Apex Invest 2025: The Gateway to Opportunities

CIO - Divino Global Holdings LLC

Adi Divgi is Principal at EA Global, his family investment vehicle since 2005, and founded Divino Global Holdings in Apr 2023 to provide investors access to capacity-constrained and hard-to-access private market opportunities. Previously, he was Managing Director of Strategic Wealth at Legacy Wealth Management and Legacy Investment Solutions, its discretionary affiliate, since July 2021. From Apr 2014 to May 2021, Mr. Divgi was Head of Alternative Investments at Catalina, a $5+bn AUM reinsurer. From 2011-2014, Mr. Divgi oversaw the Opportunistic Fixed Income investment program at the New York City Bureau of Asset Management ('BAM'). Mr. Divgi began his credit career at Deutsche Bank, working in New York and Mexico City, and is a graduate of the Huntsman Program, with a BA in International Studies (Spanish minor) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BS in Economics and MBA in Finance from Wharton.

Founder and CEO - Annex Investments

Ahmed Nasser Al Nowais is the visionary Founder and CEO of Annex Investments, a pioneering hybrid venture single-family office that is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Al Nowais has established himself as a prominent figure in the Middle East's entrepreneurial scene by utilizing a novel approach to combining venture capital with conventional wealth management strategies. Mr. Al Nowais has played a critical role in the transformation of Annex Investments into a prominent organization that promotes innovation and empowers entrepreneurs, with more than a decade of experience in venture capital, consultancy, technology, and law. The firm combines traditional family office wealth preservation strategies with venture capital, investing directly in early-stage companies while aligning these ventures with the family's long-term financial objectives and values. This innovative model has facilitated the development and success of a multitude of startups in a variety of sectors. Mr. Al Nowais is a seasoned Attorney at Law who is profoundly knowledgeable about the legal frameworks governing startups in the UAE, in addition to his business acumen. He is a fervent proponent of policies that promote a supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, and he is actively engaged in the process of removing obstacles and improving resources for emerging businesses. Mr. Al Nowais's influence is not limited to the corporate sector. He showcases an unwavering dedication to the development of a dynamic business environment in the region by serving as a founding board member of the Emirates Angel Investors Association. Additionally, he is a highly esteemed member of the Family Business Council Gulf (FBCG), where he contributes his expertise and best practices to fortify family-owned enterprises. Mr. Al Nowais is committed to utilizing his platform to not only generate financial returns but also to contribute to the social and economic well-being of the region, driven by a passion for social impact investing. His strategic investments are frequently directed toward ventures that have the potential to generate an enduring, significant impact. Mr. Al Nowais is a highly sought-after thought leader who frequently presents at industry conferences and events, where he imparts his knowledge on the changing business landscape in the region, startup strategies, and venture capital trends. His active involvement with a variety of organizations that are dedicated to promoting and supporting businesses in the UAE and beyond is a testament to his passion for entrepreneurship. Ahmed Nasser Al Nowais is not only influencing the present but also establishing the foundation for future generations of innovators and investors through Annex Investments and his extensive contributions to the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. This is propelling the region toward sustained economic growth and global leadership.

Chief Investment Officer - Atlas Mena Capital LLC

Amine has been active in the global capital markets for over 20 years and serves as Chief Investment Officer of Atlas Mena Capital LLC, a family office based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Amine played a pivotal role in establishing Atlas in 2007 and has served as its CIO ever since, managing a portfolio that includes private equity, real estate, hedge fund and venture capital investments. A native of the Kingdom of Morocco, he holds a degree in Economics from Middlebury College in the United States.

Managing Director, Credit Advisory - Impact46

Andrei leads Impact46’s Credit Advisory practice which includes debt capital markets and credit funds. He has a broad range of experience in financial services which includes advisory, fund management, investment banking and principal investing in the Middle East, Africa, and other emerging markets. Prior to joining Impact46, Andrei led Sberbank’s Middle East practice and prior to that was a partner at PwC. He has extensive entrepreneurial and business development experience and is fluent in six languages. Andrei holds an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a BS and MEng in Electrical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Chairman - A.S. Financial Advisory

I am financial and management advisor. Currently chairing a family office and CEO of another family office. Moreover, advising two entities to help them issue Sukuk through regulated entities. I have been CEO of ICD (Islamic Corporation for the Development of the private sector) since 2018. ICD fund projects that are aimed at creating competition, entrepreneurship, employment opportunities and export potential. We also bring additional resources to projects, encouraging the development of Islamic finance, attracting co-financiers, and advising governments and private sector groups on how to establish, develop and modernize private enterprises and capital markets. Before moving to ICD, I served as CEO at Ibdar bank & Alkhair Bank (formerly Unicorn Investment bank) where I was responsible for the strategic business areas of Corporate and Investment Banking, and Private Banking. Prior to that, I was with Barclays Saudi Arabia from 2009 until 2014 where I served as MD and CEO, also held a board member position where I implemented a series of bold and innovative strategies that propelled the bank to new heights of profitability and success. From a young age, I was fascinated by the world of finance and banking. I'm Fluent in Arabic, English and German language. This interest would eventually lead me to earn a BA degree in Finance from Eastern Michigan University, US.

Head of Strategic Development – MENA

Email: bhaskar.dasgupta@apexfs.com

Dr. Bhaskar Dasgupta is a Senior Board Member & Business Executive with proven regulatory engagement, strategic business development, fund raising & business transformation experience deploying advanced analytical and pragmatic delivery skills in various regulated and unregulated sectors - banking, markets, crypto, asset management, technology. He is currently the Head of Strategic Development MENA at Apex Group assisting in the development of the region for Apex, a global financial services provider with more than $2.5T AUA – to asset managers, capital markets, private clients and family offices. Apex includes including fund services, digital onboarding and bank accounts, depositary, custody and super ManCo services, business services including HR and Payroll and a pioneering ESG Ratings and Advisory service for private companies.

Advisor - Family Office

Mr Foroodian is part of the team at a private family office and an active investor. In his current role he looks at a variety of investments from early stage private to large cap public companies. His career includes a brief tenure as Managing Director EMEA at New Jersey based MPI after having served as Principal of a London based multi family office firm focusing on PE deals in the financial services industry. Mr Foroodian’s experience includes his roles as chief investment officer of Inflection Point Capital Management, Chief investment officer of Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, Vice President of Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, Barclays Global Investors and Mackenzie Financial. Mr Foroodian is a CFA charter holder. He completed his studies at the University of Oxford in Engineering, Economics & Management and has a MBA from Imperial College.

