Karl E. Sigerist, Jr., ICD.D, is the author of Selling Your Canadian Business: A Step-by-Step Guide to Maximizing Value and Securing Your Legacy (January 2026), the first comprehensive, Canada-specific guide to navigating the M&A process for owners of businesses generating $5 million to $50 million in annual revenue. The book is available on Amazon.ca in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle, with audio excerpts on all major podcast platforms.
Karl is President and CEO of The Shaughnessy Group, a Toronto-based M&A advisory firm specializing in lower middle-market Canadian businesses. With over 30 years of business leadership experience, he has founded eight companies, achieving five consecutive years on the PROFIT 500 list and two consecutive years as a Top 100 Small & Medium Enterprise Employer—and has facilitated over $4 billion in transaction value throughout his career.
With a background in technology, finance, and insurance, Karl has advised shareholders, board members, and executives on governance, strategic, and corporate finance issues, helping them navigate the challenges of founding, growing, buying, and selling businesses. He has overseen the successful turnaround of three Canadian and European organizations, raising a total of $965 million in capital in the process.
Karl holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, serves on not-for-profit boards, and mentors business school students and newly immigrated Canadians. He regularly speaks at industry conferences including Business Transitions Forum and TechExit events across Canada.