Stanardsville, VA - August 31, 2017 - The International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC), the premier international, networking and professional growth organization for women in the restructuring and insolvency industries, is pleased to announce the 2017 finalists for its 7th Annual "Rising Star" Award. The five finalists are:

Alexia Adda - Alexia is an associate with Walkers Singapore and has been a member of the Singapore Network since 2015. She has acted for liquidators, receivers, creditors, auditors, directors and banks during her time in the bankruptcy and insolvency field. Alexia currently serves on the IWIRC Singapore Network Board and has worked to organize technical industry panels further establishing IWIRC's role as a pre-eminent industry forum in Singapore. In support of her nomination, Alexia's nominator stated "she has made a very significant contribution to IWIRC Singapore in a very short space of time and has been an invaluable part of the IWIRC Singapore team. Alexia's efforts have helped to expand the membership base in Singapore and contributed to very significant profile-raising for IWIRC in Singapore. She is a positive and enthusiastic member and had shown a very high degree of initiative and commitment towards IWIRC's activities and its underlying cause." 

Camille Bent - Camille is an associate with BakerHostetler, LLP and has been a member of the New York Network since 2011. Prior to private practice, Camille served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Mary Grace Diehl, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia and as a law clerk to the Honorable Pamela Pepper, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. She is an active member of the IWIRC New York Board, currently serving as the Communications Committee Chair, and is responsible for publication of the IWIRC NY newsletter. Camille has spearheaded efforts to revitalize network communications and has increased the IWIRC NY distribution list to almost 900 industry professionals and worked to increased social media engagements. She was responsible for designing the 2015 IWIRC Leadership Summit materials in New York and also created the IWIRC NY Shining Star recognition program - which encourages members to become actively involved in NY network subcommittees.  In support of her nomination, Camille's nominator stated "she is an inspiration to me and anyone who has the opportunity to meet her. She is driven, committed to promoting women and leads by example. She is a true Rising Star who is worthy of IWIRC's award."    

Kimberly A. Brown - Kim is an attorney with Landis Rath & Cobb LLP and has been a member of the Delaware Network since 2012. She concentrates her practice in the areas of Corporate Bankruptcy and Restructuring and Bankruptcy Litigation often representing chapter 11 debtors, official and unofficial committees, secured and unsecured creditors, indenture trustees and bondholders, asset purchasers, and chapter 15 foreign representatives. Kim currently serves as Chair of the Delaware Network and has served on the IWIRC Delaware Board since 2013.  Prior to her Delaware Board leadership, Kim actively participated on IWIRC Delaware Board committees. She has worked to promote and re-invigorate the Delaware Network and under her leadership, increased membership by more than 15% and increased sponsorship of the Network dramatically.  "Kim is a passionate, energetic and inspiring leader and consensus builder" stated her nominator. She "demonstrates exceptional leadership; she inspires, motivates and promotes other IWIRC members and women in the profession; and has made a significant and lasting contribution to IWIRC. Without a doubt, Kim is a Rising Star."

Jeannie Kim - Jeannie is an attorney in the San Francisco office of Buchalter and has been a member of IWIRC since 2011. Her practice focuses on representing various stakeholders such as financial institutions, technology companies, trade creditors, corporate debtors-in-possession, chapter 11 trustees, asset purchasers, and individual creditors, in all aspects of corporate restructuring, distressed M&A, and litigation matters. Prior to private practice, Jeannie served as the inaugural law clerk to the Honorable Deborah J. Saltzman of the Central District of California and as a law clerk to the Honorable Alan Jaroslovsky (Ret.) and the Honorable Thomas M. Carlson (Ret.), each of the Northern District of California.  Although new to the network having recently relocated from Southern California, Jeannie has been quick to volunteer and forge new relationships within the Northern California IWIRC Network.  She currently serves on the Northern California Network Board as the Events Co-chair and is working to raise the profile of the Network within the larger restructuring and insolvency community and the bar at large. In support of her nomination, Jeannie's nominator stated "she is one of the 'hubs' of the Northern California Network. Jeannie has made genuine, substantial connections with many members, bridging gaps of professional seniority, political persuasions, and life experiences. The extraordinary contributions Jeannie has made to IWIRC and its network of women are deserving of recognition as a Rising Star."   

Helen M.E. Sevenoaks - Helen is an associate with CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP in London and has been an IWIRC member since 2012. Her restructuring and insolvency practice involves advising clients on a variety of restructuring, insolvency and finance matters, including debt restructurings, security enforcement, liquidations, administrations, distressed asset sales and loan work outs. She is experienced in many industry sectors, most notably real estate, infrastructure, healthcare and mining. Before moving to London, Helen was instrumental in establishing the Vancouver branch of the Western Canada Network and served as the Vancouver chair in 2015-2016 and as vice-chair of the IWIRC Western Canada Network. Since her relocation, Helen has been working diligently with other professionals on launching the IWIRC London Network.  In support of her nomination, Helen's nominator stated "she continues to go above and beyond and given her previous impact in the Vancouver market, I believe she will be crucial to implementing a successful network in London." 

The IWIRC Rising Star Award is bestowed upon an IWIRC member with 8 or less years of experience in her respective field; who has made considerable contributions to her professional success and displayed a high-level of commitment to advancing IWIRC's mission-enhancing the professional status of women in the insolvency and restructuring profession-at the local, national and/or international levels.

The talented group of finalists were chosen from nominees from IWIRC networks around the world that include attorneys, bankers, turnaround advisors, claims and noticing agents and other restructuring industry consultants and professionals who are actively engaged in the restructuring industry.

The 7th Annual "Rising Star" Award will be presented at a luncheon that will take place during IWIRC's 24th Annual Fall Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 8, 2017. Please join IWIRC in celebrating the 2017 "Rising Star" Award Finalists. Registration for IWIRC's 24th Annual Fall Conference and more information can be found  here .