Myra A. Thomas

Metro NYC area
Website: www.myrathomas.com
Contact

Professional Experience

I'm an award-winning business, finance, and tech editor & journalist, as well as an experienced researcher with extensive print & online experience. I've had a successful career as a senior finance exec, lending an in-depth level of knowledge to the stories & white papers that I write. My experience includes writing & designing corporate webinars, editing & writing for finance magazines & business newspapers, as well as for healthcare, finance, tech & B2B websites and publications. I've created content for custom publications, media organizations, academic journals, & corporate websites. I've ghostwritten for major finance execs & provided thought leadership for companies. If you're looking for someone who understands medical startups, logistics, private equity, derivatives & SEC filings, as well as the influence of blockchain, the cloud, and mobile, then I'm your person. I've written about tech, global banking, trade finance, airport construction, biometrics, the supply chain, insurance, & so much more.

Expertise

Editor
26 Years
Researcher
28 Years
Writer
28 Years

Specialty

Finance
26 Years
Business (general)
28 Years
Technology
23 Years

Industries


Magazine - Trade magazines/publications (B2B)
28 Years
Online/new media
25 Years
Newspaper - Local/Regional
27 Years

Total Media Industry Experience

28 Years

Media Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

The Secured Lender Magazine (10+), Thomson Reuters (10+), Careers In Finance Markets (10+), Dice.com (10+), EFinancialCareers.com (10+), Emory Business Magazine (10+), FSO Magazine (10+), JobsInTheMoney.com (10+), Knowledge@Emory (10+), President & CEO Magazine (6-10), Publishers Weekly (6-10), Middle Market Growth Magazine (10+), Strategic Finance Magazine (1-2), BankNews Magazine (1-2), Emory Lawyer Magazine (3-5), ALM (10+)

Corporate Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

Media Organizations (10+), Small Businesses (10+), Trampsteamer Media (10+), Undisclosed/Top Auditing firms (10+), Undisclosed/Top Finance firms (10+), Global banks (10+), Consulting firms (10+), Private Equity (10+), Tech firms (10+), Asset-based Lenders and Factors (10+), Alternative Finance (10+), Fintech (10+)

Other Work History

Managing Editor, FSO Magazine (Financial Services Outsourcing Magazine), Manalapan, New Jersey (4/07-9/08) Regional Editor, NJ Biz, formerly known as Business News New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ (5/97-5/98) Online Editor/Writer, NJ Biz, formerly known as Business News New Jersey (1/97-4/97) Prior Business Experience: Held the AVP post at an insurance intermediary for Lloyd's of London, serving as their senior underwriter for one of the leading commercial insurers. Analyzed financial statements, including 10-Ks and more. Drafted proposals and worked on contracts to ensure reinsurance treaty renewals. Served as College English Instructor.

Computer Skills

Word, Excel, Powerpoint

Equipment

Audio recorder, scanner, fax machine, laptop, two separate desktop computers (MAC and PC), two printers, digital cameras, etc.

Work Permits & Visas

U.S. citizen

References

References available upon request, including magazine editors & corporate clients

Awards

Fellowship recipient, The Society of Environmental Journalists (2004 and 2005) Fellowship recipient, National Conference of Editorial Writers (May 2002) First Place Award for Investigative Journalism, Working Press Association of New Jersey, A Thrift Tug of War, the cover story in the June 16, 1997 issue of BUSINESS NEWS New Jersey (6/98) First Place Award for a Business & Economic Series, New Jersey Press Association, Compensating Downsized Workers & Towns, in the June 12, 1996 issue of The Suburban newspaper (4/97)

Associations

Society of Environmental Journalists Society of American Business Editors & Writers