CEO - SimplyFi SME Lending

Campbell is the founder and CEO of a group of fintech companies specializing in innovative lending to SMEs (Small-Medium Enterprises) in multiple geographies. To date, the group has issued over $3bn in credit products to SME’s, with a default rate of less than 0.5%. SimplyFi is now creating multiple credit funds to provide credit to underserved SMEs in GCC markets, particularly Saudi Arabia. Campbell holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and is also a YPO member.

CEO - Mulan V Investment

Catherine Wang, the CEO and CIO of Mulan V Investment, a distinguished family office based in the UAE. Catherine has an extensive background in portfolio management and investment, having worked with several major family offices across Singapore, China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and beyond. Her expertise in international M&A is notable, with successful collaborations with industry leaders such as BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and KKR. In addition to her leadership at Mulan V Investment, Catherine is the Founder and Chairman of the World Family Office Institute (WFOI), a leading think tank headquartered in the UAE. WFOI is dedicated to bridging the GCC with the global community and includes members who are prominent politicians and allocators from Asia, the GCC, Europe, and the Americas. Catherine holds a bachelor’s degree from the China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing (CUMTB), and a Master degree in International Accounting and Financial Management from the University of Glasgow. Her academic and professional background, combined with her deep understanding of global markets, positions her as a key figure in the world of alternative investments.

CIO - TFT Family Trust

25 Years experience in: Architecture and Execution of GTM strategies for Startup, Turnaround and Growth Stage Companies in a myriad of industries, Direct and LP investment oversight for PE and Family Offices, Financial Management, Marketing & Merchandising (Retail & D to C), International Distribution & Logistics, Veteran United States Navy, Strategic, engaged, and visionary executive, offering over 25 years of achievements in a corporate environment focused on strategic plans, financial health, marketing innovation, business value, team productivity and project management results in domestic and international environments. Initiates strong collaborative skills to drive unprecedented transformation results that exceed financial targets and corporate goals. Expert at training and motivating teams, formulating continuous improvements, supply chain/distribution, sales, and financial asset management. Builds and strengthens client and partner relationships and delivers remarkable accomplishments within multiple industries. Presents superior communications, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills, and drives unrivalled organizational excellence. Distinguished military veteran accustomed to fast-paced and challenging environments, with the aptitude of emotional intelligence to make decisions, and rapidly alleviate problems.

Regional Managing Director - Middle East, Apex Group

Christiane El Habre brings over two decades of experience in the MENA financial services industry. She joins Apex Group from international management consultancy Elkho Group where she was Partner, Chair of the Board and CEO of Middle East operations. Prior to this, Christiane was CEO and executive board member FFA Private Bank (Dubai) a specialized investment bank in Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC). Christiane held senior positions in Gap Corp in Dubai, and she spent 5 years at FFA Private Bank in Lebanon as the Head of Treasury and Operations. She is a member of the GCC business community, serving on the boards of several non-profits, where she is committed to mentoring and coaching young professionals in the finance industry. Christiane graduated from St Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut with a degree in Finance, she completed further education from IE business school in High Impact Leadership, and from the Oxford University in advanced Fintech

Partner - Baker McKenzie

Delwar Hossain is a Partner in the Firm's Global Banking & Finance Practice Group currently based in Baker McKenzie’s Riyadh office and has been with the Firm since 2008. Delwar’s main areas of practice include Islamic finance, debt capital markets, project finance, derivatives and structured finance, loans & credit facilities and restructuring & insolvency. Before joining Baker McKenzie, Delwar was a manager (documentation) in Dubai Islamic Bank and an in-house legal counsel in Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank. Delwar received his LLB (with a first class honours) from the International Islamic University Malaysia in 2001 and LLM (Cantab) from the University of Cambridge in 2002, and subsequently completed his PgDL at the University of Exeter and BVC at the Inns of Court School of Law (now City Law School) in London. Delwar is qualified both in Ontario, Canada (licensed as a barrister and solicitor by the Law Society of Ontario, Canada) and England (called to the English Bar as a barrister by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple). Delwar has been ranked as a “Rising Star” for both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain by IFLR1000, a “Next Generation Partner” for Banking and Finance (including Islamic finance) for Bahrain by the Legal 500 and a Band 2 Partner for Capital Markets: Expertise Based Abroad in Saudi Arabia by the Chambers and Partners.

Principal and CIO - SJI Properties

SJI is operated by the Tandon family. The Tandon family office has invested in real estate for almost 20 years. The Tandon family is a 2nd generation enterprise and real estate investment group. Divya Tandon is the president and chief executive officer of the family office. The family actively seeks investments in multifamily real estate throughout the US. Its focus is value-add. SJI believes that there are an exorbitant number of opportunities to invest in the US multifamily sector. The family office actively seeks to invest in a wide range of operators and asset managers focused on the multifamily industry. Divya’s first real estate acquisition occurred in 2004 and since then she has been heavily involved in the world of investing. Divya is not just allocating to stable asset classes like real estate but also diversifying beyond public markets and in investments that have the potential for higher returns with proper due diligence. Divya Believes capital needs to be redistributed for wealth preservation and growth. Divya is goal-driven and believes in ownership or direct investment in every project she participates in. Divya has been full cycle in 40 real estate transactions. Her expertise includes site analytics, construction, operations, and real estate sales. Divya works to find opportunities that align with the family office’s long-term goals. Divya’s goals at the family office include wealth preservation and growth. Divya was born in Lucknow, India and graduated from college in Sydney, Australia. Her last corporate position was as a Senior Systems Analyst at NASDAQ prior to investing capital full time.

VP of partnerships - Sheikh Maktoum Neo Technologies

Dr. Emily Mogano is a dynamic leader, recognized for her role as Chief of Staff and Head of Investments in Africa at Royal Family office of HH Abdulhakim Al Maktoum. Driven by a passion for entrepreneurship and international leadership, she has cultivated a diverse career focused on fostering innovation and creating positive change. With a background in the corporate sector and technology, Dr. Mogano is highly skilled in strategic planning, business development, and project management. Her work is characterized by a global perspective and an emphasis on collaboration, where she consistently seeks to bridge gaps and create sustainable solutions to complex challenges. Dr. Mogano's contributions extend beyond her corporate responsibilities. She is a global peace ambassador, advocating for unity and cultural understanding. Her advocacy efforts focus on promoting peaceful dialogue and cooperation among diverse communities and nations. As a keynote speaker and advisor to various African heads of state, she has been instrumental in shaping discussions on economic growth, youth empowerment, and leadership development.

