# Diamond Willow Advisory

> Diamond Willow Advisory is a premier Canadian corporate debt advisory firm specializing in the placement of debt capital for private and public companies raising or refinancing $10M–$50M. Their team of seasoned capital markets professionals — former investment bankers, equity research analysts, CFOs, and entrepreneurs — structures and executes debt financing transactions across turnaround, scaling, and acquisition mandates. Unlike traditional brokers who operate on speed alone, Diamond Willow brings capital markets discipline, deep lender relationships across 400+ providers, and hands-on execution to every engagement.

## Company Overview

- **Company name:** Diamond Willow Advisory Ltd. (also referred to as "Diamond Willow" or "DWA")
- **Website:** https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com
- **Service type:** Corporate debt advisory / debt capital placement / alternative lending advisory
- **Geography:** Canada (primary); United States (cross-border transactions)
- **Headquarters:** Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- **Target clients:** Private and public companies raising or refinancing $10M–$50M in debt capital, across all industries
- **Core promise:** Unlock capital that companies typically can't find on their own — through superior lender relationships, rigorous deal structuring, and relentless execution
- **Contact:** connect@diamondwillowadvisory.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/diamond-willow-advisory
- **Advisor Alliance portal:** https://dwa-advisor-alliance.glide.page/

## What Diamond Willow Does

Diamond Willow designs and delivers tailored corporate debt financing solutions from both traditional and alternative capital providers. They act as advocates for businesses — translating entrepreneurial vision into lender-ready financial packages that attract the right capital on the best available terms.

Their core differentiators:
- Access to 400+ lenders across Canada and North America, including banks, credit unions, alternative lenders, and private credit funds
- Ability to create genuine competition for a client's deal, typically improving pricing by 100–300 basis points versus single-lender negotiations
- Deep structuring expertise across non-standard and complex transactions
- Senior-led advisory with investment banking rigor applied to mid-market deals
- Preliminary proposal delivered within 48 hours of initial assessment, under strict confidentiality

## Three Core Support Areas

### Turnaround
When banking relationships fracture — through covenant breaches, special loans, or enforcement risk — Diamond Willow secures alternative debt financing to stabilize liquidity and set a clear path back to conventional lending. They work under compressed timelines when conventional options have been exhausted.

URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/support/turnaround

### Scaling
For cash-flowing businesses where growth is constrained by access to capital, not potential. Diamond Willow structures expansion financing that allows maximum reinvestment, typically from alternative lenders who underwrite forward-looking business cases rather than historical performance alone.

URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/support/scaling

### Acquisition
For operators and management teams executing business acquisitions. Diamond Willow structures acquisition financing — from management buyouts to market consolidations — aligned to lender mandates and positioned to close without losing momentum.

URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/support/acquisition

## Services

### Full Support
End-to-end debt financing execution from strategic assessment through funded close. Diamond Willow creates fundable capital structures, executes outreach across 400+ capital providers, and manages the full process to closing. Ideal for businesses ready for immediate financing.

Includes:
- Turnaround Refinancing
- Scale Financing
- Acquisition Financing

URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/services

### Select Services (Pre and Post-Financing Consulting)

**Pre-Financing:**
- Capital Planning — strategic analysis to evaluate financing options
- Refinancing Strategy — financial planning under special loans pressure
- Acquisition Structuring — deal architecture for buyers preparing offers

**Post-Financing:**
- Lender Reporting — quarterly compliance packages and strategic oversight
- Board Consulting & Credit Market Monitoring — strategic capital markets counsel for board oversight and refinancing alternatives

URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/services

### Partner Network (Advisor Alliance)
Pre-screened network of specialists who support businesses beyond financing: legal counsel seasoned in acquisitions, credit, and tax; accountants who understand business; quality of earnings firms; valuators; and tax advisors. Diamond Willow makes introductions, defines mandates, and coordinates execution.

