Our Team
Adam Raleigh
- Chief Executive Officer
- +1 212-804-6250
- Adam Raleigh is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Markets Group, the world’s leading conference organizer serving the investment management industry. Mr. Raleigh founded the firm in 2009. Since then, Markets Group has grown to 175+ team members located in 20 countries. Markets Group has run nearly over 1,000 events in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and has been recognized as one of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S. through ranking in the Inc 500. Mr. Raleigh is a board member of Trout Unlimited’s Coldwater Conservation Fund (TU) and Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR). Prior to Markets Group, Mr. Raleigh was a fixed income broker and developed investor education programs for IMN-Euromoney, Institutional Investor Awards and other leading firms focused on the needs of investors worldwide. Additionally, Mr. Raleigh has held series 7 and 63 licenses. Mr. Raleigh, a native of Cleveland, OH, is a graduate of Kent State University, where he earned a B.A. in Finance.
Adena Baichan
- Senior Program Manager & Investor Relations
- +1 212-706-9701
- Adena, a New York native, contributes to the production and program management of the U.S. Private Wealth Series through content formulation, investor relations and event planning. Prior to Markets Group, Adena reported and provided editorial assistance for InvestmentWires, a financial publication based in New York City. Adena graduated from Pace University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a Journalism concentration.
Ajay Kumar
- Chief Technology Officer
- +65 60311230
- Ajay serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Marketsgroup, having joined the firm in 2022. Since his arrival, he has transformed the organization by empowering employees through the cloud transformation tools, enabling work from anywhere possible. In 2023, Ajay successfully launched the Marketsgroup Events app, which is now integral to all company events. In 2024, he innovated the self-check-in system for event registrations, streamlining the registration process. Prior to his tenure at Marketsgroup, Ajay was with UBS, where he played a pivotal role in integrating the Signature Events platform globally. With over 20 years of experience in banking and asset management, he holds an Executive MBA from Singapore Management University, as well as several certifications, including PMP from the Project Management Institute, ITIL, and MCITP from Microsoft. Looking ahead to 2025, Ajay is planning to further enhance Marketsgroup’s digital presence.
Alexa Jacob
- Program Manager & Investor Relations
- +442039988042
- Alexa is an Investor Relations and Program Manager, currently working for the Alternative Investments team in the Middle East. She is based in Dubai and graduated from Buckinghamshire New University in the UK with a master’s degree in International Business.
Amanda Jiang
- Relationship Manager
- +1 3477732760
- Amanda is based in the UK and works with our Private Wealth teams covering client relationships for the Forums in Europe. Prior to returning to Markets Group, she worked in Investor Relations at With Intelligence for 3 years covering institutional investors across Asia and Europe. Amanda have over 12 years of business development/ investor relations experiences in finance and medical fields. She holds a BA Hons degree in International Relations and Political Science from Syracuse University.
Ana Sousa
- Relationship Manager
- +1 212-600-8633
- Ana Sousa is responsible for business development and client engagement within the Private Equity Group. She has an international background with 10+ years of experience working in Private & Corporate Banking at institutions such as Santander and Standard Bank. After transitioning into the Private Equity sector, she has developed relationships with mid and large-size fund managers, private investors, and Service Providers across Europe, South East Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Ana holds a Bachelors’s degree in Business Management and speaks fluent English and Portuguese. She grew up in Australia and is an avid CrossFit and surfing fan.
Andreas Fofana
- Program Manager & Investor Relations
- +1 212-600-5663
- Andreas Fofana serves as an Investor Relations & Program Manager at Markets Group. Before joining us, he collaborated with private equity clients, focusing on portfolio optimization and deal-sourcing, and gained experience at an event production company. Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, Andreas is a native French speaker with a passion for anime.
