Datasite Home
  • Login
  • Get Started
  • Login
  • Get Started
  • English
      • English
      • Français
      • Deutsch
      • 中文
      • 日本語
      • Español
      • Italiano
  • Solutions
    • For Business
      • For Business

        Everything we do is designed to make your life a little easier. To help you get your work done as quickly and as productively as possible. Your deal is our business.

        Learn more
        • Corporate Development
        • Investment Banking
        • Law Firms
        • Private Equity
      • Corporate Development
        • Corporate Development

          Corporate development professionals rely on Datasite M&A software for their sensitive transactions. Whatever deal stage, our M&A platform puts you in control.

          Learn more
          • Sell-Side M&A
          • Buy-side M&A
          • Restructuring
          • Fundraising
          • Strategic Repository
          • Corporate Conversations Hub
        • Sell-Side M&A
        • Buy-side M&A
        • Restructuring
        • Fundraising
        • Strategic Repository
        • Corporate Conversations Hub
      • Investment Banking
        • Investment Banking

          The premier SaaS solutions for the M&A lifecycle. Working with boutique, middle market, and bulge bracket banks on transactions in over 170 countries.

          Learn more
          • Preparing the Deal
          • Executing the Deal
        • Preparing the Deal
        • Executing the Deal
      • Law Firms
        • Law Firms

          Datasite is the premier legal due diligence solutions provider for M&A practitioners and law firms globally. More than a virtual data room, Datasite allows for automation of legal workflow across the entire deal lifecycle.

          Learn more
          • Preparing for the Deal
          • Managing the Deal
          • Closing the Deal
        • Preparing for the Deal
        • Managing the Deal
        • Closing the Deal
      • Private Equity
        • Private Equity

          Datasite empowers private equity professionals to advance with confidence during every stage of the PE life-cycle & complete transactions with ease.

          Learn more
          • Fundraising
          • Acquisition
          • Restructuring
          • Exit Preparation
          • Deal Marketing
          • Exits
          • File Sharing
        • Fundraising
        • Acquisition
        • Restructuring
        • Exit Preparation
        • Deal Marketing
        • Exits
        • File Sharing
    • For Industries
      • For Industries

        We are Datasite. Creators of momentum, eliminators of doubt and builders of tomorrows. The leading SaaS provider for the M&A industry, we give dealmakers around the world the tools they need to succeed across the entire deal lifecycle.

        Learn more
        • Energy & Power
        • Financial Institutions
        • Healthcare & Life Sciences
        • Industrials
        • Technology, Media & Telecom
        • Consumer & Retail
        • Real Estate
      • Energy & Power
        • Energy & Power

          Whether you’re working on M&A, capital markets, or restructuring – Datasite helps energy & power companies complete transactions faster than ever.

          Learn more
      • Financial Institutions
        • Financial Institutions

          Datasite supports the entire M&A lifecycle helping Financial Institutions to transact with confidence and act quickly while keenly managing risks & regulations.

          Learn more
      • Healthcare & Life Sciences
        • Healthcare & Life Sciences

          Whether you’re looking at a licensing, listing or M&A, achieve your objective quickly and keep sensitive data secure with Datasite.

          Learn more
      • Industrials
        • Industrials

          From manufacturing to transportation to defense, we understand the needs of your sub-sector. Datasite can help you keep your sensitive information secure.

          Learn more
      • Technology, Media & Telecom
        • Technology, Media & Telecom

          Learn about the solutions available for making better, more secure technology deals happen with Datasite Diligence virtual data rooms.

          Learn more
      • Consumer & Retail
        • Consumer & Retail

          Consumer and retail brands have seen a wave of recent activity, as organizations strengthen balance sheets and take advantage of strategic opportunities. Datasite has helped dealmakers act quickly while managing a wide range of stakeholders.

          Learn more
      • Real Estate
        • Real Estate

          Real estate transactions are on the rise and becoming increasingly complex. So it’s important that you can do your due diligence on your real estate transaction securely and efficiently, while effectively collaborating with local officials, deal teams, and lenders.

          Learn more
    • By Need
      • By Need

        The best people. And the best technology – a SaaS platform that works across the M&A lifecycle. However you do your deals. This is the place to make them.

        Learn more
        • Restructuring
        • IPOs
        • Buy-Side
        • Sell-Side
      • Restructuring
        • Datasite for Restructuring

          Datasite solves the largest challenges you face to effectively work through corporate restructuring and reorganization.

