DENA JALBERT

FOUNDER & CEO, ALIGN BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES, WINTER PARK

A mergers and acquisitions advisory firm to lower-middle-market companies, Align has advised on more than $3 billion in transaction volume, with a strong concentration in Florida, since Jalbert founded it in 2017. Through these transactions, the firm plays a role in strengthening local businesses, driving job creation and generating tax revenue.

EDUCATION: Illinois Wesleyan University (BS), Florida State University (MBA)

DAILY RITUAL: I consolidate my weekly internal meetings into a single day each week. This structure minimizes distractions and allows me to dedicate uninterrupted time to strategic thinking and long-term planning, ensuring I remain focused on what the organization needs to move forward.

INDUSTRY TRENDS: Capital has increasingly moved down-market, creating unprecedented demand for small and mid-sized businesses. M&A is no longer limited to large, public companies. Today, privately held businesses are at the center of significant deal activity.

FOOD FIX: Ice cream. It's a simple reward and a small way to unwind.