Andres Ortiz
- Partner, Head of Production & Investor Relations
- +1 347-778-2568
- Mr. Ortiz heads the production practice at Markets Group. He’s been Head of Production for Institutional Events in LatAm and leads the Production EMEA team. Mr. Ortiz studied Political Science in Madison, Wisconsin and mastered in International Political Economy at New York University. Prior to joining Markets Group, Mr. Ortiz managed account relations at ACCION USA in New York, worked as an independent researcher in Curitiba, Brazil and handled management and financial services for different enterprises in Wisconsin. Mr. Ortiz was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia and is fluent in Spanish and conversational in Portuguese.
Ann Lee
- Client Relations Manager
- +1 212-600-1430
- Ann is responsible for production and program management for the U.S. Private Wealth team. Prior to joining Markets Group, Ann worked as an educator in Indiana and New York public schools. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University in 2015 and joined Markets Group in November 2017.
Annie Wu
- Senior Program Manager & Investor Relations
- +852 2592 5693
- Annie is the Senior Program Manager & Investor Relations at Markets Group based in Hong Kong. She has been working in the events world since 2016, and has worked on a wide range of projects with themes on Human Resources, Marketing, financial risk management, trading technology, data management and so on. Annie holds a Master’s degree in Translation from The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Antonella Primo
- Client Relations Manager
- +39 06 9480 3131
- Antonella Primo is a Client Relations Manager for the Private Wealth Series at Markets Group, based in Milan (Italy). Prior to joining Markets Group, she worked as Research and Relationship Manager within the Audience Development team at Citywire, where she was in charge of managing relations with the audience of fund selectors, family offices, private bankers and financial advisors based in Italy and Ticino. Antonella holds a Master’s Degree in Interpreting and Translation from the UNINT International University of Rome and she has several years of experience in translation, interpreting, project management and proofreading. She speaks Italian, English, Russian and French.
April Stackhouse
- Co-Head of Private Equity Production & Investor Relations
- +1 347-308-7793
- April Stackhouse is the Co-Head of Private Equity Production & Investor Relations for the Private Equity team. An events industry veteran, April has previously served in program management, business development, and operations roles at Corinium Global Intelligence, WBR, 451 Research and ICSC. She received her bachelor’s degree from New York University and currently resides in Connecticut.
Averie Rice
- Program Manager & Investor Relations
- +1 332 240 0151
- Averie Rice is joining the private equity team as a Program Manager specializing in investor relations. She graduated from Miami University with a degree in Marketing. Previously, Averie worked in event management across several industries. She is based in Chicago, IL.
Beatriz Manota
- Production Associate
- +65 3158 2907
- Beatriz Manota serves as a Production Associate on Markets Group’s Real Estate Team. Prior to this, she worked in the corporate awards industry with focus on top real estate companies in the APAC region. Her interests include psychology, business, politics, and research. Beatriz holds Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is based in the Philippines.
Beatriz Salsinha
- Digital Designer
- +351 308 812 110
- Beatriz Salsinha, also known as “Sal,” is a Digital Designer at Markets Group. Hailing from Portugal, she embarked on a journey at the age of 17 to pursue her university studies in London, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in digital design from London South Bank University. Prior to joining Markets Group, Sal served as the sole content creator for the marketing team at a competitor company, skillfully blending design finesse with marketing strategy. Outside the realm of corporate endeavors, she has lent her expertise to diverse projects, ranging from charitable endeavors to rebranding initiatives for small businesses. Known for her passion for challenges, Sal thrives on transforming them into opportunities to explore her boundless creativity.
Bianca PeÑaranda
- Partner Engagement Manager
- +65 60311618
- Bianca is a Partner Engagement Manager for the Real Estate team in America, bringing a wealth of experience from her tenure in the events industry since 2017. With a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, she combines her academic background with practical expertise. Outside of work, Bianca plays an active role in her church community as a youth and music ministry leader.
Bijaya Lata Sharma
- Investor Relations & Program Manager
- +65 6031 1619
- Bijaya is an Investor Relations and Program Manager at Markets Group in India. She has successfully led numerous large-scale events across diverse industries. Bijaya earned her master’s degree from Bangalore University, and she is fluent in English, Nepali, and Hindi.
