20 | Influential Businesswoman Awards 2026 Most Influential M&A Advisory Businesswoman 2026 (USA): Dena Jalbert ased in Winter Park, Florida, Align Business Advisory Services is dedicated to helping businesses grow, scale, and monetise their businesses across a wide range of industries. The firm was founded in 2017 by CEO Dena Jalbert, an established professional who has ranked as one of the Top 25 Women in Mid-Market M&A by Mergers & Acquisitions Magazine. Dena is also regularly featured in Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, Fast Company, and more, a testament to the ways in which she has shaped this competitive landscape. Working within the field of mergers and acquisitions presents a unique set of challenges for Dena, particularly as a woman operating in traditionally male-dominated deal environments. In high-level negotiations and transaction strategy discussions, it is essential to establish credibility quickly. There is often little margin for error and significant pressure to demonstrate both financial acumen and strategic foresight. “I overcome this by being relentlessly prepared and outcomes-focused,” Dena told us. “In M&A, results are measurable: deal value, integration success, workforce retention, synergy realisation. By grounding every recommendation in data, risk mitigation, and long-term value creation, I shift the conversation from perception to performance. Consistently delivering smooth integrations and protecting enterprise value builds trust that transcends bias.” Another obstacle Dena has encountered on her journey has been managing the human side of transactions. She learned that M&A is not only financial but also deeply cultural, and that aligning leadership teams, retaining key talent, and ensuring operational continuity can be complex. In response to such challenges, Dena has prioritised structured integration planning and transparent communication from day one. With strong systems, disciplined execution, and people-centred leadership, Dena guides the Align team to turn transactions into long-term success stories. “Ultimately, I view obstacles as opportunities to lead with clarity, competence, and confidence, proving that strong execution is the most powerful differentiator in any deal room.” With this forward-thinking approach, Dena has transformed Align into one of the fastest-growing firms in the small- and medium-sized space. She has focused specifically on empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners, helping them to raise money or sell their business in a landscape traditionally dominated by insiders and key players. As a result, she has built an invaluable bridge between small business owners and Wall Street’s top players – including Goldman Sachs, Blackrock, and more – providing business owners with access to much-needed capital and partnerships. At her core, Dena strives to leverage her skills to help others. In addition to empowering the small business space, the CEO also invests significant time in philanthropic work. Dena serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of AdventHealth Central Florida, supporting the Heart, Lung, and Vascular institute of the foundation by raising money for undeserved patients and the advancement of treatment and technology. She has held this position since June of 2022, having previously served as Vice Chair of the Florida Hospital Foundation for four years prior. Dena has made significant contributions to her field, effectively leading her team to success through a specialist strategy developed over years of firsthand experience. She has learned how to navigate this landscape with clarity, confidence, and competence, demonstrating that successful leadership comes from a strong vision and an even stronger execution. For her hard work and unwavering determination, Dena has established herself as a leader in the mergers and acquisitions space, reinforcing her deserved recognition as the USA’s Most Influential M&A Advisory Businesswoman 2026. To aspiring businesswomen seeking to follow in Dena’s powerful footsteps, the CEO shared: “There is space at the table. Prepare for it, step into it, and once you’re there, make it easier for the next woman to do the same.” Contact: Dena Jalbert Company: Align Business Advisory Services Web Address: www.alignba.com Named one of the fastest-growing companies in America on the Inc. 500 list, Align Business Advisory Services is the leading M&A advisory firm for lower middle market companies. The firm has facilitated more than $2.5 billion of buy- and sellside transactions, with a network of acquirers that includes Visa, Bank of America, Hewlett Packard, and Google. As Founder and CEO Dena Jalbert is named in the Influential Businesswoman Awards 2026, we sat down with her to learn more. B
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