Asset Management Professionals to Know 2025

Dana is an investment management executive with 20+ years of experience in product structuring, marketing, fundraising, investor relations and corporate communications. Before spending the last few years building LUXUS in WealthTech, Dana worked as a Managing Director at Blackstone, Harbinger and with other prominent hedge funds and family offices. She began her career as a lawyer at Schulte Roth & Zabel. Dana has a BA from the University of Vermont and a JD from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

With over 8 years of experience in the financial industry, I am a passionate and driven portfolio manager and podcast co-host. I specialize in family wealth management, financial planning, and investments, helping clients achieve their financial goals and dreams. I currently work as a portfolio manager at RBC Dominion Securities, one of Canada's leading full-service investment firms. I am proud to be part of a team that provides comprehensive wealth management solutions to individuals, families, and businesses across the country. In addition to my role at RBC, I also co-host a podcast called Reformed Millennials, where I share my insights and opinions on the latest trends and topics that matter to millennials and investors. I enjoy engaging with our listeners and community, and exploring the opportunities and challenges that our generation faces in the changing world. Through my podcast, I aim to educate, inspire, and empower millennials to make informed and smart decisions about their money and their future.

Damon Paull, AWMA® - Financial Advisor, Best-Selling Author, Military Veteran As a wealth management advisor and Amazon best-selling author in Money and Business, Damon Paull brings a military precision to financial journalism. His recent collaboration with former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss on "Empathetic Leadership" shows he can take complex financial concepts and turn them into stories that resonate with everyone. With over 8 years of industry experience and a background as a Marine Corps veteran and State Department contractor, Damon writes about: • Intergenerational wealth transfer • Corporate benefit plan optimization • Investment portfolio construction • Business succession planning • Veteran financial empowerment • Global market analysis through a geopolitical lens As a Wealth Management Advisor at Cetera Investors, Damon’s expertise goes beyond traditional financial planning. He uses cutting-edge financial technology and analysis tools to bring you fresh perspectives on emerging trends and investment opportunities. His writing style is data-driven with a storyline, making complex financial concepts accessible to sophisticated investors and general audiences. Regular contributor to discussions on wealth preservation, market dynamics and financial technology. Damon welcomes opportunities to provide professional commentary and in-depth analysis for financial publications looking for expert opinions on wealth management and investment strategies. For editorial inquiries or commentary: Damon Paull, AWMA Damon.Paull@ceterainvestors.com 832.535.2286 Glen Allen, VA Available for national and international commentary Cetera Investors. Damon Paull, Wealth Management Advisor. Securities and Insurance Products offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. 140 EASTSHORE DR. SUITE 105, GLEN ALLEN, VA 23059. 804-346-4670. The opinions expressed are those of the writer, not recommendations of Cetera Investment Services LLC or its representatives.

I am an Institutional Debt Market Architect with more than 17 years of experience designing the valuation, liquidity, and recovery protocols that banks, credit unions, fintech lenders, and private credit funds rely on to make high-stakes decisions. I’ve advised on, analyzed, or helped broker over $100 billion in performing and non-performing receivables across consumer, commercial, auto, BNPL, mortgage, and specialty finance asset classes. My work sits at the intersection of portfolio valuation, lending risk, distressed-asset strategy, and AI-driven recovery intelligence. I help institutions understand the true condition of their receivables, uncover hidden risk, and translate complex credit dynamics into clear, actionable decisions. When lenders need to determine whether to hold, recover, restructure, or sell an asset, I’m the person they call. As Director of Portfolio Liquidity & Asset Disposition at Fitzgerald Advisors, I architect and execute loan-sale strategies, oversee due diligence, and structure NPL and charged-off debt transactions that maximize proceeds while maintaining regulatory integrity. I also build the technology that powers modern receivables strategy. I created Debt Catalyst, an AI-driven valuation and liquidation-curve engine used by professional debt buyers and investors. I developed Bank Watch Pro, a real-time intelligence platform that interprets FDIC and NCUA call-report data to identify institutional credit risk, NPL trends, charge-off exposure, and early-warning indicators. Across my ventures, I focus on one mission: turning distressed receivables, delinquency, and charge-offs into liquidity, clarity, and competitive advantage for financial institutions. I provide expert commentary on: Distressed portfolio valuation & credit-risk analysis NPL and charged-off debt sales Fintech lending trends & BNPL credit performance Bank & credit union financial health (FDIC/NCUA analytics) AI in collections, segmentation, and liquidation modeling Regulatory and compliance implications in debt markets I don’t follow the debt markets — I architect them. And I use that experience to help lenders, investors, and agencies make smarter, faster, and more profitable decisions.