Bleriona Bahidi
- Program Manager & Investor Relations
- 525553513827
- Bleriona is an experienced Program Manager with a strong background in Investor Relations, bringing her expertise from diverse international settings. Her career journey has taken her from conducting economic research in Tunisia, Ghana, and Miami to her current role, based out of Mexico City. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and fluency in English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Albanian, Bleriona possess the global perspective and communication skills necessary to excel in fostering valuable relationships and driving successful programs.
Brandon Link
- Head of Strategic Relationships
- +1 347 913 7813
- Brandon is the Head of Strategic Partnerships for the Private Equity Group at Markets Group. With over a decade of experience in the financial events industry, he brings extensive expertise to his role. Previously, he was a Partner at Sahar Global Summits, where he led key initiatives in Co-Investment & Secondaries, Growth Equity & Venture Capital, and ESG & Sustainability events. Prior to this, he independently raised capital for seed-stage startups and played a pivotal role at Markets Group, focusing on building relationships with institutional investors for Latin American-focused private equity events. A Kansas native, Mr. Link earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management, International Business, and Geography from the University of Kansas.
Brett Friedberg
- Partner, Head of Sales
- +1 212-804-6220
- Mr. Friedberg heads up Markets Group’s Sponsor Relationships and Client Development throughout the world. Prior to Markets Group, he spent ten years in wealth management working with both retail and institutional investors in dealing with a wide array of financial instruments. Mr. Friedberg graduated from Binghamton University with a BS degree in Financial Economics and also attended Fordham Law School.
Brian Intemann
- Relationship Manager
- +1 347-352-8168
- Mr. Intemann is responsible for production as well as investor relations. Prior to Markets Group he worked for an events and marketing company. He graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2016 with a BA in Economics.
Bricia Silva
- Senior Recruiter & HR Specialist
- +351 308 812 014
- Brícia is a Senior Recruiter & HR Specialist and holds a Master’s degree in Organizational, Work, and Social Psychology. With 5 years of experience spanning sales, recruitment, and HR across agency and in-house roles, she has been immersed in the events industry for the past years, collaborating with international teams. For Brícia, striving for better is key and people are always at the forefront. Outside of work, she finds serenity in nature and hiking and indulges in crime documentaries.
Brigitte Faris
- Head of Recruitment
- +1 260-239-7236
- Brigitte Faris is the Head of Talent Acquisitions at Markets Group, leveraging a background in Human Resources to drive innovative recruitment strategies and foster diverse talent pipelines. With a bachelors degree in Human Resources Development from Indiana State University. Brigitte works and developed the full-cycle recruitment aspects on a global capacity for Markets Group and manages all of our Internal Committees & Development programs such as DEI, Sustainability, Employee Experience, Ambassador Programs & Professional Certifications. With a blend of empathy, enthusiasm, and dedication, Brigitte recruits our talent on a global scale to find someone who not only loves what they do but does it well! Fluent in sign language, Brigitte believes in the importance of effective communication and inclusivity in all aspects of life. In addition to her professional endeavors, she is a devoted pet lover, a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan & a military spouse. She currently resides in Texas. If you have any questions or interest in joining our team, please reach out to her!
Camille Cross
- Project Manager, Marketing & Design at Markets Group
- +1 2126005913
- Over the course of my career, I have gained a diverse professional background with experience spanning media agencies, hedge funds, private equity, and startup AI companies. My career began in the dynamic environments of private equity and hedge funds, where I honed my financial acumen by balancing critical short- and long-term considerations. Transitioning to a startup artificial intelligence firm, I expanded my perspective by leveraging AI as a transformative tool. My subsequent role at a media agency further enriched my understanding of modern marketing and communication strategies essential for the digital age. These varied responsibilities have allowed me to explore my creative side and enhance my tech skills. In my role at Markets Group, I project manage our design projects, oversee all event printing for our events globally, and assist with social design support for our clients and Markets Group’s social media management.
