Grant Thornton named Melanie Krygier the Growth leader of the firm’s Private Equity Tax practice. Krygier, a San Francisco-based partner and leader of Grant Thornton’s M&A Tax Services West Coast practice, will join the Private Equity leadership team and focus on supporting private equity clients engaged in mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

“Melanie’s extraordinary tax knowledge and years of experience helping private equity investors and their portfolio companies through M&A will be incredibly valuable for every client she works with,” said Carlos Ferreira, Grant Thornton’s national managing partner of Private Equity. “The private equity space is always evolving, and the pandemic has only accelerated that evolution. This space demands the creative, confident and decisive leadership Melanie provides.”

Krygier has more than 15 years of experience serving public and private companies across multiple industries. After a successful seven-year stint with another national professional services firm, she joined Grant Thornton in 2013. For nearly 10 years, she has primarily focused on consulting in M&A. Specifically, Krygier has conducted buy-side and sell-side tax due diligence, as well as tax structuring and modeling for clients that are contemplating potential sales, purchases or restructurings.

Krygier has also assisted clients in navigating tax-free reorganizations, particularly in connection with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) transactions. Her in-depth transaction knowledge will be an asset for companies who need a deft hand to guide them through the often-complex tax implications of a merger or acquisition.

According to a recent M&A survey conducted by Grant Thornton, the increase of SPACs is likely to continue. Furthermore, the recent surge of M&A activity could be a catalyst for new challenges, including a new kind of earnout disputes. These findings reveal the importance of a skilled leader like Krygier.

“As M&A activity becomes even more common, it is absolutely critical for every company to derive the most value possible from what can be a very complex, labor-intensive process,” said Rimma Tabakh, Grant Thornton’s office managing partner in San Francisco. “Melanie will provide detailed and reliable guidance at a time when companies need it more than ever.”

“She is an inspiring and highly collaborative professional,” continued Tabakh, “who will uplift all of our team members in San Francisco and will be a valuable role model to women in a space that has historically been dominated by men.”

In this new leadership role, Krygier succeeds Chris Schenkenberg, who has taken on a new role for the firm’s Tax leadership team as Regional Tax Business Lines national managing partner. Krygier earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University.

“Melanie is a talented and knowledgeable leader who has an innate ability to embrace bold new journeys and create immediate and lasting impact in professional services,” concluded Renato Zanichelli, Grant Thornton’s national managing partner of Tax Services. “Her track record of providing high-performance business solutions and effective tax strategies makes her the perfect person to lead this team and help our clients thrive.”