Sabine Ghali, Managing Director at Buttonwood Property Management, Award Winning Real Estate Broker and an Entrepreneur at heart. Sabine is on a mission to help investors create real estate wealth over time in the Greater Toronto Area. Sabine is published in a number of media outlets, including Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Sun, Entrepreneur, Forbes, and Gulf News, among many others.

Max Avery, a dynamic business development executive at Digital Ascension Group, drives growth across industries with a sharp focus on market leadership. His deep knowledge of traditional and emerging financial markets, backed by certifications like Capital Markets & Securities Analyst (CMSA)® and FinTech Industry Professional (FTIP)™, informs his strategic approach. Since 2016, he has excelled in raising capital and structuring deals in private equity and real estate. Appointed to the District Export Council by Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in 2018, and a member of the National Small Business Association’s Economic Development Committee, Avery shapes policies for business growth. Guided by a philosophy of excellence, he turns complex challenges into practical solutions, establishing himself as a trusted strategist committed to lasting impact.

Visionary and Entrepreneurial leader that delivers a unique combination of strategic, operational, technical, and transactional expertise in finance, media and tech.

I am a full-time real estate investor specializing in house flipping and rental conversions. I am the owner of Hamilton House Buyers a home buying company based out of Hamilton, ON, Canada. With a keen eye for undervalued properties, I focus on transforming them into desirable homes or rental units that meet market demand. My approach combines strategic investment, efficient project management, and a deep understanding of local real estate trends to ensure profitable outcomes. By leveraging my expertise, I aim to create lasting value for both buyers and renters, ensuring each project is handled with precision and care.

Many Real-Estate companies are grappling with ineffective marketing techniques, low-quality leads and rising costs. As a seasoned Marketing Strategist, I specialize in helping Real-Estate companies to overcome the unique challenges of today’s market. My mission is to drive exponential growth for your business by improving your Digital Marketing and Lead Generation processes. My expertise lies in crafting tailor-made marketing strategies that drive results. Whether it's optimizing Lead Generation funnels, implementing data-driven SEO techniques, or improving advertising campaigns, I will help find the biggest growth lever in your business. I have a proven track-record of driving Real-Estate leads, boosting occupancy rates, enhancing brand visibility, increasing NOI, and am dedicated to helping you unlock your businesses full potential.

Many Real-Estate companies are grappling with ineffective marketing techniques, low-quality leads and rising costs. As a seasoned Marketing Strategist, I specialize in helping Real-Estate companies to overcome the unique challenges of today’s market. My mission is to drive exponential growth for your business by improving your Digital Marketing and Lead Generation processes. My expertise lies in crafting tailor-made marketing strategies that drive results. Whether it's optimizing Lead Generation funnels, implementing data-driven SEO techniques, or improving advertising campaigns, I will help find the biggest growth lever in your business. I have a proven track-record of driving Real-Estate leads, boosting occupancy rates, enhancing brand visibility, increasing NOI, and am dedicated to helping you unlock your businesses full potential.

