Appointment of enterprise technology and FinTech industry veteran broadens 85 Advisors’ M&A and growth advisory capabilities

NEW YORK, NY – April 14, 2018 – 85 Advisors is pleased to announce that Mark Kovarski has joined the firm and will primary advise clients focused on emerging technologies, including AI, blockchain, and next generation analytics. He will be based in Toronto, Canada.

“Mark has a 25 year track record driving growth and innovation within Fortune 2000 technology, communications, and financial services organizations," said Steven Freitas, Executive Managing Director at 85 Advisors. "Mark's experience as a senior technology executive and as a trusted advisor to some or North America's most prominent financial institutions and startups will be invaluable in support of 85 Advisors' M&A and growth advisory engagements."

Prior to 85 Advisors, Mark served as Senior Managing Consultant at Cisco Consulting Services where he advised some of North America’s largest financial institutions regarding technology strategy, implementation, and digital process transformation. While at Cisco, he was a key member of the strategic development teams responsible for defining Cisco’s M&A and competitive strategies in (Big) Data Analytics and Blockchain. In that capacity, Mark also provided strategic guidance to promising FinTech startups as a Barclays’ Rise NYC accelerator program mentor.

Previously, Mark held multiple leadership roles within BMO Financial Group’s IT organization, including business technology strategy and strategic vendor management. Earlier in his career, he led IT operations management teams at Rogers Communications and AT&T.