          Learn more
      • IPOs
        • Datasite for IPOs

          Datasite ensures a secure and agile IPO process management for issuers, advisors, and underwriters. Our solutions, support and 25+ years experience, keeps your IPO secure and your team nimble to optimize outcomes.

          Learn more
          • Your Complete SPAC Space
        • Your Complete SPAC Space
      • Buy-Side
        • Datasite for Buy-Side

          Tired of messy, overly-manual sell-side reviews? Luckily, there’s a better way. Find out how top buyers are creating centralized, repeatable processes from the comfort of their own data room.

          Learn more
      • Sell-Side
        • Datasite for Sell-Side

          Our solutions empower dealmakers with the broadest reach to maximize valuations, breakthrough technology to breeze through due diligence, and insights to generate the best deal outcomes.

          Learn more
  • Platform
    • Overview
      • Overview

        Datasite's virtual data room suite is the best way to manage any due diligence process and share sensitive data. We make sure every aspect of your deal is covered. Our virtual data room consists of four core products that help you and your team automate the entire end-to-end M&A lifecycle.

        Learn more
    • Data Room
      • Datasite Diligence™

        Datasite Diligence Virtual Data Room (VDR) includes sophisticated analytics, an integrated redaction tool, ironclad security & world-class support with fast setup.

        Learn more
    • Deal Marketing
      • Datasite Outreach™

        Whether compiling buyer lists, or executing outreach activities and managing NDAs, Datasite Outreach is your essential resource for the deal marketing process.

        Learn more
    • Deal Preparation
      • Datasite Prepare™

        Datasite Prepare accelerates deal preparation with AI indexing, smart categorization, redaction & VDR integration to bring you into due diligence with a click.

        Learn more
    • Acquisition
      • Datasite Acquire™

        Take control of your process with Datasite Acquire, the first deal management platform designed just for you. Create a centralized, repeatable process from the comfort of your own VDR.

        Learn more
    • Deal Team
      • Datasite Experience™

        A data room is only as good as the people behind it. We’re your partners for ensuring speed, confidence, and successful results on every transaction.

        Learn more
        • Success Center
      • Success Center
        • Datasite Experience Success Center

          Datasite Experience has been designed around you. You are at the center. Learn how our team makes your deal journey the best it can be.

          Learn more
    • Datasite for You
      • Datasite for You

        The Datasite value is unique to each customer. Tell us a little about yourself, and we’ll propose a solution that drives the greatest ROI for you and/or your client.

        Learn more
  • Resources
    • What is a Data Room?
      • What is a Data Room?

        Get a basic understanding of what a data room is and why it's a powerful tool for M&A, as well as many other applications.

        Learn more
    • FAQs
      • FAQs

        Questions about Datasite, M&A, or Data Rooms? We have the answers for you.

        Learn more
    • Insights
      • Insights

        Close deals, faster, with insights into every aspect of the industry. Read all about the latest M&A trends and best practices. And stay ahead of the game with exclusive analysis from our market-leading M&A software.

        Learn more
    • Events & Webinars
      • Events & Webinars

        Stay up to date with the latest developments and innovation in M&A. Join us at one of our live events, and learn something new.

        Learn more
    • Dealmaker's Circle
      • Dealmaker's Circle

        Help identify the technology needs of dealmakers across the M&A industry. Sign up for the Dealmaker's Circle and shape the future.

        Learn more
    • Data Room Training
      • Data Room Training & Certification

        The virtual data room (VDR) training and certification program is designed for individuals, businesses, and universities alike. Its sole purpose is to help people who are entering the working environment be fully prepared and conversant with one of the key tools they’ll be using.

        Learn more
  • Company
    • About
      • About

        The best people. And the best technology – a SaaS platform that works across the M&A lifecycle. However you do your deals. This is the place to make them.

        Learn more
    • Careers
      • Careers

        Ready for the next big challenge? Grow your career, and join our experienced global team, transforming the world of M&A software.

        Learn more
    • News
      • News

        Keep up with our latest media coverage and press releases. And get the breaking news on our technology, partnerships, awards and people.

        Learn more
    • Success Stories
      • Success Stories

        Datasite, the maker of Datasite Diligence virtual data room platform, helping dealmakers in more than 170 countries (and every industry) close more deals, faster. See our success stories.

        Learn more
    • Awards & Recognition
      • Awards & Recognition

        The judges agree. Buying or selling. Restructuring or fund raising. Acquiring or divesting. Datasite is the place get you there faster. The best people and the best technology. This is the place where deals are made.

