Confirmed Speakers
Crocker Coulson, Co-Chair & Moderator
CEO, AUM Advisors · New York
Crocker Coulson is CEO of AUM Advisors, a New York-based capital markets advisory firm specializing in cross-border IPOs, SPACs, and investor relations for companies listing on US markets. He has advised on more than 100 IPOs, SPACs, direct listings, and follow-on offerings across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Crocker is the organizer of the Japan Go IPO Summit and the founding organizer of the Europe SPAC Summit. He will serve as co-chair and lead moderator throughout the day.
Drew Bernstein, Co-Chair
Co-Chairman, MarcumAsia
Drew Bernstein is Co-Chairman of MarcumAsia, one of the leading accounting and advisory firms for companies pursuing US listings. He has been a central figure in bringing Asian and European companies to Nasdaq and NYSE for over two decades and serves as Co-Chair of the Summit alongside Crocker Coulson.
Douglas Ellenoff, Keynote Speaker — Legal Framework for European SPACs
Partner, Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP • New York
Douglas Ellenoff is one of the most prominent SPAC lawyers in the United States and a founding partner of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, the leading law firm for SPAC transactions by volume. He will deliver the Summit's exclusive legal keynote — the definitive briefing on structuring European SPAC transactions under US securities law. This session is open only to Summit attendees.
Brandon Sun, Opening Address — State of the US SPAC Market
Head of SPAC Investment Banking, Cohen & Company Capital Markets • New York
Brandon is Head of SPAC Investment Banking at Cohen & Company Capital Markets and is one of Wall Street’s longest‑serving SPAC bankers. Over a 13‑year career, he has completed 120+ IPOs, 130+ de‑SPAC and M&A transactions representing more than $210bn in enterprise value, and 60+ PIPE and follow‑on offerings. Brandon holds an MBA from Yale School of Management and a BA from Carleton College.
Alison Yablonowitz, Panelist— A Guide for SPAC Sponsors: Legal, Accounting, Financing & Deal Terms
Partner, Calabrese Consulting LLC• New York
Alison is an accomplished finance executive and trusted advisor for private and public organizations ranging in size from $100M to $100B. With more than 24 years of public accounting experience at a Big 4 accounting firm, Alison has been recognized as an exceptional client service provider.
Since joining Calabrese in January 2021, Alison has been primarily assisting companies with GAAP and IFRS accounting and SEC financial reporting matters, private offerings, acquisition and disposition accounting, revenue recognition matters, equity related accounting, and client relationship management, as well as coordinating and working closely with auditors to ensure timely and accurate reporting. Prior to that, Alison was an audit partner at Ernst & Young LLP responsible for growing the Northeast Assurance Practice.
Alison received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University in Accounting and an MBA from Columbia University. Alison is a CPA and a member of the New Jersey State Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Additionally, Alison is on the board of the United Way of Greater Union County.
Mike Blankenship, Panelist—De-SPAC Execution on the Clock
Managing Partner, Houston & Co-Chair, Capital Markets Practice, Winston Taylor LLP • Houston, Texas
Mike is the co-chair of the firm’s Capital Markets Practice, and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He focuses his practice on corporate finance and securities law, including securities offerings, public company advisory, special purpose acquisition company offerings, private equity and venture capital transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate representation.
Mike regularly counsels public companies on strategic transactions, capital markets offerings, and general corporate and securities law matters. He represents both issuers and underwriters in U.S. and non-U.S. capital markets transactions, including IPOs and direct listings, and advises on corporate governance and securities market regulation. Mike routinely assists clients from many different industries, including, among others, energy & infrastructure, healthcare & life sciences and technology and new media.
Gianfranco Imperato, Panelist— Structuring, Pricing & Closing — Lessons from Recent Transactions
CEO and Shareholder, Trasteel Group • Lugano, Switzerland
Gianfranco Imperato is the CEO of Trasteel Holding S.A., a leading European steel trading and industrial processing company headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. Founded in 2009, Trasteel has grown into a global platform operating in over 60 countries, serving more than 4,000 customers, and combining steel and raw materials trading with industrial transformation across 13 factories in six countries. In April 2026, Trasteel announced a definitive business combination with Sizzle Acquisition Corp. II (Nasdaq: SZZL), a transaction valuing the company at a pre-money equity of $800 million and an implied enterprise value of approximately $1.3 billion. Upon closing, the combined company is expected to list on Nasdaq under the ticker "TSTL." Under Gianfranco's leadership, Trasteel continues to expand its trading and industrial footprint, positioning itself as one of Europe's largest players in the steel and metals value chain.