Archives: team-member

Alona Shevtsova is the Director and CEO of Sends, a UK-based fintech company focused on delivering payment solutions for both B2B and B2C clients across the EU and UK markets. With over 15 years of experience in the fintech and payments industry, she has played a pivotal role in shaping Sends development strategy and expansion. In 2025, Alona Shevtsova was recognised as a Woman Entrepreneur in Fintech of the year by the Brit Fintech Awards and Financial Women Trailblazer of the Year at Finnovex Middle East 2025.Alona began her career by founding and leading a payment system, where she spent over a decade building and scaling operations. Following this success, she expanded her expertise into the banking sector, deepening her knowledge of international finance and regulatory frameworks.In 2024, she took on the role of CEO at Sends, where she is driving the company’s vision to simplify cross-border payments and support modern businesses with secure, scalable financial infrastructure.

Tayo Oguntonade is a TV presenter, financial communication specialist and digital trust strategist, recognised for his work at the intersection of finance, fintech and audience understanding. He specialises in helping financial institutions, fintechs and high-stakes brands bridge the gap between complex financial products and real-world adoption focusing on how trust is built, how people learn about money, and how financial decisions are shaped in a digital-first environment. Tayo has worked with leading institutions including Barclays, NatWest, Monzo and ServiceNow, supporting initiatives that improve financial understanding, customer confidence and long-term engagement. His work spans broadcast media, live events, advisory sessions and global speaking engagements. With content reaching over 50 million people worldwide, Tayo is widely recognised for translating complex financial systems into clear, usable insight. He was featured in the Sunday Times Alternative Rich List for his contribution to financial and property education, and regularly speaks at finance, fintech and innovation conferences across the Middle East, UK and international markets.

From setting up Olympic villages and starting energy companies to working in technology and finance at Goldman Sachs, taking the conventional path was never an option for me. As a global entrepreneur, digital transformation expert and former executive, I’ve touched many sectors, including financial services, technology, legal, and oil and gas. But I’ve always had a passion to make the world a fairer and just place for people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. I founded Loquat because I have a heart for hard working people who are the foundation of our communities and society. I wanted to give them peace of mind so they can focus on their lives and not worry about cash flow. This starts with access to money today, not tomorrow. At Loquat Inc. we are modernizing banking to empower financial institutions with smarter solutions, so they can better serve their clients. Our banking cloud platform offers seamless KYC/KYB, fast onboarding, virtual cards, automated lending, and CALM Portal for credit unions and banks. Loquat IQ leverages each financial institution’s data to deliver tailored insights for strategic and operational success. If you are a credit union, regional or community bank operating with legacy systems, we’d love to talk to you! Step into the new era of banking – built for you. Let’s talk!

Gopalakrishna Mahesh is a distinguished finance professional with a global footprint. He is a Chartered Accountant (India), Certified Public Accountant (Australia), Enrolled Agent with the IRS (USA), and a Certified Forensic Auditor. Mahesh is also a Fellow of the International Association of Accounting Professionals (London). He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Professional Accounting. He founded Financial Crest Private Limited, offering business advisory, bookkeeping, audit, and taxation services across the USA and Australia. Mahesh is a partner at Financial Crest LLC (USA) and Fincrest Management Consultancy LLC (Dubai), and co-founded FinBasics Education, a cloud-based financial education and startup advisory platform. His areas of expertise include international taxation, internal audit, startup and cross-border transaction advisory, public speaking, event management, and academic content creation. Mahesh’s accolades include the National Youth Icon of the Year 2019 by the International Youth Committee, the Global Business Icon Award in Financial Services by the Global Business Leaders Forum, and the Best Fintech Company Award at the Aeonian Business Awards 2021. He has also received awards for best paper presentations and speaking at ICAI National Conclaves. A dynamic speaker, Mahesh has addressed more than 10,000 students at national and international events and has hosted the Indo-Norway Youth Dialogue. He also serves as a visiting faculty member for MBA Finance programs. He holds professional memberships with organizations such as the Confederation of Young Leaders (Delhi), BRICS CCI Young Leaders (Delhi), YES Tamilnadu Chamber of Commerce, and Junior Chamber International (Coimbatore Cosmo). He is skilled in QuickBooks, Xero, MYOB, Sage, Excel, and specializes in US accounting and taxation, as well as international entity structuring. Mahesh is fluent in Tamil, English, Hindi, and French. He is married to Kaviya Balavenkat and is based in Coimbatore, India, with an active professional presence in India, the USA, and the UAE.

