About us
Our vision is to advise, support and drive value for owners and their entrepreneurial companies in the $1-100 million range by increasing their financial and operating performance. As part of this process, we will drive operating and financial improvements including development and execution of strategic plans. This may also lead to an acquisition growth strategy which we can help create and deliver. In addition, we work with owners on planning and executing, as necessary, an appropriate exit strategy. This may include assistance in getting their businesses ready for sale; advise and drive the sale process for their businesses.
Our current economic climate is providing many unique challenges and opportunities for companies looking to be sold or acquired. Experience has never been more important than it is now. Don Holmstrom is a seasoned professional with a deep and unique set of experience and knowledge that you can leverage.
Since its inception in 2009, Value Drivers has:
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served more than 60 clients;
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closed 11 buy and sell side transactions on behalf its clients in excess of $130 million of transaction value.
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performed a variety of advisory engagements to improve systems and processes within a range of companies
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completed more than 10 due diligence/quality of earnings engagements in the past 3 years for private equity and entrepreneurial buyers.
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raised over $10 million in debt and equity capital to fuel growth
Don Holmstrom
President
From his 30 year career, Don has extensive experience in all aspects of buying and selling businesses, and utilizing financial and operating expertise to help clients build and grow their companies. Prior to launching VDA, Don held various C-Suite roles in multi-location companies for more than 15 years and understands firsthand the challenging decisions required to run a successful business. He brings his extensive leadership skills, strategic planning and execution, capital raising and management expertise, corporate change management and growth experience to each client engagement.
Known for his exceptional analytical, strategic and financial discipline, Don is able to work with detailed numbers as well as developing and executing on “big picture” strategic direction, analytical assessments and planning. He maintains an extensive network of contacts and relationships throughout North America in mergers and acquisitions, legal, accounting, banking and equity investors.
Over the course of his career, Don has worked as a principal or advisor on more than 100 transactions with a combined value of approximately $1 Billion. Don is a Chartered Accountant by trade.
Chichi Ugwuzor, MBA, ACCA
Senior Consultant
Chichi Ugwuzor brings strong valuation, analytical and interpersonal skills developed over an accomplished educational and professional career. Chichi’s focus at VDA is in providing transaction advisory (Buy and sell-side), valuation and financial modeling, deal structuring and due diligence services. Her mission is to help individuals and businesses in making decisions that creates maximum value in line with their long-term strategy.
She moved to Vancouver in 2018 to pursue an MBA at Beedie School of Business and a career in Corporate finance. She is deeply committed to professional development and is a Charted accountant and CFA level 3 candidate. Before moving to the west coast, she worked in Nigeria for over 5 years in Accounting, Financial and systems audit roles across different industries.
Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the city of Vancouver for new cultural cuisine experiences, planning trips and spending time with family.
Christine Sjolander, EdD, CDDP
Senior Human Capital Consultant
Christine is an entrepreneurial leader with more than 25 years experience in career development, recruiting and hiring, internal operations management, external outreach and relationship development, event management, marketing and communications, and team leadership.
Christine works with VDA on human capital related projects such as executive search and recruiting assignments, employee handbooks and policies, employee engagement workshops and training and in-house career development initiatives.
In addition to her work with VDA, Christine is an instructor at Capilano University's School of Business focusing on practicum programs to help students transition from school to work.
Yvonne Jackson
Executive Assistant
Yvonne works with Don as an executive assistant and provides administrative support to the team.
Yvonne moved to North America from the UK in 2003 living first in Houston and later Port Moody, since the move Yvonne has mostly worked in voluntary roles such as classroom assistant, Academic Advisory Council chair.
Prior to the move Yvonne ran a hotel and served as company secretary for 13 years, to assist her in this role she obtained a UK accounting technician qualification through the AAT.
Brett Norris, MBA
Senior Consultant
Brett works with Value Drivers’ clients across our range of services providing M&A, financial, operational, and exit strategy solutions to drive business value.
Originating from New Zealand, Brett’s background includes degrees in Business (First Class Hons) and Hospitality management. While studying he worked in various senior positions within the hospitality industry.
After University Brett worked as a Consultant for Ernst & Young and Deloitte before spending two years in London, England, where he worked as a Financial Analyst for M&G Investments (one of the United Kingdom’s largest Asset Managers). He also has almost 2 years experience in Corporate Finance at Deloitte included a variety of engagements, including M&A, financial modelling, and valuation.
Brett maintains a high level of discipline and continuous drive for his own professional education. In 2012 he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and has subsequently completed levels one and two of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Designation. He is currently completing his MBA at EDHEC in Nice, France and works with the VDA team remotely.