Global Citizen Week
Cairo - Egypt
April 22nd - 25th

Joao Pagani Toscano
CEO
Livingroup

Joãos journey into entrepreneurship and business began at an early age, influenced by discussions about investments, financial markets, capital gains, and dividends. Unsurprisingly, he went on to study Business Administration and Management and, during this academic journey, skilfully navigated the delicate balance between career and education. With a grounding in entrepreneurship and business language, Joãos early exposure to financial concepts paved the way for a remarkable career trajectory.

Between Madrid and Lisbon, he takes on the crucial role of monitoring the companys professional contacts with the commercial partners responsible for promoting the companys projects worldwide.

Beyond financial milestones, João measures his success as a leader by the confidence he instills in his team, which is the ultimate recognition of his leadership.

Laszlo Kiss
Managing Director
Discus Holding Ltd

Laszlo Kiss is the founder, owner, and managing director of Discus Holdings Ltd., a group of companies that provide investment migration, corporate, financial, and tax planning services.

Discus, based in Malta and founded in 2013, has won concessions in recent years, including ones for the Hungarian residency bond program, the Malta Residence and Visa Program, and one citizenship license in Montenegro. Discus provides help with applications for residency permits in the United Kingdom, Malta, Cyprus, Greece, the UAE, and many other countries. It also helps with citizenship applications to Vanuatu, Malta, Turkey, and all Caribbean nations. Discus has 12 offices worldwide.

Laszlo, who lives in Europe, has more than 31 years of experience in international immigration, business, and tax structuring. His professional background includes founding the largest privately-owned consultancy firm in Hungary to offer tax and corporate structuring and immigration solutions. In 1998, Laszlo was appointed the Honorary Consul General to represent the Republic of Seychelles, an archipelago with 115 islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

He has a bachelor’s degree in tourism and hotel management from Budapest Business School and a Master’s in economics from Corvinus University of Budapest. He has been a member of the International Tax Planning Association since 2004 and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners since 2006. He has been a founding member of the Investment Migration Council since 2015.

Laszlo speaks English, German, and Russian.

João Baptista
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Spark Group

João is the CEO and co-founder of the Spark Group.

He has several years of experience globally in various industries including finance, real estate, and management consulting. João is a specialist in business strategy with an extensive track record in investing in Portugal.

He holds a Master’s in International Business from the HEC School of Management, France, and a Degree in Management from Nova School of Business, Lisbon.

Mina Sedhom
Director – Wealth Management
Asas Capital

Mina has been active in Dubai International Financial Centre and the GCC area. He obtained 21 years of banking, building a huge network of high-net-worth and ultra-VIP connections around the world.

As the Director – Wealth Management of Asas Capital, Mina is managing the wealth of high net-worth investors from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and France.

He has been the Managing Director of Fidèle Capital, a regulated investment firm by the Financial Services Authority (DFSA) founded as a collaborative effort of investors and advisors, bringing experience from both sides.

He has been certified as an Expert in High Networth Relationship Management by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. He is also a certified Business Consultant and a certified Trainer. He graduates from the Ain Shams University.

Duarte Calheiros Menezes
Fund Manager & Partner
BlueCrow Capital

Duarte is currently a partner and fund manager at Bluecrow Capital, which he joined in 2014. With over fifteen years of experience in the financial sector, he is specialized in asset structuring and management, with extensive knowledge in venture capital and private equity fund management.

Duarte concluded his degree in economics and master’s in finance at Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, one of the best business schools in Europe, and acquired experience in futures and options trading throughout the first five years of his career, working in large companies like OSTC Group.

As an investment professional, had the privilege of achieving consistent results over the years, drawing upon his asset and risk management expertise, he strives to navigate volatile markets diligently, identifying opportunities that benefit clients and minimize risks. Since 2018 as a fund manager, Duarte has been fortunate to provide leadership that has exceeded performance targets, delivering impressive returns through well-tailored strategies, and contributing to notable growth and optimization of portfolios.

Since 2020 led a massive fundraising campaign for the Bluecrow Growth Fund and Innovation Fund Series, which raised an impressive sum of more than €100 million, he also led the establishment of critical operational functions for BlueCrow Capital, which simultaneously involved the creation of onboarding procedures that streamlined the process of raising new investors, ensuring the smooth running and performance of the investor relations department, always taking into consideration the process established by the legal department, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and ethical practices.

Guilherme Valadares Carreiro 
Investment Professional
Oxy Capital

Guilherme is a Principal on the investment team, Head of the Golden Visa Initiatives, and sits on the Investment Committee.

