Kiel LaFrance

Director & Head of Americas Financial Modeling & Platform Specialists

About

Highly accomplished and results-driven financial modeling and corporate finance expert with over 15 years of progressive experience, including 10+ years in leadership roles at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Proven ability to lead large, international teams, drive product development, and deliver strategic financial solutions for top-tier clients including investment banks, hedge funds, and private equity firms. Recognized for expertise in complex valuation, M&A advisory, and building high-impact financial models and analytical tools. Adept at thought leadership, client engagement, and optimizing operational efficiencies across global financial operations.

Work Experience

Director and Head of Americas Financial Modeling & Platform Specialists

S&P Global Market Intelligence, Inc.

Dec 2025 - Present

Led all financial modeling operations for desktop products across the Americas, the company's largest geographic sector, providing consultancy, modeling, and customization services for sophisticated analytical tools like S&P Capital IQ and Office Plug-in products.

  • Directed comprehensive financial modeling operations for desktop products across the Americas, overseeing a critical segment utilized by over 50,000 global clients and managing over 20,000 annual client requests.
  • Spearheaded the implementation of complex financial solutions and managed client desktop requests for several large investment banks, serving as a primary subject matter expert across Client Support, Sales, Technology, Product Management, and Content teams.
  • Delivered high-impact thought leadership and presented original content at major seminars to senior stakeholders and high-profile clients, influencing strategic decisions and enhancing market presence.
  • Directed and mentored a diverse, international team of 40+ professionals across the United States, India, and Argentina, fostering high performance and talent development.
  • Played a pivotal role in the Product Development Group, driving the ideation, design, and testing of new functionality for Microsoft Office and web platforms, and developing client-ready Excel templates.
  • Served as a four-time judge for the ModelOff Financial Modeling World Championships and contributed to the Question Design Team, demonstrating industry expertise and commitment to talent development.

Associate Director and Head of Americas Financial Modeling

S&P Global Market Intelligence, Inc.

Dec 2025 - Present

Managed all operations related to financial modeling in the Americas, the company's largest geographic sector, building and maintaining critical financial and valuation models for a diverse client base.

  • Oversaw all financial modeling operations across the Americas, the company's largest geographic sector, ensuring operational excellence and strategic alignment.
  • Developed and maintained over 120 client-ready Excel templates, and built an average of 75 complex financial and valuation models monthly for diverse clients, including investment banks, hedge funds, private equity firms, and investment managers, leveraging S&P Capital IQ data.

Investment Banking Analyst – Mergers & Acquisitions

Rothschild Inc.

Dec 2025 - Present

Provided expert investment banking advisory services focusing on Mergers & Acquisitions, strategic alternatives, and capital markets within the Energy, Mining, and Transportation sectors.

  • Provided strategic advisory to companies on M&A, private placements, equity sales, and various strategic alternatives, specializing in the Energy, Mining, and Transportation sectors.
  • Constructed comprehensive financial forecast models and information memorandums to analyze key metrics including accretion/dilution, enterprise and equity value, internal rates of return, pro forma equity ownership, and petroleum & coal reserves.
  • Executed rigorous company and joint venture valuations using diverse methodologies such as discounted cash flow, comparable company analysis, precedent transactions, leveraged buyout models, and sum-of-the-parts analyses.

Education

Business Management

Babson College

3.65/4.0

Volunteer

President and Treasurer

Cooperative Corporation

Served as elected President and Treasurer for a New York City cooperative corporation, overseeing financial management and operational efficiency.

  • Led comprehensive forecasting and budgeting processes, ensuring financial stability and strategic resource allocation.
  • Managed vendor relationships and negotiations, optimizing service delivery and cost efficiency for the corporation.

Certificates

Microsoft VBA Certification

Microsoft

Awards

Presidential Scholar

Babson College

Awarded the highest merit-based scholarship by Babson College, recognizing outstanding academic achievement.

Deans List

Babson College

Achieved Dean's List recognition across all semesters, demonstrating consistent academic excellence.

Languages

English (Native)

Skills

Financial Modeling

  • Valuation
  • Forecasting
  • Discounted Cash Flow (DCF)
  • Leveraged Buyout (LBO)
  • Accretion/Dilution Analysis
  • Enterprise Value
  • Equity Value
  • Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

Microsoft Excel

  • Advanced Formulas
  • Data Analysis
  • Financial Modeling
  • Templates
  • PivotTables

Microsoft VBA

  • Automation
  • Macro Development
  • Custom Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

  • Microsoft Word
  • PowerPoint
  • Outlook
  • Collaboration Tools

Salesforce

  • CRM
  • Client Relationship Management
  • Sales Operations

Leadership & Team Management

  • Team Leadership
  • International Team Management
  • Talent Development
  • Mentorship
  • Strategic Leadership
  • Cross-functional Collaboration

Corporate Finance

  • M&A Advisory
  • Private Placements
  • Equity Sales
  • Capital Markets
  • Investment Banking
  • Strategic Alternatives

Product Development

  • Product Ideation
  • Design
  • Testing
  • New Functionality
  • Client-Ready Solutions
  • Agile Methodologies

Client Relationship Management

  • Client Engagement
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Advisory Services
  • Consulting

Public Speaking & Presentation

  • Thought Leadership
  • Seminars
  • Content Delivery
  • Executive Presentations
  • Training

Data Analysis

  • Financial Data Analysis
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Market Intelligence
  • S&P Capital IQ
  • Proprietary Data Systems

Interests

Sports

  • Soccer
  • Skiing
  • Sailing

Travel

  • International Travel
  • Cultural Exploration

Science

  • Astrophysics

Fitness

  • Peloton Tread
  • Peloton Bike
  • Physical Wellness