Leading Financial Decision Making Experts

As CFO of Jacadi Paris North America, I bring over a decade of financial and operational leadership across international retail, with a proven track record in turnaround strategy, cross-border expansion, and high-stakes acquisition negotiations. Originally from France, I’ve overseen the strategic transformation of Jacadi’s U.S. operations, rebuilding financial infrastructure, scaling omnichannel operations, and leading the U.S. division through its most profitable years on record. I specialize in U.S. retail market entry, operational cost restructuring, and driving performance in underperforming store networks. My leadership has directly contributed to multimillion-dollar revenue recovery, margin expansion, and the positioning of Jacadi as a premium children's retail brand in the American market. I’m passionate about helping European brands succeed on U.S. soil through data-driven finance, culturally adapted strategy, and relentless operational precision.

Patrick Schultz brings a sharp analytical edge to real estate investing, shaped by his experience as a research analyst for Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money. His deep understanding of financial markets, asset valuation, and investment strategies allows him to identify undervalued properties and optimize yield across his real estate portfolio. Alongside his wife, Hilary Schultz—a licensed real estate agent in Texas and Florida— their small family owned portfolio of businesses operate across every stage of residential real estate. They acquire homes, execute strategic renovations in SFR properties, and selectively retain assets that align with their long-term investment strategy. For Patrick and Hilary, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about crafting solutions for homeowners. Whether purchasing homes for cash, revitalizing physically distressed properties, or helping sellers move forward with confidence, they approach every transaction with a problem-solving mindset. Their goal? Delivering outsized returns for investors while creating a delightful real estate experience for Texas home sellers.​

Damodhar Mata is a Dubai-based financial advisor who is often quoted in Gulf News on topics related to financial planning, investments, and insurance. He provides guidance on budgeting, saving, and investing, particularly for UAE residents. He has also been featured in other publications like Khaleej Times. Here's a more detailed look at his work: Financial Planning: Damodhar Mata specializes in holistic financial planning, investments, and insurance. Budgeting and Savings: He offers advice on how to manage finances, create budgets, and save effectively, especially for those living in the UAE. Overspending in Dubai: He has commented on the issue of overspending among some UAE residents, particularly due to factors like discount offers and easy access to credit, according to a Gulf News report. Home Insurance: He has also discussed the importance of home insurance for homeowners in the UAE. Regularly Featured in Media: His insights are regularly featured in Gulf News and Khaleej Times. Nexus Insurance Brokers: He is a senior consultant at Nexus Insurance Brokers.

Patrick Schultz brings a sharp analytical edge to real estate investing, shaped by his experience as a research analyst for Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money. His deep understanding of financial markets, asset valuation, and investment strategies allows him to identify undervalued properties and optimize yield across his real estate portfolio. Alongside his wife, Hilary Schultz—a licensed real estate agent in Texas and Florida— their small family owned portfolio of businesses operate across every stage of residential real estate. They acquire homes, execute strategic renovations in SFR properties, and selectively retain assets that align with their long-term investment strategy. For Patrick and Hilary, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about crafting solutions for homeowners. Whether purchasing homes for cash, revitalizing physically distressed properties, or helping sellers move forward with confidence, they approach every transaction with a problem-solving mindset. Their goal? Delivering outsized returns for investors while creating a delightful real estate experience for Texas home sellers.​

Patrick Höfliger is the founder and CEO of a Swiss AI company applying advanced artificial intelligence to private-equity, M&A, and other high-stakes investment decisions. With more than ten years in investment banking and private equity, he brings first-hand experience from roles that demand trust, rigor, and accountability. He focuses on how AI is reshaping decision-making in finance beyond automation, emphasizing explainability, traceability, and reliability. Patrick is a frequent speaker and sparring partner on the real-world limits and risks of generative AI in professional settings. He is available to comment on AI, investing, and the future of automating complex decision-making.

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

Nick is a fee-only financial planner and founder of ClearMind Capital, where he works with individuals and families navigating major life and financial transitions. He has spent 8+ years in the financial planning profession, advising clients on retirement planning, tax strategy, investment design, and long-term decision-making. Nick earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in April 2023 and also holds the ChFC® and CLU® designations. He is a founding member of the Integrative Wealth Advisor (IWA®) designation, a newly launched professional standard focused on aligning financial planning with broader life priorities and well-being. He is frequently sought out for his ability to explain nuanced financial topics...such as retirement readiness, Social Security planning, portfolio construction, and the behavioral side of money—in a way that is clear, grounded, and accessible. Nick brings real-world context and thoughtful perspective to personal finance, making him a trusted resource for journalists seeking clarity, insight, and meaningful analysis.

