AlixPartners, the global consulting firm, offered its congratulations to Carrianne Basler, a Managing Director in the firm’s Turnaround and Restructuring practice, upon her being named to the prestigious post of Chair of the 2018-2019 Executive Board of Directors of the International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation, or IWIRC.    

Founded in 1993, IWIRC is a worldwide professional organization that describes itself as being committed to “the connection, promotion, and growth” of women in restructuring professions worldwide, and which boasts more than 1,300 attorneys, bankers, corporate-turnaround professionals, financial advisors, and other restructuring practitioners as members. Basler, a 23-year veteran of AlixPartners who works from the firm’s Chicago office, begins immediately as the international Chair, the highest post in the organization, and her tenure will run through October 2019.  She succeeds Jennifer McLain McLemore, a partner at Richmond, Virginia-based law firm Christian & Barton LLP in the position.

“I’m honored to be named to this very important post at this very important organization at this very important time,” said Basler.  “In an era when some are questioning whether the commitment to gender equality is backsliding both in business and the world at large, IWIRC stands as a bulwark not only to equality in our profession but also to the education, career enhancement, and promotional opportunities of women.  During my tenure in this post, I intend to work with other IWIRC members, especially younger ones, to reinforce those worthy principles, while at the same time spreading the word that restructuring is an exciting, interesting industry, and therefore a great place for women to build their careers. 

“On behalf of everyone at AlixPartners, I heartily congratulate Carrianne on being named to this prestigious international post,” said Lisa Donahue, Global Leader of the Turnaround & Restructuring practice at AlixPartners and a Managing Director at the firm. “As a long-time member of IWIRC myself, and as one of more than 20 IWIRC members at AlixPartners, I know full well the great work this organization does and of its importance in our industry.”

In her career at AlixPartners, Basler has specialized in advising and assisting senior managements experiencing challenging situations. Her extensive experience includes contingency planning, contract negotiations, litigation management, treasury issues, business planning, case administration, and risk management. She has also led in areas such as business-plan feasibility, financial strategies, lender negotiations, plan-of-reorganization development, divestiture strategies, and post-confirmation administration. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Prior to her current position at IWIRC, Basler served as Vice Chair of the organization in 2017-2018, Secretary in 2016-2017, Finance Chair in 2014-2016, Membership Chair in 2012-2014, and Communications Chair in 2010-2012.

Past IWIRC International Chairs include AlixPartners’ Debra Kuptz, a now-retired Managing Director, who served in 2008-2010.  The firm also boasts two IWIRC “Woman of the Year in Restructuring” award-winners: Lisa Donahue in 2007 and Holly Etlin, also a Managing Director in the firm’s Turnaround and Restructuring practice, in 2014.