THE BRIDGE TO DIGITAL ASSETS

Zoe Cruz is Founder and CEO of Menai Financial Group (“Menai”), a global asset management firm that focuses on investing in digital assets. Zoe has been recognized as a trailblazing leader in the financial industry for the past three decades. Prior to founding Menai, Zoe spent more than 25 years at Morgan Stanley, rising to the position of Co-President after holding the role of Global Head of Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange, and Commodities. She also served as a senior advisor to Promontory Financial Group, a global market-leading risk management and regulatory compliance consulting firm. More recently, she served as a Senior Advisor to the Executive Team at Ripple Labs. During her career, Zoe has earned several accolades, including being one of Forbes 50 Most Powerful Women in Business for four consecutive years. She also sits on the boards of the Harvard Kennedy School Center for Business and Government Advisory Council, and previously served on the boards of Morgan Stanley, Man Group, Old Mutual PLC, and Ripple Labs. She was also on the boards of the Harvard Dean's Council and the Bowdoin College Investment Committee.

Akbar Moolji is a Portfolio Manager at Menai Financial Group. Akbar is a seasoned financial markets professional with over 20 years of experience managing interest rate, currency, and commodity derivatives across both developed and emerging markets. He has held senior leadership roles at major global institutions including Citigroup, Bear Stearns, Natixis, and Standard Chartered Bank, where he consistently delivered record revenues by optimizing trading operations and enhancing risk management systems. As a Partner at AINA Capital, Akbar spearheaded investments in public and private companies, developing a proprietary investment platform that leveraged quantitative algorithms to complement fundamental capital allocation strategies. In addition to his finance career, Akbar co-founded and scaled TripLynk, an EdTech startup that enhanced student field trip experiences and parental engagement, ultimately leading the company through a successful exit. Akbar holds an SB in Physics and Electrical Engineering, an SM in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT, and an MA in Mathematics of Finance from Columbia University.

Karen Jamesely is Chief Operating Officer for Menai Financial Group with 30 years of experience in Financial Services.  She has deep expertise in the areas of Strategic Planning, Talent Development/Executive Recruitment, Executive Compensation, M&A Integration and Succession Planning. Karen spent the majority of her career at Morgan Stanley in the Human Resources Division where she ultimately became the Firm’s Global CHRO. She was the HR Lead on transformational events such as the Dean Witter merger, Discover Card spin off and Smith Barney acquisition. After leaving Morgan Stanley, Karen joined Korn Ferry as a Senior Client Partner in the Financial Service Practice focusing on identifying and delivering consultancy services across the entire talent spectrum.  Key initiatives included digital transformation, early leader development and succession planning. Karen holds a B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Marketing from Pace University.

Steven La Sala, CPA, MBA, has over 35 years of significant experience in all aspects of Accounting, Business Planning, Taxation, Forensic Accounting and Auditing.  He is the founder and president of a highly successful full-service AICPA Peer Reviewed accounting firm and consulting firm, La Sala CPA, P.C. that prides itself on providing all clients with extremely professional and personal advice, counsel and assistance, derived from years of advanced training, technical experience and financial acumen. The firm has a wide range of experience across numerous industries, institutions and organizations. Prior to forming La Sala CPA, P.C., Steven’s experience included auditing at a top ten accounting firm, Laventhol & Horwath, taxation at Margolin Winer & Evens and forensic accounting and business valuations at the Rand Consulting Group. Steven holds a BS Degree from St. John’s University, College of Business Administration in Accounting and Economics and a MBA Degree from St. John’s University, Graduate School of Business with a specialization in taxation. Memberships include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA), the NYSSCPA’s Business Valuation and Litigation Services Committee and the NYSSCPA’s Taxation of Mergers, Acquisitions, Dispositions and Other Business Transaction Committee. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a QuickBooks Certified Professional Advisor, a former President and Treasurer of the Old Field Club and a current board member of the Frank Melville Memorial Foundation.

John Silver is seasoned financial services professional with more than 30 years of experience across investment banking, foreign exchange, venture capital and software start ups. He has held senior leadership positions at Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Manhattan Venture Partners, and Deaglo, driving performance through a strong focus on the needs of a broad range of clients and stakeholders.

John believes that the key to any successful business is the ability to add value to clients, employees and investors in a meaningful and durable fashion. He holds a BA from Brown University and a MBA from the Yale School of Management.

Andrew is Head of Operations for Menai Financial Group with 12+ years of Operations experience in Financial Services. Prior to joining Menai, Andrew spent 10+years at Goldman Sachs, most recently as VP of Brokerage Negotiations within GS’ Securities Division. Additionally, Andrew has had various roles within GS’ Global Markets Division as well as Operations roles within Clearing, and Derivatives Middle Office. With a proven track record of optimizing businesses, Andrew is skilled in client negotiations, FP&A, expense and project management. Andrew also brings digital asset expertise in blockchain transfers, wallets, exchanges and custody solutions. Andrew has a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from Hofstra University where he graduated summa cum laude.

Nic Richardson is a Research Analyst/Project Manager at Menai and has a background in all things digital assets – investing, research, and trading. Nic has a passion for understanding the digital asset landscape through a lens of behavioral economics, system design, and game theory. Prior to joining Menai, Nic founded and ran a discretionary prop trading and investment firm, Midas Capital. At Midas Capital, he focused on making high conviction long term investments while also operating higher frequency strategies. Nic holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Edinburgh, with a Masters in Blockchain in Digital Assets from The University of Nicosia.

Nhu Vo is Chief of Staff, Research at Menai Financial Group, where she supports executive leadership across investment research and operational execution. She has previously held roles at ICAP at Columbia University, Neuberger Berman, and Ogilvy, contributing to projects in research design, statistical modeling, predictive analytics, and stakeholder communication. Nhu holds a Master of Arts in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Economics from Barnard College, Columbia University. She also serves on the External Outreach Committee of the Columbia University Data Science Society.