Värde employs professionals worldwide with offices in Minneapolis, New York, London, Singapore and other cities in Asia and Europe.

Brad Bauer is a Partner, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chief Investment Officer. Based in New York, he co-chairs the firm’s Investment Committee and leads the firm’s global business and investment strategy.

Brad joined the firm in 2007 and was named Partner in 2013. He has held a variety of both business and investing leadership roles working out of the firm’s U.S. and U.K. offices. From beginning his career at Värde on the Corporate and Traded Credit team to later leading the firm’s private credit strategies, Brad’s extensive investing experience spans numerous industries in public and private markets. Brad has served in a CIO role since 2019 and was named Co-CEO in 2023.

Prior to joining Värde, Brad held senior investing and portfolio management roles focused on distressed debt and credit trading at both Deephaven Capital Management and Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Prior to Ameriprise, he worked for U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray in the Middle-Market Mergers and Acquisitions group.

Brad received a B.S. in Finance from Iowa State University, where he also competed on the varsity golf team. He earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Ilfryn Carstairs is a Partner, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chief Investment Officer. Based in Singapore, he co-chairs the firm’s Investment Committee and leads the firm’s global business and investment strategy.

Ilfryn joined the firm in 2006 in London, where he played a key role in building Värde’s team and business in the European region. Through his career with the firm he has invested across a wide spectrum of financial assets ranging from corporate restructurings and liquidations to more actively traded opportunities. Ilfryn was named Partner in 2011 and served as Co-Head of Corporate and Traded Credit managing Värde’s liquid investing activities globally before being named Co-CIO in 2017 along with his move to Singapore. He was named Co-CEO in 2020.

Before joining Värde, Ilfryn worked for Deutsche Bank London in the Financial Sponsors Group, and Pacific Equity Partners, an Australian leveraged buyout firm.

Ilfryn received a B.C. with First Class Honours from the University of Queensland, Australia and an M.B.A. from INSEAD, France.

Jim Dunbar is a Partner and Head of Real Estate Lending. He oversees commercial real estate debt strategies, including loan originations and loan trading. He has also led investments in real estate operating companies, hospitality assets and non-performing CRE loans. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Based in Minneapolis, he joined the firm in 2010 and was named Partner in 2022.

Prior to joining Värde, Jim was a Senior Vice President at Macquarie based in Chicago. He had multiple roles within its real estate business including commercial real estate investments with joint ventures partners, developing new business initiatives and forming real estate investment trusts. Prior to Macquarie, Jim worked for Salomon Smith Barney/Citigroup within its investment banking division in New York and Sydney.

Jim graduated from Boston College with a B.S. in Finance.

Carlos Sanz Esteve is a Partner and Head of European Corporate and Traded Credit. Throughout his time at Värde, Carlos has been critical in driving the firm’s research and investing across high yield bonds, leveraged loans and distressed securities in Europe and has expanded the firm’s expertise around European financial and sovereign debt, as well as in Emerging Market credit. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Based in London, he joined the firm in 2011 and was named Partner in 2022.

Prior to joining Värde, Carlos worked for Deutsche Bank as an analyst in the M&A division.

Carlos graduated from the University of Valencia with a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.S. in Law. He received a Master’s in Management from London Business School.

Shannon Gallagher is a Partner and Global Head of Business Development and Investor Relations. Prior to leading the firm’s Business Development and Investor Relations function on a global basis, she was responsible for business development in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. She is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Based in London, Shannon joined the firm in 2018 and was named Partner in 2024.

Prior to joining Värde, Shannon was Head of EMEA Client Development at Magnetar Capital. Previously, Shannon was a Principal at Park Hill Group in London providing alternative asset advisory and fundraising services to global alternative asset managers. She began her investment career at FORT Investment Management.

Shannon received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia and is a CFA Charterholder.

Tony Iannazzo is a Partner and Chief Operating Officer. In addition to overseeing Värde’s finance, technology, and operations functions, he also leads the firm’s global real estate asset management. Tony has held numerous leadership positions during his time at Värde, including serving as Head of European Real Estate. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Based in London, he joined the firm in 2008 and was named Partner in 2024.

