Finance & Banking

Experienced individuals involved in financial services, including banking, investment, insurance, and real estate

Masha Almazova

Masha Almazova

MA began her initial career in finance at top tear banks including JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, went on to create a financial consultancy Hestia Capital Advisors, which provides strategic and financial consultancy services, mainly in capital raising. She is also a multidisciplinary serial entrepreneur having created a fashion brand for kids Atelier Bonbons, social club Culture Club Marbella, Bodegas Alma Gil winery and a agro-alimentary franchise Sibaritas & Co. in Spain.
She applies her financial knowledge and passion for art to crypto & NFT trading, expanding her art collection. In 2023, she and her partner founded Fundación Alma Gil dedicated to supporting young talents in their artistic pursuits and technological developments.

MA began her initial career in finance at top tear banks including JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, went on to create a financial consultancy Hestia Capital Advisors, which provides strategic and financial consultancy services, mainly in capital raising. ... Show more

Dominic Black

Dominic Black

Dom is a founding engineer at Encore, the Go-based backend development engine which frees developers up to escape the complexity of building distributed scalable backends.

Previous to Encore, Dom was a staff engineer at Monzo Bank and has spent over a decade building scalable distributed FinTech systems such as core ledgers, reporting, reconciliation & trading systems serving millions of end-users in both Go & Scala.

Dom is a founding engineer at Encore, the Go-based backend development engine which frees developers up to escape the complexity of building distributed scalable backends. Previous to Encore, Dom was a staff engineer at Monzo Bank and has spent ov... Show more

Saïdou Kanté

Saïdou Kanté

Saïdou is a world traveler, technology expert with over 10 years of recognized experience in delivering cross-sector business value.
Holding a degree in Computer Engineering from “Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal” and an MBA specialized in project management, he has hands-on experience from world leading companies, such as SAP and BNP Paribas. He has embarked on the Web3 journey, and co-founded Korix to unlock and scale the creative potential in sub-Saharan Africa, using NFTs for the entertainment industry.

As a certified Blockchain Expert, and further leveraging his extensive experience with Software Engineering, IT for finance, and Blockchain infrastructure he has joined the Outsource Monetic Group as a VP of Technology, where he is now focused on building and deploying long term growth strategies within the payment and Fintech ecosystem.

Saïdou is a world traveler, technology expert with over 10 years of recognized experience in delivering cross-sector business value. Holding a degree in Computer Engineering from “Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal” and an MBA specialized in project m... Show more

Anna Semjen

Anna Semjen

Passionate about solving complex problems with well-scaling solutions. I aim to bridge the gap between business and software engineering by creating proof of concepts and testing solutions to ensure smooth delivery of the final product. I worked a bit in finance a bit in IT and has just received my MBA from Imperial College. Here at Confluent, I aim to enable all our clients to a successful data in motion journey.

Passionate about solving complex problems with well-scaling solutions. I aim to bridge the gap between business and software engineering by creating proof of concepts and testing solutions to ensure smooth delivery of the final product. I worked a bi... Show more

Divya Raghavan

Divya Raghavan

Divya Raghavan is a Principal at NGP Capital, a global early stage venture fund investing in Series As and Bs in enterprise technologies. Divya leads NGP’s investments in software and data infrastructure. Some of her investments include Coda, Immuta, Helium, Platform9 etc.
She brings a mix of operational and investment experience to early stage investing. Prior to NGP Capital, Divya led Platform Product Management at SugarCRM and was a lead software engineer at Citrix Systems. Divya brings a strong technical acumen to venture investing.
Divya received an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management, a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Florida, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from SJCE in India.

Divya Raghavan is a Principal at NGP Capital, a global early stage venture fund investing in Series As and Bs in enterprise technologies. Divya leads NGP’s investments in software and data infrastructure. Some of her investments include Coda, Immuta,... Show more

Marcelina Szwed-Ziemichód

Marcelina Szwed-Ziemichód

Tax advisor and advocate based in Poland (EU) specialising in tax advisory for innovative companies, mainly in FinTech, IT (Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and GameDev sector) and real estate.

Tax advisor and advocate based in Poland (EU) specialising in tax advisory for innovative companies, mainly in FinTech, IT (Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and GameDev sector) and real estate. Show more

Richard Muirhead

Richard Muirhead

Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Fabric Ventures. Fabric backs the founders of the Open Economy, investing in Web 3 builders, businesses and digital assets since 2012. Fabric invested in Polkadot, Ocean Protocol, Orchid, Sorare, 1inch, The Graph, and NEAR.