Founder - First Net Zero

Founder and Chief Investment Officer of First Net Zero Investment Group, a fund manager focusing on investing in long term assets trading at a discount to intrinsic value due to sustainability and other risks which we can resolve in short-to-medium term. Previously, Dylan was Head of European Equities at Franklin Templeton where he was responsible for managing over $2bn of assets under management. 16 year track record investing in Eurozone equities. Lead Manager of Templeton Global, Global Climate and European Funds.

Chief Strategy Officer - SDAX Exchange

Elaine drives the global commercial strategy at SDAX. She has been in finance for 28 years specialising in private equity and wealth management, recently spending 10 years at Merrill Lynch as Head of Sales EMEA in Wealth Management and covered family offices for Global Markets out of London and Paris. She began her career with Edmond Safra, advising some of the largest family offices on real estate private equity in the former Soviet Union and became COO of Macau casino tycoon, Stanley Ho’s online gaming business in 2000. She has also worked at McKinsey, Lehman Brothers and Wasserstein Perella, specializing in M&A and Restructuring. Elaine graduated with a degree in Economics cum laude from Harvard University and speaks 6 languages. She was a former Milken Young Leader 2014, trained as a chef at the French Culinary Institute and worked at Cipriani in New York in her free time.

Managing Partner - Trillium Venture Capital

25 Years experience in: - Architecture and Execution of GTM strategies for Startup, Turnaround and Growth Stage Companies in a myriad of industries - Direct and LP investment oversight for PE and Family Offices - Financial Management - Marketing & Merchandising (Retail & D to C) - International Distribution & Logistics - Veteran United States Navy Strategic, engaged, and visionary executive, offering over 25 years of achievements in a corporate environment focused on strategic plans, financial health, marketing innovation, business value, team productivity and project management results in domestic and international environments. Initiates strong collaborative skills to drive unprecedented transformation results that exceed financial targets and corporate goals. Expert at training and motivating teams, formulating continuous improvements, supply chain/distribution, sales, and financial asset management. Builds and strengthens client and partner relationships and delivers remarkable accomplishments within multiple industries. Presents superior communications, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills, and drives unrivaled organizational excellence. Distinguished military veteran accustomed to fast-paced and challenging environments, with the aptitude of emotional intelligence to make decisions, and rapidly alleviate problems.

CEO - Securities Depository Center - Edaa

Hanan has more than 13 years of experience in the Investment Sector and products development. During which she held several roles and leadership positions with her latest being the Chief of Business Development at Edaa. She is currently a board member of Securities Depository Center Company (Edaa), Saudi Exchange Company and Arab Federation of Capital Markets (AFCM). She holds a Master Degree in Applied Mathematics from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and a Bachelor Degree in Science of Information Systems from Prince Sultan University. In 2023, Hanan successfully obtained a certification in the Executive Leadership Development at Stanford Business School.

Board Director - Saudi Reinsurance Company

Hussam brings an uncommon exposure of experiences as he is an ex-corporate banker having managed credit portfolios for various Saudi banks. He also had exposure to M&As and venture investment in local and international markets. Currently, Hussam is an independent member of board of directors of a leading reinsurance company and a member of the investment committee. Hussam holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Applied Finance. He is also a chartered Alternative Investment Analyst and Financial Data Professional.

Director - Arcapita

Isa is a Director in the MENA real estate team. He is responsible for the origination, structuring and management of real estate investments in the MENA region. Isa has over 13 years of experience in investment banking, having previously worked with Mumtalakat Holding Company, the sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain, Arcapita, and Ithmaar Development Company. Isa holds an MBA from London Business School, a Master of Science in Administrative Studies with a concentration in Financial Economics from Boston University and a BSc in Corporate Finance & Accounting from Bentley University, USA.

Founder and Managing Partner - Athena Capital

Isabelle Freidheim is the founder and managing partner of Athena Capital. She is the youngest chairwomen of a publicly traded company in the U.S. In her role as managing partner of Athena Capital, Freidheim oversees the company's strategic direction and leads its efforts in identifying and investing in technology companies. Freidheim is an entrepreneur and investor with more than 15 years of experience in venture capital, private equity, SPACs and IPOs. She founded Athena in 2020. Athena Capital is raising a $500m fund focusing on the intersection of private companies preparing to go public or considering M&A exits. Athena’s teams include board members of Fortune 100 companies and CEOs, Fortune 500 companies, company founders and investors. Freidheim is one of Inc's 250 Female Founders in 2024, a member of The Council on Foreign Relations and an alumna of Fortune's Most Powerful Women.

Founding Partner - Canadian Association of Alternative Strategies & Assets (CAASA)

James co-founded CAASA in response to industry support for a Canadian alternatives association to serve all aspects including: hedge / alternative strategies; liquid alternatives; private lending; private real estate; private equity; plus emerging areas where Canada is a leader such as digital assets / blockchain and robo-advisors. Prior to CAASA, James was the Chief Operating Officer of AIMA Canada where his team of three worked with 12 committees to produce 50-60 events per annum across Canada, organized 100+ committee meetings, and increase member numbers over his 7-year tenue from 66 to 164 corporate entities. CAASA currently has more than 350 members. James currently sits on the Canadian Investment Funds Standards Committee (CIFSC), which categorizes mutual funds and alternative mutual funds (aka liquid alternatives) for the retail space in Canada. He is also called upon by membership and industry groups to speak to risk ratings and portfolio placement of all types of alternative investments. James also has experience in research and writing for the CAIA Association (holding the designation since 2006) as well as serving on CAIA’s exam council and as a well as other duties. He had roles in institutional sales and FoHF structuring in Seoul, South Korea, as a Product Manager at ICICI Wealth Management, and as an Investment Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities. James graduated from Simon Fraser University with a BBA (Finance).