Work Samples

General

Private Equity and Its Response to COVID-19
(The Secured Lender Magazine 10/1/2020)
The onset of the pandemic has certainly changed the fundraising and investing landscape for private equity and other types of alternative financing. While most acknowledge that the lack of face-to-face meetings has made the fundraising process and due diligence on deals more difficult, the private equity industry and its related players remain a resilient lot. Even with the country’s shutdown and the resulting economic problems, private equity firms are prioritizing their existing portfolios, working to figure out ways to shore up these companies.
The First 300 Seconds—How To Make Your Meeting With Female Investors Count
(Forbes 11/16/2020)
Financial and investment knowledge are the strong suits of financial advisors. People skills can be something of an afterthought. But mastering communications skills can do wonders in winning over female clients, a significant number of whom may be coming to the table having had non-ideal experiences with previous advisors.
Your Client’s Cybersecurity Threat Is Your Threat Too
(The Secured Lender Magazine 1/1/2020)
The specter of cybercrime haunts every industry, but none more so than financial services. If there is considerable money involved or sensitive client data to steal, then there is certainly some cybercriminal looking for a financial firm to target. As secured lenders step up their efforts to secure their own systems and data, there is a growing understanding of the complexity of that task. Asset-based lenders and factors are increasingly aware that their cybersecurity procedures must be ongoing and dynamic to thwart a network intrusion and to quickly shut down and mitigate a hack if it does happen.
Everything you Wanted to Know about Cannabis...But were Afraid to Ask
(The Secured Lender 9/1/2019)
Money-laundering statutes, restrictive banking regulations and the stigma surrounding the cannabis industry have caused established banks and well-known independent secured lenders to stay clear of lending to those companies, but the possibility of new regulations may ease their fears. Meanwhile, smaller banks and some credit unions have already tested the waters and are lending to and taking deposits from cannabis-related companies.
UK: A New Proposed Pension Scheme Is on the Horizon
(Society for Human Resource Management 7/2/2019)
Royal Mail, a letter and parcel delivery company, could be the first United Kingdom (U.K.) organization to move ahead with a new form of pension scheme called a collective defined contribution scheme (CDC).
Private Equity Sees Profit Potential in Malls
(Middle Market Growth Magazine 5/8/2018)
To say that the American mall is dead is a gross exaggeration. While many shopping centers across the country are struggling, so-called Class A mall real estate, typically in densely populated major metropolitan areas with attractive demographics and innovative concepts, is doing well and piquing investor interest.
Scholarly research can be vital for running a business
(Emory Business 1/14/2019)
It’s not every day a research paper sparks a stock sell-off on Wall Street. The reverberations began shortly after Daniel McCarthy, assistant professor of marketing, and his co-author Peter Fader, a professor of marketing at Wharton, published a journal article exploring the valuation of two e-commerce companies, Wayfair and Overstock.com. Using a methodology they named customer-based corporation valuation,” or CBCV, the researchers produced valuations on contractual and non-contractual companies based on customer value. This method is particularly useful for companies that rely heavily on returning customers or subscription models.
The 2 Big Differences Between Male and Female Clients
(ThinkAdvisor 11/30/2017)
When it comes to retirement planning, there’s a thread of truth in the phrase “men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Certainly, men and women are more alike than not when it comes to looking for financial security. But there are two main differences that advisors working with both groups have noted.
What Attracts Talent to the Table?
(Emory Business Magazine 1/9/2018)
Is the time of the employee close at hand? After more than 20 years of downsizing, offshoring, buyouts, and innovation setting fire to traditional rules of the workplace, things are looking up for experienced, in-demand professionals. Many economic trends are on the uptick, and the unemployment rate continues to drop, from 8.2 percent in July 2012 to 4.3 percent in July 2017. For workers with specialized skills, the job market is ripe with opportunity.