James Vanreusel spent 8 years with a Wall Street investment bank. He generated around $8 Million in annual sales through his relationships with hedge and mutual funds, before moving into private equity and asset management. After leaving Wall Street, he became a CFA Charterholder and went on to found three microfinance banks in the South Pacific. He also created a holding company based in Singapore that delivered growth at 600%. In 2014, he moved to San Francisco and set up Vanreusel Ventures: a team of CFO consultants and financial analysts, working with for-profit and non-profit clients across the US. They help emerging companies to grow and scale, by building teams and systems that will expand with the business. All while developing the finance skills and mindset of the CEO. The result is a framework to see the business through the early years, in readiness for its first full-time CFO. The #1 Key To Creating A Thriving Business is James’ first book – drawing on the first 20 years of a career that’s taken him deep into the world’s financial markets. Here is a link for your free book: https://vanreuselventures.com/free-book/

I am an experienced wealth management and fintech marketing communications leader who has quantifiably shown how to drive greater demand. With over 15 years of experience delivering marketing strategies for fintechs and financial service firms, I have been sought out to create, from the ground up, the messaging and marketing programs that will quantifiably move the needle in driving brand awareness and revenue opportunities for an organization. After years of delivering marketing programs, I can anticipate challenges, get in front of them, and deliver on-time, on-budget solutions. Over the course of my career, I have had the good fortune to learn how to optimize marketing best practices and professional development. It gives me great pleasure when I am able to share what I have learned with my team and create an environment that allows for their professional growth and development.

I’m a fee-only financial advisor in Washington, D.C, and the founder of District Capital Management. I am deeply committed to helping professionals in their 30s and 40s retire by 55, through holistic financial planning and research-driven investing. Since 2013, I’ve empowered over 400 clients to take control of their financial futures, making personal finance approachable and less intimidating.

Hi, I’m Carolina Valderrama-Baker, the founder of Carval Financial Wellness. Before starting Carval Financial Wellness, I spent 15 years at Freddie Mac, where I trained professionals nationwide, developed financial education programs in English and Spanish, and partnered with lenders, nonprofits, and real estate companies to support first-time homebuyers and expand access to financial education. My work also included national advocacy - appointed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury - appearing on radio and TV to help families during the foreclosure crisis and promoting programs that made homeownership and financial knowledge more accessible. During my tenure at Freddie Mac, I received many accolades and in 2024, I was honored to receive the Latina of Influence Award by Hispanic Lifestyle for my work in the community and excellence in service. My inspiration for starting Carval Financial Wellness comes from a lifelong passion for teaching personal finance and witnessing how deeply money impacts people’s confidence, stress levels, and overall well-being. Even with a strong educational foundation in my own family, I saw early on that financial education is not universal—and that so many people, regardless of background, simply never receive the guidance they need to feel secure and empowered with their money. Throughout my career, the moments that fulfilled me most were the ones spent teaching, simplifying complex topics, and helping someone realize they could take control of their finances. Over the years, I became driven to create a space where financial wellness felt personal, compassionate, and accessible. That passion is what led me to launch Carval: a mission-driven business where I combine expertise, education, and empathy to help people reduce stress, build confidence, and transform their financial lives. Today, I bring all of that experience into my coaching - helping individuals, families, and employees reduce financial stress, make informed decisions, and achieve financial stability and success. By combining expertise, empathy, and cultural understanding, I guide my clients toward lasting financial well-being.

We act in a fiduciary capacity for corporate, government and institutional group retirement plans. We create and implement employee benefit and retention strategies. We also oversee individual wealth management and advisory services for successful individuals and business owners.

Private-equity-trained fractional CFO & exit-prep firm for founder-led businesses. We convert to accrual, build MFRs and KPI dashboards, run forecasting, and package for diligence to lift EBITDA and multiples across trades, e-commerce, tech, and professional services. 35+ clients Serial Founder in Health Tech, Veterinary Medicine, Plumbing, CPGs, Consulting, SaaS. Scaled from 0-2MM, sold or stabilized.

