Meet our Board and Advisory Team
Vision, experience and leadership to seize the opportunity
Victor Jiang
Founder & Group MD
Serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and a former consulting and software industry executive; founded first own company at age 23; worked and lived across 12 countries over 15 years; investor and board director in 10 tech companies across USA, AUS & China (of which 4 as Chairman); founder of the Sapien Group of companies
Sheetal Jiang
Head of Operations
20+ years of finance and accounting experience across Australia and UK; held responsibilities for financial control, HR and investor relations at Sapien Ventures and Skillsapien; previously at QBE, LMI, Booz Consulting, UK Ministry of Justice, UK NHS, ABB, State Street
Helen Loringan
Banking & Wealth Advisor
Daniel Laurence
Head of ASEAN Markets
Serial entrepreneur; venture investor; Head of Sapien’s Melbourne and Jakarta offices; experienced in FMCG, technology, charitables, and international trade. Cofounder of Navanti-Sapien Asset Management; ASEAN market specialist and well-connected amongst ASEAN family offices and HNW investors
John Du
Head of Sapien Plus
Serial entrepreneur; founder of Dream Overseas; Sapien Plus; and Studyfin. Over a 30+ year career he has worked across migration, international education, real estate, entertainment, and technology. Many of his ventures has earnt prestigious awards in local and international media.
Geoff Stalley
Group CFO
25+ year accounting and audit background, previously CFO at Booktopia (ASX:BKG) and led its IPO efforts, board director at iSelect (ASX:ISU); formerly Lead M&A Partner at Deloitte Australia; ex-Partner for advisory services at EY; advisor to many startups and mentor at Stone & Chalk
Don McLay
Social Group Adviser
40+ years experience in financial markets & investment banking. Don has held executive positions in local and international Investment management organisations across London, Singapore, Auckland and Sydney. Has been Chair of Torres Industries, Clime Investment Management, and Credit Corp Group
David Gee
Head of Group Risk and IT
30+ years in technology and financial services; well versed in the sourcing, curating and management of fintech companies; seasoned IT executive at financial institutions such as CSO/CTO at Macquarie Group; previously CSO at HSBC Global; CIO at Metlife Japan, CIO at Credit Union Australia; and the IT News 2014 “CIO of the Year”
Andrew Rob
Special Adviser- Asian Markets
Andrew is one of the foremost Australian former politicians, renowned as the “Father of Australia’s Free Trade Agreements with China, Japan, S. Korea, and the TPP”. He was former Australian Trade Minister and Minister of Vocation Education, and helped lead the Liberal Party to its historic 1996 election victory. Andrew is highly revered in Asian political and elite business circles alike.
Cormac Heffernan
CEO-PWT & Finplex
Serial entrepreneur and 20+ year capital markets and financial services executive; CEO of Prodigy Wealth and founder of Finplex (a related entity); previously was CEO of Powerwrap (ASX-listed then acquired); Director at Blackrock Australia and NAB; portfolio manager at Investec and Invesco
Robert Blair
Head of Sapien Silicon Valley
Serial entrepreneur & seasoned venture investor with +40 years leading and investing in tech ventures in Silicon Valley; ex-CMO of LSI Logic (largest US IPO in 1980’s until Microsoft) and its European CEO; founding CMO of Fairchild Semiconductor
Jim Fitzsimons
Group Legal Counsel
+40 years in the legal profession; world-renowned in IP law and seasoned corporate securities lawyer; formerly served for 22 years as Partner at Clayton Utz; General Counsel to Paralympics Australia; Director at SP Jain School of Management; Board Chair at GSP (a Sapien portfolio company) and advisor to several tech startups
Meet our Venture partners
Exemplary execution backed by conviction
Jordan Paris
CEO- HFG Capital
Serial entrepreneur & seasoned private lending veteran and fintech advisor; founder of JP Investments; well connected amongst AUS and USA Jewish family offices; previously advisor to Wefund.com and ByteFederal
Thomas Vo
CEO-Sapien Vietnam
Seasoned technologist and finance professional, currently Head of Sotatek Australia (IT outsourcer); formerly director at Loan Market Australia; GM at Ray White Real Estate; previously IT analyst at ANZ, ING, QBE
Aashmita Naikar
HFG Partner
Serial entrepreneur & seasoned mortgage industry veteran; has business interests in mortgage brokerage, tea plantation, import/exports, medical clinic and real estate development, until recently COO at Hashching
Henry Li
Venture Partner (Data, Platforms)
Experienced CFA and corporate advisor. Savvy in Finance. Seasoned investor/entrepreneur. Managing technology focus hedge fund. Henry learned that despite the abundance of external data on company performance, few firms leveraged that data in their investment process. Venture capital seemed like the perfect industry to leverage his big data and machine learning experience to create a unique advantage
Hubert Chu
Venture Partner
Managing Director of Merkle Trees International, specializing in corporate strategy, brand marketing, and strategic investment. An expert in blockchain, AI, and tech ventures, Hubert has co-founded several startups and led successful investments. With a background at a Fortune Global 500 company and a Master’s in Project Management, he has launched and funded innovative global projects. Hubert also mentors students at the University of Sydney, helping them transition into professional careers.
Lance Li
Venture Partner
A seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist, specializing in Built-to-Rent and Student Accommodation Solutions. A Blockchain and Web 3.0 expert, with strong ties to AUS and USA Jewish family offices. Former advisor to Wefund.com and ByteFederal, with extensive experience in private lending and fintech.
Mario Pegoli
Venture Partner
A seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist, specializing in Built-to-Rent and Student Accommodation solutions. An expert in Blockchain and Web 3.0, with strong connections to Jewish family offices in Australia and the USA. Former advisor to Wefund.com and ByteFederal, with extensive experience in private lending and fintech.
Sapien Group International Team
A powerhouse of execution and resolute belief
Alfred Yu
Group Partner of Greater China
Entrepreneur, Investor; Currently serving as the Managing Director of Solum TAIS, co-founder and founding investor of several technology companies, as well as initiator of multiple art and cultural public projects. Possesses extensive investment experience in cross-border investments, world cultural heritage preservation, seed cultivation, biotechnology, aerospace technology, fintech, and other fields.
Roy Lam
Group Partner of Hong Kong
Thanh Son Do
Co-MD Sapien Vietnam
Founder & MD of TVM Holdings (a diversified investment group with interests in real estate, fintech, education & import/export) Founder & MD of TVM Finance (a Vietnam credit licensed education lender) ； Affiliated with tier-1 international education agents, HR agents and banks throughout Vietnam