“I wish I had known sooner how much relationships matter. Being intentional about your network and personal brand is just as important as doing great work. That lesson shapes how I show up for the women I mentor.”
Reena Booker built her career in transaction advisory by combining technical expertise, adaptability and a strong commitment to relationships. After graduating from the University of Florida, she spent five years in Ernst & Young’s assurance practice before transitioning into transaction advisory, where she found her niche. Today, as a transaction advisory director at Moore Colson, Booker draws on 15 years of experience to advise business founders, corporate buyers and financial buyers throughout the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) process.
The pandemic marked a significant turning point in her career. As M&A activity surged, Booker managed high-stakes transactions with limited resources while simultaneously adapting to remote work with three young children at home. Navigating that demanding environment strengthened her ability to make decisions quickly, trust her judgment and operate with greater independence.
That confidence has translated into meaningful client outcomes. In one notable recent engagement, Booker led sell-side due diligence for a $140 million building systems integrator through a competitive process. By helping the client navigate complex buyer discussions and contract negotiations, she contributed to a final valuation that far exceeded expectations.
Booker also finds some of her most rewarding work in developing the next generation of professionals. She championed Moore Colson’s transaction advisory lunch-and-learn program, advocated for a formal training curriculum and mentors women in a field where they remain underrepresented. Her commitment to professional development extends to the firm’s GROW Women’s Initiative and the Association for Corporate Growth, reflecting her belief in the importance of intentionally building relationships and community. She encourages women early in their careers to pair strong work with self-advocacy: be confident in your abilities, communicate what you want, ask for greater responsibility and make your ambitions known.