Partner - King & Spalding UAE

James Stull is a partner based in the Dubai office in our Private Funds, Technology and Capital Markets practices. James primarily focuses on advising sponsors of private investments funds and REITs and on various other private and public capital raising transactions. James regularly represents Middle East and international sponsors to establish conventional and Shari'ah compliant funds to invest in various asset classes, including private equity, venture capital, real estate, energy and infrastructure, listed equities, mezzanine and senior credit, and other alternative assets.

Managing Director - Meritage Group, Apex Invest Strategic Advisory Board Member

Josh Roach is a trusted peer and long-time member of the SFO (single-family-office) community where, over the last fifteen years, he has created significant social capital through his efforts to build like-minded networks and collaborative models to: (a) merge common interests and objectives, (b) pool and leverage specialized industry knowledge and skill sets, and (c) optimize alignment between asset owners in co-investment vehicles. He is Managing Director of Meritage Group, a private investment firm and investment family office for the Simons family and principals of Renaissance Technologies. Meritage Group is a fundamentally oriented investment firm investing across all asset classes, including control stakes in direct private operating platforms. Prior to Meritage Group, Josh was co-manager and family principal of LCP (Lloyd Capital Partners LLC), an investment company vehicle for the Henry Demarest Lloyd Family, whose wealth creation originated from its shared ownership in The Chicago Tribune starting in 1873 through to its public listing on the NYSE in 1983. Josh is a frequent speaker on the topics of collaborative networks and co-investing at trusted SFO forums and has chaired events such as Campden Wealth’s North American Family Investment Conference, Institutional Investor’s Family Office Wealth Forum, and Stanford University’s Global Projects Center’s Stanford Investor Forum. Prior to joining the SFO community, Josh spent ten years in the software industry in corporate development roles where he worked with the various company’s venture partners on strategic initiatives, acquisitions, and exits. Josh graduated from the University of Vermont in 1993. Prior to that he was a nationally ranked alpine ski racer and attended Killington Mountain School and graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall. The Meritage strategy was established by Jim Simons and Nat Simons in 1997 to manage excess capital generated by Renaissance Technologies’ Medallion Fund. Meritage Group currently manages in excess of $10B (as of January 1, 2023), primarily from the Simons family and from current and former principals and employees of Renaissance and Meritage and their respective families. Meritage Group is a core of holding of its primary investors with a focus and philosophy on wealth preservation. Meritage executes a fundamentally oriented, evergreen investment strategy, designed to generate low double-digit returns with a fraction of the market exposure, resulting in a lower volatility portfolio. Meritage has a long history of generating alpha for its investors. The portfolio is a diversified holding of assets consisting of private direct equity control operating platforms, real estate assets, public equity, private credit, and opportunistic and specialized investment ideas. Meritage has approximately 50 employees (25 investment analysts and 25 staff) in offices located in Greenwich, CT, San Francisco, CA and New York City, NY

Founder/CEO - Global Realty Capital

Kamil Homsi CEO of GRC Investment Group-SFO Dubai/UAE. With over 40 years of invaluable transaction-centric experience in global capital markets, public-private partnerships, and cross-border deal structures, Kamil is a multilingual, international entrepreneur, skilled in the alternative investment space and renowned for his expertise in crisis management and conflict resolution. Kamil has the capacity to choose the best investment managers, both seasoned and up-and-coming. He is an advisory board member with a wealth of experience in structuring vertical growth strategies among c-suite executives, HNW families, and financially vetted international investors. He is duly supported by the efficiency and knowledge of his team, current on tax incentives provided by various nations, cross-border capital placement rules, and compliance in reporting (e.g., BEPS, GDPR, JETRO, CCPA, SFDR, SFDR-RTS, TCFD, CSRD, FIRPTA, CFIUS, AML, FIRRMA, KYC, GRI, APEC, SEC new reporting rules etc.). Kamil is a well-known international speaker in various investment conferences and business schools with a dynamic macroeconomic perspective that supports the ESG Principals and measured impact. He developed a unique Inter-family banking incubator to support and advance the entrepreneurial mindset among the successive family generations adding to his experience in family office structure, investing strategy, governance, succession, vertical growth, outsourcing, and wealth transition planning. Kamil is highly regarded for his business acumen and non-wavering code of ethics, with an uncommon ability to form and maintain enduring business alliances and build inter-disciplinary teams to ensure the success of his investments. Global Realty Capital LLC is the GRC Investment Group onshore office headquartered in New York City. Its main goals are uncovering investment opportunities, approving the fit in the portfolio, qualifying potential partners, negotiating contracts, and overseeing operations during holding periods to ensure the success of the investments.

Founder, CEO, Chief Architect - Deepmoney.ai, Brain.studio, Sophos Solutions

Kaushal is a global thinker in artificial intelligence and an entrepreneur with experience creating companies focused on complex technologies in financial services. He has over 27 years of global experience in technology and Financial Services. He studied at the National Institute of Information Technology, India and management at Harvard Business School. Kaushal has built two global technology companies. The first a mul na onal technology company Sophos Solu ons, today is a leader in tech services employing over 2000 experts in 8 countries and global clients, in most recent exit the business was valued at over USD 100 million. The newest venture Deepmoney.ai is leading in innovating and creating the next generation of investment funds using machines created with Artificial Intelligence. He is a speaker at various global conferences on Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Technology. Mentor and investor in global ventures. Kaushal is a leading global expert in the field of computational Neuroscience, building the next generation of Digital Brains and brain-to-computer interface.

Partner and Co-Head of Real Estate & Hospitality, Middle East - Baker McKenzie

Khaled is a Partner and co-heads the Middle East real estate and hotels team. Khaled specializes in the commercial real estate and hotel industry in the Saudi Arabian market and has a broad skill set, including a strong focus on real estate sales and acquisitions, funds, REITS, hotels, leasing, and regulatory matters. One of his main practice areas is real estate funds, and he has acted on forming many of the largest funds in Saudi Arabia, including acquisitions, disposals, and ongoing fund management support. Prior to re-joining Baker McKenzie, Khaled was the General Counsel of the Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah), the real estate arm of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Before that, Khaled spent close to 10 years at Baker McKenzie as part of the real estate and hotels practice group in Saudi Arabia.

