The Value Creation You Left on the Table [VIDEO]

HR harmonization is more than an administrative exercise. It can represent a significant opportunity to reduce costs, improve operations, manage risk, and capture additional value after a merger or acquisition. In this discussion from The M&A Advisor’s 2026 Leadership in Dealmaking Summit, David M. Neikrug, Chief Executive Officer of Optimatum Solutions, joins Manuel Padilla, Vice President of Risk Management and Insurance at MacAndrews & Forbes, to explore the financial and operational impact of HR harmonization during M&A transactions. Benefits, compensation, insurance, workforce programs, and HR vendor relationships can represent an eight-figure opportunity—or an overlooked liability. Yet these areas are often assumed to have been fully addressed in the deal model. The conversation examines how organizations can:

• Identify cost differences and opportunities across employee populations.
• Evaluate benefits, compensation, insurance, and HR vendor structures.
• Uncover opportunities for cost savings and operational improvement.
• Manage employee disruption, retention concerns, and integration risk.
• Align HR operations with the broader post-deal value creation strategy.

Successful HR harmonization requires balancing financial optimization with the employee experience. The goal is not simply to reduce costs, but to build a more efficient, aligned operating model that supports the long-term objectives of the business.