His transaction experience as a member of the Growth & Buyout investment team includes more than 10 deals in diversified sectors. For 2 years, Guilherme also played a crucial active role in the operational and financial restructuring process of an Industrial company with +€250M in Revenue. Since 2022, Guilherme has been leading the fundraising and execution efforts of Oxy Capital’s Golden Visa Funds (+60M€), having raised capital mostly from a diversified base of US private investors.

Before joining Oxy Capital in 2018, he worked as a Consultant for c.2 years as an Operational Consultant on the leading operational consulting firm in Europe, Kaizen Institute.

Guilherme holds a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from theFaculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (Portugal) and Technische Universität München (Germany).

Kholoud Khalifa
Processing Manager
PASS FZCO

Kholoud is an expert and a legal advisor who is passionate about research, law, and migration, with almost 10 years of experience working in both public and private sectors locally and Internationally.

Her current role at PASS focuses on developing partnerships with international and local agents across different programs and countries, engaging with clients, and advising them accordingly with their legal queries.

Kholoud’s practice focuses on human rights, migration, and investment. Her experience expands to consulting companies about their incorporation, operations, and ensuring compliance.

Her primary interest areas are raising awareness and advocacy about irregular migration, and assisting refugees and asylum seekers who are either based in Egypt or looking for resettlement.

Michael Maxwell
CEO & Founder
Portugal Panorama

Michael Maxwell is the CEO and Founder, with 16 years of experience. Michal has held various board and leadership roles in consulting, corporate services, financial and fiduciary services as well as fund management across Lisbon, London, Istanbul and Geneva. His vast experience gives Michael a unique insight into the Portuguese Golden Visa Market, particularly regarding Private Equity Funds.

He previously headed up the inception of Dixcart Domiciles, a residency-by-investment Business that he grew to over 70 new clients a year. He used to advise on the first Golden Visa-eligible fund established in Portugal in 2017. He was the Founding Member of a leading Fund Manager that quickly became one of the fastest growing in Portugal. He led the capital raise of an investment platform which successfully raised more than €100M over 2 years, a particularly noteworthy feat in Portugal. He was also the Founder and CEO of Portugal Panorama Investment Platform, and the Founding Partner and Head of Business Development of Aquila FCR

Heather Bain
Director
ATB Global Mobility

Heather, a distinguished figure in the investment migration industry for over 15 years, epitomizes leadership with a profound commitment to integrity. As a dual citizen of Grenada and Canada, her deep-rooted connection to both nations fuels her dedication to upholding high standards so that there is security and prosperity for all. At ATB Global Mobility, Heather leads a team devoted to personalized service, where every client is valued and receives tailored guidance for a successful outcome. With a focus on integrity and individualized attention, Heather and her team assist families in obtaining Caribbean citizenship, striving to deliver optimal solutions that align with each client’s unique needs.

Heather’s expertise spans a diverse array of sectors, ranging from tourism and hospitality to human resources and resort development. With a comprehensive understanding of international business practices, Heather brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Having worked extensively in tourism, she possesses insights into the intricacies of the hospitality industry. Her experience in HR equips her with valuable insights into organizational dynamics and employee management. Additionally, Heather’s involvement in development projects underscores her ability to navigate complex ventures and achieve successful outcomes. With this multifaceted background, Heather offers a unique perspective and invaluable expertise to clients in the investment migration industry through ATB Global Mobility.

Slava Apel
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Startup Visa Services

Mr. Slava Apel is the CEO and Founder of Canada Business Consulting firm and the Startup Visa Services. Award-winning, B2B professional services consulting firms specializing in the Canadian Start-up Visa permanent residency program. Mr. Apel has been an integral part of the Canadian Start-up ecosystem for over 20 years. As a startup expert and processor, he works with immigration professionals assisting their clients in obtaining approvals for business immigration or expansion to Canada.

Mr. Apel is involved in multiple business incubators, accelerators, angel groups, and venture capital firms that approve startups for their landing in Canada, whether it is for business expansion, business relocation, or starting a new business. He is an author, angel investor, advisor to 50 asset management firms, mentor and faculty in 5 incubators and 3 Universities, entrepreneur with multiple exits in the tech sector, and an active charity board member.

Helping CBI & RBI firms as a B2B facilitator, Startup Visa Services assists immigrating-to-Canada businesses and investors with an approval process, soft-landing, commercialization of new products, prototyping, proper business structuring and capitalization, documentation, and training. Providing personal case support with service-level guarantees, including innovation and IP consulting, business case vetting, case defense, business updates, and full-service venture packages.