Richard combines a pedigree in open source, developer-oriented tools, and early stage venture investing with blockchain focus since 2012, and has invested in Pantera Venture Fund I, Bitstamp, Bitrise, Tray.io, TransferWise, and Citymapper. Richard has previously exited 3 software companies as an entrepreneur reaching a cumulative market cap of $2.2bn.

Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Fabric Ventures. Fabric backs the founders of the Open Economy, investing in Web 3 builders, businesses and digital assets since 2012. Fabric invested in Polkadot, Ocean Protocol, Orchid, Sorare, 1inch, The Graph, a... Show more

Kshitiz Chaudhary

Kshitiz Chaudhary

Kshitiz is Solution Architect at Riverty. He is passionate about technology, software designing and development. Loves finance domain and found modernization topic enchanting. Have experience in legacy modernization with domain driven design, and microservices build for cloud. Loves messaging integration and treat APIs as first class citizen.

Kshitiz is Solution Architect at Riverty. He is passionate about technology, software designing and development. Loves finance domain and found modernization topic enchanting. Have experience in legacy modernization with domain driven design, and mic... Show more

Jimmy Zhao

Jimmy Zhao

Crypto investor - invested crypto platform and infrastructure and sitting on the board for many blockchain companies see the portfolios as below

Serial Entrepreneur who has started and grown companies to multiple millions revenues ranging from fin-tech, social media to blockchain&AI.

Public speaker who gives talks about entrepreneurship, lean startup, crypto finance and blockchain.

Crypto investor - invested crypto platform and infrastructure and sitting on the board for many blockchain companies see the portfolios as below Serial Entrepreneur who has started and grown companies to multiple millions revenues ranging from fin... Show more

Margareth Gonzalez

Margareth Gonzalez

Capital Variation was founded in October 2019 in London-United Kingdom by Margareth Gonzalez a 31-year-old entrepreneur, born in Bogota-Colombia, raised between Latin America, the United States, and Europe. In her early years, Margareth and her family lived in a very difficult environment due to the point where they had to emigrate to the United States to be safe and start over a new life far away from the conflicts and violence that ruled Colombia in the 90’s.

Margareth lived some of her middle school years influenced by the South and American culture and the vision to acquire international education. She saw infinite possibilities that could not be possible in her hometown Colombia and once she lived in the relative freedom of The United States, she knew she wanted to change some memories, re-write her story and inspire others no matter what their history might be.

Margareth speaks #Spanish, #English, and #German fluently. She studied marketing and hospitality management in Spain, foreign languages in Germany, and #Business in #London, having worked for numerous companies she developed knowledge in the world of finance, particularly in Industries such as #infrastructure, #realestate , #privateequity, #healthcare, #technology, and #ESG #investing.

Margareth's passion for traveling and global sustainable finances inspired her to create the vision and conceptualize #CapitalVariation, a #Start-up investment consultancy company that she considers her baby. She has curated it with the sole purpose of identifying potential projects that focus on (ESG) #environmental, her purpose is to impact finance leaders and increase awareness in the world of ESG investments.

Capital Variation’s why is to partner with C-level leaders who solve the world’s biggest challenges and are passionate about providing a solution to inequalities, bringing light to those entrepreneurs who thrive for positive change and impact in today's world.

She works with several business partners in #Colombia, the #UnitedStates, #Europe, #TheMiddleEast, and #Asia, all with a strong track record in the world of financial services, often she finds in them not only business partners but mentors, true friends, and visionaries.

She finds herself at a point in her life where she sees the results of her hard work, and this is her time to help inspire others to find their inner power, Margareth is a responsible, optimistic, loyal, and compassionate woman who stands committed to inspiring and empowering young girls and female #entrepreneurs along with communities whom #emigrate and create a better future for their families and themselves.

The values which have been guiding her life are integrity, humility, and respect.

Capital Variation was founded in October 2019 in London-United Kingdom by Margareth Gonzalez a 31-year-old entrepreneur, born in Bogota-Colombia, raised between Latin America, the United States, and Europe. In her early years, Margareth and her famil... Show more

Lennart Hedlund

Lennart Hedlund

Lennart has extensive experience from development and architecture with his 25+ year in the industry. He started his current position at Handelsbanken last fall after leaving H&M where he modernized H&M's product data model and PLM systems. He speaks now and then on future insights and architecture and presents outlooks.

Lennart has extensive experience from development and architecture with his 25+ year in the industry. He started his current position at Handelsbanken last fall after leaving H&M where he modernized H&M's product data model and PLM systems. He speaks... Show more

Lilly Zhekova

Lilly Zhekova

Lawyer, Finance PhD student & University Lecturer in Finance. Professionally in crypto since 2017.

