The Boston Corporate Finance Community's Gathers to Give Back event provides us with an opportunity to create a long-term partnership with an outstanding Boston nonprofit, More Than Words, and to celebrate members of our community who make an impact personally and professionally.

2023

In Memoriam: Robert A. J. Barry

Partner, Morgan Lewis

Bob Barry represented a wide range of lenders in matters related to US and international financing transactions. Bob worked closely with clients, helping them identify and mitigate potential transaction risks. He represented in the box and stretch asset-based lenders, pure cash-flow lenders, and those providing junior secured capital. He also counseled lending syndicate agents and individual lenders on issues related to deal origination, workouts, and restructuring. Bob was frequently involved in complicated deals that required the coordination of numerous professionals including equity sponsors, restructuring advisers, and auditors. Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Bob was a partner in the banking and leveraged finance group of an international law firm.

2019

William (Bill) J. Mayer

Executive Managing Director, Tiger Group

Bill Mayer is an executive vice president and head of Wells Fargo Equipment Finance (WFEF), the group of equipment finance and leasing affiliates of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A, and Wells Fargo Rail.

WFEF provides competitive fixed- and floating-rate loans and leases covering a full range of commercial equipment and for businesses in the United States and Canada. Canadian business is transacted by Wells Fargo Equipment Finance Company. WFEF is the largest bank-affiliated equipment leasing and finance company in the United States, with more than 325,000 active customers and 2,400 team members.

Previously, Bill was the senior credit officer for Wells Fargo Wholesale Banking, responsible for the Commercial Banking, Capital Finance, Equipment Finance, and Credit Resolution portfolios. Bill also successfully led and grew the Commercial and Retail Finance Group in Wells Fargo Capital Finance as its president for more than eight years.

Before joining Wells Fargo, Bill spent almost 14 years with GE Capital in various leadership roles, both domestically and internationally. He held positions with its Commercial Finance Group, Retailer Financial Services, and Healthcare Finance Group. Bill was at KPMG Peat Marwick prior to GE.

Bill earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pennsylvania State University. He served on the executive advisory board at the David F. Miller Retail Center at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business.

Originally from Philadelphia, Bill resides in the Boston area with his wife and two daughters.

2018

Bob Duffy

Managing Director, Berkeley Research Group

Bob Duffy is a Managing Director, practice leader and member of the Board of Directors at Berkeley Research Group (BRG). Bob has more than 30 years of experience leading teams to help drive successful outcomes for clients who face uncertainty or obstacles. Both as an advisor and Chief Restructuring Officer, Bob works together with clients to drive positive change and revitalize operations to reposition businesses for future growth. Prior to joining BRG in 2016, Bob was the Global Practice Leader of FTI Consulting’s Corporate Finance practice as well as a member of FTI’s Executive Committee, having joined FTI following its acquisition of PwC’s restructuring practice in 2002.

A Boston area native and long-standing business leader, Bob exemplifies the work ethic, innovation and creativity of our community. He works tirelessly to contribute to the success of those within our community in roles as a friend, mentor and coach. Beyond his professional achievements, Bob is devoted to his family and with them has a long history of giving and helping transform the lives of others through his hands-on involvement with charitable organizations here and abroad, including identifying and funding educational needs for at-risk Cambodian youths through their charity mycambodiansisters.org.

My Cambodian Sisters, founded by Bob’s wife and daughters, is an educational based non-profit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in Cambodia one young girl at a time. Each year, young girls who have endured horrific instances of sex, drug and alcohol abuse are provided food, clothing, shelter and educational support. The funding and support from My Cambodian Sisters provides the girls with the once-in-a-lifetime chance to focus on completing their high school education, getting accepted into college and breaking the otherwise certain eventuality of a life of unimaginable poverty.