FEMALE INNOVATORS LAB FUND - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Abaka Board Member
Alexander is a Principal within Anthemis' Investment Partnership team, where he identifies and evaluates emerging startups that will have impact on financial services and wellness. He also provides his technical know-how to the team's venture design efforts. Before joining Anthemis, Alexander worked for two years at Exceedra Software in an infrastructural role, performing information security accreditation, cloud and database administration and database software development.
Ali Geramian is a Partner at Anthemis. Based in the US, Ali oversees Anthemis' strategic partnership success program, where he is responsible for driving mutual value creation, collaboration, and partnership opportunities across Anthemis' global base of strategic investors.
Job Titles:
- Founder and CEO of Anthemis Group
- Founder and Chair of Archer Gray
- Matic Board Member
Amy is also the Founder and Chair of Archer Gray, a media company focused on bringing new, diverse, and innovative stories to life. Archer Gray projects have been collectively nominated for five Academy Awards and more than a dozen Tony Awards and have been premiered and celebrated at film festivals around the world.
Amy is the Founder and CEO of Anthemis Group. Amy and Anthemis focus on businesses contributing to a more resilient, just, and equitable financial system….
Job Titles:
- Chief Operations Officer
- Partner
Beau is a Partner and Chief Operations Officer at Anthemis. His focus is working with the team to help Anthemis run effectively and scale for growth, integrating across business operations & performance, people & culture, technology & network, finance and legal. Beau also works within our Anthemis ecosystem to support the success of our portfolio companies, LPs and partners.
Job Titles:
- Retired Vice Chairman of Nasdaq Where He Worked Closely With Nasdaq 's Global Listings Services
Bruce Aust is the retired Vice Chairman of Nasdaq where he worked closely with Nasdaq's Global Listings Services business to assist clients and prospective clients worldwide from 2015 to 2019. Mr. Aust also served as President of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, located in San Francisco and played an integral role in its creation and launch. The Entrepreneurial Center is a nonprofit organization funded by the Nasdaq Educational Foundation, designed to engage emerging entrepreneurs through events, hands-on mentorship and education.
Job Titles:
- Investor
- Acrehomes Board Observer
Bukie is an investor on Anthemis' early stage team, responsible for sourcing and executing deals that align with the FinTech and embedded finance thesis. She is passionate about driving opportunity through financial services and supporting diverse entrepreneurs.
Job Titles:
- Anthemis' Financial Controller
Carol is Anthemis' Financial Controller, with responsibility for overseeing the finance function for the Group. Prior to joining Anthemis, Carol trained at Deloitte where she qualified as a Global Chartered Management Accountant (CGMA), advising the service lines on their portfolio's financial position. Shortly after qualifying she joined AnaCap Financial Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in the European financial services sector. There Carol was responsible for the day-to-day business activities of the firm, providing valuable financial information to inform business strategy.
Elizabeth Davis is a Principal at Anthemis, an early stage VC firm committed to cultivating change in financial services. Based in New York, Elizabeth works on the Female Innovators Lab team by Barclays and Anthemis where she invests in early stage female founders in fintech. Prior to joining Anthemis, Elizabeth served as a Vice President of Worn, a mission-driven creative and digital agency, where she led strategic partnerships working with female founders, was a Co-Founder at ON PURPOSE, a purpose consulting firm working with clients including Aflac, Staples & LG to build their purpose strategy, and worked at The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, China, Turkey, & India on their Global Sustainability team focused on empowering 5 million women.
Gabby is a Principal at Anthemis focused on investor relations and business development. She works closely with our ecosystem identifying and developing strong strategic relationships for both portfolio companies and Anthemis Group
Gavin is a Partner and President at Anthemis. He is responsible for maximizing the value of our ecosystem for all members, spanning our portfolio companies, investors, key influencers and future thinkers. As part of this role, he holds the accountability for investor relations, business development, and strategic partnerships worldwide, seeking opportunities for expanding Anthemis into new geographies.
Georgia is an Analyst within Anthemis' Investment Partnership team where she helps discover, evaluate and execute early stage investments. Before joining Anthemis, she worked in both UK and International Operations at the ride-hailing app FREE NOW - predominantly focusing on a range of cross-functional strategic initiatives while working at the company's headquarters in Germany. Prior to that, Georgia worked at MTN-i as a financial journalist covering debt capital markets deals in Europe and Asia, and in the Operations team at Onefinestay in London. Georgia graduated from the London School of Economics with a BSc in Sociology, where she specifically focused on the future of work alongside racial and gender inequality. As part of her studies, Georgia also spent a year in France studying Political Science at Sciences Po. She is particularly interested in international politics and the impact of technology on society, and in her spare time can be found reading, exploring different cultures and running.