Will Lane is a seasoned financial expert with over 20 years of experience across the financial sectors of banking, investments and insurance. He leads educational workshops across the country focused on helping Black families build, protect, and pass down generational wealth. Specializing in retirement planning, estate planning strategies and life insurance, Will is known for his ability to make complex financial concepts practical, relatable, and easy to understand. His work centers on empowering families with the knowledge needed to move from short-term financial planning to long-term financial security. Will has been featured in national publications such as Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, and American Business Stars, where he shares insights on the importance of financial literacy, legacy planning, and closing the racial wealth gap. A key aspect of his approach is helping individuals identify and overcome self-sabotaging financial patterns so they can make confident decisions about protecting their families, preparing for retirement, and leaving a lasting legacy. Through his education-first approach and no-nonsense delivery, Will has become a trusted voice for podcasts, panels, and publications focused on financial education, wealth building, and economic empowerment within the Black community.

Real estate investor with a background in technology, specifically commercial real estate and fintech.Currently focused on acquisition of existing self storage facilities as well as putting together new development projects.

Adam Scuglia is Manager of Business Development for Cortex DM within Premier Construction Software. Based in Markham, Ontario, he leads go-to-market strategy, client acquisition, and solution positioning for a construction-industry SaaS platform built to streamline drawing and document workflows, reduce rework, and align field and office teams in real-time. With a deep understanding of construction processes and a focus on technology-enabled collaboration, Adam enables contractors and owners to adopt a next-generation document control tool that integrates with enterprise systems and drives measurable operational value.

Christopher W. Adam is an automotive industry expert with deep experience across the collector, classic, exotic, and electric vehicle markets. As Director at Woodside Credit, the nation’s leading lender for auto enthusiasts, he brings more than a decade of financial expertise focused on how passion, lifestyle, and market trends drive purchasing and financing decisions. Adam is a frequent presence at major automotive events and auctions, collaborating with leading manufacturers, dealerships, and auction houses. His insights—spanning from the timeless appeal of collector cars to the emerging influence of EVs—make him a trusted voice on the evolving intersection of finance, innovation, and the enthusiast market.

Luxury Real Estate Leader & Lifestyle Concierge With nearly two decades in luxury real estate and over $300 million in career sales, Damian Hall has become one of the Carolinas’ most trusted names. A Christie’s Masters Circle member (top 1 % worldwide) and recipient of the inaugural Christie's International Real Estate Gavel of Greatness award (2023), Damian stands out among the global network’s 32 000+ agents. He leads the Damian Hall Group, operating across five distinct luxury lifestyle markets—from Greater Greenville, SC including Downtown and Simpsonville to equestrian estates in Tryon, lakefront homes on Lake Keowee, mountain homes in Highlands and Cashiers, and coastal properties in Hilton Head. Damian is excited to soon be expanding into hsi hometown of Charleston. His team’s consistent record‑setting sales range from the Cliffs Communities to the highest sale on Lake Lure, the highest residential lot sale in North Main, highest sale in the City of Asheville, Most Expensive Equestrian Estate in SC, and dozens more. Many of these are records for highest sale in the neighborhood or highest price per square foot in the past year. Damian’s expertise is widely recognized; he’s been featured on HGTV, in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, and speaks on luxury real estate, branding, AI, marketing, and social media at industry events. High-profile property coverage: South Carolina’s most expensive property, represented by Damian, was featured on the cover of WSJ | Mansion. The $22 million estate has also been covered in Realtor.com, Post and Courier, and Mansion Global, highlighting its status as the priciest listing in state history. HGTV House Hunters: Damian was featured in the episode "Housing Horses in South Carolina," advising buyers hunting for equestrian properties around Greenville. Quoted and referenced on prominent outlets: Damian's perspective on topics from luxury branding, home sale strategies, and market trends can be found in Robb Report, NY Times, The State, Realtor.com, and others, positioning him as a go-to expert in the region. Panelist and speaker: Damian is regularly invited to panels at Christie's conferences and national real estate events, sharing marketing and branding strategies with industry peers. Social media and industry interviews: Numerous interviews on YouTube and other platforms show his expertise in using social media for luxury listings and real estate branding.

