The New York Junior League Annual Winter Ball

A longtime New York-based financial professional, Kate Merli oversees annual financial reviews and audit processes at New 2nd Capital. Kate Merli is a member of the New York Junior League (NYJL), one of the oldest nonprofit volunteer organizations for women in the city.

During its Outstanding Sustainer and Outstanding Volunteer Announcement Party on November 16, the NYJL named Beth Batiuchok-Colon, Dayna Cassidy, Leighanna Morbey, Allison Davis O'Keefe, and Shelby Spears Carroll as its top volunteers for 2018. The five Outstanding Volunteers and two Outstanding Sustainers - Dorothy Echols Scarborough and Robin Stratton Rivera - will be celebrated at the NYJL's 67th annual Winter Ball on February 23, 2019, at Pier Sixty. 

In addition to honoring the aforementioned seven individuals for their contributions to the community, the Winter Ball serves as the NYJL's largest fund-raiser. Individual tickets for the event can be purchased for $500, while groups can purchase silver or gold benefactor tables for $6,500 or $9,000, respectively. 

A silent and a live auction will also be held that evening. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nyjl.org.

Venture Capital - A Significant Source of Biotech Funding

Since joining New 2nd Capital as CFO, experienced CPA Kate Merli oversees all of the company’s cash flows and financial review processes. Prior to entering this role, Kate Merli managed all administrative accounting processes for the biotechnology-focused venture capital firm Atlas Venture. In 2017, the firm launched a $350 million dollar fund for startups in the biotech space. 

Venture capitalists have poured billions of dollars into promising early-stage biotech startups. Last year was a record-breaking year for the biotech industry, which raised more than $9 billion dollars in venture capital. 

Since early-stage investment in medical treatments can be a risky venture, many venture capital firms work with data scientists to analyze the information gathered from scientific journals and clinical trials to assess potential return on investment. 

Other factors such as competent management and commercialization potential encourage venture capital firms to invest in new but promising research, which in turn drives innovation. Besides a source of capital, venture capital firms are also a valuable source of industry knowledge and financial connections for up and coming biotechnology companies.

Patriots’ Owner Pushes for a German Debut

Before joining the private equity firm New 2nd Capital, accounting professional Kate Merli had a diverse career in venture capital, tax and SEC compliance, and valuation. Kate Merli spent more than a decade in the Boston area, graduating with a BS and MS from Bentley College. After graduating she worked for several Boston-based accounting firms, and is fan of the region's National Football League (NFL) team, the New England Patriots. 

Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft hopes that worldwide interest in the NFL will grow as football teams play more games abroad. Since 2007, the NFL has held games in international venues in London and more recently in Mexico. 

In an interview with a German magazine, Kraft expressed his desire for the Patriots to be the first NFL team to play on German soil, possibly in Berlin. In 2015, 6.6 million Germans identified themselves as American football fans, more than the number of fans in the United Kingdom. Kraft has also discussed the possibility of overseas games in France, China, Brazil, and Canada.

NYJL Offers Job-training Support through Steps to Success Committee

A former controller for venture firm Atlas Venture and Bentley College alumna, CFO Kate Merli has a diverse background in financial administration, accounting, and regulatory reporting. Outside of her professional duties, Kate Merli is involved with the New York Junior League (NYJL), one of the leading women-led nonprofit organizations in the country.

The NYJL was founded more than a century ago by college student Mary Harriman, who was inspired to address the poverty she witnessed. Today, more than 2,800 NYJL members work alongside community-based partners to support underserved families and children. Members sit on over 30 committees dedicated to specific focus areas, including education, culture, and employment.

The NYJL Steps to Success committee coordinates with local organizations to increase economic empowerment through job-training workshops. These programs are targeted at several disenfranchised groups, including people facing homelessness and individuals of low-income. In partnership with homeless shelters and family centers, the committee provides job search support and occupational skills training.

The New York Junior League 2019 Winter Ball

The recipient of a master’s in accountancy from Bentley University, Kate Merli draws upon previous experience with companies such as KPMG in her role as chief financial officer at New 2nd Capital. Outside of her responsibilities with the New York-based private equity firm, Kate Merli dedicates herself to a range of philanthropic pursuits, including volunteering with the New York Junior League (NYJL).

One of the most important women’s volunteer organizations in New York City, NYJL has assisted underserved communities in the metropolitan area for more than 100 years. Today, nearly 3,000 NYJL volunteers offer their time, energy, and expertise to direct service projects and collaborative partnerships with more than 20 community organizations. To finance its initiatives, NYJL relies on funds raised through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and events such as the annual Winter Ball.

The organization’s largest fundraising event, the Winter Ball brings together NYJL members and supporters to honor outstanding volunteers and celebrate the success of community initiatives. The NYJL 2019 Winter Ball will be held February 23 at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan. In addition to honoring five of the organization’s most active volunteers of 2018, the event will feature both a silent and live auction as well as cocktails, dinner, and a reception.

A range of sponsorships are available for the 2019 Winter Ball. To learn more or to reserve tickets, visit www.nyjl.org/winter-ball.