        Learn more
    • Security & Compliance
      • Security & Compliance

        Trust, privacy, compliance and security are central to everything we do at Datasite. For over 25 years you have entrusted us with your most sensitive information. We take this responsibility seriously, continuously investing in industry-leading security across all aspects of our business.

        Learn more
  • Contact
    • Sales
      • Sales

        Speak to our authoritative sales team, wherever you are in the world, and we’ll get you started with a dataroom in no time.

        Learn more
    • Support
      • Support

        Get the world-class support you need, anytime, anywhere. We’re available 24/7/365, in up to 20 languages.

        Learn more
Datasite Home
August 12, 2021

Women in Legal: A Q&A with Patty Elias

Datasite General Counsel and Secretary

Originally published in Spanish in Mujeres Top del sector legal en asesorías de M&A, July 2021

 

In your opinion, what is the reason for the gender gap in the M&A market?
For a sector at the cutting edge of innovation, it’s counterintuitive that there continues to be a gender equality problem across the board. Diversity at all levels of the M&A process still ranks lower than it should and until these numbers begin to even out, it should continue to be a conversation we all visit regularly to ensure progress.

There are countless reasons behind this gap, but in the same way market reactions are influenced by perception, so are the implicit (as well as explicit) biases present in the industry. The gender gap persists in large part because there are institutional, systemic, and cultural obstacles that prevail. These barriers include: concerns regarding work-life balance, lack of networking opportunities, role models and advocates, and conscious and unconscious biases at play during the recruitment process and throughout employment. Despite these unique challenges, many firms are taking more concrete steps to close the gender gap. We only have to look to the myriad of research around the topic to stress the benefit of having diversity around the table when making critical decisions. While the industry is still a long way from gender parity, the narrative about women in M&A is shifting and the data clearly shows driving diversity is not only the right thing to do, but also leads to better business outcomes. 

“ ”
It is becoming increasingly clear that the benefits the sector stands to gain as a result of tools like AI and machine learning isn’t only a matter of efficiency, but supports gender equality too.

How can technology help eliminate the gender gap in M&A?
In the last year alone, M&A has undergone a significant shift, with game-changing technology now operating as the centerpiece of a notoriously face-to-face industry. It is becoming increasingly clear that the benefits the sector stands to gain as a result of tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning isn’t only a matter of efficiency, but supports gender equality too.

AI-powered tools continue to see greater uptake, particularly in their capacity to help M&A professionals execute and automate tasks seamlessly and at speed. For instance, dealmakers typically have to spend weeks at a time sifting through and reviewing mountains of files for prospective investors. Instead, AI and machine learning can process tasks within a matter of minutes - all the while reducing human error and delivering more accurate results.

When time is money, tech adoption can make all the difference as it allows for M&A practitioners to focus on higher-value activities such as strategy, negotiation, and deal preparation, safe in the knowledge that due diligence is being taken care of. If we frame this in the wider context of improving the gender gap, the opportunity to free up time lends well towards providing a progressive and more balanced workplace model. With the latest research showing women dealmakers experiencing higher rates of burnout, it cannot be understated how beneficial these gains are in offering greater work-life balance.

How can M&A technology accelerate career growth for M&A dealmakers?
Born out of necessity during the pandemic, the transition into virtual dealmaking is set to redefine how dealmakers get things done. Over 240 dealmakers in a recent Datasite survey cited that the pandemic meant they would make more use of technology going forward in the return to the office. From online collaboration to video conferencing, the arrangements we’ve become accustomed to over the past 18-months bring a wide range of benefits and offer M&A professionals a greater opportunity to succeed.

M&A practitioners with a wider range of responsibilities outside of work - especially those with caregiving responsibilities - stand to gain in their career progression if hybrid working is to be adopted in the long term. A greater uptake of technology provides greater flexibility to suit lifestyles and offers enhanced security that can give peace of mind in the highly confidential deal making process. M&A professionals are therefore less likely to sacrifice productivity or a work-life balance. New and enhanced processes in the M&A deal flow will cut out the labor-intensive, admin-heavy parts of M&A - giving dealmakers ample opportunity to shine where it really counts when closing a deal.

“ ”
A greater uptake of technology provides greater flexibility to suit lifestyles and offers enhanced security that can give peace of mind in the highly confidential deal making process.

What are the main challenges that companies face in the medium and long term in terms of female inclusion in M&A operations?
Dealmaking throughout a global pandemic put the M&A sector through many tests but ultimately showed us how much our perceptions can be tweaked, adapted, or thrown away altogether. There’s no going back if you want to be seen as an agile and progressive institution, so the main challenges will lie in whether your business is flexible and has a progressive and transformative mindset and culture to take meaningful and impactful steps towards greater diversity and inclusion.