Dr. Maria James, PhD, known as The Money Scientist, is the founder of Pocket of Money and the creator of W.I.S.E. Financial Fitness, a science-led approach to personal and workplace financial wellness. With more than 19 years of experience designing and managing financial systems, Dr. James helps individuals and organizations move beyond budgeting advice to measurable, behavior-based financial improvement. Trained as a cellular and molecular medicine scientist, Dr. James applies the same evidence-based thinking, analytical rigor, and protocol-driven methodology used in medical research to money management. While completing her PhD, she tested and refined her own financial systems, saving over $10,000 on a $23,000 after-tax stipend, proving that financial outcomes improve when decisions are guided by data, structure, and repeatable processes rather than motivation alone. Through her work, Dr. James has helped clients identify financial “leakage,” reduce chronic overspending, and reclaim thousands of dollars per month, often without increasing income. Her work focuses on cash-flow optimization, decision science, and sustainable habit change, making her approach especially effective for high-stress professionals and organizations seeking scalable financial wellness solutions. Dr. James has been featured as a financial wellness expert in Forbes, ESSENCE, MadameNoire, The Frugal Feminista, WEAA 88.9, Clever Girl Finance Podcast, and Journey to Launch Podcast, among others. Her contributions to financial education and innovation have earned national and international recognition, including: Best Personal Finance Business – USA, Worldwide Finance Awards (2023) Excellence Award in Personal Finance Consulting, World Finance Awards (2022) Citation from the Maryland House of Delegates for dedication to financial literacy (2021) Money Management Innovator of the Year – Most Inspirational Woman in Financial Services (2019) Dr. James’ mission is to make financial wellness practical, measurable, and repeatable so people can stop guessing with their money and start managing it with confidence and clarity.

Bert Hofhuis Is a Founder and Entrepreneur Who Helps People Take Control of Their Financial Future. By Simplifying the Complexities of Later-Life Planning, He Gives Individuals the Confidence and Clarity to Make Smarter Decisions About Retirement, Wealth, and Security.

Patrick Schultz brings a sharp analytical edge to real estate investing, shaped by his experience as a research analyst for Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money. His deep understanding of financial markets, asset valuation, and investment strategies allows him to identify undervalued properties and optimize yield across his real estate portfolio. Alongside his wife, Hilary Schultz—a licensed real estate agent in Texas and Florida— their small family owned portfolio of businesses operate across every stage of residential real estate. They acquire homes, execute strategic renovations in SFR properties, and selectively retain assets that align with their long-term investment strategy. For Patrick and Hilary, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about crafting solutions for homeowners. Whether purchasing homes for cash, revitalizing physically distressed properties, or helping sellers move forward with confidence, they approach every transaction with a problem-solving mindset. Their goal? Delivering outsized returns for investors while creating a delightful real estate experience for Texas home sellers.​

Specialties: Deal structuring, Credit analysis, Credit Risk, Product design, Fintech, SME Finance, Alternative Finance, Merchant Cash Advance, Business Loans, Financial Due Diligence, business valuations, dispute resolution, accounting reconstruction, data analysis and interrogation, Advisory services, Tax advice and structuring, flow of funds analysis, Litigation support, Forensic/Fraud Accounting investigations.

I have worked in the financial services industry since 2011, holding a variety of roles across both large institutions and boutique firms. My experience includes working with major organizations such as State Street Bank and Morgan Stanley, as well as smaller, independently owned firms. In 2024, I left Morgan Stanley to become a partner at Town Square Wealth Management & Consulting. Town Square Wealth Management & Consulting is a locally owned boutique firm focused on providing comprehensive financial planning and advice to business owners and recent retirees. In addition to holding the CFP® designation, I am a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), helping business owners prepare for and navigate the eventual sale of their businesses. I strongly believe that thoughtful planning is the foundation of every successful client relationship. After working within large corporate environments, I came to believe that serving hundreds of clients at once does not allow for the level of care and attention clients deserve. Our firm is intentionally structured to remain highly personal, allowing us to deliver focused, meaningful guidance rather than operating as a high-volume practice.

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.

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.