Interested in the future of money, blockchain startups and investments.

Lawyer, Finance PhD student & University Lecturer in Finance. Professionally in crypto since 2017. Interested in the future of money, blockchain startups and investments. Show more

Nadia Tian

Nadia Tian

10+ years of experience in asset allocation and tech investing. She co-founded Bridge Point Capital in 2018 focusing on deep tech investing. Prior to that, Nadia worked as a Business Unit Manager at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, responsible for sales strategy of RIA and Banks channels for the firm’s mutual fund business. She managed the launch of two Closed End Funds from 2013 to 2015, each with over $500mm AUM.

10+ years of experience in asset allocation and tech investing. She co-founded Bridge Point Capital in 2018 focusing on deep tech investing. Prior to that, Nadia worked as a Business Unit Manager at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, responsible for sal... Show more

Chris Ibbitson

Chris Ibbitson

Chris Ibbitson has spent the last 25 years working in the financial services technology space. The first fourteen years were spent working in a host of architectural roles within a global universal bank, with the ten years before joining AWS working for a Systems Integrator (as the EMEA Chief Architect for Financial Services) and Tech Vendor (as the CTO for Financial Services in EMEA) with global banking customers. Chris currently works within Global Financial Services at AWS and engages with large banks to help them develop and execute their cloud strategies. Chris loves to talk about how technology can help banks reinvent themselves and delight their customers.

Chris Ibbitson has spent the last 25 years working in the financial services technology space. The first fourteen years were spent working in a host of architectural roles within a global universal bank, with the ten years before joining AWS working ... Show more

Claire Wood

Claire Wood

Two decades of creating software in financial services and the thrill of seeing solutions come to life is still there. Enthusiastic champion of gender parity in STEM education, and inclusion in software development. She once built a LEGO Death Star.

Two decades of creating software in financial services and the thrill of seeing solutions come to life is still there. Enthusiastic champion of gender parity in STEM education, and inclusion in software development. She once built a LEGO Death Star. Show more

Harry Shurek

Harry Shurek

In 2009 I started my first public accounting firm, Shurek Accounting & Tax, operating out of my bonus room upstairs and meeting clients at their homes and local Starbucks. In 2012, after picking up my first 250 or so clients, I opened my first office, hired my first employee and began to grow my practice.

Through advertising, networking and referrals, I picked up an average of 100 clients per year, consisting of a good mixture of small-to-medium sized businesses as well as individual tax clients, and had accumulated around 800 clients by my eighth year. In 2015, I started doing work for clients in the cannabis industry in various states, and after accumulating a few clients, in 2016, I created my new company, MCA Accounting Solutions/ MyCannabisAccountant.com.

After working in the cannabis space for a few years and learning of the true need of good accountants to help businesses stay in compliance, In January of 2018, I sold over 600 of my initial clients to another local accountant and shifted most of my main practice focus to cannabis accounting.

For almost the last decade, we have helped clients that own dispensaries, cultivations, processing facilities and ancillary service providers in almost every state that there is a legal cannabis program – working with over 100 licensees in most legal states.

In 2017, I was introduced to the crypto world by several clients that were involved in different aspects and activities. Since then, I have been heavily involved in mining, trading, Defi, NFTs and we have been doing accounting and taxes for clients in the space for the past several years. Seeing another niche market with a significant need, I officially formed The Crypto Accountant in 2021 to help the crypto community not only to be able to accurately represent their crypto gains and losses for tax return purposes, but also to allow for proactive and strategic tax planning based around their crypto portfolios and activities.

After working with over 1,000+ companies and individuals spanning just about every industry there is, I have developed a true understanding of not only the cannabis and cryptocurrency industries, but also the struggles and challenges it takes for businesses to survive and compete in the dynamic business environments of today. As a fellow entrepreneur, I also understand the hustle and dedication it takes to run a business, and the extra efforts it takes to do so successfully.

In 2009 I started my first public accounting firm, Shurek Accounting & Tax, operating out of my bonus room upstairs and meeting clients at their homes and local Starbucks. In 2012, after picking up my first 250 or so clients, I opened my first office... Show more

Kumar Mathialagan

Kumar Mathialagan

Seasoned Cyber Security Professional with experience in banking, financial and telecom domains. Worked in different geographical regions in demanding regulatory and compliance requirements. Data Security, Risk Management and Compliance being the most favoured security functions. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kumarmathialagan/

Seasoned Cyber Security Professional with experience in banking, financial and telecom domains. Worked in different geographical regions in demanding regulatory and compliance requirements. Data Security, Risk Management and Compliance being the most... Show more

Jerome Divac

Jerome Divac

I'm an experienced investment professional with a background in asset management, trading, consulting, fintech and AI.

