The International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC), the premier international, networking and professional growth organization for women in the restructuring and insolvency industry, has named Sheila Smith as its 2015 Woman of the Year in Restructuring (WOYR) award winner. Though now retired, Ms. Smith previously worked with Deloitte and is a seasoned, restructuring and bankruptcy professional with more than 20 years of experience serving a host of clients ranging from manufacturing to retail to distribution and technology.

Sheila served in multiple leadership roles during her 15 year tenure at Deloitte -- most recently serving as the Americas Region Restructuring Services Leader. This role covered all of South and North America as well as the Cayman Bermuda Cluster. Previously, she served as US leader of the Deloitte Corporate Restructuring Group for seven years, and co-led the practice for an additional two years after the acquisition of CRG Partners Group LLC. This acquisition, championed by Ms. Smith, doubled the size of the Deloitte restructuring practice.

Sheila started her professional career as a Special Education teacher working at a residential treatment facility for adolescent males. She went on to have numerous roles in the public sector running human service agencies prior to getting an MBA in public management. Thereafter she was the Treasurer of a company that ultimately filed bankruptcy, thus beginning her career in insolvency.

She is considered a leading authority on issues in the restructuring marketplace and is a sought after speaker, author, and industry pundit. Ms. Smith has championed women in the insolvency industry despite the challenges of travel, work life balance and the sometimes contentious nature of restructuring work.

“An accomplished professional, incredible role model and friend, Sheila exemplifies the spirit of the Woman of the Year in Restructuring Award,” said Selinda Melnik, a Past-Chair and one of the founders of IWIRC who nominated Smith for the award. “Smith has served as a role model and supporter of both her peers and those junior to her. Through her commitment to various organizations, Smith has elevated the status of women in the industry and she continues to advise and guide young professionals.”

IWIRC will present the WOYR award to Ms. Smith on Friday, December 4, 2015, during a special luncheon at the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Winter Leadership Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

“I am honored that I will be receiving this award, and I plan to accept it not only for myself but on behalf of all the exceptional women in the restructuring field with whom I have worked with over the years” said Smith.

Now in its 9th year, the WOYR award was conceived to honor women in the restructuring and insolvency industry who have inspired and skillfully led a restructuring team, provided creative solutions and innovative legal applications, showed exceptional leadership, and have made an extraordinary contributions to the insolvency and restructuring professions.

IWIRC, is committed to the connection, promotion and growth of women in insolvency and restructuring professions worldwide. Since 1994, IWIRC has been connecting women worldwide through a global membership of more than 1,300 attorneys, bankers, corporate-turnaround professionals, financial advisors and other restructuring practitioners. The organization provides its members with relationship-building, educational, career enhancement and promotional opportunities.