With the highest industry approval rates in Canada, Mr. Apel has received multiple industry awards, celebrating pre-landing and post-landing achievements that allow immigrating entrepreneurs to thrive in Canada.

Dusan Marinkovic
Head of Sales
Orience

Dusan Marinkovic is a professional with a diverse skill set and extensive expertise in the fields of finance, migration, and investment advisory. Holding certifications as a Certified Investment Advisor (CISI) and a Certified Migration Advisor (IMC), he brings a wealth of knowledge to his roles.

With dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Management, Dusan accumulated a whole decade of experience in international environments plus a solid academic foundation. Having served 1000+ clients, he is renowned for his client-centric approach and deep expertise. Formerly based in Dubai, Dusan has redirected his focus to the Spanish program, staying at the forefront of industry trends.

Jerome Morgan
President
Mercan Group

Jerome Morgan, the Founder, President & CEO of Mercan Group, has spearheaded the company’s rise as one of the first leading Canadian immigration consulting entities since its establishment in 1989. Under his stewardship, Mercan has emerged as a trailblazer in the Investment, Employment, and Immigration sectors. Jerome Morgan’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence paved the way for Mercan Group’s legacy as a cornerstone of innovation, trust, and growth of Mercan in the global market.

Richard Hallam
CBI Director
Ora Caribbean

Richard Hallam is a dual citizen of Grenada and Great Britain. His 30 years of work experience has taken him to every continent, but his current home base for the last 17 years is on the Caribbean island of Grenada. Originally a hotelier, Richard branched out into development, real estate, and business advisory.

He has played a multi-faceted role in the development scene of Grenada, working initially in the acquisition and development of multi-use projects and later with government and developers in the creation of the Grenada CBI (Citizenship-By-Investment) program as a Special Advisor to the Inward Investment Office.

Richard has seen a Caribbean CBI program from concept to operation and has worked alongside government, CIU offices, agents, and developers. He is an Approved Marketing Agent of the Grenada CBI program and has direct, insider, on-island knowledge and close working relationships with all major developers and local agents. He holds the position of CBI Director for Ora Caribbean – Developers of Silversands Grenada, Silversands Beach House, and their latest project – Silversands Morne Rouge.

Dario Montagnese
Operating Partner
C2 Capital Partners

Dario Montagnese is an Operating Partner at C2 Capital Partners, an independent private equity firm and a reference player in the Portuguese market. As an Operating Partner, Dario leads C2 Legacy Buyout, a midmarket buyout fund that invests in diverse companies across various sectors. With over 15 years of experience in this field, Dario developed a deep expertise in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity, which he leverages to drive value creation for portfolio companies and investors.

Dario has a strong academic background, with a Master of Science in Business Administration and Management from Università degli Studi di Torino, a Master in General Management from ESCP Europe, and an executive program in international tax law from Leiden University.

He also has a keen interest in family business management, as evidenced by publications in the EuroMed Academy of Business conference. Dario is passionate about creating long-term value and sustainable growth for investors. Before joining C2 Capital, Dario co-founded and sold 2 tech companies, one in Italy and one in Portugal. He has been holding board positions in various European SMEs advising companies mostly on topics related to corporate finance, acquisitions, and corporate governance.

He has also been appointed country manager for Atlante, an electric mobility multinational company, to lead the acquisition of the third largest charging points operator in Portugal (€20M+ deal) and manage the post-acquisition integration and business expansion.

Vasilis Leivadas
Head of Business Development
Green Properties

Vasilis Leivadas grew up in Athens in the 90s. He obtained the MEng Electronic Engineering degree from the University of Southampton in the UK. He spent his early career working for organizations like Microchip, Vivoplex, and The Wednesday Group, as an Engineer. His leadership skills led him to the position of Head of Digital, in the latter company. Throughout these early years, he developed valuable software development, design, and problem-solving Skills.

Vasilis’s entrepreneurial passion guided him in chasing a more business-oriented opportunity. Thus, he started a rotation program with Green Properties, the leading Residential Real Estate Development company in Greece, going through both the company’s construction and commerce departments.

He’s currently heading the Business Development department, and he is responsible for the company’s overseas business expansion plans, international sales and branding, network growth and more.

In his leisure time, you may find him reading books, playing Beach Volleyball and exploring innovative products and business ideas. His diverse experiences and achievements reflect a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for technology, entrepreneurship, and making a positive impact on the world.