Veljko Milisavljević is the founder of Woodcoin, a pioneering hard-asset cryptocurrency based on unique natural materials such as wood, damascus, timascus, mokume-gane, jade, jasper, agate, and other inimitable substances. With a background in embedded systems and decades of experience in product innovation, Veljko focuses on creating new forms of trust in international trade. His work explores the intersection of tangible assets and digital verification, enabling currencies that resist counterfeiting and can serve as credible global reserves. Veljko regularly engages with policymakers, banks, and fintech leaders on how alternative asset-backed currencies can address the shortcomings of fiat money and foster more equitable trade. Have you ever wondered why gold became money in the first place?Are there other materials that could serve as decentralized stores of value — verifiable by anyone, scarce by nature, and whose issuance can be transparently and multilaterally governed?With Veljko, you can explore and discuss these questions.www.woodcoincrypto.com

Visionary executive with 18+ years in finance. AI ambassador and global speaker. Ex-Financial Director in leading crypto and fintech companies. Recognized among LinkedIn’s Top 30 Women in AI and Best of LinkedIn: AI ratings. Living by the philosophy that “vision holds the map, action takes the journey,” Zhivka transforms complex financial challenges into strategic opportunities through intelligent automation. She actively contributes to the international AI and finance community, driving innovation in sustainable and explainable AI solutions. Her mission is to empower businesses with smarter financial strategies that combine technology, transparency, and long-term growth.

Sir Malachi Halliday is the CEO Founder of HFS, which aims to fund over 2,000 MSMEs & Startups in UAE. Having lived, worked and invested in companies in Dubai since 2010, he specialises in financing structuring and alternate solutions for funding MSMEs and startups. He is regularly requested for mentorship/advisory by accelerators, judging government and private startup competitions as well as speaking roles on the topics of financial inclusion & capital access for MSMEs. Sir Malachi Halliday, knighted for his direct and family commitment to community service, also brings an approach to sustainable finance specifically shaped around the challenges of small businesses.

May Brooks-Kempler is a cybersecurity expert whose career began in the 1990s, exploring the realms of game “cheats” and “hacks” on IRC chats. This early fascination led her through a distinguished journey in cybersecurity, from Penetration Testing to Security Architect and eventually a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Today, she is a highly sought-after strategic consultant, speaker, and mentor, known for her dynamic involvement in developing and promoting innovative cybersecurity initiatives and guiding startups. May’s expertise and engaging delivery have made her a favourite at numerous speaking engagements, including a TEDx talk, keynotes, and commentator on critical cybersecurity issues. Her role as a podcaster further amplifies her reach, where she shares vital security insights with a global audience. As a member of the ISC2 Board of Directors, an authorized CISSP and HCISPP instructor, and co-author, May’s dedication to advancing the cybersecurity profession is unmistakable. Her best selling book, “Scams, Hacking and Cybersecurity – The Ultimate Guide to Online Safety and Privacy”, and her online courses, reflect her commitment to making the digital world a safer place for all, especially families, as underscored by her personal mission as a mother of three. Through her extensive experience and influential voice in the field, May Brooks-Kempler continues to shape the future of online safety, making her a pivotal figure in the world of cybersecurity education and advocacy.

Jonathan Seifert is an innovative leader at the intersection of HR and Fintech, where he leverages technology to transform human resources and elevate the employee experience. With a proven track record of forging strategic alliances, Jonathan excels at delivering measurable value to clients and partners alike. Passionate about staying ahead of industry trends, Jonathan is dedicated to driving efficiency and innovation within organizations. Whether it’s implementing cutting-edge HR technologies, streamlining processes, or enhancing workplace culture, his expertise lies in merging the best of human potential with the power of technology. Jonathan is always eager to collaborate and exchange ideas on the evolving landscape of HR and Fintech. Connect with him to explore opportunities and shape the future of work together.

With over 20 years of professional experience and proven leadership in the banking and financial industry, Hisham Hammoud has made remarkable contributions to renowned international institutions like CitiBank and prominent local entities such as Dubai Bank and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. His expertise spans retail banking, operations, technology, risk management, business process re-engineering, and profit and cost optimization. Through creative articulation and execution of business strategies and plans, Hisham has consistently delivered high-impact solutions that significantly enhance business performance. A passionate motivator and an inspiring leader, Hisham champions team excellence, fostering quality-driven results and enthusiasm among his colleagues. He is a certified trainer in Risk Management and advanced leadership, having honed his skills through cutting-edge international leadership programs in the United States. Hisham holds a Master’s degree in International Business and certifications in Financial Management and Banking. His thought leadership is highly regarded in the industry, evidenced by his role as a keynote speaker and panelist at prestigious events organized by global leaders like Financial Times Business, Terrapin, Marcus Evans, and IIR. Hisham Hammoud is a visionary leader dedicated to driving transformation, fostering innovation, and empowering teams to achieve excellence in the ever-evolving financial landscape.