Job Titles:
- Investment Analyst at Anthemis
Hana is an Investment Analyst at Anthemis. Prior to joining Anthemis, Hana was an Analyst at First Republic Bank with the Tech/VC group in New York. At FRB, Hana gained experience working with startups and VC firms on their depository, cash management and lending services needs.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to Amy Nauiokas
Hannah is Executive Assistant to Amy Nauiokas (Founder, President and CEO), providing vital administrative and logistical support. She also works closely with the Investment team and assists in the management of special events at Anthemis. Hannah has an extensive background in the media and creative industries. She previously worked for Archer Gray, a media production, finance and investment company. In her role, Hannah contributed to the production lifecycle of award-winning films, from initial ideas through to festival debut.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Provable Labs Board Member
Harry was previously Co-Head of Securities at Barclays Investment Bank with direct oversight and responsibility for the rates, FX, commodities, mortgages, municipals, prime services and global portfolio and risk management businesses. He has represented Barclays as a member of the board of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) and the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA). Additionally, he was the Executive Sponsor for the Barclays Women's Initiative and the Parents and Family Network.
Helena Morrissey (DBE) recently retired from Legal & General, where she led the firm's new digitally enabled affluent investment business. For fifteen years from 2001 to 2016, Ms. Morrissey served as Chief Executive of Newton, the £50 billion UK-headquartered investment management affiliate of BNY Mellon Investment Management.
She has built a reputation as an investor, leader of people, initiator of significant initiatives designed to improve corporate governance in the UK and a champion of a truly inclusive modern society. Most notable of these was launching the 30% Club, a member organization that has campaigned successfully to increase the representation of women on corporate boards. The approach of the Club has since been adopted internationally in locations such as Europe, Africa and Asia.
Ms. Morrissey has been named one of Fortune Magazine's World's 50 Greatest Leaders. She has twice been voted one of the 50 Most Influential People in Finance globally by Bloomberg Markets. Ms. Morrissey is a regular media commentator on topics as wide-ranging as climate change, executive pay and Brexit. Her well-received guest edit of the ‘Today' program in December 2016 developed the theme of ‘power to the people' and featured contributions from Michael Gove, John Macfarlane and Michael Lewis. Ms. Morrissey has served on the board of directors of the Financial Services Trade and Investment Board since July 2015, Daniel J. Edelman since 2019 and St James's Place since January 2020. Ms. Morrissey is a Fellow of London Business School and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Cambridge University in 2016.
She was appointed CBE in the 2012 and subsequently promoted to Dame in 2017 in honor of her services to diversity in Financial Services and then Baroness in 2020, when she made her maiden speech in the House of Lords. Ms. Morrissey holds a Masters in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge.
Job Titles:
- Goji Board Observer
- Partner at Anthemis
Iason is a Partner at Anthemis, leading in the discovery, evaluation and execution of investments. Prior to joining the firm, he was an assistant trader at the foreign exchange and derivatives desks at the Treasury of the National Bank of Greece, the oldest and largest financial group in the country.
Ines is an Investment Associate at Anthemis, responsible for sourcing, evaluating and executing venture growth opportunities within the FinTech and InsurTech spaces, as well as contributing to the fundraising efforts across the firm. Prior to Anthemis, Ines worked in the M&A Financial Institutions Group at Goldman Sachs, where she gained considerable transaction experience across a range of sub-sectors and products within the European financial services industry.
Job Titles:
- Onsite IQ Board Observer
- Principal at Anthemis
Jeremy is an Investment Principal at Anthemis, focused on early and growth stage investments across Europe and North America. He is a former geophysicist and has been a venture investor in Silicon Valley, Berlin, and London. He has a background in deep technology investments spanning construction/built environment, energy, manufacturing, climate and life sciences. He's particularly keen on these vertical intersections within fintech and insurtech
Job Titles:
- Hedvig Board Member
- Partner at Anthemis
Kate Sampson is a Partner at Anthemis. With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Kate brings deep insight and relationships across various insurance verticals. She is passionate about insurance and even more committed to cultivating change in the world of finance. Kate is recognized as an industry expert and thought leader in insurance innovation, disruption, product development and mobility.
Job Titles:
- Portfolio Management Associate
Kostas is a Portfolio Management Associate at Anthemis, responsible for market research and oversight, risk profiling and valuation of our portfolio companies. Prior to joining Anthemis, he worked in the investment and portfolio management teams of Brookstreet Equity Partners, a fund manager investing in asymmetric early-stage opportunities in Europe. Kostas also worked for a London based family office evaluating first-time hedge funds and Eurobank Asset Management, the leading mutual fund and institutional asset management company in Greece.
Kyle is an Investment Associate at Anthemis, responsible for sourcing and evaluating early-stage opportunities relating to fintech, insurtech and risk management. Prior to Anthemis, he served as part of the TMT group at Notch Partners, a boutique consulting firm specializing in executive-centric investment strategies for private equity firms. He has also worked with Pear VC as a Venture Fellow, helping source pre-seed and seed-stage companies.
