Cyan Strategy is a fictitious company created by Ascent for simulation purposes
Why Work with Us?
- Expert, AI-enabled teams, providing personalized service tailored to your deal's unique needs
- 16 years' experience serving leading mid-market -focused Private Equity firms & other sponsors
- 400+ experienced professionals in 6 countries dedicated to the your success
- Proven results, both for completed (and avoided!) deals
About Cyan Strategy Partners
Our History
Cyan Strategy Partners, Inc. (initially, Cairn, Young, Andrews & Nguyen, LLC) was founded in 2010 by four former Operating Partners from two of the world's largest multi-asset class private equity firms. Their initial premise was to build a world class advisory firm focused exclusively on pre-deal diligence and post-deal integration for media, telecom and technology companies.
Scaling quickly, by 2017 the firm had over a dozen partners, expanded to cover all major industries and grew beyond North America to London. Using its proprietary Leadership Pentad Cultural Integration Model, the firm became an integral part of the post-deal playbook for numerous global M&A deals.
Today, the firm boasts over 30 partners in 6 countries and works with over 35% of private equity firms focused on the middle-market. Cyan is recognized among the leading experts in its field, winning numerous awards including the Value Creation Advisory Firm of the Year (Revenue Growth) at the 2024 Actum Private Equity Value Creation Awards.
Transforming Pre- and Post-Deal Processes
Cyan brings a level of rigor, judgment, and commitment that clients have trusted for more than 16 years for their most important transactions.
As part of pre-deal diligence, we go beyond surface-level psychometric assessments to develop a deeply grounded view of leadership risk and potential, drawing on seasoned experts who take the time to understand each leader and situation in context, and never relying on shortcuts or simple, standardized models.
Post-deal, we stay engaged to ensure that insight translates into real value creation, working alongside investors and management teams to strengthen leadership effectiveness, ensure cultural integration, and align teams for success.
Our longstanding client relationships reflect a consistent philosophy: we care deeply about outcomes, we make portfolio company leaders even more effective, and we measure success not just by deals completed, but by the lasting value we help create.
Cyan's Executive Team
Charles M. Andrews, Chief Executive Officer
Charles M. Andrews, Chief Executive Officer
Charles M. Andrews, Chief Executive Officer
Charles M. Andrews is a co-founder of Cyan Strategy Partners and has served as its Chief Executive Officer for the past 4 years. Prior to launching Cyan, Charles was a Senior Operating Partner at a prominent multi-asset private equity firm, where he specialized in engineering post-acquisition growth strategies and major structural turnarounds for large-cap portfolio companies. His deep-rooted expertise in commercial due diligence and rapid EBITDA expansion helped form the foundation of Cyan's core advisory methodologies. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and actively serves as a trusted advisor to institutional investment committees worldwide.
Mirabel Cairn, General Manager, APAC
Charles M. Andrews, Chief Executive Officer
Charles M. Andrews, Chief Executive Officer
Mirabel Cairn is co-founder and General Manager for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region at Cyan, where she leads advisory operations across developed and emerging Asian markets. Mirabel focuses on helping global funds navigate complex regional due diligence, cross-border asset carve-outs, and localization strategies for Western portfolio companies expanding into Asia. Before taking his current regional seat, she spent twelve years in Tokyo and Singapore advising private equity funds on high-value corporate carve-outs. She holds a degree in International Relations and Economics from the National University of Singapore.
Melanie Calm, General Manager, EMEA
Charles M. Andrews, Chief Executive Officer
James Grove, Chief Marketing Officer
Melanie Calm is the General Manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at Cyan, driving the firm’s geographic growth and operational expansion across these distinct, fast-evolving markets. James specializes in post-merger integration, regional restructuring, and public-private sector partnerships, bringing deep insights into cross-cultural corporate governance. His extensive professional background includes leading the European advisory division of a major global professional services firm. He holds a Master’s in European Business from INSEAD.
James Grove, Chief Marketing Officer
Charles M. Andrews, Chief Executive Officer
James Grove, Chief Marketing Officer
James Grove serves as serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at Cyan, where he shapes the firm's market positioning as the premier partner for private equity value creation. Jim excels at translating complex data-driven investment results into compelling narratives that resonate directly with fund sponsors and institutional investors. Before joining Cyan, he led specialized B2B brand transformations for elite financial technology providers and a prominent Wall Street marketing advisory firm. He earned his Masters in Communications from Northwestern University and leads Cyan’s proprietary market research and thought leadership efforts.