Thomas Antony
Chief Executive Officer
Investment Migration Agency Grenada

Thomas Anthony is a former commercial, retail, and investment banker with 26 years of experience working in the Banking and Financial Securities sectors in Antigua, St. Lucia, and Miami. Thomas served in various roles including Financial Advisor, Portfolio Manager, Loans Manager, Debt Recovery Manager, Investment Manager, and Wealth Manager. Before joining the Investment Migration Agency Grenada, formerly known as the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Unit, Thomas was the Project Development Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Executive Officer (ag) of the Antigua Citizenship by Investment Unit from 2013 to 2017.

Thomas was Global Head of ICV (Immigration, Citizenship, and Visa) at Exiger, a global Governance, Risk, and Compliance firm, until 2018. He has published multiple articles which cover a range of topics in the Investment Migration space and is a prominent speaker in this arena. He is also a Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS); and an Accredited Director, (Acc.Dir.), a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB), and a Fellow of the Investment Migration Council (FIMC).

Mr Anthony previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Unit from 2018 to 2019 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the rebranded Investment Migration Agency Grenada.

Gonçalo Mendes Leal
Founding Partner
NSMLawyers

Gonsalo co-founded NSMLawyers which crafted thousands of golden visa applications in Portugal with a team of expert lawyers and the work with more than 10 years of experience that changed many lives. In the last decade, NSMLawyers has become a top immigration law firm in Portugal. Recognized worldwide, the firm specializes in crafting residency visas. They have assisted clients from more than 80 nationalities seizing the opportunity of both investing and enjoying a golden country.

Pedro Correia da Silva
Managing Partner
ActiveCap

Pedro has over 20 years of experience in the field of asset management, managing investments in Portuguese companies (large and small capitalizations, listed and unlisted) in various sectors.

He developed his career at F&C Investments at the London and Lisbon offices, being responsible for investments in Portuguese companies.

Previously, he was director of BCP Capital, where he led the private equity investment team, and director of IMGA – Gestão de Activos (formerly Millennium Gestão de Activos).

Degree in Economics from Universidade Lusíada, an MBA from Universidade Católica Portuguesa, and a Specialization in Private Equity from the London Business School.

Steven Pepa
Principal
Saratoga Capital Partners

Steven is a founding member and principal of Saratoga Capital Partners, a private equity and alternative asset management group that has been active since 2008. A lawyer by profession, he has headed the private equity and mergers & acquisitions group since the firm’s inception.

Since 2017, Steven has been the co-head of Saratoga Capital’s regulated products group, launching the firm’s first regulated fund focused on discreet capital raise and private equity placement coupled with investment migration solutions.

With over 26 years of experience in developed and emerging markets in both common law and continental civil law jurisdictions, Steven has been a member of, or has led, extensive deal teams in North America, Europe, and its periphery, as well as Central Asia.

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Steven has focused on emerging markets since 2004. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and a Fulbright Scholar, and has held positions (many of which were senior) in some of the most prestigious international legal practices: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, McCarthy Tétrault, Linklaters, and White & Case.

James Muscat Azzopardi
Partner
MA&A Advocates

Dr James Muscat Azzopardi has been a lawyer for over 20 years and advises a global portfolio of high-net-worth families, family offices, private banks, and asset management companies on a range of issues including the acquisition of second citizenship, an alternative residence or a tax based program. He is a partner at Muscat Azzopardi & Associates, Advocates, a commercial law firm set up in 1971 that is the preferred local law firm in Malta for several of the world’s largest international law firms. He is also a founder shareholder and a Director on the Credence group of companies that offer advisory and corporate administration services to a multi-billion Euro client portfolio.

Dr Muscat Azzopardi is a licensed Authorised Agent for Malta’s citizenship and residence programmes as well as the First Vice President of the Maltese-Spanish Chamber of Commerce and a director on the board of several regulated entities. He is a regular speaker at industry events.

Tatiana Muntean
Associate Vice President
Arton Capital

Tatiana Muntean, CMP, Cert (IM) is renowned for her expertise in the investment migration industry and has an extensive background in servicing the needs of high-net-worth investors around the world.

Currently serving as an Associate Vice President at Arton Capital, she plays a pivotal role in empowering Global Citizenship in the Americas and beyond.

Tatiana has a strong background in project and stakeholder management within transnational organizations, including the Investment Migration Council (IMC), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Moreover, Tatiana is a Certified Business Coach and Motivational Speaker. Leveraging her coaching prowess, she mentors and develops sales and cross-functional teams, elevating their performance and fostering a culture of collegiality, efficiency, and productivity.

Ahmed Abbassi
CEO & Founder
Greca Homes

Ahmed Abbassi, a notable figure in Greek real estate, emerged as a leader in the field after arriving in Athens in 2011 as an exchange student. He founded Greca Homes in 2013, leveraging Greece’s Golden Visa program to provide tailored real estate services to foreign investors, resulting in over 120 families securing Golden Visas through his company.