On top of my technical background, I have developed skills and knowledge in growth strategies, scaling, marketing, and other aspects of running startups using emerging technologies.

With strong cross-functional skills, I have developed deep insights into both businesses and people.

If you are currently launching a WEB3/crypto/NFT/blockchain/AI project, I will be keen on helping you and providing you guidance.

I'm an experienced investment professional with a background in asset management, trading, consulting, fintech and AI. On top of my technical background, I have developed skills and knowledge in growth strategies, scaling, marketing, and other asp... Show more

Gordon Stein

Gordon Stein

Gordon Stein, BESc, MBA, CSC, CFEI
 
Gordon Stein is an international keynote speaker, blogger, personal finance expert and author of Cashflow Cookbook - $2 Million of Financial Freedom in 60 Easy Recipes. He delivers transformational talks that help people crush their number one stress – their finances. 
 
Building financial wellness helps his audience regain focus, balance and joy in their lives. Gordon combines his trademark wit and storytelling style to speak with employee and association groups, financial advisors and the media about a breakthrough path to financial wellness with no risk, minimal effort, minimal sacrifice and no budgeting.
 
In his earlier career, Gordon was a senior sales, marketing, and operations executive at high tech companies. While at Apple he led the Education and Enterprise segments to record sales and was a featured speaker at the Executive Briefing Centers in Toronto and Cupertino. At Rogers Communications he managed the $1.5B B2B market and built the learning and development function for 30,000 learners. Prior to that, at Dell he was responsible for the small business segment and had the second highest sales productivity worldwide.
 
Gordon holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Western University, and an MBA from the Rotman School of Business. He has also completed the Canadian Securities Course and the U.S. Certified Financial Education Instructor designation from the National Financial Education Council. He has volunteered with the Western Alumni Board, the Western Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council and the Crescent School Board of Governors. He is currently a member of the National Financial Educators Council and the National Speakers Association. His content is used for CE credits with the Financial Planning Association.
 
In his free time, Gordon is a downhill ski racer, sailor, fitness enthusiast and not-yet-great (ok, not even good) guitar player. His thoughts on personal finance can be found at cashflowcookbook.com.

Gordon Stein, BESc, MBA, CSC, CFEI   Gordon Stein is an international keynote speaker, blogger, personal finance expert and author of Cashflow Cookbook - $2 Million of Financial Freedom in 60 Easy Recipes. He delivers transformational talks that h... Show more

Peter Merc

Peter Merc

In search of the holy grail how to find a balance between decentralised economy and regulation.

In search of the holy grail how to find a balance between decentralised economy and regulation. Show more

Sofie Blakstad

Sofie Blakstad

Sofie Blakstad, author of the groundbreaking book Fintech Revolution and CEO of hiveonline, is a respected authority on blockchain, CBDCs, digital assets and economics. She is driving alternative value systems based on tokenisation of social and natural capital in multiple countries. Sofie also advises international organisations including the UN, NGOs, Central Banks and commercial banks and chairs the FI and Fintech Industry Advisory Committee for the Edinburgh Futures Institute.

As Founder of hiveonline, a multiple award-winning blockchain-based community finance platform Sofie Blakstad has hands-on experience supporting unbanked farmers in developing economies. Previously, she built financial technology and businesses for eight major international banks in over 60 countries. She has written multiple research papers on blockchain and DLT for humanitarian and sustainable impact.

Sofie Blakstad, author of the groundbreaking book Fintech Revolution and CEO of hiveonline, is a respected authority on blockchain, CBDCs, digital assets and economics. She is driving alternative value systems based on tokenisation of social and natu... Show more

Johan Öbrink

Johan Öbrink

Johan Öbrink started his IT career in the mid 80:s programming his VIC20. Today he is a Digital Strategist at SEB and is frequently seen on TV4 as an expert on digitalisation, IT security and the effects of technology on humans and society. He is also one of the founders of The Open School Platform which has, among other things, rendered him being reported to the police for suspected, illegal hacking.

