IWIRC Announces 2024 Founders Awards Recipients:

Katharina Crinson receives Melnik Award

Blanche Zelmanovich receives Fetner Award

The Western Canada Network receives Ryan Award

May 23, 2024, Stanardsville, VA – The International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation ("IWIRC") is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2024 Founders Awards. Katharina Crinson (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, London Network) will be awarded the Melnik Award for exceptional contributions by an IWIRC member. Blanche Zelmanovich (Underwater Advisors LLC, New York Network) will receive the Fetner Award. The Fetner Award is presented to a member whose contributions to IWIRC have helped to fuel growth and expansion of IWIRC’s mission globally. The Western Canada Network is the winner of the Ryan Award for outstanding IWIRC Network.

The Founders Awards are named in honor of IWIRC's three founders, Selinda Melnik, an attorney, Laureen Ryan, a financial advisor, and Martha Fetner, a banker.

"Katharina, Blanche, and the Western Canada network represent the best of IWIRC - we are so proud to highlight their accomplishments and success with our highest honours, the Founders Awards," said Karen Fellowes KC, IWIRC Chair and Senior Counsel at Stikeman Elliot LLP.

2024 Melnik Award

Katharina Crinson

Katharina is Counsel at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London. Katharina specializes in restructuring and capital solutions, and successfully serves as a Co-Director of the IWIRC UNCITRAL Committee, highlighting her cross-border practice industry knowledge and the ability to lead a team of international restructuring experts. She stepped off as Co-Chair of the IWIRC London Network in January of 2024. During her tenure, the membership of the London Network surged to over 300 members and she oversaw the implementation of a mentor program, a great returners program, and new crew and D&I committees. She also helped to organize the successful London half-day technical conference and hosted IWIRC's Leadership Summit in 2023.

On learning of her win, Katharina reflected that, "IWIRC has opened up so many opportunities for me, both in London and on the international stage, for which I am truly grateful. A particular highlight continues to be participating in UNCITRAL Working Group V. I am also deeply appreciative of the friendships that have developed through IWIRC, with people from all over the world. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and lifted me along the way."

2024 Fetner Award

Blanche Zelmanovich

Blanche Zelmanovich is a Senior Managing Director at Underwater Advisors LLC, and has over 20 years of experience advising debtors, creditors and other parties in interest on bankruptcy, restructuring, litigation and corporate governance matters across the globe. She has advised clients on a variety of matters, including liquidity management and forecasting, business plan development, strategic alternative analysis, lender and stakeholder communications and negotiations, internal controls and statutory reporting requirements, as well as marketing of companies for sale.

Blanche has led a nationwide lender advisory practice, and throughout her career has been sought out for her expertise in matters involving accounting fraud (including financial restatements), financial mismanagement, misappropriation of funds and other litigation matters.

She was recognized as an American Bankruptcy Institute 40 Under 40 Honoree in the inaugural class. She serves as a Global Networks Director on the IWIRC International Board and is a Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor (CIRA). Blanche was a leading force in the success of the inaugural IWIRC@INSOL23 Conference in Tokyo, drawing attendees from 16 networks, spanning 15 countries.

Blanche commented on winning this year's Founder's Award, "I am humbled and honored to receive the prestigious Fetner Award. This recognition not only symbolizes the dedication and hard work put forth but also serves as a testament to the values of camaraderie and unity within the IWIRC. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to IWIRC's mission of fostering collaboration and growth, both regionally and internationally."

2024 Ryan Award

IWIRC Western Canada Network

The Western Canada Network was established in 2011 and consists of four provinces - Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The Network hosts a variety of events in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Winnipeg, including networking luncheons and cocktail receptions, educational and professional development programs, fitness and wellness activities and charitable projects. Each event is designed to help women in insolvency and restructuring meet with other women in the field, gain valuable practice insights, and establish a reputation for Members and their firms or companies.

Since 2022, the Western Canada Network has almost tripled its membership, hosted several sold-out networking and educational events and launched its first ever network conference.

Carole Hunter Counsel at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP and Chair of the Western Canada Network said of her Network's second Ryan Award win, "The success of the Western Canada Network is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of the board and committee members who strive to bring our members high quality and creative events. We are grateful to our members and sponsors for their support over the past two years and are thrilled with this recognition from IWIRC International."

All Founders Award recipients will be recognized at IWIRC's Leadership Summit in Singapore on June 13, 2024.

Congratulations to the 2024 Founders Award Winners!

About International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC): IWIRC is committed to the connection, promotion, and growth of women in insolvency and restructuring professions worldwide. Since 1994, IWIRC has been connecting women worldwide through a global membership of more than 2,400 attorneys, bankers, corporate-turnaround professionals, financial advisors, and other restructuring practitioners. The organization provides its members with relationship-building, educational, career enhancement, and promotional opportunities. Be Informed. Be Inspired. Be Connected. For more information, visit us at www.iwirc.com.