SPAC Guest Spotlight: Caitlyn Van Valin
In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, we hear from Caitlyn Van Valin, Vice President at Odyssey Trust, on how her team is redefining what it means to be a responsive, scalable partner in the SPAC ecosystem.
Caitlyn shares how Odyssey has grown into one of the most trusted firms in the space handling over half of all new SPAC listings in 2024. With roots in both transfer agent and trust services, Odyssey has built custom operational structures, called “SPAC pods”, that allow the firm to handle multiple redemptions, disbursements, and closings in a single week with precision and ease.
This conversation highlights how institutional trust partners can modernize the back-office infrastructure critical to the SPAC lifecycle, all while maintaining a client-first approach.
Connect with the Guest:
Caitlyn Van Valin – Vice President, Odyssey Trust
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlyn-van-valin-10963664/
View all of their episodes here:
https://www.thespacpodcast.com/guests/caitlyn-van-valin/
Connect with the Hosts & The SPAC Podcast:
Michael Blankenship LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/
Joshua Wilson LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@Thespacpodcast
Contact The SPAC Podcast:
https://www.thespacpodcast.com/contact/
#SPACs #CapitalMarkets #SPACPodcast #TransferAgent #SPACClosings #CorporateTrust #DeSPAC
The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the guest are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The SPAC Podcast, its hosts, or affiliated organizations. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice.
Disclaimer:
Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and is a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal, financial, or compliance advice. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, employer, or organization.
Listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel, compliance professionals, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations, including those enforced by the SEC, FINRA, and other regulatory bodies. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation, offer, or recommendation of any financial products, securities transactions, or legal services.
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn:
👉 Michael J. Blankenship - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/
👉 Joshua Bruce Wilson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/
To Contact Us or Collaborate:
Michael Blankenship:
How do you handle overlapping or back-to-back SPAC closings and what kind of capacity do you have to manage multiple redemptions or disbursements in a single week?
Caitlyn Van Valin:
Let me start by telling you a little about Odyssey. While the name is newer to some in the U.S., our team is made up of veterans from all the major transfer agents. We wanted to do things differently more client-facing, more responsive, and more innovative.
Odyssey actually started in Canada over 10 years ago, and we opened our U.S. offices about four years ago. We now support over 1,300 clients across North America and sit on $45 billion in corporate trust assets.
When the recent SPAC boom started, we were ready. One big differentiator: we’re both a transfer agent and a trust company. That dual role gave us an edge and the ability to build systems that scale.
Today, we handle over half of all new SPAC listings. To manage the volume, we built out specialized “SPAC pods” dedicated operational teams that work on behalf of sponsors to handle closings, unit splits, redemptions, and de-SPACs seamlessly.
We’re built for high volume but we never lose the client-first mindset.
Caitlyn Van Valin
EVP
Caitlyn Van Valin is a principal member leading the U.S. sales expansion for Odyssey Trust Company. In this role, she is responsible for profitably growing market share for Odyssey’s Transfer Agent and Trust business by partnering with executive management teams at domestic and multinational corporations. Caitlyn delivers tailored shareowner service solutions and complex transactional support designed to meet the needs of clients and their investors.
With more than 15 years of experience in the private equity and financial services industry, Caitlyn has developed deep expertise in navigating sophisticated corporate transactions. She is recognized for her ability to simplify the complex and deliver exceptional results for her clients and their shareholders.
Caitlyn holds a graduate degree from the London School of Economics and has built her career on a foundation of strategic insight, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to client success.