Manage and facilitate business operations for a family owned 9 acre Garden Center that specializes in Trees. Buyer: Network / Research / Order Trees, Shrubs and small plants for 9 acres. Specialize in resourcing material to re-sell on a retail platform. Organized and Restructured Profit Margins / Pricing: All Trees, Plants, & Merchandise. Maintain set Gross Profit Margin's Streamlined Procedures: Developed and created an online "Tree in Distress form" to organize customer communications resulting in employee efficiency and saving time. Researched, Implemented, and Facilitated the integration of 3rd party business applications - "Birdeye" / "Grasshopper" directly improving customer communication while significantly increasing lead generation and sales conversions. Text payment transactions now account for 25% of sales revenue, enabling customers to purchase a tree and installation from the comfort of their home / at their own discretion. Selected & Initiated a Customer Review System: Gained over 500 (and still growing), 5 star reviews since the year 2020 Fosters a work culture of safety, respect, and integrity. Led team meetings to improve daily business operations, safety, training, ideas. Led monthly Zoom meetings to create and facilitate business website operations thetreeplace.com. Started from ground zero and helped build the website into what it is today. Equipment Maintenance Manager: In charge of directing and conducting preventive and routine maintenance on all industrial equipment, Skid Steers, Utility carts, Customer transportation, Lawn equipment. Ensuring that all of this equipment is up and working at all times & ready to use. Skills: Sales Customer Service Procedural Compliance Financial Analysis/Management/Accounting Inventory Management Quality Control Leadership/Team Building Equipment Maintenance Policy Implementation/Development IT/Networking Web Development Social Media Development Marketing Skid Steer Operator Problem Solving

Bestax Chartered Accountants is an FTA Approved Tax Agency and a trusted provider of accounting, tax, auditing, transfer pricing, business setup, and corporate services in Dubai. With nearly a decade of combined experience and offices in both UAE and Canada, we help businesses make smarter financial decisions by calculating the best opportunities for long-term growth. We support startups, SMEs, and large enterprises to ensure their full compliance, and strengthen long-term stability. We are a leading tax consultancy firm in the UAE, offering expert support across VAT, corporate tax, and excise tax. Our team ensures clients remain compliant with evolving regulations while benefiting from strategic tax planning opportunities. Through proactive advisory, we help businesses reduce liabilities and make informed financial decisions. Beyond taxation, Bestax delivers comprehensive accounting and bookkeeping services, including financial statement preparation, payroll management, audit support, and day-to-day bookkeeping. Our commitment to accuracy, transparency, and timely reporting enables business owners to maintain financial clarity and drive sustainable growth. Our audit and assurance services help companies meet statutory obligations while strengthening internal controls, financial transparency, and operational efficiency. Bestax also specializes in global company formation, assisting entrepreneurs and investors in establishing businesses in the UAE, Panama, Cayman Islands, Seychelles, Canada, the USA, and beyond. From trade license issuance to visa processing, PRO services, and digital bank account opening, we manage the entire setup process. Our cross-border expertise enables us to support clients with multi-jurisdictional structuring and international compliance requirements. Additionally, we provide advanced services such as transfer pricing, empowering businesses with centralised and fully compliant financial operations. At Bestax, we are more than a service provider we are a long-term partner committed to delivering solutions that enhance efficiency, strengthen compliance, and support sustainable growth in the competitive global market all under one roof.

Blake Morgan serves as Managing Partner of Mineral Vault following a career at Google, and, more recently, 10 years experience in mineral interest acquisition and management at Allegiance Oil & Gas and Anthem Oil & Gas. Mr. Morgan is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where he received an academic scholarship to obtain his degrees in Business Honors & Finance. He is a native of Midland, Texas.

In 2015, wealth manager Michael DeMassa, CFA, CFP® left a corporate banking job in order to create Forza Wealth Management from the ground up, with a sole focus on providing sound investment advice to clients. Now, the Fee-Only advisory firm has a team of five providing custom-tailored wealth management services and managing nearly $400 million in assets. Bachelor of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1997 CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), 2003 Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), 2006 Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®), 2024