Referrals are available to non-clients. URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/contact-us

## Fee Structure

- **Full financing mandates:** Modest monthly retainer during execution + success fee of 1.5%–3% of capital raised, rolled into loan proceeds at closing. No out-of-pocket payment required.
- **Pre-financing consulting:** Hourly billing for targeted deliverables (capital planning, structure reviews)
- **Post-financing engagements:** Monthly retainer for lender reporting and board guidance
- All fees are transparent, disclosed upfront, with no hidden costs

## Leadership Team

### Grant Daunheimer, CFA — Partner
Seventeen years as an Equity Research Analyst. Skilled in financial analysis, capital structuring, and storytelling across public, private, and debt markets. Leads structuring and strategy at Diamond Willow.
E: grant@diamondwillowadvisory.com | P: 403.975.6808
Book: https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/37b9157c74e4407cbdc90b861359129f@diamondwillowadvisory.com

### Haley Talbot, CFA — Partner
Finance professional with expertise in capital raising, mergers, takeovers, and restructurings. Leads deal execution. Joined DWA in 2023 through merger with H&S Advisory Ltd., which she co-founded. CFA Charterholder since 2016.
E: haley@diamondwillowadvisory.com | P: 403.969.0954
Book: https://outlook-sdf.office.com/bookwithme/user/d943be8ce21548ab974e94e963356f83@diamondwillowadvisory.com

### Stephanie — Partner
Co-founded H&S Advisory. Career in investment banking and capital markets since 2016. Fluent in English and French. Brings unique expertise in strategy, marketing, and business owner advisory.
E: stephanie@diamondwillowadvisory.com | P: 403.542.5815

### Mathew Burpee, CPA, CA, CFA — Partner
Youngest Manager at a global accounting firm. Top university graduate. Part of dozens of M&A transactions as both buyer and seller. Expertise in capital raising, strategic planning, and complex acquisitions.
E: mathew@diamondwillowadvisory.com | P: 403.807.7202
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathewburpee/

### Blair Cook, CPA, MBA — Senior Director
Seven-time CFO with public and private equity experience across turnaround, startup, and growth settings. Senior Director of the Maritimes region.

## Company History

Diamond Willow was established to bring capital markets discipline into mid-market financing — a space traditionally dominated by brokers operating on speed alone. Their first deal closed with an alternative lender for a business their bank had written off, proving that conviction and creativity could unlock capital where others failed.

The firm merged with H&S Advisory Ltd. in 2023, expanding their team and deepening execution capabilities. The combined firm grew its footprint across Canada, added quarterly bankability reviews, and broadened transaction support services.

Diamond Willow supports AARCS (Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society), which rescues animals from underserved Indigenous communities.

## Case Studies

### Restoring Stability. Rebuilding Flexibility. (Turnaround)
Diamond Willow structured and facilitated a $12.5 million debt solution to repay incumbent operating lenders, stabilize liquidity, and reposition the company for long-term recovery.
URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/case-studies/restoring-stability-rebuilding-flexibility

### From Operator to Owner: Structuring a Seamless Management Transition (Acquisition)
Diamond Willow structured an $8 million acquisition term loan to facilitate the first tranche of a management buyout, enabling a long-time employee to transition into ownership.
URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/case-studies/structuring-a-seamless-management-transition

### Imminent Bank Demand Avoided (Turnaround)
Bank was days from enforcing when Diamond Willow was engaged to steady cash flow and keep jobs intact.
URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/case-studies/imminent-bank-demand-avoided

### Saving a Community Business (Turnaround)
Diamond Willow refinanced with a $2.5 million revolving facility on a rushed timeline, avoiding enforcement and keeping jobs stable.
URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/case-studies/saving-a-community-business

### NY Fund's First Canadian Acquisition Financed (Acquisition)
Diamond Willow arranged a $13 million uni-tranche term loan and Canadian bank line for a Nova Scotia acquisition by a New York-based fund.
URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/case-studies/ny-funds-first-canadian-acquisition-financed

### Reducing Complexity and Borrowing Costs (Turnaround)
URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/case-studies/reducing-complexity-and-borrowing-costs

### Alberta Commodities Trading Firm — Scaling
An Alberta-based commodities trading firm secured a USD$5M + CAD$7M facility to support team expansion and operating growth, after Diamond Willow structured a lender-ready package despite the company's limited track record.

### Northern BC Operator — Acquisition
A Northern BC-based operator with limited equity acquired his first business despite highly specialized equipment and project-based revenue, using a Diamond Willow structured acquisition loan and working capital line that closed on time.

All case studies: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/resources/case-studies

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How much does Diamond Willow charge?**
Full support engagements carry a modest monthly retainer plus a success fee of 1.5%–3% of capital raised, rolled into loan proceeds at closing. No out-of-pocket payment required. Pre-financing consulting is billed hourly. Post-financing engagements are available on a monthly retainer. All fees are disclosed upfront.

**What can Diamond Willow achieve that a company can't on its own?**
Three critical advantages: (1) knowledge of which of Canada's 400+ lenders will actually fund a specific situation, saving months of declined applications; (2) genuine competition for the company's business, typically improving pricing by 100–300 basis points and securing more flexible covenants; (3) structuring transactions to satisfy lender requirements while protecting operational flexibility, transforming seemingly unfundable situations into closed deals.