Sandra Meadow, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Sandra Meadow, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Sandra Meadow, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Sandra Meadow serves as the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Cyan, managing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) due diligence frameworks, regulatory compliance, and investor communications. Sandy specializes in helping private equity clients mitigate regulatory risk and maximize valuation multiples through robust sustainability governance during the hold period. Her previous career highlights include directing public policy and compliance strategy for major international medical institutions. She holds a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University and guides Cyan’s focus on responsible investing standards.
Victor Summit, Chief Operating Officer
Sandra Meadow, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Sandra Meadow, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Victor Summit is the Chief Operating Officer of Cyan, bringing a rigorous, systematic approach to the firm's client service delivery and internal mechanics. Before co-founding Cyan, Victor served as an Operating Partner at a mid-market focused private equity fund, focusing exclusively on operational due diligence and supply chain integration. At Cyan, he oversees the deployment of specialized advisory teams across complex global transactions to ensure flawless execution from day one. He holds a Master of Science in Management Science and Operational Research from the London School of Economics.
Alexia Waters, General Manager, Americas
Sandra Meadow, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Mitchell Xavier, Chief Partnerships Officer
Alexia Waters is is the General Manager for the Americas market at Cyan, overseeing regional growth, client management, and domestic transaction delivery teams. Alexia brings extensive experience in North American deal environments, regularly advising US-based buyouts and growth equity funds on aggressive pre-deal diagnostics and rapid margin expansion. Prior to stepping into regional leadership, she led Cyan’s high-growth mid-market private equity practice across major US financial hubs. She holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Mitchell Xavier, Chief Partnerships Officer
Sandra Meadow, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Mitchell Xavier, Chief Partnerships Officer
Mitchell Xavier is the Chief Partnerships Officer at Cyan, orchestrating the firm’s strategic alliances with specialized technology vendors, data providers, and academic research institutions. Mitchell focuses on building an ecosystem of preferred partners that Cyan deploys to accelerate digital transformation and procurement savings across client portfolios. Prior to joining the Cyan executive team, he spent over a decade leading mergers, acquisitions, and channel alliances at a Fortune 500 enterprise technology distributor. He completed his degree in International Business at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Timeline of Events for Simulation
APR 2024: Industry Recognition & Awards
Cyan Strategy Partners is awarded the prestigious Value Creation Advisory Firm of the Year (Revenue Growth) at the 2024 Actum Private Equity Value Creation Awards. The award follows top 10 rankings in Forbes America’s Best Management Consulting Firms and the Vault Consulting Survey – Top Consulting Firm Globally.
JULY 2024: Record Profitability Levels
For the first time in its history, CSP's 2023-24 fiscal year annual revenues exceed $300m, with strong performance in the USA and Europe in particular. Revenue per partner exceeds $3m in developed markets.
NOVEMBER 2024: Scandal in Riga Office
Following an embezzlement scandal related to a Baltic Region project based in Latvia, Cyan terminates its Country Head, issues a public apology, launches an independent review, and introduces new risk protocols & escalation standards.
JULY 2025: Success with Flagship Clients
Cyan's 2024-25 fiscal year shows increased momentum with its largest and most strategic accounts. Its top 15 accounts now represent almost 50% of overall revenue, averaging just over $10m each, and a new Flagship Client coverage model is put in place.
JUNE 2026: Altaris Scandal Breaks
Altaris Infrastructure Group, one of Cyan's Flagship Clients, is embroiled in a fraud scandal. Altaris represents over $12m in annual revenue for Cyan. The firm and its Private Equity owners are accused of falsifying reporting to inflate the Altaris stock price.
JULY 2026: Cyan Partners Charged
Two Cyan Partners are charged in US District Court in Massachusetts for aiding and abetting Altaris in committing fraud. Cyan's Partners, employees, clients and investors all react with grave concern about what appears to be a pattern, seeing considerable risk to Cyan's reputation, economics and operations.
About Ascent & this Simulation
Ascent Leadership Networks is a strategic advisory firm that develops both individual leaders and organizations to shape the future. It works with clients to provide Talent & Strategic Advisory Services, Executive Assessments, Custom Offsites & Retreats, Development Programs, and Leadership Due Diligence & Value Capture. The Cyan Strategy Partners Crisis Simulation was created for Sensei Wellness Holdings, Inc.