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Sarah Von Helfenstein

Forensic and Valuation Services Associate Director

Professional Experience

For the past 30 years, Sarah von Helfenstein has specialized in financial valuation and served as valuation professional and educator in her own and public accounting firms and for the AICPA and American Society of Appraisers. During this time, she also participated in several tech startups. In addition, she performed seminal research for the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Force Transformation in the valuation of information systems and human capital. Her experience includes the valuation of business enterprises, business interests, and intangible assets for operating companies in all stages of life cycle, ESOPs, holding companies, and private equity.

Professional Activities

  • National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA)
  • Business Valuation Resource Panel of The Appraisal Foundation
  • Appraisal Issues Task Force
  • The ESOP Association

Certifications

  • Certified Valuation Analyst

Publications & Speaking Engagements

Sarah publishes and presents extensively in the U.S. and internationally on topics in valuation and finance, real options (theory and practice), and complex systems. She has developed, authored, and edited valuation curricula, exams, and conferences, and edited a number of key valuation books, including the recently released Art of Valuation, published by The Appraisal Foundation.

Community Involvement

  • Georgia State University Student Valuation Competition, Mentor, 2024
  • Team Baldwin Wallace (2nd Place),
    The Value Examiner, Editorial Board, NACVA, 2019
    NACVA and the CTI’s Annual Consultant’s Conference, C-Chair, 2017
    MIT Enterprise Forum Mentor Smart Program, Mentor, 2015
    MIT Enterprise Forum Mentor Smart Program, Mentee, 2014
  • Yönäkö software project selected for Mentor Smart Program
    Valuation Uncertainty Project, International Valuation Standards Council, 2011-13
    NACVA, Education Quality Assurance Board, 2010-11

Education

  • MBA, Charles H. Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, DePaul University. Chicago, IL.
  • B.A., Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. Lynchburg, VA. (renamed Randolph College in 2007)

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