Bass, Berry & Sims attorney Davis Mello was named a 2026 Emerging Leader by The M&A Advisor. The Emerging Leaders Awards honor accomplished professionals under the age of 40 who are shaping the future of dealmaking through innovation, leadership, and meaningful contributions to their industry and communities. This year’s recipients represent a distinguished group of rising professionals across M&A, financing, restructuring, legal advisory, consulting, business development, and corporate leadership.
The more than 130 winners were selected by an independent panel of judges and were evaluated based on their professional achievements, leadership impact, and commitment to community involvement. Honorees will be recognized at the 2026 Leadership in Dealmaking Summit, being held September 14-15. Read more about the 2026 winners here.
“As our industry continues to evolve, the next generation of leaders is redefining what excellence looks like in dealmaking and corporate finance,” said Roger Aguinaldo, Founder and CEO of The M&A Advisor. “The 2026 Emerging Leaders Award recipients demonstrate exceptional vision, resilience, and leadership. They are not only driving successful transactions — they are helping shape the future of our global business community.”
Davis Mello
Davis represents private equity sponsors, venture investors and founder-led businesses in mergers and acquisitions, growth equity investments and other strategic transactions. He also advises clients on corporate governance and a range of general corporate matters. Davis has extensive experience in software and technology M&A – including healthcare IT, vertical SaaS and tech-enabled services – and also regularly represents clients in healthcare services transactions and middle-market deals across manufacturing, distribution and business services. Learn more about Davis’ practice here.
The M&A Advisor
Founded in 1998, The M&A Advisor is the global leader in connecting, recognizing, and informing professionals in M&A, restructuring, and corporate finance. Now in its 28th year, The M&A Advisor provides world-class content, events, and honors programs that empower dealmakers at every stage of their journey. Learn more at www.maadvisor.com.