Carly Danziger
- Partner Engagement Manager
- +65 6467624993
- Carly Danziger is from Norwalk, CT, and began her career in the education and non-profit sectors, supporting students before transitioning into the event space. Prior to joining Markets Group, she worked in attendee relations and recruitment for a B2B company specializing in IT/Cybersecurity, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and watching women’s basketball.
Carolina Gomez-Lacazette
- Co-Head of Institutional Production & Investor Relations
- +1 646-688-5056
- Ms. Gomez-Lacazette is responsible for production and investor relations across the US for the Institutional Real Estate group. Prior to joining Markets Group, she worked at Garrigues , an international law firm, as a corporate lawyer at their Spain offices.
Cassandra Rodgers
- Design and Marketing Manager
- +1 212.706.9634
- Cassandra, Design and Marketing Manager at Markets Group, possesses over 14 years of experience in graphic design and video editing. Throughout her career, she has cultivated her skills by collaborating with clients across various industries such as manufacturing, entertainment, and beauty, while working at an agency. Recognized for her ability to craft compelling visual narratives, Cassandra is dedicated to enhancing brand presence and fostering engagement through her creative expertise.
Cassia Howard
- Head of Private Wealth Sales, LatAm & Canada
- +1-212-600-8626
- Cassia is responsible for business development across the LatAm and Canada regions for the Private Wealth Group. Prior to that, Cassia managed the Investor Relations team for the Private Wealth Series, coordinating investor outreach, event planning, and content formulation across the Americas. Cassia graduated from Bard College in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Studies. Cassia is originally from Brazil and speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Catherine Giannoukos
- Event Operations Manager
- +61 2 7228 3820
- Catherine is the APAC Operations Manager at Markets Group, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. With a rich history in the events industry spanning various sectors including Technology & Cyber Security, Training & Education, Roads & Infrastructure, Engineering, and Health, Catherine has held senior and leadership roles across many of these domains.
Chen Ravina
- Recruitment & People Operations Associate
- +6560311235
- With a background in BS Psychology, I found my passion in human resources, where I’ve built a rewarding career. Outside of work, you’ll find me exploring museums, immersed in a good book, or creating art. I’m also a documentary enthusiast and a devoted coffee lover
Christine Giordano
- Editor-in-Chief
- +1 212-600-8628
- In 2022, Markets Group reimagined how one of the world’s leading financial events companies would meet the news and content needs of its global and regional investor audience. Giordano’s main goal is to create a useful news tool for investors, expand peer-to-peer learning and integrate actionable information for allocators across live panel discussions. Giordano is known for applying a solutions-oriented approach to news and events for members of the financial industry. Earlier in her career, Giordano headed Chief Investment Officer media and events, and was an award-winning multimedia journalist for daily news outlets such as the New York Times Co., U.S. News & World Report, The Street and Newsday. She is a member of 100 Women in Finance, Society of Business Editors and Writers, Newswomen’s Club of New York, Press Club of Long Island and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Clara Wolf
- Program Manager & Investor Relations
- +1 347 708 1746
- Clara works in the EU team of Markets Group as a Project Manager & Investor Relations. She relocated to New York from Germany in 2023. Prior to joining Markets Group, Clara has worked as a lawyer and a legal clerk at a higher court in Germany
Corinne Smart
- Client Relations Manager
- +1 347 778 2543
- Ms. Smart joined Markets Group as a Client Relations Manager. Prior to Markets Groups, she spent 18 years specializing in business development for conference companies for a wide array of industries. Corinne/Ms. Smart graduated from WWU with a B.S. degree in International Business, Marketing and Pre-Law.
Courtney McQuade
- Head of Digital
- +1 925-817-9457
- I love the financial industry and learning people’s unique career and company growth stories. As the Head of Digital for Markets Group, it is my goal to share these stories, showcase our top-notch events, and highlight the key trends and learnings from our incredible community. Throughout my career, I have fostered relationships with RIAs and family offices, gatekeepers at wirehouses, global and regional private banks, independent broker-dealers, and consultants. I enjoy the ‘people’ side of my work and love to meet and connect with great people. If you’d like to chat about this incredible industry, share ideas, or discuss the best buffalo wing spots, please do reach out.