Co-Founder - NeuroSolution

Dr. Kyle Daigle, DC, FIBFN-CND, is an internationally renowned authority in Neurological Rehabilitation, celebrated for his groundbreaking work in neurodevelopmental and rehabilitative therapies. With a Fellowship in Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders from the International Board of Functional Neurology, he has lectured across the globe on cutting-edge interventions for Traumatic Brain Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries, Childhood Development Disorders, Mental Health, Chronic Pain Syndromes, Digital Therapeutics, and Photobiomodulation. As Co-Founder of NeuroSolution and co-developer of the revolutionary NeuroSolution ESM Methods (Energy, Sensory, Movement), Dr. Daigle has been at the forefront of neuro-rehabilitation advancements. His role as the co-inventor of Neurosage, a pioneering video game software company that uses targeted auditory and visual stimulation to enhance mental wellness, showcases his innovative approach to digital therapeutics. His work has been spotlighted in USA Today, Medical Daily News, and Forbes Magazine. Dr. Daigle is the published author of two critically acclaimed books, Cracking the Code of Autism and What If You Knew. He has earned accolades such as Humanitarian of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Functional Neurology and Rehabilitation. Licensed as a chiropractor in Louisiana, he serves as a healthcare consultant to private practices and nursing homes. Further expanding his impact, Dr. Daigle co-founded the NeuroSolution Center of Dubai, a premier neurological rehabilitation facility offering advanced treatments for traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, chronic pain, neurodegenerative conditions, and executive wellness. At this cutting-edge center, he also helped pioneer a Photobiomodulation-Enhanced PRP therapy integrated with peptide treatments. Beyond healthcare, Dr. Daigle’s ventures extend into the oil and gas sector, where he is involved in SwellFrac technology and the Carbon Nanotube Project, bridging his expertise in science with groundbreaking innovations in the energy industry

Managing Director of Investor Relations – Apex Invest, Apex Invest Strategic Advisory Board Member

Lana Callahan is the Head of Investor Relations with Apex Invest. She currently serves as Chairman of the Apex Invest Advisory Group and a Steering Committee Member for The Women’s Accelerator New York. Lana organizes global events for investors. As a Senior Finance Leader with more than 20 years of experience, Lana was responsible for the strategic growth and expansion of multiple businesses with global banks and asset managers. Lana attained her master’s degree from Northwestern University in one year. She currently serves on multiple financial and philanthropic boards.

Partner / CEO - HGM Fund / Hydratac Inc.

Louis leads the Esports and Gaming initiatives at HGM Fund and is the Co-founder and CEO of Hydratac Inc., a prominent military simulation shooter game development studio and a portfolio company of HGM. The 1am Gaming VC, backed by Milken, is also a shareholder. Louis serves on the Board alongside the former studio leader of Activision Blizzard's Call of Duty franchise. Previously, Louis was the Co-founder and Partner of the $120M AUM 1am Gaming Venture Capital, where he represented the fund on the boards of ten gaming companies. He also held a senior management role at Google X and was the Co-founder and CEO of Cape, a remote PC drone flight platform for gaming, military, and police applications worldwide. Cape, backed by NEA and Google, was acquired by Motorola after raising over $20M. Earlier in his career, Louis worked as a Producer at Riot Games, a leading game developer, and as a Senior Consultant at Deloitte, where he served military clients and led a gaming team at an internal think tank. He also founded and led a bootstrapped company to a successful exit. Louis holds an MBA from Stanford and a BA from Yale.

CEO - Horizon Energy LLC OPC

Mahra Alsuwaidi has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Energy LLC in Abu Dhabi since 2013, where she has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth through strategic business development, investment decision-making, and operational enhancements. Prior to her current role, Mahra was Vice President of the Treasury Unit at Mubadala Development Company LLC. In this capacity, she was responsible for overseeing the Business Continuity Plan and managing the insurance portfolio for Mubadala’s Healthcare Division. She also held board positions at MDC (RE) Insurance Limited and several other affiliated entities. Earlier in her career, Mahra was Senior Treasurer at Dolphin Energy Limited, where she led treasury operations across the UAE and Qatar. An active leader in the business community, Mahra is an elected member of several industry committees, including the Industry Working Group at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI). She also serves as a non-executive director for a number of organizations both within the UAE and internationally, including Arabian Gulf Steel Industries LLC. Mahra holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing, Banking, and Finance, from the American University of Sharjah.

CEO - Future Tech Consultancy

Engr. Mansour Al-Obaid is an accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications, IT, and entrepreneurial sectors. He has played a key role in pioneering several businesses, including the establishment of AwalNet, the first internet service provider in Saudi Arabia, which later became a major part of Saudi Telecom Company (STC). His leadership and expertise have extended to diverse fields, including digital transformation, investment in technology startups, and shaping the Saudi ICT sector. Engr. Al-Obaid has co-founded and developed numerous successful startups across sectors such as e-commerce, blockchain technology, AI, IoT, fintech, and e-gaming. His deep understanding of digital business strategies has made him a sought-after consultant for both public and private sector initiatives, especially in advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. With significant experience in business development and digital transformation consulting, Engr. Al-Obaid has also contributed to the growth of several technology companies, strategic partnerships, and initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia.

Chief Investment Officer, Misha Investments

Mary is the Chief Investment Officer of Misha Investments, a Single-Family Office. She is also a Strategic Portfolio Partner at Star Mountain Capital and a board member of Southern Ag and Community Access. She is on the Executive Committee of WorkingNation. She is a Film Producer of “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion”, “Always at The Carlyle” and “Alan Pakula: Going for Truth”. She has extensive experience in investing and capital markets. Ms D’Souza has 20+ years of private credit, equity, real-estate, fund investing, commercial and investing banking and C-level operational experience through various senior roles at GE Capital, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, and Four M Investments.

VP-Operations and Risk Management - Apex Fundrock

An accomplished Risk and Business professional with a proven track record of moderating and speaking at high-profile international events, including strategic panels on cybersecurity, Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), digital trade and infrastructure, and professional events. Drawing on deep expertise in assurance, risk management and data privacy, I have successfully engaged diverse audiences and facilitated insightful discussions with global industry leaders.