Johan Öbrink started his IT career in the mid 80:s programming his VIC20. Today he is a Digital Strategist at SEB and is frequently seen on TV4 as an expert on digitalisation, IT security and the effects of technology on humans and society. He is als... Show more

Josip Šaban

Josip Šaban

IT consulting and corporate professional with strongly positive attitude and significant experience
- Business intelligence modeling, using various tools, with 10+ years of finance industry knowledge
- Strong business orientation and strategic sense with hands-on experience in building and managing very efficient teams, leading successful organization wide projects, acting as key player and facilitator of significant organizational changes
- Embracing and interested in advanced technology and analytical methods used to create real value in organization’s decision making process
- More than a decade of development experience in databases and object oriented programming, using tools like Microsoft SQL Server, .NET, Oracle, Informatica, Business Objects and Tableau

Fluent with English and using German as a working language. I'm also experienced in holding lectures, conference presentations as well as trainings.

Interested in B- and C-level positions in banking, and CTO and similar roles in other industries.

IT consulting and corporate professional with strongly positive attitude and significant experience - Business intelligence modeling, using various tools, with 10+ years of finance industry knowledge - Strong business orientation and strategic sens... Show more

Sunday Ndu

Sunday Ndu

My name is Sunday Ndu. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University. I have been building FinTech android applications for more than 2 years. I have about 5years of mobile development experience.

My name is Sunday Ndu. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University. I have been building FinTech android applications for more than 2 years. I have about 5years of mobile development experience. Show more

Mohan Yelnadu

Mohan Yelnadu

A seasoned AppSec Consultant who successfully rolled out DevSecOps program for 1200+ developers, with application security assessment experience in Banking, Insurance, Manufacturing, Telecom and Retail domains with clients from APAC, USA, Europe and India.

A seasoned AppSec Consultant who successfully rolled out DevSecOps program for 1200+ developers, with application security assessment experience in Banking, Insurance, Manufacturing, Telecom and Retail domains with clients from APAC, USA, Europe and... Show more

Gbenga Bamiji

Gbenga Bamiji

Olugbemiga Bamiji (also known as Gbenga Bamiji) is a fellow chartered accountant with expertise and speaking capacity in the areas of Emerging markets and emerging economy, breaking new markets, managing emotional intelligence, assurance, finance, internal audit outsourcing,risk management, business development, business process, policy management, leadership, Strategy, Market and Business Intelligence and Customer Insights Analysis for business decisions

Olugbemiga Bamiji (also known as Gbenga Bamiji) is a fellow chartered accountant with expertise and speaking capacity in the areas of Emerging markets and emerging economy, breaking new markets, managing emotional intelligence, assurance, finance, i... Show more

Raul Rosas

Raul Rosas

Background is in entrepreneurial accounting/finance/business management in the context of small business, nonprofit, and venture-backed startups. I've been on both ends of the entrepreneurial investment table.

Background is in entrepreneurial accounting/finance/business management in the context of small business, nonprofit, and venture-backed startups. I've been on both ends of the entrepreneurial investment table. Show more

Mike Stevenson

Mike Stevenson

A highly experienced, client facing technologist, with a strong track record of building complex mission-critical financial platforms through the delivery of multiple interlinked projects and workstreams. I bring a background as a software developer and technical architect, a deep understanding of the financial services sector - covering both trading and risk - and a strong academic background, including a computer science degree and an MBA. I also have an interest in financial and economic history, and am working towards a PhD in the subject.

A highly experienced, client facing technologist, with a strong track record of building complex mission-critical financial platforms through the delivery of multiple interlinked projects and workstreams. I bring a background as a software developer ... Show more

Fernando Leitzelar

Fernando Leitzelar

Fernando Leitzelar is a senior SharePoint Evangelist and Vice-president with a Large Financial Institution. As a consultant he regularly interfaced with clients and development teams to design SharePoint-based solutions. Fernando has progressively held SharePoint positions ranging from developer and administrator to Architect and Manager. He has been a SharePoint Saturday Speaker since 2010, having worked extensively on designing and architecting sophisticated SharePoint based applications. He maintains expertise in Office 365, Azure, SharePoint 2019/2016/2013/2010/2007/2003, BI and Machine Learning Solutions.

Fernando Leitzelar is a senior SharePoint Evangelist and Vice-president with a Large Financial Institution. As a consultant he regularly interfaced with clients and development teams to design SharePoint-based solutions. Fernando has progressively he... Show more

Joseph Moreno

Joseph Moreno

Former federal prosecutor specializing in money laundering and terrorist financing. Currently at Partner in the White Collar Defense and Investigations Group at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.

Former federal prosecutor specializing in money laundering and terrorist financing. Currently at Partner in the White Collar Defense and Investigations Group at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. Show more

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