Stanardsville, VA - September 9, 2019 - The International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC), the premier international, networking and professional growth organization for women in the restructuring and insolvency industries, is pleased to announce the 2019 semi-finalists for its 9th Annual Rising Star Award. The five semi-finalists are:

 

Rachel Biblo Block is an associate with Akin Gump and has been a member of IWIRC since 2014. She is the former events co-chair of the Dallas/Fort Worth Network. "Rachel has been committed to encouraging junior female lawyers and law students in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to consider financial restructuring as a viable area of law in which to practice and to promoting IWIRC as an invaluable resource of support." 

 

Stephanie Clark is Vice President at AlixPartners (London) and has been a member of IWIRC since 2018. She currently served as the treasury co-chair for the London Network. "Steph's energy, enthusiasm and courage to lead is exceptional. Importantly, not only has she been pivotal in IWIRC London's success to date but it has been the Board's honor to work with her and learn from her fresh and fun approach. We have no doubt that she will not only go from strength to strength in her profession but also within IWIRC's leadership where she has a great deal to offer."  

Alexis Leventhal is an associate with Reed Smith and has been a member of IWIRC since 2017. She currently serves as co-chair of the Western Pennsylvania Network. "Alexis has been an invaluable member of the Network's Board since she joined. Her dedication to insolvency work, respect for the Courts, and passion for promoting women's work has made the Western Pennsylvania Network far more robust and active than in prior years. She is champion for the women in this Network, as well as a role model
and mentor to women law students and interns in the field of insolvency."

 

Lacey Rochester is an associate with Baker Donelson and has been a member of IWIRC since 2012. She currently serves on the Louisiana Network's Board as the Events Chair. "Lacey has shown tremendous dedication to IWIRC over the past several years. She has been instrumental in executing key events that help the Louisiana Network demonstrate its commitment to the connection, promotion and success of women in the insolvency and restructuring professions worldwide. We think that [Lacey] is a go-getter, a hard worker and is truly enthusiastic about IWIRC and its mission-and that she is the perfect example of an IWIRC Rising Star."

 

Jo Tay is a senior associate at Allen & Gledhill LLP and has been a member of IWIRC since 2019. She currently serves as secretary for the Singapore Network. "Jo is a rising star in the restructuring and insolvency space in Singapore, and an extremely active member of IWIRC. She is bright, enthusiastic and has developed an international network of friends
and professional contacts through IWIRC, especially in Asia. She lives out IWIRC's brand and we have no doubt that she will continue contributing to the promotion of the expertise and successes of women in the industry."

 

The IWIRC Rising Star Award is bestowed upon an IWIRC member with 8 or less years of experience in her respective field; who has made considerable contributions to her professional success and displayed a high-level of commitment to advancing IWIRC's mission-enhancing the professional status of women in the insolvency and restructuring profession-at the local, national and/or international levels.

The talented group of semi-finalists were chosen from nominees from IWIRC networks around the world that include attorneys, bankers, turnaround advisors, claims and noticing agents and other restructuring industry consultants and professionals who are actively engaged in the restructuring industry.

The 9th Annual Rising Star Award will be presented at a luncheon that will take place during IWIRC's 26th Annual Fall Conference in Washington, DC on October 30, 2019. Please join IWIRC in celebrating the 2019 Rising Star. Registration for IWIRC's 26th Annual Fall Conference and more information can be found here.