Managing Partner - Coalition Ventures

• Managing Partner at Coalition Ventures, a deep tech and critical minerals investment fund • Advisor to the US Secretary of Commerce and US Trade Representative for Tech and Policy • C-Suite at USA Rare Earth, a critical minerals and magnet tech company focused on energy mobility • First Head of Intelligence Community at Anduril Industries, a tech company focused on autonomous systems • COO of a firm offering analytically enabled surveillance capabilities with on edge analytics • 17 years in CIA operations including the CIA Front Office advising on strategy and tech innovation • London School of Economics (MSc with Merit); Lewis & Clark College (BA) MIT Sloan School of Management (AI Implications for Business Strategy)

Senior Executive Officer

Matthew is the Senior Executive Officer of FundRock Investment Management Services (ME) Ltd.. He has relevant experience, having previously managed a third-party management company in South Africa, Cape Town which is also a FundRock entity. The management company was responsible for overseeing liquid, open-ended portfolios. Matthew also has risk management experience on portfolios white labelled on the management company platform. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst Charterholder, Financial Risk Manager Charterholder and Bachelor of Commerce undergraduate.

CEO - Victoria's Voice Foundation

Mina Lu is CEO of the Victoria Siegel Foundation/Victoria’s Voice Foundation, where she has driven the philanthropy of billionaires David and Jackie Siegel since they lost their 18-year-old daughter Victoria to a drug overdose in 2015. As CEO, Mina leveraged her expertise as a serial entrepreneur to develop the infrastructure for Victoria’s Voice, valuing its ROI as lives impacted and saved. She has led the development of investment and strategic partnerships as well as all programs and projects since the organization’s inception as a private foundation and its subsequent transition to a public charity. Every step and accomplishment along the way has been guided by the foundation’s four pillars of change: Drug Education and Outreach, Naloxone Awareness and Access, Drug Policy Support, and Influencing Behavior Through Victoria’s Voice. Mina brings extensive business and media experience to her role as CEO, having built, operated, and sold her own companies in real estate development, construction, coal mining, media, and television programming. Along the way, she has created a network of hundreds of family offices and built strong relationships with co-investors committed to financially support the foundation’s programs while also investing in technology solutions to address mental health and addiction. Mina’s role has also grown to include becoming a senior adviser to the Siegel family and several other high net worth families within her network related to strategic partnerships, capital and investment allocation for wealth building and expansion of philanthropic investments. In this capacity, Mina leverages her financial acumen to help these families optimize their wealth management strategies while simultaneously amplifying their charitable impact, ensuring a balanced and holistic approach to wealth stewardship. With more than 10 years of experience as Executive Producer of hit shows on major television networks, Mina channeled her extraordinary skills into the development of powerful prevention education video programs at Victoria’s Voice. She also oversaw the development of the foundation’s most impactful resource: Victoria’s diary, a personal account of her devastating journey to addiction from the age of 12 until her death at 18. To date, Victoria’s Voice has published and distributed nearly 100,000 free copies of her diary, inspiring thousands of teens to seek help through counseling. Over time, Victoria’s Voice rolled its youth education programs together under the Save Our Kids moniker. A core component of Save Our Kids is the foundation’s live School Speaker Series. This program has been well received by some of the largest school districts in the U.S., including Orange County Public Schools in Florida and the Clark County School District in Nevada. The thousands of messages received from parents, teachers, and teens who have been directly touched and saved by our speakers are a testament to the impact of the foundation’s programming. More than one million individuals across nearly 600 schools and 42 states have been impacted by Save Our Kids, with the goal of reaching all 50 states. Mina’s accomplishments include the development of the Victoria’s Voice Second Chance Treatment Assistance Program, which partners with highly vetted treatment facilities to provide free 90-day treatment stays for those who cannot afford the cost of care. She brokered a powerful partnership with an organization of 17,000 pastors among 25 denominations in 50 states to further expand distribution of the foundation’s parent and youth prevention programming. She also orchestrated production of the foundation’s collaborative One Step Away program for incarcerated parents, which is now available in 565 facilities in 42 states. Realizing the value of media, Mina has led a strong media and social media campaign in partnership with influencers with a combined 100 million+ followers, and she has partnered with the largest syndicated television network in the country, Sinclair Broadcast Group. Celebrities like Priscilla Presley, Tim Tebow and the Wolf of Wallstreet, Jordan Belfort, have shared their stories and influence through Victoria’s Voice and groups that support its mission. With her strong belief in the power of collaboration, Mina has partnered with reputable organizations like the Las Vegas Raiders, Smiths, UFC, and the Boys & Girls Club. She has also worked with countless government leaders and agencies to support the distribution of opioid overdose reversal medications like naloxone, including the DEA, ONDCP, HIDTA, CADCA, governors, attorneys general, sheriffs, and police chiefs. Under her leadership, the foundation’s programs have generated the support of major corporations like Pepsi, US Foods, and Interval International, to name a few. Upholding the principles of David Siegel, who believes it will take a village to move the needle in the fight to end the drug epidemic, Mina envisioned and launched the Save Our Kids Forum, now in its fourth year. What started as a three-hour conference is now a one-day symposium that brings together 100 government, prevention, healthcare, and business leaders to address the mental health and drug addiction crisis in the country. After a series of panel and round table discussions, the event culminates in a commitment by each attendee to actively implement at least one of the solutions discussed within their area of influence—and to return the following year to share the results. Speakers have included the nation’s drug czars, ONDCP directors, attorney generals, bipartisan elected officials, highly reputable CEOs of organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, and top medical experts. In response to the catastrophic rise in overdose deaths from fentanyl—now the number one cause of death among Americans ages 18 to 45—Mina led the 2023 initiative to secure a bipartisan federal resolution declaring June 6, the day Victoria died, as National Naloxone Awareness Day. Extending this effort, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Victoria’s Law in June 2024, directing the Departments of Health and Children and Family to implement naloxone and fentanyl awareness campaigns on the newly established Revive Awareness Day. Following these milestones, Mina and her team launched Get. Give. Save., a massive media campaign to spread awareness of lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medications like naloxone. As a result, Victoria’s Voice earned more than one billion impressions and the support of Niagara Falls and 75 monuments, bridges, and landmarks across America, which were illuminated purple on June 6, 2024, in recognition of National Naloxone Awareness Day. Alongside these efforts, Mina continues to lead her team in driving the distribution of Victoria’s Voice education and awareness programs in all 50 states through creative private and government partnerships. The innovative Beauty For Good program, for example, was created in partnership with the Mrs. America Pageant System and its passionate beauty queens, who genuinely want to save lives and serve their communities across the political and business spectrums. Mina has also begun forming a strong relationship with SHRM, the premier association of human resources professionals. This partnership aims to expand the distribution of the foundation’s VITAL SIGNS drug prevention program for parents to SHRM’s 300,000 employer members and their collective network of 100 million employees. Large employers like Westgate Resorts and LVMH co-owned Starboard Cruises have already started making the program available to their team members. Having built a world-class team that continues to deliver beyond its strategic plan year after year, Mina is focused on building stronger alliances and deep relationships with hundreds of family offices and individuals with significant networks and resources to effect change in every area of investment and opportunity, in a spirit of philanthropy and mutual support.

