2025 ACG Boston: Connecting the Next Generation to M&A (Members Only)

Mike Kent is a Managing Director at BellMark Partners, LLC and is primarily responsible for originating and executing investment banking assignments for the firm. With more than 25 years of investment banking experience, Mike has completed a range of transactions across business services, healthcare, consumer and industrial industries. Mike’s expertise includes advising family- and entrepreneur-owned businesses as well as private equity-backed enterprises on a range of strategic alternatives which include mergers & acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, and capital raising & financings. Prior to joining BellMark, Mike served as a Director at Covington Associates LLC, a boutique investment bank in Boston where he advised public and private companies in the healthcare, consumer & industrial, and business services sectors. Mike began his professional career as a Management Consultant for Camp, Dresser & McKee Inc. (“CDM”), a leading environmental consulting firm headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At CDM, Mike focused on providing advisory services and financial evaluations to domestic and foreign municipalities. Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Harvard College, where he also lettered in varsity football.

Diana is a Senior Private Banker for BNY Mellon Wealth Management. As a member of the wealth management client team, she works directly with clients and prospects to address their banking, investment, and wealth management needs. Diana is the New England specialist for Escrow Agent services. Diana re-joined the firm in January, 2022 and has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Her previous experiences include serving as Escrow Agent within the merger and acquisition market as well as Trustee within the municipal and structured finance bond market. She has held positions at Citizens Bank, Texas Capital Bank, and US Bank. From a business perspective, Diana enjoys networking, creating solutions, being an active team player, and making connections for business development within the merger and acquisition industry. Diana’s personal time is preferred to be spent attending live music events, on Cape Cod and Arizona with her family and friends, kayaking, and walking her (3) dogs. Upon retirement, Diana aspires to open a hospice for senior dogs.

Daniela Messina is the Founder and Managing Member of Portside Capital Solutions, working with dealmakers at the intersection of deploying and raising capital. She is an accomplished attorney and executive with a varied background in private equity and family offices, government, politics, investor relations, business development and corporate and crisis communications. She combines her wide-ranging experiences across many industries with a professional network of national leaders in the public and private sector to produce effective results for clients to help them achieve their goals. She is a proven strategist and master deal connector with an extensive professional network to source deals, raise capital and provide value to dealmakers across various industries. Daniela works with private equity funds, single and multi-family offices, emerging funds, independent sponsors and corporate clients. She is committed to recognizing meaningful synergies and connecting dealmaking stakeholders with a purpose. Daniela currently serves as a board member of the Association for Corporate Growth, Boston Chapter. Daniela is active in the ACG Boston Family Office network and former Co-Chair of the Women’s Connection Committee. She also served on the Corporate Board Committee of The Boston Club, one of the largest organizations for women executive and professional leaders committed to elevating women into leadership positions.