Dani Warwick
- Senior Program Manager & Investor Relations
- +4420 4558 0937
- Dani is a Senior Program Manager & Investor Relations specialist at Market Group, based in London. With nearly a decade of industry experience, Dani has cultivated a strong track record in audience and investor relations. Before joining Market Group, she served as Head of Audience Relations for the UK & Europe at Portfolio Adviser, where she led strategic engagement initiatives. Prior to that, she was the Delegate Relations Manager for Investment Week, the flagship brand of Incisive Media. Dani began her career as an Analyst in equity derivatives trade support at Goldman Sachs, where she gained valuable insights into financial markets. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Design (Joint Honours) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management (Honours) from Brunel University.
David Kubik
- Lead Developer
- +1 249-505-3299
- David Kubik serves as the Lead Developer at Markets Group, having previously worked as a full stack developer at Newcom Media and founding/creating ReDiscover Kingston, an augmented reality tourism app. David graduated from Queen’s University with a major in Computer Science, where he garnered recognition such as the Kingston Mayor’s Innovation Challenge award, first place in innovation at the Queen’s University annual hackathon, and the Code the Change award for Queen’s UNICEF. David is currently based in Toronto, Ontario.
David Orr
- Relationship Manager
- +65 6031 1647
- David is a Relationship Manager at Markets Group in Singapore, working with the APAC team to support client relationships across the region, with a focus on Singapore, Japan, and Korea. Prior to Markets Group, David has worked in the alternative assets industry as a Sales Representative, where he served to provide data and intelligence for asset management firms and investors in the alternatives space. He also holds experience doing social-media marketing for insurance agencies and financial advisors in Singapore. David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the National University of Singapore.
Debra Haym
- Head of Alts Production & Investor Relations
- +1 212 600 8629
- Debra contributes to the production and program management for the Alternate Investments team at Markets Group through content formulation and investor relations. Prior to Markets Group, Debra worked as a Head of Production for Worldwide Business Research in both London and New York. Debra graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and has dual citizenship in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
Della Aisyah
- Client Relations Manager
- +61399175720
- She joined Markets Group as a Client Relations Manager for APAC and she is based in Bali, Indonesia. Prior to Markets Group, she was a Business Development and Event Manager for an investment event organizer company based in London. In her spare time, she loves to try new restaurants, trekking, hiking as well as going to the beach.
Doina Roibu
- Program Manager & Investor Relations
- +39 06 9480 6331
- Doina is a Italy-based project manager of EMEA investor forums. Prior to that, she was heading the Investor Relations team at Private Equity Insights, where she was in charge of curating the agendas and lining up the speakers across all European and Asian events. Doina is fluent in English, Russian and Portuguese and has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing.
Elena Cohen
- Client Relations Manager
- +1 646-202-1686
- Elena Cohen is a Client Relations Manager for the North America Institutional Investor Series. Prior to Markets Group, she has experience in the events space as well as business development, and recruitment. Elena graduated from High Point University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and a minor in Psychology. She currently resides in New York City.
Emilia Ojasalo
- Program Manager & Investor Relations
- *442045914067
- Emilia Ojasalo is a dynamic, Finland-based Program Manager and Investor Relations Associate, specializing in Institutional Forums across Europe. Prior to her current role, she spent five years working throughout Europe and the Middle East, where she connected asset managers with institutional and private wealth investors.
Fadumo Omer
- Program Manager & Investor Relations
- +1 343-643-1720
- Fadumo Omer is joining us as a Program Manager, Investor Relations, based in Toronto. With over a decade of experience in the educational events industry, Fadumo is a seasoned professional renowned for her ability to build and nurture strong relationships with clients, delegates, and speakers across various sectors. Throughout her career, she has excelled in managing logistics, creating engaging content, and spearheading strategic partnerships. Fluent in Hindi, Somali, and Urdu, Fadumo is adept at fostering inclusive and diverse event environments. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is passionate about volunteering and contributing to her community. A dedicated plant enthusiast, Fadumo tends to over 40 plants and loves exploring new cafés every weekend.