Family Office Investment & Relationships - Golden Sands Consultancy llc

The Bhatia Family Office boasts a remarkable legacy of over 50+ years in the UAE, Oman, and Bahrain, representing a cornerstone of the Bhatia community's enduring presence in the region. Rooted in trust and collaboration, we engage with family offices locally and globally, fostering strategic partnerships and long-term relationships. Through our advisory firm, GKM Advisors, we focus on genuine co-investments and deal flow, driven by a commitment to creating meaningful and lasting impact.

CEO - National Semiconductor Hub

Dr. Naveed Sherwani is a renowned semiconductor industry veteran with over 40 years of entrepreneurial, engineering, and management experience. He is widely recognized as an innovator in ASIC and microprocessor design automation and has founded or co-founded over fifteen silicon companies, raising more than $1B across 15 funding rounds from leading venture capital firms. Currently, he serves as the CEO of the National Semiconductor Hub (NSH) in Saudi Arabia, spearheading the nation's efforts to establish a world-class semiconductor ecosystem and align with Saudi Vision 2030 through innovation, talent development, and global partnerships. Naveed has previously been honored as the leader of the “Most Respected Private Semiconductor Company” a record five times by the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA). He also leads Rapid Silicon, driving innovation in the FPGA industry through open-source software.

Alternatives Director - Awqaf Investment Company

Noura has over 10 years of experience in investments and asset management. She began her career in 2014 with the Abdulmohsen Al-Hokair Group for Tourism and Development, supporting senior management across the Finance and Investment Departments. There, she contributed to preparing feasibility studies and analyzing investment opportunities for the group. She was also a member of the executive committee responsible for preparing Al-Hokair Group’s initial public offering (IPO) file in collaboration with several investment banks and asset management companies, led by Jadwa Investment and Banque Saudi Fransi Capital. Noura was one of the first members to join the team at Awqaf Investment Company in early 2019 as a Financial Investment Analyst. She demonstrated her competence, earning several promotions until she became The Director for Alternative Investments. In this role, she oversees the management of local and global private market investment portfolios. Additionally, she undertakes other responsibilities to support the executive management, such as training and developing the skills of the financial and real estate investment teams and supporting the department’s strategic objectives, including supervising projects related to building investment strategies and asset allocation. Notably, Noura has been serving as Secretary of the Investment Committee for Awqaf Investment Company since 2022 and continues to hold this position. Noura holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in Financial Management from the College of Business Administration at King Saud University and an MBA in Financial Management from Prince Sultan University. She has also obtained several specialized training certificates from prestigious universities and educational institutions, including a certificate in Financial Analysis from Wharton School, Financial Modeling from Fitch, Leadership Skills from Columbia University and INSEAD, and Negotiation Skills from LSE.

CEO - HanmiGlobal Middle East

Dr. Paul McKeown serves as the Chief Executive Officer for HanmiGlobal Middle East and is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, holding the position of Chairman of the Saudi Arabia ICE Committee. With over 25 years of professional experience, he has developed a robust portfolio of governance, organisational, and project management expertise across both private and public sector environments. His career highlights include leading transformative initiatives for the implementation of digital transformation strategies, aligning them with national and international objectives. Dr. McKeown’s expertise in full life-cycle infrastructure programs encompasses PMO agility, risk mitigation for mega projects, and governance frameworks to ensure delivery assurance.

Founder, Chief Investment Officer - Prime Opportunities Investment Group

Pouya has long believed that, when approached correctly, equities represent the best place in the world to invest. Guided by this principle, he established Prime —an institutional-grade hedge fund crafted for scalability, supported by top-tier service providers, and substantiated by GIPS verifications. As Prime’s CIO for the past 15 years, Pouya has skillfully uncovered valuable opportunities in underpriced equities. Under Pouya’s leadership, Prime has been distinguished by BarclayHedge as the #1 top performing Long/Short Hedge Fund from the first quarter of 2009 through the first quarter of 2023. Additionally, Prime’s Long Only Unlevered Portfolio has outperformed Morningstar’s list of the world’s largest unlevered long mutual funds and ETFs over the past 15 years (2009 through 2023). Before founding Prime, Pouya led two pioneering real estate investment and finance companies with his family office from 1996 to 2007, expanding them into national entities. During his tenure, he conceived what would become an innovative multi-billion-dollar initiative that integrated various software firms into a cohesive platform addressing the entire mortgage lifecycle. Pouya’s investment strategy is distinguished by a long-term perspective and disciplined risk management, principles ingrained through his involvement with the Yadegar Family Office. Originating from a copper wire manufacturing business, this enduring multi-generational family office in Beverly Hills has since become a substantial real estate entity in Southern California. Reflecting their strategic acumen and long-term thinking, the Yadegar family has never sold a property they’ve purchased. Pouya holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing and Finance) from the USC Marshall School of Business, a Series 65 license, and a Professional Designation in Construction Management from UCLA.

Founder & Chairman - Innoglobal DMCC Ltd

Mr. Prasad Garapati is a successful entrepreneur who believes in converting competition into collaboration and sees opportunity in crisis by going an extra mile and thinking out of the box. With his keen business acumen and vast global exposure, he has been successful in business ventures that span cross sectors. His contribution to the Indian IT sector as Chairman of ESC is truly remarkable, and his tenure saw the growth of ESC from a few billion USD to 140 billion USD. He also by playing a major role in organizing India Soft every year by bringing 600 foreign delegates from 60 countries to meet 300 SME IT Companies in India. He led ESC delegations to several countries. His leadership and motivation led 100+ IT companies joining synergies with ESC and APEDB to create IT Parks in AP.