The conversation around wellness, balance, and gender parity demands a renewed focus from leaders across the M&A ecosystem. Hybrid working is here to stay and it brings with it, more focus on wellness and work-life balance. Companies that don’t make room for these additions in the long-term will have a difficult time recruiting and retaining talent.

“ ”
The pandemic has taught Datasite a great deal and that is of tremendous value in tearing down biases and ensuring the best talent has a seat and voice at the table.

What proactive steps is Datasite taking to ‘even the playing field’, so to speak, with regard to females in leadership and throughout the rest of the company?
In the race for transformative change, most leading companies in the sector are quickly moving beyond a goalpost of recognizing the issue and are instead, actively pursuing initiatives and making changes to achieve gender parity. At Datasite, that means an ethical, accountable, and sustainable thread running throughout the business as opposed to token efforts which yield perfunctory outcomes. To start with, leadership positions across legal, HR, corporate communications, accounting, and sales teams are held by women, which really helps set the right tone from the top. In addition, we’ve created a Diversity Council led by employees to ensure that every part of our recruitment and talent retention process is hitting the mark when addressing and acknowledging the value of diverse viewpoints.

Supporting gender diversity and inclusion is not a singular event, which is why we frequently hold educational workshops, roundtables, and events dedicated to bringing a variety of voices to the table. This year, for International Women’s Day, we held an all-employee panel event featuring M&A industry leaders to discuss how we can shape a more equal future. And we try to focus on driving change across the M&A industry, not just within the company. For example, Datasite is a visionary sponsor of Exponent Women, an industry organization that is dedicated to giving women dealmakers access to meaningful interactions and educational content and we regularly contribute to organizations in the communities in which we live and work.

Datasite is living proof of the value of these approaches and the positive impact it has on employee satisfaction and improving engagement and productivity levels. Our voluntary turnover rate decreased to 8% whilst employee engagement scores rose to 80% this year. The pandemic has taught Datasite a great deal and that is of tremendous value in tearing down biases and ensuring the best talent has a seat and voice at the table.

How can innovative technology help law firms?

Work faster. Avoid unnecessary risks to reputation. Sustain and grow profitability. Datasite empowers legal matter teams to move forward with confidence at every stage of the deal-making process.

Learn more

How is M&A changing?

What do M&A practitioners around the world think about the current and future state of M&A?

Find out

Ready to Get Started?

Contact Us

You may also like:

Expert Spotlight: Will Deal Momentum in Denmark Continue in 2022?

A sustained period of inflation will impact both financial markets and transaction processes, and is currently top of mind for those involved in dealmaking. This was one of the key findings in a recent discussion in Copenhagen on the opportunities and challenges within Nordic M&A.

Market Spotlight: Distressed Deals in EMEA – Will History Repeat Itself?

Events in Europe are already affecting the successes enjoyed by dealmakers in 2021. Is the current situation similar to the 2007-08 crisis? Will restructuring and distressed M&A increase in EMEA in the coming months?

Market Spotlight: Keeping up with LATAM's Fintech Boom

Latin America may not spring to mind as an obvious venture capital hub. But the volatile political and economic history that has often deterred investors, has an upside. Potential is vast, innovation is buzzing, and now growth is flourishing as money floods into the region.

  • Solutions
    • For Business
      • For Business

        Everything we do is designed to make your life a little easier. To help you get your work done as quickly and as productively as possible. Your deal is our business.

        Learn more
    • For Industries
      • For Industries

        We are Datasite. Creators of momentum, eliminators of doubt and builders of tomorrows. The leading SaaS provider for the M&A industry, we give dealmakers around the world the tools they need to succeed across the entire deal lifecycle.

        Learn more
    • By Need
      • By Need

        The best people. And the best technology – a SaaS platform that works across the M&A lifecycle. However you do your deals. This is the place to make them.

        Learn more
  • Platform
    • Overview
      • Overview

        Datasite's virtual data room suite is the best way to manage any due diligence process and share sensitive data. We make sure every aspect of your deal is covered. Our virtual data room consists of four core products that help you and your team automate the entire end-to-end M&A lifecycle.

        Learn more
    • Data Room
      • Datasite Diligence™

        Datasite Diligence Virtual Data Room (VDR) includes sophisticated analytics, an integrated redaction tool, ironclad security & world-class support with fast setup.