Sovereign Wealth Funds Spell Opportunity for Private Equity
(Middle Market Growth Magazine 1/25/2017)
With considerable assets at their disposal, sovereign wealth funds are fast becoming a growing source of capital for private equity— good news for middle-market PE funds. These state-owned investment vehicles, focused on returns to boost the economies of their home countries, tend to be long-term institutional investors with diverse investment portfolios.
Knowledge Creation
(Emory Business Magazine 4/1/2017)
A short article detailing the business research of Emory Business School faculty.
When are Taxes Paid on Social Security Benefits?
(ThinkAdvisor 9/29/2017)
Some people might be under the impression that Social Security benefits aren’t taxable – and they didn’t used to be. But everything changed with the passage of the 1983 Social Security Act amendments, and beginning in 1984, a portion of Social Security benefits were subject to federal income taxes.
Top 5 tips for getting more referrals
(Think Advisor 11/17/2016)
Top 5 tips for insurance agents for getting more referrals
Five Steps to a Standout Resume
(EfinancialCareers.com 5/30/2007)
5 steps to a standout resume for finance professionals.
Life insurance in a low interest rate environment
(LifeHealthPRO 9/15/2016)
Low interest rates might be good for homebuyers, but that just isn’t the case for the average investor. For insurance agents, your current and prospective clients may not be financial experts, but they do know what low interest rates mean to them – and will be looking for advice on where to put their money to work hard for them. Life insurance can be a smart way to do just that, but as the advisor, you’ll need to explain its value.
Raising the Bar on Business Law Education
(Emory Lawyer 3/1/2016)
A story discussing the evolution of business law education
Are Employee Affinity Groups Worth the Effort?
(Dice.com 2/12/2016)
Your company might call it an employee resource group (ERG), affinity group, or network. No matter what the name, the goal is supposed to be the same: a social and professional network for people with a common background. But just because there’s a group of similar people meeting in a room doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to get something out of it. Not all employee resource groups are created equal.
Predictions for a Mature Market
(The Secured Lender Magazine 1/20/2017)
Asset-based lenders from the capital markets saw incremental increases in business in 2016, but it took some effort to put new clients on the books. It was a borrower-friendly year and, according to industry players, 2017 should be too.
Social Media's Growing Role in M&A
(Middle Market Growth Magazine 7/1/2016)
Social media is having a growing influence on the M&A scene. While due diligence is still ever important, private equity leaders do admit that they do check social media when they're considering a deal or getting a handle on company buzz. For franchise and consumer-facing businesses, managing company reputation online is paramount.
PE'S New Virtual Reality: Online Deal Sourcing Platforms
(Middle Market Growth Magazine 10/1/2015)
Online private equity deal sourcing platforms are cropping up. These new companies are offering deal research and due diligence to a network of buyers, sellers, and advisors. But private equity is known for being a high touch business. Can these online PE deal sourcing platforms take hold?
Seeing the Light: UK Borrowers Turn to Asset-Based Lending
(The Secured Lender Magazine 11/1/2016)
Borrowers in the United Kingdom are increasingly turning to asset-based lending as a trusted financing source. Once thought of as the lender of last resort, ABL players in the UK are finding that their marketing and education efforts, in addition to the work of debt advisors, are helping to turn the tide and bring borrowers to the table. And while the credit crunch certainly contributed to the increase in ABL activity, many industry insiders also point to the influence of U.S. banks and their efforts to court UK borrowers, as well as a maturing ABL community, for taking asset-based lending more mainstream.
Entrepreneurial Factors Step Up to the Plate: Cross Border Deals on the Upswing
(The Secured Lender Magazine 3/1/2015)
Key players in the entrepreneurial factoring industry discuss the challenges and opportunities in cross border deals.
Globalization Impacts Diversity Programs
(EFinancialCareers.com 7/10/2008)
Globalization of operations, products and services means multinational financial services firms must redefine the nature of their diversity programs. But morphing inclusion policies present benefits and challenges to both companies and local employees.
