Summary
Calder Capital is proud to announce that Parker Schaap, Buy-Side Director, has been named a winner of The M&A Advisor’s 17th Annual Emerging Leaders Awards. This national recognition honors top-performing M&A, financing, and turnaround professionals under the age of 40 who have made notable contributions to the industry and their communities.
Parker’s Recognition
Since joining Calder in 2021 as an M&A Analyst, Parker Schaap has steadily advanced through the firm, earning promotions to Associate and, in 2025, Buy-Side Director. As a Buy-Side Director at Calder Capital, he leads acquisition strategy and execution for entrepreneurs, family offices, and private investors pursuing lower middle-market businesses. Also, he supervises a team of Associates and Analysts on Calder Capital’s Buy-Side M&A Advisory team.
When asked what he is most proud of in his role, Parker spoke of the joy he receives when he sees his team of ten Analysts and Associates thrive, professionally and personally. Since last May, the Associates that Parker works with have gotten 5 deals closed or are closing very soon. Additionally, Parker has been elated to work with Strata Landscapes, a repeat Buy-Side client for the last 2+ years. So far, they have acquired three of the prospects Parker has sourced or introduced to them: Gentry Landscape of Orange County, California, Boulder Landscaping of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Venco Western of Oxnard, CA.
“As our industry continues to evolve, the next generation of leaders is redefining what excellence looks like in dealmaking and corporate finance,” said Roger Aguinaldo, Founder and CEO of The M&A Advisor. “The 2026 Emerging Leaders Award recipients demonstrate exceptional vision, resilience, and leadership. They are not only driving successful transactions — they are helping shape the future of our global business community.”
“Parker is a tremendous leader and an absolutely phenomenal cold-calling machine,” said Max Friar, Founder and Managing Partner of Calder Capital. “Parker is known for his tenacity, persistence, focus, and drive. I recall when he was trying to get a hold of a large, attractive forklift dealership for a client of his, early in his career at Calder. Parker had already called the owner six times without hearing back. However, Parker decided to call again, and he heard back the next day! Ultimately, we advised our buyer in closing that transaction, and it was the largest transaction that Parker played a role in. When Parker sets his mind on something, he succeeds. I couldn’t be any more pleased to see him recognized as an Emerging Leader in M&A.”
Beyond his work at Calder Capital, Parker volunteers with Home Repair Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan, completing projects such as building decks and cabinets for vulnerable homeowners. Through his church, Parker has participated in mission trips supporting a Christian school in Costa Rica and contributed to the maintenance and expansion of a rural hospital in Honduras.
Parker has volunteered at the Holland Rescue Mission, serving meals, most notably on Christmas Eve, with his youth group and family. He has also volunteered multiple times at the annual VanderLeek Cup Hospice Regatta, supporting hospice fundraising efforts.
The full list of 2026 Emerging Leaders Award winners is available on The M&A Advisor website.
About The M&A Advisor
Founded in 1998, The M&A Advisor is the global leader in connecting, recognizing, and informing professionals in M&A, restructuring, and corporate finance. Now in its 28th year, they provide world-class content, events, and honors programs that empower dealmakers at every stage of their journey. Learn more at www.MAAdvisor.com.
About Calder Capital
Founded in 2013, Calder Capital is a cross-industry mergers and acquisitions advisory firm with offices across the United States. Calder provides valuation, sell-side, and buy-side services. We are nationally recognized for excellence in advising $1-100M enterprise value transactions in manufacturing, construction, distribution, and business services. Calder serves business owners, entrepreneurs, family offices, financial buyers, and investors. Learn more at www.CalderGR.com.
Notice: Calder Capital, LLC is not affiliated with any similarly named organizations or entities. To verify communications from our firm, visit our website or contact [email protected].