partner in 2005. She has acted as lead lawyer on transactions in a variety of industries, jurisdictions, and deal structures and has experience in the full life cycle of a company (from formation, capital raising, dividend recapitalizations, IPOs, sales, and dissolutions). Although the main focus of her practice is the representation of private equity funds, she also provides counsel to private companies, including portfolio companies of private equity funds. She currently leads client development activities for the Firm's Private Equity Practice worldwide.
Ms. Carkhuff has shown leadership in the community by helping to organize and lead "Women in Transactions," a networking group that contributes to the growth of Northeast Ohio middle market enterprises by providing tools and resources to women dealmakers. In a nod to the success of the group, the Association for Corporate Growth requested that it be placed under its umbrella to assist in its efforts to be more inclusive of women members.
Ms. Carkhuff also co-founded and leads Recruitment, Retention, Advancement in Networking (RRAIN), Jones Day's Cleveland women's group, which provides professional development, support, and networking opportunities internally for the Firm's women lawyers and externally for women clients and friends. The group meets at least monthly and hosts multiple client events throughout the year.
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