The Impact of Digital
(Emory Business Magazine 4/1/2014)
Business leaders and alumni of Emory University's Goizueta Business School discuss the impact of the digital revolution on their industry.
Holistic Skills Boost Value of SAP Professionals
(Dice.com 5/12/2014)
Experienced SAP professionals would be well-served to take on a hybrid role that straddles the line between technology and business.
When Formal Controls Undermine Trust and Cooperation
(Strategic Finance Magazine 1/1/2008)
The increased use of formal controls in today's business environment may have an unintended consequence: the erosion of trust between management and employees. This study examines the effects that various types of organizational controls have on employee trust and cooperation.
Non-Certified Skills That Pay: JavaFX and SAP GTS
(Dice.com 10/31/2014)
Everybody knows that the right tech certifications can boost pay. What everybody tends to forget is that non-certified skills, such as JavaFX and SAP GTS, can earn you just as much.
Middle-Market Firms Unfazed by China Currency Move
(Middle Market Growth Magazine 9/17/2015)
When China devalued its currency in August, the news, along with an increase in global stock market volatility, heightened worries for American businesses. But the impact on the middle market is much less of a concern than many might believe, industry experts say, at least for now.
A Workplace Therapist's Approach to Surviving a Toxic Work Culture
(eFinancialCareers.com 1/24/2012)
Financial services can be a hyper-competitive place to work in the best of times. A workplace therapist describes the problem and offers solutions.
Managing Financial Risk in a Volatile Global Environment
(Knowledge@Wharton 2/2/2000)
As Asian countries such as Korea and Thailand slowly recover from their financial collapse of some two years ago, the debate continues as to whether private sector financing or public sector support should be used to shore up the troubled economies of emerging-market countries.
Did Bear Stearns Deserve a Taxpayer-Backed Bailout?
(Knowledge@Emory, the online publication of Emory University's Goizueta Business School 4/9/2008)
The move to use a $29 billion guarantee from the Treasury Dept. for ailing Bear Stearns was an unprecedented taxpayer-backed bail out. Professors from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School discuss whether or not taxpayer funds should be used to prop up an investment firm.
How Talent As A Competitive Advantage May Finally Break The Glass Ceiling
(Knowledge@Emory 10/23/2002)
Today, the number of minority and women CEOs still remain few and far between in Corporate America. But a growing number of them have nonetheless taken center-stage by heading up some of the most well-known and largest companies in the US.
Book Review: Collateral Damaged: The Marketing of Consumer Debt to America
(Publishers Weekly 6/29/2009)
n this exhaustive study of the credit card industry, author Geisst (Undue Influence) delivers a scathing critique of the routine practices that led to the current consumer debt crisis.
Credit Crunch Provides Opportunities for Disciplined ABLs and Factors in 2009
(The Secured Lender Magazine 2/1/2009)
Certainly, the current credit crisis is not a welcomed situation. Yet, asset-based lenders and factors are benefiting from the downturn and the pullback in more traditional lines of credit.
The Fruits of Labor
(NJBiz 10/20/1997)
Print and online cover story for the Southern regional edition of the business journal. The story details how as the harvesting season nears an end, New Jersey cranberry farmers are looking for ways to increase supply for a product in growing demand.
Not Your Grandfather's CFO
(President & CEO Magazine 8/1/2011)
The role of the CFO has rapidly changed in the past decade, propelled by M&A activity, quickly shifting economic sands, and heightened regulatory scrutiny.
Dynamic Alliances in 2007
(FSO Magazine 12/31/2007)
The cover story from the year-end issue (Qtr 4 2007) of FSO Magazine, detailing the many M&A deals, key partnerships, and near-shoring moves by major players in the BPO sector.
Sandy---Six Months Later
(4/1/2013)
Community banking leaders respond to the challenges presented by Hurricane Sandy, as financial institutions fought to stay open and serve a community in need.
Sandy---Six Months Later Part 2
(BankNews Magazine 4/1/2013)
Community banking leaders respond to the challenges presented by Hurricane Sandy, as financial institutions fought to stay open and serve a community in need.