Archives: Speakers

Benjamin is an Analyst in GlobalData’s insurance team. He has been a part of the team for two years, based in London. In this time, he has developed a focus on UK general insurance markets, producing insights across the spectrum of property and casualty lines including key technology, economic, and social trends emerging in the insurance industry.  Benjamin holds a BSc and MSc in economics from the University of Nottingham.

Christos has spent more than 15 years advising and managing the assets of ultra high net worth families and individuals. In 2019 he established ELIA Investment Advisors, a Zurich-based independent asset management firm, aiming to deliver something simple in principle, but so rare to find in the traditional banking system. Namely, a solid, economic data driven approach to investing combined with the creation of tailor-made portfolio solutions, with full alignment of interests and a performance driven compensation mechanism. The motto of his company is “Investing, As it should be”, reflecting the dedication to bespoke, active, fundamental driven and prudent asset management.

Prior to setting up ELIA Investment Advisors , Christos worked as an Executive Director at the Wealth Management divisions of Goldman Sachs (2014 – 2019) and Morgan Stanley (2007 – 2014), offering an institutional approach to private client investing. Before entering the world of the two large Investment Banks, Christos worked as a Senior Associate for Swiss Capital Alternative Investments (currently StepStone Global), a Hedge Fund company based in Zurich, dealing with the design of bespoke investment solutions for institutional investors such as pension funds and insurance companies. Prior to his moving to Switzerland in 2005, he worked in the Fixed Income Derivatives department at Intesa San Paolo IMI in Milan, and Equity Trading at NBG Securities and Alpha Bank in Greece.

Christos is a holder of the Certificate of Business Excellence from Columbia Business School in New York and holds an MBA from SDA Bocconi in Milan, an MSc in Finance from Strathclyde University in Glasgow and a BSc in Busines Administration (major Accounting & Finance) from Athens University of Economics and Business.

He has successfully completed executive education courses at Harvard Business School (Investment Management), London School of Economics (Cryptocurrencies) , Oxford Said Business School (Algorithmic Trading & Fintech), and M.I.T. (Artificial Intelligence and Business Applications).

He is a certified risk manager (FRM) by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation

Nataliya Shybanova joined Green Wealth Partners as a Member of the Board of Directors with a focus on ESG integration for Next Gen investment products in 2022. For this role, she brings experience in structured products and asset management. At GWP, she is responsible for identifying the important themes for the future (green energy, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, etc.) and then choosing the best products to get access to these themes. Nataliya has over 10 years of experience in structured products from Vontobel Investment Banking and wealth management from UBS Wealth Management covering corporate and UHNW clients in Zurich for Switzerland, Europe and APAC, as well as the CIS markets. Nataliya is a global ambassador for Masttro, a fintech platform that translates all aspects of wealth into WealthData. She was Head of Investor Solutions for AQUIS Capital, a specialised asset management boutique with focus on Hedge Funds and Emerging Asia opportunities as well as Head of Marketing & Communication for Green Blue Invest, a Swiss-based ESG investment company with several investment programs. Nataliya holds an MBA and Master’s degree in finance from Hult International Business School in San Francisco and Boston, and a Bachelor’s in Public Relations and Communication, from the University of Zurich. Her passion is to blend sustainable innovation within finance to move the industry forward and keep it relevant for the new generation of investors.

GWP is a multi-family office focusing on the unique needs of large families who care about sending NextGen to create a better future. Being independent wealth advisors, we always put the interests of our clients first. We listen to our clients and provide solutions that are specifically tailored to them. We aim to protect and increase their wealth from generation to generation.

• Have worked in both Investment Banking and Consulting, directly advising senior leaders on risk, operations and business strategy
• Experienced change leader; enthusiastic about disruptive technologies in finance (blockchain, robotics and predictive data analytics, disintermediation)
• Lived and worked in the US, France, UK, Switzerland and China; fluent in English, French and Russian.

Aliya has been deeply entrenched in the world of crypto since 2017, serving as the Senior Vice President of BD and ecosystem outreach for Sygnum Bank, the world’s first digital asset bank, with bases in Switzerland and Singapore. As a leading figure within the bank, Aliya spearheads strategic projects, including the Sygnum Ryse program, aimed at promoting growth and innovation among young players in the cryptospace. She is also the host of Sygnum’s esteemed podcast, ‘The Crypto Explorer’.

Passionate about Digital Transformation and Blockchain Technology, Antonio has collaborated in tech companies like Tesla and then moved into the financial sector with the objective to transform processes and operations. After important projects with Swiss Re, now he is responsible for the Product Development and Commercial Relationship of BBVA Switzerland. The institution has been the first Tier-1 Bank to offer a Digital Assets Custody Solution and is now looking to expand its value proposition.

Carolina Thomaz is the Chief Risk Officer at Itaú Private Bank in Zurich. In her role, she is responsible for Market, Liquidity, Counterparty and Operational risks, as well as Compliance, Information Security and Suitability. Prior to Itaú, Carolina was the CRO of Sygnum Bank. Sygnum is the world’s first digital asset bank, founded on Swiss and Singapore heritage. Before joining Sygnum, Carolina worked as the Head of Risk Management at Itaú Private Bank in Zurich, where she was responsible for managing financial and operational risks, as well as leading digital transformation projects. Previously, she was a Project Manager at Vale, a multinational mining corporation, where she managed a portfolio of risk management projects globally. Carolina holds a Master’s Degree in Economics and a Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications Engineering and is a certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM).

Timon Wick is a Director and Head of Project Management at MBaer Merchant Bank AG. He is considered to be the “go to person” when it comes to leading complex projects and finding solutions for challenging questions. Timon is a passionate triathlete and tech fan yet believes that offering humanness is the key to being fit for the future.