SEC Launches FinHub

The chief financial officer of New 2nd Capital in New York City, Kate Merli has more than 10 years of experience in the private equity and financial services sector. As part of her work with New 2nd Capital, Kate Merli keeps abreast of news and developments at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Founded by the US Congress in response to the 1929 stock market crash and the ensuing Great Depression, the SEC has been regulating the securities industry since 1934. Today, the SEC is led by a group of five commissioners, with the commission chairman appointed by the US president. In addition to enforcing securities laws, issuing new rules and guidelines, and coordinating securities regulation with international governing bodies, the SEC plays an important role in developing rules and regulations for emerging financial technology.

In October 2018, the SEC announced the creation of a new resource, the Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology, known as FinHub. Hosted on the SEC website, FinHub provides a central location for members of the public, regulators, and securities industry professionals to give guidance and feedback regarding innovation in the securities sector. It will also serve as a clearinghouse for SEC announcements regarding working groups, proposed regulations, and newly created guidelines for the financial technology sector. 

For more information about FinHub, please visit www.sec.gov/finhub.

Middle Market Investments at New 2nd Capital

An accountancy alumna of Bentley University, Kate Merli functions as the chief financial officer at New 2nd Capital in New York City. Kate Merli and the rest of the New 2nd Capital executive team focus their efforts on middle market investment opportunities, which are traditionally facilitated through secondary tactics.

New 2nd Capital has succeeded, in part, thanks to a consistent focus on buyout and growth opportunities with a variety of middle market businesses throughout North America. By focusing in this area, the company is consistently poised to take advantage of a depth of attractive investment options, as well as unique situations.

The average middle market profile at New 2nd Capital includes annual transactions between $10 million and $150 million combined with enterprise values as high as $250 million. Though the investment team adheres to this investment model at all times, specific middle market companies may be found in any industry. Similarly, the company is equipped to take advantage of numerous investment scenarios, such as those leading to buyouts, growth capital opportunities, and infrastructure investments. New 2nd Capital is also experienced in dealing with special situations, including spinouts and acquisitions of cornerstone positions and co-investment portfolios.

NYJL Prepares for 67th Annual Winter Ball

An accomplished finance industry accounting executive, Kate Merli serves as New 2nd Capital’s chief financial officer. In addition to her accounting work at New 2nd Capital, Kate Merli supports a number of local philanthropic organizations, including the New York Junior League (NYJL).

One of the oldest and most well-known nonprofit volunteer organizations for women in New York City, the NYJL emphasizes the health and quality of life for children and families throughout the New York metropolitan area. As a not-for-profit, the NYJL relies on donor contributions and a series of fundraising events to maintain operations.

On February 23, the NYJL will host its 67th Annual Winter Ball, a black tie fundraising event held in honor of the city’s most active and effective volunteers. The Winter Ball recognizes exceptional community work with the Outstanding Sustainer and Outstanding Volunteer Awards while highlighting specific community projects that have improved the city over the course of the last year. All proceeds of the Winter Ball are directed to ongoing NYJL programs and services.

To learn more, please visit www.nyjl.org.

The Creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission

For more than a decade, Kate Merli has held leadership positions as an accountant, controller, and chief financial officer (CFO). Currently leading as CFO with New 2nd Capital in New York City, Kate Merli maintains strong professional interests in private equity, auditing, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other industry topics.

For much of America's early history, the federal government provided little to no oversight of the securities industry. After World War I, however, the securities market exploded, bringing with it both tremendous wealth for financiers and tremendous opportunities for fraud by the unscrupulous. This came to a head in the 1920s when widespread fraud, weak investor-protection laws, and unregulated investment vehicles helped fuel a stock market craze that ultimately crashed in 1929 and led to the Great Depression.

Recognizing the dangers of an unregulated securities market, the federal government passed several laws in the early 1930s to restore investor confidence, including the Glass-Steagall Act, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Act of 1934. The last of these acts called for the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission to enforce these laws. 

The first commissioner of the SEC was Joseph Kennedy, father of President John F. Kennedy. Throughout the rest of the 1930s and early 1940s, Congress passed several more acts, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, designed to reduce fraud and strengthen public trust in the securities markets. Together, these laws gave the SEC much of the power and responsibility it holds today.

Three Hiking Trails Close to New York City

An accomplished accounting and financial executive, Kate Merli draws upon more than a decade of experience in her role as the chief financial officer of New 2nd Capital in New York City. Outside of her professional life, Kate Merli pursues a diverse range of hobbies that includes traveling, volunteering in the community, and hiking.

For many New Yorkers used to the urban environment, the definition of a hike might simply mean getting from the Lower East Side to Washington Heights. However, New York City offers numerous traditional hiking options just a short drive or train ride away. Here are three of the most popular:

Breakneck Ridge: Easily accessible by the Metro-North line of the Grand Central railroad, Breakneck Ridge lies just over an hour north of the city. Though this trail can get busy on summer weekends, hikers who complete this 4-mile hike are rewarded with commanding views of the Hudson River Valley.

Stairway to Heaven Trail: Located in Hewitt, New Jersey, this spectacular 2.9-mile trail can be reached within an hour or two by car. The trail is notable for manmade features such as a suspension bridge and its picturesque landscape that includes fields of wildflowers, pristine meadows, and the summit of Wawayanda Mountain.

Appalachian Trail: Manhattan might feel far removed from the Appalachian Trail, but hikers only need to travel 50 miles from the city to access the famous trail on Bellvale Mountain in Orange County. Among other highlights, this challenging 7-mile hike features Prospect Rock, the highest point of the Appalachian Trail in New York State.