Afra van Galen

Company: Clairfield
Job Description: Manager M&A
Age: 31
Years of working experience in M&A: 7

What are the specialties of this talent?
Afra is an outstanding young M&A professional with a great combination of technical expertise, strategic insight, and strong interpersonal skills. She excels in financial analysis and valuation modeling, consistently delivering actionable insights that drive successful deal outcomes. She communicates complex concepts clearly to clients and senior stakeholders, enabling efficient decision-making throughout transactions. She thrives in collaborative environments, bridging financial, legal, and operational teams to ensure seamless execution. Her curiosity, integrity, and proactive approach make her a trusted advisor and a high-performing dealmaker. 

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers?
Afra distinguishes herself through her exceptional technical skills combined with a natural ability to work effectively with others. She is able to create a clear equity story, and to break down complex financial models and due diligence findings into clear, actionable insights that drive confident decision-making. What sets her apart is her collaborative approach—she builds strong working relationships across teams and with clients, ensuring that transactions progress efficiently and effectively. This balance of deep technical knowledge and strong interpersonal skills enables her to deliver consistently high-quality results, making her a standout talent in the field. 

What impact does the talent have within the organization?
Afra has a strong and lasting impact within the organization by supporting collaboration, clarity, and efficiency across teams. She supports colleagues in navigating complex projects, keeping workstreams aligned and priorities clear, while also dedicating time to mentor and teach junior staff, helping them develop their skills and confidence and being their role model. Her proactive approach, reliability, and ability to bring people together strengthen team cohesion and contribute to a culture of high performance and mutual support.  

What impact does the talent have outside the organization?
Afra is a true ambassador of the organization when engaging with industry peers, professional networks, or external partners. She represents the organization with professionalism and integrity, ensuring she contributes effectively in discussions and collaborations. She has already developed a strong network across the M&A community, including colleagues in finance, legal, and advisory roles, which reflects her excellent social and communication skills. Through these connections, she strengthens the organization’s presence and reputation in the wider industry. 

To what extent does the talent make a difference when working with clients?
Afra consistently makes a significant difference when working with clients by combining professionalism, clarity, and responsiveness. She quickly understands client needs and translates complex M&A processes into clear, actionable insights, helping clients make informed decisions. Her ability to build trust and maintain strong relationships ensures clients feel supported throughout the transaction process. By providing both strategic guidance and practical solutions, she adds real value at every stage, enhancing the client experience and strengthening long-term partnerships. 

Why does the talent deserves this nomination?
Afra deserves this nomination because she combines exceptional technical skills with outstanding interpersonal abilities, making her a standout performer in M&A. She consistently delivers high-quality, accurate work under tight deadlines while also mentoring junior staff and fostering collaboration across teams. Her professionalism, reliability, and ability to build strong relationships both within and outside the organization set her apart from her peers. Her qualities exemplify what women can achieve in finance, hopefully to inspire others to follow a similar path. Through her contributions, she drives results, strengthens the team, and elevates the reputation of the organization, making her truly deserving of recognition as a rising M&A talent.