I am the Chief Experience Officer and Managing Partner at AFN, where I have dedicated over 19 years to shaping the firm’s strategic direction and architectural systems. With more than two decades of leadership in the finance and fintech sectors, I am driven by a core philosophy: the power of people. I pride myself on leading a diverse, caring team that prioritizes excellence and community impact, a commitment that was solidified as we navigated and thrived through the transformative challenges of the global lockdowns.
Time in Industry:
19 years
Based out of:
Allenhurst NJ
My professional foundation is built on a deep mastery of investments, financial services, and complex financial modeling. I specialize in aligning corporate strategy with operational architecture, ensuring that our fintech solutions are both innovative and user-centric. Beyond the numbers, my expertise lies in organizational resilience and adaptive leadership; I focus on empowering team members through collaboration and leveraging diverse perspectives to enhance overall productivity and performance across North America.
My career began with a relentless work ethic, from working 5:00 AM shifts at a bakery at age 13 to running my own small businesses as a teenager. Before co-founding AFN, I served as a Senior Investment Manager for Mann Realty Associates, managing extensive commercial and residential portfolios, and later specialized in commercial finance at Meridian Finance. My journey has been defined by high-stakes lessons, including a pivotal $40 million deal that taught me the non-negotiable value of honor and paying people what they are owed. From digging 200-yard trenches in the summer heat to tutoring students with dyslexia at Hofstra, every role has taught me the patience and character required to surround myself with good people.
I graduated Cum Laude from Hofstra University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a minor in Computer Science. To further refine my technical skills, I completed advanced studies in Real Estate Finance and General Finance at New York University in 2000. Additionally, I attended the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation from 1999 to 2000, and I hold a BICSI Certification, reflecting my diverse technical and academic background.
A dedicated financial leader and academic scholar, I authored “Flexible Factoring for Small Business” in Commercial Factor (2013) and maintained an A+ Better Business Bureau rating as CXO of Advance Funds Network, where I also spearheaded the SupportLocal initiative. My academic excellence includes being the #1 ranked Banking and Finance student, earning the International Exchange Program Scholarship to Erasmus University, and induction into the Golden Key International Honour Society at Hofstra University. Beyond finance, I am an active advocate for social services, arts and culture, children’s support, and science and technology.
Outside of the boardroom, I find my balance in the natural world. I am a passionate advocate for nature and outdoor exploration, frequently spending my time camping and discovering the world’s landscapes. This love for the outdoors mirrors my professional life—it requires preparation, a respect for the environment, and a constant curiosity for what lies beyond the next horizon.
