Celebrating Excellence: 2024 CIRA Certification Award Winners Announced by AIRA

Recognizing Excellence in Financial Advisory: The CIRA Awards 2024



On June 5, 2025, the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors (AIRA) held its annual conference in Newport Beach, California, where it announced the winners of the prestigious Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor (CIRA) awards for 2024. Established in 1992, the CIRA program aims to acknowledge financial advisors who demonstrate exceptional skill and knowledge in business turnaround, restructuring, and bankruptcy services.

The awards recognize the individuals who achieve the highest scores in the CIRA certification program, which is a testament to their expertise in navigating the complexities of distressed entities. This year, the gold award went to Qifei (Freda) Yuan from AlixPartners, New York. She was closely followed by Zachary Brant from Ankura Consulting, also based in New York, who received the silver award, while Warren Su from Alvarez & Marsal in Long Island City took home the bronze award.

In addition to the top three winners, several others were distinguished with a Certificate of Distinguished Performance, showcasing noteworthy contributions to the field. Those recognized included Matthew Altman from M3 Partners, LP; Matthew Flahive from Stapleton Group, San Diego; Eric Greenhaus, Jason Miller from M3 Partners, LP, New York, and Justin Mitchell from Alvarez & Marsal, New Canaan. The group was rounded out by Harrison Zuk from Palm Tree LLC in Los Angeles, who was also highlighted for his outstanding performance.

The CIRA program is instrumental in recognizing the increasing importance of specialized knowledge in financial advisory services, especially given the complexities associated with business insolvency. The AIRA, a nonprofit professional association, serves a broad network of professionals including financial advisors, accountants, business turnaround consultants, and legal advisors, all dedicated to improving standards in the field.

Through its initiatives, AIRA aims to unite professionals in the industry and support them in delivering high-quality services to clients facing financial distress. Maintaining professional standards and providing certification options like the CIRA and Certified Data Breach Validator (CDBV) programs are vital components of AIRA's mission.

The annual conference not only serves as a platform for recognition but also for education and networking among industry leaders. Discussions surrounding the latest trends in restructuring and insolvency practices are crucial as they reflect the evolving landscape within the financial sector.

This year's award ceremony underscored the dedication and excellence required in navigating challenging financial environments, inspiring all attendees to strive for the highest standards in their practices. The achievements of the CIRA award winners highlight the significant impact that exemplary financial advisory can have, particularly in times of economic uncertainty.

For more information about the AIRA and its initiatives, you can visit their official website at www.aira.org. The CIRA program and awards exemplify the organization’s commitment to recognizing and fostering talent and expertise in the financial advisory landscape.

The awards not only celebrate individual excellence but also promote a culture of professional development and high standards among financial advisors, ultimately benefiting clients navigating difficult financial situations.

Conclusion


As financial landscapes continue to fluctuate, the need for knowledgeable, skilled advisors becomes more critical. The CIRA awards serve as a benchmark for those aiming to excel in the field of insolvency and restructuring, motivating future professionals to pursue this challenging yet rewarding path.

In the recognition of excellence, we look forward to seeing how the current winners and future candidates will shape the industry in the coming years.

Topics Financial Services & Investing)

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