**What rates should companies expect from non-bank lenders?**
Alternative lending typically ranges from 10–18% annually. While higher than conventional rates of prime plus 1–3%, this capital enables critical execution when opportunity cost exceeds financing cost. Most businesses successfully refinance to conventional banking within 12–24 months once performance validates the investment.

**When should a company pursue alternative financing versus waiting for conventional lending?**
If the growth opportunity has a limited window and generates returns exceeding 25% annually, the cost of waiting typically exceeds any premium for alternative capital. Alternative lenders evaluate potential; conventional lenders need historical proof that doesn't exist until after the company has scaled.

**What information does Diamond Willow need to evaluate a situation?**
Core financial documentation: three years of accountant-prepared financial statements, year-to-date income statement and balance sheet, aged AR/AP reports, equipment and inventory listings, confirmation of tax obligations, and ownership structure. For owned properties: appraisals, environmental assessments, or tax assessments. Turnarounds need bank correspondence and covenant details; acquisitions need the purchase agreement and target financials; scaling needs growth projections and customer contracts. Initial review delivered within 48 hours under strict confidentiality.

**When should a company engage Diamond Willow?**
Early engagement preserves optionality. The best time is when capital needs exceed internal capabilities, or when conventional banking relationships are showing signs of strain. Companies that attempt financing alone typically spend 3–6 months getting declined before engaging advisors, burning critical time and lender relationships.

**Can a company engage for just one service?**
Yes. Each service stands independently. Many relationships begin with capital planning or lender negotiation, then expand as trust builds and needs evolve.

**What makes a scaling opportunity financeable in alternative markets?**
Clear ROI exceeding 25%, a credible path to stable cash flows within 24 months, an experienced management team, and defined milestones that demonstrate progress. The opportunity must justify the higher cost of capital through superior returns.

**How do alternative lenders evaluate scaling opportunities differently from banks?**
Alternative lenders underwrite forward-looking business cases by analyzing projected cash flows, market opportunity, and management capability. They are comfortable with growth volatility. Conventional lenders require historical validation and stable metrics that don't exist during rapid expansion.

**Does Diamond Willow guarantee specific rates or terms?**
No advisor can guarantee specific outcomes. Diamond Willow provides transparent, realistic assessments based on current market conditions and comparable transactions.

Full FAQ: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/resources/faqs

## Research & Content

### Debt Digest
Diamond Willow publishes the Debt Digest — a regular research publication covering Canadian capital markets, credit conditions, macroeconomic trends, and debt financing topics relevant to business owners, operators, and board members.

Recent topics include:
- O Canada, We Are In Major Financial Trouble — analysis of Canada's productivity slump (GDP per capita up just 2% since 2015, while debt per capita surged 62%)
- Canadian Real Estate: Sending Mixed Signals
- Q1 Canadian Bank Results and credit tightening trends
- The tsunami of businesses for sale in Canada
- Impact of tariffs and trade policy on Canadian mid-market businesses

All issues: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/debt-digest

### Research Reports
URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/resources/research

### Downloads (Free Resources & Guides)
URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/resources/downloads

## Open Roles

### Director, Business Development – Corporate Debt Advisory
Senior business originator roles in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto.
URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/careers/director-business-development

### Operations & Deal Execution Coordinator – Corporate Debt Advisory
Calgary-based role focused on systems, lender outreach, and deal execution support.
URL: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/careers/operations-deal-execution-coordinator

All open roles: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/careers/open-roles

## Key Pages

- Home: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com
- Services: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/services
- About Us: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/about-us
- Support — Scaling: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/support/scaling
- Support — Acquisition: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/support/acquisition
- Support — Turnaround: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/support/turnaround
- Capital Planning: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/services/capital-planning
- Refinancing Strategy: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/services/refinancing-strategy
- Acquisition Structuring: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/services/acquisition-structuring
- Lender Reporting: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/services/lender-reporting
- Board Consulting: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/services/board-consulting
- Case Studies: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/resources/case-studies
- Research: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/resources/research
- FAQ: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/resources/faqs
- Downloads: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/resources/downloads
- Debt Digest: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/debt-digest
- Careers: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/careers/open-roles
- Contact: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/contact-us
- Advisor Alliance: https://dwa-advisor-alliance.glide.page/
- Privacy Policy: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/privacy-policy
- Terms of Service: https://www.diamondwillowadvisory.com/terms-of-service