Duff & Phelps Partners With Cristie Kerr to Mentor LPGA Rookies and Raise Money for Breast Cancer Charity

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Duff & Phelps Corporation DUF, a leading independent financial advisory and investment banking firm, has formed a partnership with LPGA Tour golfer Cristie Kerr to mentor a group of LPGA rookies and raise money for Kerr's Birdies for Breast Cancer charity. As part of the partnership, Duff & Phelps will extend its ongoing sponsorship of Kerr to include rookie LPGA golfers Kathleen Ekey, Victoria Elizabeth and Taylore Karle. In addition to bringing the four golfers together to establish “Team Duff & Phelps,” the company will make a donation to Birdies for Breast Cancer for every birdie scored by the team during 2013 tournament play.

The mentorship aspect of the program marks the first time that an established LPGA golfer and a corporate sponsor will provide formal guidance on and off the course to junior LPGA colleagues. Ekey, Elizabeth and Karle will benefit from career guidance, professional advice and collaboration on charitable endeavors such as the Birdies for Breast Cancer program throughout the course of the partnership. This announcement follows Duff & Phelps' recent launch of its internal Network of Women (NOW), which aims to attract, develop and promote women at the firm while also supporting broader causes of interest to women. NOW offers special resources in such areas as recruitment, training, marketing, business development, networking and communications.

“Duff & Phelps established the Network of Women to encourage the personal and professional growth of women at our firm. As we expand our focus, we are very excited to join forces with Cristie and Birdies for Breast Cancer,” said Elyse Bluth, co-chair of the Duff & Phelps Network of Women and a managing director in the firm's investment banking practice. “The partnership is a natural extension of Duff & Phelps' commitment to its female employees and causes in which our clients, and women in general, take interest.”

Birdies for Breast Cancer has raised money for other foundations and research institutions, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. However, its greatest beneficiary is the Cristie Kerr Women's Health Center in Jersey City, New Jersey. Part of LibertyHealth's Jersey City Medical Center, the Kerr center has provided breast cancer diagnosis and treatment since 2010. Nearly half of the Kerr center's patients are on charity care or Medicaid. For more information, visit http://www.cristiekerrgolf.com/birdies-for-breast-cancer/.

"I am excited to partner with Duff & Phelps, its Network of Women and these three talented LPGA colleagues to raise money for and draw attention to Birdies For Breast Cancer – a cause that is so critically important to women and their families," said Kerr. "I look forward to mentoring these exceptional athletes early in their careers, while working together to raise funds that will improve health care options available to patients in need."

Kerr has a combined 15 wins on the LPGA Tour and was the top-ranked golfer in the Women's World Golf Rankings in 2010. In addition, Kerr has enjoyed a career featuring 140 top-ten finishes, two major victories, six Solheim Cup selections and over $14 million in career earnings; she is the top American and fourth on the global list.

Duff & Phelps has sponsored Kerr since January 2011. This year she will wear the Duff & Phelps logo on the front of her hat during competitions and participate in client events produced by Duff & Phelps.

Blake Sports Group and the Madison Green Agency were key partners in creating this program with Duff & Phelps.

About Duff & Phelps

As a leading global financial advisory and investment banking firm, Duff & Phelps balances analytical skills, deep market insight and independence to help clients make sound decisions. The firm provides expertise in the areas of valuation, transactions, financial restructuring, alternative assets, disputes and taxation, with more than 1,000 employees serving clients from offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Investment banking services in the United States are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities, LLC; Pagemill Partners; and GCP Securities, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. M&A advisory services in the United Kingdom and Germany are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd. Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd. is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. For more information, visit www.duffandphelps.com. DUF

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