Catherine R. Jones Transaction Coach
& Zuzi Founder
Meet Catherine R. Jones – transaction coach and founder of Zuzi, specializing in high-stakes deal guidance for CEOs and Founders.
Transaction Coach Catherine R. Jones brings 25 years of experience, having advised on deals totaling over $72 billion. She’s guided deals through extraordinary circumstances – from debt restructuring during coups to tracking down shareholders at house parties for critical signatures. This includes leading the negotiations of a $5 billion debt restructuring at Atlantis, along with critical debt and equity financing rounds as General Counsel for Virgin Mobile Latin America and Upside Business Travel.
Catherine’s journey to founding Zuzi took her from finance attorney on Wall Street to General Counsel for multinational companies.
Along the way, she sat at various seats at the negotiating table, representing banks, investors, companies, and as in-house counsel. These experiences have provided Catherine with hands-on insights into the complexities of deal-making, and she’s lived through the real-world consequences of her own negotiations.
This experience has shaped Zuzi’s coaching methodology and enables Catherine to offer strategic insight, guidance, and transaction coaching for CEOs and Founders facing complex deals.
From Wall Street to General Counsel to Transaction Coaching at Zuzi
Before founding Zuzi and becoming a transaction coach, Catherine R. Jones started her career as a finance attorney on Wall Street, where she learned the technical complexities of high-stakes deals. Catherine then moved to a large law firm in Miami, handling everything from debt restructurings to IPOs and SPACs.
The real transformation in her understanding came when she moved in-house, serving as General Counsel at multiple companies. This shift gave her an entirely different perspective – she was no longer just structuring deals, but living with their long-term consequences. Catherine experienced firsthand the isolation of executive decision-making, the pressure of competing priorities, and how emotions and misalignment can derail even the best-structured transactions.
These experiences revealed a critical gap: while there’s abundant technical and legal expertise available for deals, there’s little support for the human side of high-stakes decision-making. Catherine’s approach fills this gap by combining strategic expertise with emotional support through complex transactions.
Zuzi’s Strategic Coaching Method
As an experienced transaction coach, Catherine R. Jones supports CEOs and Founders through every stage of a transaction, starting by defining what success looks like before negotiations even begin. Catherine provides both strategic guidance and emotional support throughout the intense, transformative process of high-stakes transactions.
Zuzi’s approach is grounded in one simple truth: deals are driven by people, not just terms. Leaders who align their deal decisions with their foundational vision create companies positioned to exceed their boldest aspirations and transform entire industries. Through strategic coaching, Zuzi helps you navigate pressure, avoid costly mistakes, and make clear, values-aligned decisions every step of the way.
Zuzi’s Three-Pillar Coaching Framework
Zuzi’s coaching focuses on three key areas to help you navigate complexity with clarity and confidence:
- Clarity Amidst Chaos: Cutting through conflicting priorities and overwhelming information to keep you focused.
- Outcome: Clear decision-making and a steady course through complex deals.
- Staying True to Your Goals: Aligning decisions with your vision and core values, ensuring every step is intentional.
- Outcome: Decisions that reflect both your business goals and personal values.
- Confident Leadership: Maintaining a confident presence through the emotional ups and downs of deal-making
- Outcome: Steady leadership that keeps the deal on track, even in the toughest moments.
Catherine Gained Her Experience From Working At:
