Jennifer Koch is a Senior Vice President and Head of Organizational Development, leading the integration of new team members during M&A transitions. With 30 years of experience in Human Resources, she plays a crucial role in ensuring that incoming team members feel supported, engaged, and optimistic about their future at Sequoia.

Her favorite part of M&A is meeting new firms and discovering cultural alignment, recognizing that by joining forces, both teams can elevate their strengths. During integration, her primary focus is on team members—helping them navigate what can be a stressful time by creating a welcoming and seamless experience.

Jennifer and her Organizational Development team tailor the onboarding process for each new firm, ensuring a smooth and personalized transition. She helps address individual concerns, recognizing that change is challenging, even when it’s for the better. By listening attentively and responding thoughtfully, she helps new team members embrace the transition with confidence.

Her advice for those new to M&A integration? Talk about your concerns. Open communication is key, simply discussing challenges with someone can often make the process much easier to navigate.