Chief Executive Officer - SDAX Exchange Pte Ltd

Rachel Chia serves as the Chief Executive Officer of SDAX, bringing over 20 years of diverse experience across investment banking, fintech, and law. A dual-qualified attorney in the US and UK, Rachel earned her credentials from esteemed institutions such as the University of Chicago and the London School of Economics and Political Science. She has held senior positions at prestigious international law firms, including Clifford Chance and Latham & Watkins, as well as at leading investment banking organisations like Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Her expertise also extends to fintech and blockchain, where she played a key role in innovative projects, including a fine art blockchain initiative and the development of a stablecoin.

Founder & Chairman - Standard Land S.A.

Rainer Schorr is a distinguished real estate executive and graduated engineer with over four decades of experience in property development and fund management, having overseen €7bn in developments across more than 1,000 projects. As the founder of several major real estate companies including DLE Group, Europe's largest private land bank after the Catholic Church, he has successfully led multiple IPOs and major acquisitions in the German real estate market. Currently serving as co-founder, board chairman, and main shareholder of Standard Land S.A., Schorr's expertise spans managing closed-end real estate funds, commercial real estate operations, and major property development initiatives across Germany.

CEO Kanoo Ventures - Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo (Holdings) Company

Rebecca is the CEO, Kanoo Ventures, the direct equity investing platform for the YBA Kanoo group. With nearly 15 years of GCC experience, Rebecca is passionate about generating value via changing the way leaders view their businesses and is actively advising corporate investors and entrepreneurs across emerging markets including the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Over her career Rebecca has worked with Founders, CEOs and investors across more than 100 companies and has overseen an investment portfolio worth more than US1bn in assets. Rebecca is also a Venture Partner with Mindshift Capital, the first gender-lens venture capital fund with a base in the Middle East and a founding member of the Middle East Advisory Committee of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

SVP, Agtech - SALIC

Rohit is currently heading the Agtech department at SALIC. Prior to SALIC, Rohit worked with the lifesciences team of Khazana (Malaysia) and carried our investment banking activities at PwC, KPMG and Rabobank. He has overall 20+ years of experience and is an engineer, MBA and a CFA.

Founder & CEO - Cohesion Asset Management Limited

Spike has 30+ years investment experience and has been directly responsible for raising assets over USD 15bn. He was one of the founders of the Skandia Investment Group and personally innovated several market- leading fund ranges, including the industry popular Best Ideas funds. He was the founding Managing Director of the discretionary and multi-manager businesses at FTSE 100 giant Hargreaves Lansdown and was also Strategic Adviser to the CEO of AXA, where he contributed to the launch of several market-leading propositions. Cohesion was founded by Spike and is chaired by James Caan CBE, one of the UK’s best-known entrepreneurs. Cohesion is a specialist investment management business with a focus on India through its exclusive partnership with renowned investor Madhu Kela. Madhu is one of the best-known and most celebrated investors in the Indian capital markets, with many accreditations and awards to his name having managed one of the most successful funds in India's history. Spike has many years of experience as a director on the board of funds and, also as a director of investment management businesses, with particular experience of India-focussed investments."

MD Fundrock Manco Saudi - Apex Fundrock Saudi

Walid is currently spearheading the launch of Manco services of Apex/FundRock in Saudi Arabia. Walid has extensive (28 years) experience in equity research, investment banking and asset management in EMEA capital markets. He occupied senior positions with flagship financial institutions in Europe and the GCC spanning sell-side and buy-side research, investment banking, direct investments, and fund management. he managed north of $600 million in long equity and alternative strategies and led the scale-up of several local firms expanding their service offers and geographic reach and articulating their equity stories. Walid started career in France at Banque Paribas before moving to the region to join Shuaa Capital and later The National Investor. He holds a master’s in economics from Université Saint Joseph (Beirut) and a master’s in management ESCP Europe (Paris) - Major Finance.

Head of Alternative Investments - Artal Capital

Wassim Moukahhal is the Head of Alternative Investments at Artal Capital, a Riyadh-based independent investment management platform. Wassim has been in the private equity & investment banking industry since 2004 focusing on direct investments and deal structuring. Prior to joining Artal Capital, Wassim was previously a Managing Director at SAMENA Capital where he focused on Alternative investments. Prior to that he was a Vice President at EFG-Hermes Private Equity focusing on private equity and infrastructure investments. Wassim has an MBA degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a BS in Finance & Economics from McGill University.

Managing Director - Beacon Hills

Yasmin is the Founder and Managing Director of Beacon Hills, a consultancy dedicated to building a connected finance ecosystem by bridging industry stakeholders locally and internationally. Beacon Hills fosters strategic partnerships and collaborative opportunities across venture capital, family offices, UHNWIs, and government sectors to drive impactful growth. With over 20 years of experience in strategic partnerships, stakeholder relations, and cross-sector initiatives, Yasmin has led transformative projects across finance and corporate social responsibility (CSR) internationally. Before founding Beacon Hills, Yasmin served in leadership roles, including as Executive Director of both the Emirates Family Office Association and the Middle East Venture Capital Association. In these roles, she focused on strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing industry collaboration, and driving educational programs and key industry events. Yasmin’s career also includes impactful CSR-focused roles with DHL Express and Zain Group (formerly Celtel), where she managed programs spanning social impact, sustainability, and employee engagement. Yasmin holds a Master’s in Project Management from George Washington University and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from the American University in Cairo. Her global background and expertise in ecosystem building make her a trusted advisor and impactful leader within the finance sector.

Chief Executive Officer

Prior to joining Apex, Zafar worked with SNB Capital as a Consultant primarily to set up custody service and to lead outsourcing of fund administration project. From 2015 to 2022 worked with Albilad Capital and set up Securities Services business consisting of Custody, Agency, and Fund Administration Service. Lead corporate restructuring project and strategic planning. The last position held by him was of Chief Operating Officer of Albilad Capital. Zafar has over 30 years, experience with SABB, SABB Securities Ltd and HSBC Saudi Arabia in different key and challenging roles. Established and lead the Securities Services business from 2001 to 2015 and transformed it into a complex, diversified and market leading business, supporting multiple products (Custody, Fund Administration and Corporate Trust & Loan Agency Services). Established HSBC’s Investment Operation department (Local & International brokerage, Asset Management) and managed as a Head of Investment Operation from 1996-2001, attained an in-depth knowledge and experience of all Investment products. Rich project management experience and managed over 15 major IPOs/ Right Issues. Due to his service to community and the country, Zafar has recently been bestowed the second highest civil award (Sattar E Imtiaz) by the President of Pakistan.