        Learn more
    • Deal Marketing
      • Datasite Outreach™

        Whether compiling buyer lists, or executing outreach activities and managing NDAs, Datasite Outreach is your essential resource for the deal marketing process.

        Learn more
    • Deal Preparation
      • Datasite Prepare™

        Datasite Prepare accelerates deal preparation with AI indexing, smart categorization, redaction & VDR integration to bring you into due diligence with a click.

        Learn more
    • Acquisition
      • Datasite Acquire™

        Take control of your process with Datasite Acquire, the first deal management platform designed just for you. Create a centralized, repeatable process from the comfort of your own VDR.

        Learn more
    • Deal Team
      • Datasite Experience™

        A data room is only as good as the people behind it. We’re your partners for ensuring speed, confidence, and successful results on every transaction.

        Learn more
    • Datasite for You
      • Datasite for You

        The Datasite value is unique to each customer. Tell us a little about yourself, and we’ll propose a solution that drives the greatest ROI for you and/or your client.

        Learn more
  • Resources
    • What is a Data Room?
      • What is a Data Room?

        Get a basic understanding of what a data room is and why it's a powerful tool for M&A, as well as many other applications.

        Learn more
    • FAQs
      • FAQs

        Questions about Datasite, M&A, or Data Rooms? We have the answers for you.

        Learn more
    • Insights
      • Insights

        Close deals, faster, with insights into every aspect of the industry. Read all about the latest M&A trends and best practices. And stay ahead of the game with exclusive analysis from our market-leading M&A software.

        Learn more
    • Events & Webinars
      • Events & Webinars

        Stay up to date with the latest developments and innovation in M&A. Join us at one of our live events, and learn something new.

        Learn more
    • Dealmaker's Circle
      • Dealmaker's Circle

        Help identify the technology needs of dealmakers across the M&A industry. Sign up for the Dealmaker's Circle and shape the future.

        Learn more
    • Data Room Training
      • Data Room Training & Certification

        The virtual data room (VDR) training and certification program is designed for individuals, businesses, and universities alike. Its sole purpose is to help people who are entering the working environment be fully prepared and conversant with one of the key tools they’ll be using.

        Learn more
  • Company
    • About
      • About

        The best people. And the best technology – a SaaS platform that works across the M&A lifecycle. However you do your deals. This is the place to make them.

        Learn more
    • Careers
      • Careers

        Ready for the next big challenge? Grow your career, and join our experienced global team, transforming the world of M&A software.

        Learn more
    • News
      • News

        Keep up with our latest media coverage and press releases. And get the breaking news on our technology, partnerships, awards and people.

        Learn more
    • Success Stories
      • Success Stories

        Datasite, the maker of Datasite Diligence virtual data room platform, helping dealmakers in more than 170 countries (and every industry) close more deals, faster. See our success stories.

        Learn more
    • Awards & Recognition
      • Awards & Recognition

        The judges agree. Buying or selling. Restructuring or fund raising. Acquiring or divesting. Datasite is the place get you there faster. The best people and the best technology. This is the place where deals are made.

        Learn more
    • Security & Compliance
      • Security & Compliance

        Trust, privacy, compliance and security are central to everything we do at Datasite. For over 25 years you have entrusted us with your most sensitive information. We take this responsibility seriously, continuously investing in industry-leading security across all aspects of our business.

        Learn more
  • Contact
    • Sales
      • Sales

        Speak to our authoritative sales team, wherever you are in the world, and we’ll get you started with a dataroom in no time.

        Learn more
    • Support
      • Support

        Get the world-class support you need, anytime, anywhere. We’re available 24/7/365, in up to 20 languages.

        Learn more

© 2022 Datasite All rights reserved

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Notice
  • Services Agreement
  • Suppliers
  • Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy

Datasite provides secure software solutions for managing the full spectrum of financial transactions — including M&A, restructuring & administration, and capital raising. Our intuitive platform offers ironclad security enabling file sharing and collaboration within and across organizations. More than a virtual data room (VDR), Datasite supports advisors and their clients across the entire deal lifecycle with secure collaborative software that shortens timelines for buy-side and sell-side teams from deal sourcing and deal preparation to post-merger integration (PMI) while meeting regulatory compliance — including GDPR and CCPA requirements. As the premiere virtual data room for M&A due diligence globally, Datasite is consistently recognized for breakthrough technologies like our AI/ML-enabled capabilities and automated redaction tools. Beyond due diligence, Datasite provides transaction and document management solutions for investment banks, corporate development, private equity, and law firms across industries.