Job Titles:
- Goin Board Observer
- Principal at Anthemis
Marin is an Investment Principal at Anthemis, where he helps discover, evaluate and execute investments as well as provide support for Anthemis portfolio companies. He brings in-depth knowledge of the financial services sector particularly in the asset management and alternative lending industries, and has first-hand operational experience in incubating startups in this space.
Marisa is an Executive Assistant supporting two partners across two different time zones. She has a knack for logistics, organization and functionality of personal and professional lives, along with being passionate and empathetic to those she supports
Job Titles:
- Aya Board Observer
- Venture Partner at Anthemis
Matthew is a Venture Partner at Anthemis and was a full time member of the investment team between 2017 and 2022. He now serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Cowbell, an Anthemis portfolio company.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Development at Anthemis
Mei Lim is a Partner, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Development at Anthemis. With over 20 years of experience within the financial services industry, Mei brings deep insight and relationships across M&A, Corporate Development and Finance.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Chief of Staff at Anthemis
Natalia is Chief of Staff at Anthemis having previously been part of the Legal Team. She has responsibility for overseeing the Investment and Leadership Teams and managing the operations of the office of the CIO.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Founder
Job Titles:
- Legal Counsel at Anthemis
Patrick is Legal Counsel at Anthemis, where he is responsible for advising the Group on all legal aspects of its business. Prior to joining Anthemis, Patrick was a senior associate in the corporate team at Kemp Little (now Deloitte Legal) where he focused on advising founders, management teams and investors on early-stage and growth investments, while also advising clients on buy- and sell-side M&A and corporate governance matters.
Job Titles:
- Amplify Board Member
- Partner at Anthemis
Ruth Foxe Blader is a Partner at Anthemis and thought leader in fintech and insurtech. At Anthemis, Ruth leads strategic investment efforts across Europe and North America. Ruth specializes in technology-enabled business models, insurance technology, risk transfer, early stage investing, product strategy and digital transformation.
Prior to joining Anthemis, Ruth worked for Allianz SE, where she spearheaded leading digital innovation efforts. She was a founding member of the AllianzX team, where she led investments in startups including Lemonade, MoneyFarm, Argus Cyber Security and SimpleSurance.
A New Jersey native, Ruth has spent the last decade between New York, London and Paris. In 2018 and 2019, Ruth was recognized for her outstanding contribution to the global financial technology ecosystem and listed among the Women in Fintech Powerlist by Innovate Finance. She currently serves on the boards of Axle, Demex, Hokodo, Hometree, Kaiko, Proportunity and Stable.
Experience
Allianz
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer of Nextdoor
Sarah Friar is the Chief Executive Officer of Nextdoor, the neighborhood app. Prior to Nextdoor, Ms. Friar served as Chief Financial Officer at Square. Under Ms. Friar's leadership, the company launched its initial public offering in 2015 and added $30B in market cap.
Job Titles:
- Cowbell Cyber Board Member
- Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Anthemis Group
Sean is Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Anthemis Group. He combines a powerful mix of entrepreneurial, investment and corporate experience and is widely recognized as a leading independent thinker on the future of financial services, informed by his many years as a senior executive in capital markets and investment banking.
Sherrise Pond is an Investment Associate helping to build out Anthemis' later-stage investment strategy. Prior to joining Anthemis, she worked with the Mergers & Acquisitions team at Credit Suisse where she executed multiple buy-side and sell-side transactions across various sectors. She began her career working with Citigroup's Healthcare Municipal Securities group, structuring bond transactions for U.S.- based hospitals and healthcare systems. Other experience includes financial and strategic planning work in Peru and Senegal with Kiva, a peer-to-peer microfinance lending platform, and aeioTU - Fundacion Carulla, an organization that provides educational, healthcare, and nutritional services to children in underserved communities across Latin America.
Job Titles:
- Legal Counsel at Anthemis
Tony is Legal Counsel at Anthemis, where he is responsible for advising the Group on all legal aspects of its business with a focus on American investments. Prior to joining Anthemis, Tony was an associate in the corporate teams at Holland & Knight LLP and Ropes & Gray LLP where he focused on advising founders and venture capital firms in early-stage and growth investments. Tony also advised clients on technology transfer, corporate governance and buy- and sell-side M&A transactions.
Job Titles:
- Alaffia Board Member
- Producer and Co - Founder of Small Coup Films
- Venture Partner at Anthemis
Vinay Singh is a Venture Partner at Anthemis. Vinay has spent his entire career at the intersection of media, finance, and technology and is passionate about empowering creators and entrepreneurs. Vinay has over six years of early stage investing experience, in addition to many years spent advising technology companies.
Vinay is also a prolific producer and co-founder of Small Coup Films. Over his career, Vinay has produced over 15 film projects. Vinay graduated with a BS in Economics and Systems Engineering from The University of Pennsylvania.