Felix Baker
- Client Relations Manager
- +44 20 8396 7563
- Felix is a Client Relations Manager in the Private Equity Team at Markets Group. Prior to joining Markets Group, Felix worked on business development in the Private Equity space, providing a platform to institutions for data purposes to help build connections between investors and funds. Felix also has a BA (Hons) in Economics from University of the West of England.
Francine Cabanas
- Partner Engagement Manager
- +55 11 3042 6363
- Currently works as a Partner Engagement Manager within the Private Equity Group. Prior to Markets Group she worked on the Event industry, Maritime Foreign Trade data industry and Corporate Real Estate data industry.
Gabriela McNicholl
- Client Relations Manager
- +1 646-202-1943
- Gabriela joined Markets Group as a Client Relations Manager. Prior to Markets Group she worked in Account and Partnerships Management at a Commercial Real Estate Publication. Gabriela graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a Master’s in International Business Law. Gabriela resides in New York however she spends as much time as she can at home, in Ireland.
Georgina Westlake
- Head of Sales, UK
- +44 20 8396 7560
- Georgina is the Head of UK Sales at Markets Group, based in London. In this role, she leads strategic initiatives, cultivates investor relations, and drives production excellence across the UK market. Before joining Markets Group, Georgina served as Director of Industry Relations at a prominent international financial media company, where she played a pivotal role in managing multiple brands and expanding the company’s footprint across diverse regions, including South Africa, Europe, and Dubai. Georgina’s career began at Incisive Media, where she worked on the flagship brand, Investment Week. As the head of the Delegate Engagement Team, she successfully delivered high-profile events across the UK. Throughout her career, Georgina has demonstrated expertise in collaborating with Editorial, Marketing, and Sponsorship Sales teams, and has a proven track record of building strong relationships with key fund selectors in the wealth management industry. Georgina holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Oxford Brookes University.
Giancarlo Sanchez
- Program Manager & Investor Relations
- +1 917-551-5541
- Based in Chicago, Giancarlo serves as a Program Manager & Investor Relations professional at Markets Group. Previously, he held a leadership role in the private events and virtual division at a global events company. Giancarlo earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a minor in Japanese Language and Literature from Loyola University Chicago. His academic background and career trajectory have honed his expertise in market research, event management, and Japanese language proficiency. This diverse skill set enables Giancarlo to curate engaging and relevant event content, elevating attendee experiences and maximizing audience impact.
Gianluca Guarnieri
- Program Manager and Investor Relations
- +442038085487
- Gianluca is the Program Manager and Investor Relations at Markets Group based in London. He has produced events since 2019, with expertise ranging across a wide selection of global regions and industries including PBWM, retail banking, insurance, e-commerce logistics and technology. He holds a master’s degree in electrical and Electronic Engineering from University College London.
Giseli Akaboci
- Head of Strategic Operations
- +1 646-216-8134
- Giseli Akaboci began her journey with Markets Group as its first hire, playing a key role in transforming the company from a single-event operation into a global leader hosting over 100 annual events worldwide, ranging from one-day forums to immersive multi-day retreats. As Head of Strategic Operations, she leads a high-performing team responsible for managing a multimillion-dollar budget and ensuring seamless event logistics that meet operational standards and align with the company’s strategic objectives, all while scaling operations efficiently. With more than 15 years of experience in New York, Giseli brings a unique cultural perspective shaped by her Brazilian roots and Japanese-European heritage. She has held positions at Banco do Brasil, Santander Bank, and UNICAMP, and holds a BA in Business and Marketing, an MBA, and an MA in Economics and International Business, further enhanced by executive-level education. A passionate traveler who has explored over 40 countries, Giseli combines her love of discovery with deep expertise in high-end hospitality. This blend of personal passion and professional insight has made her a trusted partner in collaborating with luxury hotels and exclusive venues.