Building on this success, Abbassi expanded into real estate development and investments with Greca Developments, currently overseeing projects totaling around 4,000 square meters and valued at approximately 10 million euros.

Additionally, Abbassi manages investment funds for high-net-worth individuals, utilizing his market expertise to prioritize capital appreciation and yield optimization.

As the CEO of Greca Developments, powered by Greca Homes, Abbassi continues to push boundaries in Greek real estate, driven by his commitment to excellence and a forward-looking approach.

Rosalia Torres
Co-founder
Arish Capital Partners

Rosalia Torres is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, co-founder, partner, and head of sales and international partnerships at Arish Capital Partners.

With 20+ years of experience in banking, portfolio investment, and global real estate asset management, Rosalia co-leads with her 3 partners a worldwide team of 21 highly qualified professionals to drive more than $100 million in annual revenues.

She has established a strong network of local distribution partners in 50+ countries with whom she works closely to help worldwide clients access Arish’s European developments portfolio, including Golden VISA-eligible real estate projects and investment funds that enable them to establish second residency status in Portugal, Greece or Spain and a pathway to EU citizenship.

Before starting Arish Capital, Rosalia was the Director of NBAD Direct at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, with the fastest-growing division within retail banking. Before emigrating to the UAE, she was the youngest ever manager (at 29 years old) at Banco Pastor in Spain, overseeing 29 of the bank’s branches.

In 2014, Rosalia founded AlEspanya Properties helping Middle Eastern investors access distressed opportunities in the Spanish and Portuguese real estate markets and assisting with immigration planning. That eventually merged with Arish Capital Partners’ original scope, which marries property investment and development with asset management and sales expertise and ongoing relationships with Southern European contractors, bankers, government leaders, and immigration officials.

Rosalia now advises ACP distribution partners and investors across South Asia, Latin America, the United States, South Africa, and the Middle East.

Patrick Peters
Chief Executive Officer
ClientReferrals

Patrick is a Canadian CPA who has more than 15 years of experience in the Investment Migration industry, specifically the Antigua and Canada programs. Before assisting Immigration Professionals with their high-net-worth clients, he worked for BDO and KPMG, living and working in various countries.

In 2014, his company, ClientReferrals, was appointed as the Official Promoter of Antigua & Barbuda’s NDF Contribution Option and they have been the Program’s leading Service Provider since then.

In Antigua, ClientReferrals prides itself on offering the best service and commissions to Immigration Practitioners who have Contribution Option clients, but also on the high quality of the real estate projects they offer.

ClientReferrals never works with clients directly, they strictly work with Immigration Practitioners, helping them serve their clients. The company also provides other products for immigration practitioners to grow their business – various immigration products, real estate opportunities, and wealth management services.

Patrick and his colleagues have been involved with the Immigrant Investor industry for more than 25 years – they have helped create Canada’s investor and entrepreneur programs, they have raised more than $9 billion in capital for various programs, and they have assisted more than 12,000 families.

Anastasia Barna
Co-Founder and CEO
One World Migration

Anastasia Barna is the CO-Founder and CEO of One World Migration and the International Association for Economic Development. For the last 7 years, Anastasia has specialized in attracting foreign direct investments to government-approved projects for several countries, including the Kingdom of Bahrain, UAE, Caribbean countries, Latin American countries, and a few countries of the EU.

One World focuses on solving complicated cases and finding exclusive solutions for clients looking for a reliable partner to solve issues outside their own country, such as free traveling, opening bank accounts, relocating a business, optimizing taxation, and diversifying their investment portfolio. One World offers the client a solution by obtaining a citizenship or residence permit that suits the client’s requirements best. The company seeks possible jurisdiction considering clients’ conditions and providing support in integrating into the chosen country’s infrastructure after obtaining citizenship or a residence permit so that the client and the client’s family feel they are in the third country “like home”.

One World Platinum club, which all clients of the company can visit, holds closed events with government officials and specialists from various industries to provide as much relevant information as possible that interests clients, such as international taxation, including corporate taxes, diversification of personal capital risks, changes in programs citizenship and residence, etc.

Nicolas Goro
Regional Manager
Pafilia Property Developers

Nicolas is a regional manager at Pafilia Property Developers, with 20 years of property market experience in Cyprus and Greece. He is an expert in the Greek & Cypriot residency permits and has extensive knowledge in immigration, education, and taxation. Nicolas participates in global exhibitions and events, expanding his international network. He studied management in Sydney, Australia.