Prior to joining Värde, Tony was an Associate at Lazard, focusing on middle-market M&A advisory work. Prior to Lazard, he practiced securities and M&A law at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in their Chicago office, and corporate law at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in New York.

Tony graduated from St. John’s University in Minnesota with a B.A. in Political Science and received a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Andy Lenk is a Partner and Deputy Chief Executive Officer. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Based in Minneapolis, he joined the firm in 2001 and was named Partner in 2009.

Andy works closely with the CEO in the overall management of the firm. This encompasses strategic planning, corporate development and oversight of a number of the firm’s business functions, including Finance, Technology and Operations as well as Legal, Compliance, Audit and Tax.

Andy has held a number of leadership positions during his time at Värde, including overseeing the development of Värde’s Capital Markets and Asset Management functions. Andy began his career at Värde in the investing teams in both the U.S. and Europe.

Prior to joining Värde, Andy worked in U.S. Bancorp’s Leveraged Lending division, providing financing to private equity backed companies in connection with acquisitions and recapitalizations across a variety of industries.

Andy received a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. He is a CPA (inactive).

Aneek Mamik is a Partner and Global Head of Financial Services & Diversified Private Credit. He oversees credit and equity investments in consumer finance, commercial finance and other areas related to financial services. He also has responsibility for private credit solutions to technology, software and other resilient businesses. Based in New York, he joined the firm in 2016 and was named Partner in 2022.

Aneek previously led Financial Services investing in North America and Asia. Prior to joining Värde, Aneek spent 15 years at General Electric where he most recently served as Head of Mergers and Acquisitions for GE Capital Headquarters. He started as an Associate in GE Capital’s Australian consumer finance platform (acquired by Värde in 2015 and re-branded Latitude Financial Services). He subsequently pursued acquisitions globally as part of GE Capital’s expansion. Aneek also has senior executive experience in business management, capital allocation, strategy and finance across consumer and commercial lending.

Aneek received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance as well as a Master’s in Business from Monash University in Australia. He qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Haseeb Malik is a Partner and Head of Asia Corporate and Traded Credit. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Based in Singapore, he joined the firm in 2006, relocated to Singapore in 2008 to assist in opening the office, and was named Partner in 2019.

Prior to joining Värde, Haseeb worked as an Associate at Ripplewood Holdings LLC, a global private equity fund focusing on leveraged buyouts in the U.S. and Japan. Prior to that, Haseeb was an investment banking Analyst at Salomon Smith Barney, where he provided mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance advisory services.

Haseeb received his B.S. in Finance and Accounting from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and his M.B.A. from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Andrew Malone is a Partner and General Counsel. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Based in Minneapolis, he joined the firm in 2014 and was named Partner in 2023.

Andrew oversees Värde’s Legal, Compliance, Audit and Tax functions globally. He has provided key leadership in a number of roles throughout his tenure at the firm, including Chief Counsel – Tax and Global Funds.

Prior to joining Värde, Andrew was managing counsel at the State of Wisconsin Investment Board. Prior to that, Andrew was a member of the legal team at Black River Asset Management and he started his career as an associate in the tax group at the law firm Godfrey & Kahn.

Andrew received a B.A. from Valparaiso University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

Francisco Milone is a Partner and Head of North America Corporate and Traded Credit. He is a member of the Firm’s investment committee. Based in New York, he joined the firm in 2008 and was named Partner in 2018.

Prior to joining Värde, Francisco worked for Goldman Sachs International as an associate in Bank Loans Distressed Investing. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Francisco worked for Meliorbanca S.p.A. as an associate in the Mergers and Acquisitions Middle Capitalization Group.

Francisco graduated with a B.A. in Finance & Economics from University L.U.I.S.S. Guido Carli and received an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.

Tim Mooney is a Partner and Global Head of Real Estate. Tim is responsible for real estate investments across all markets, including the acquisition of non-performing loans, assets and real estate-related companies. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Based in New York since 2023, he joined the firm in 2005, was named Partner in 2016 and has also worked out of the firm’s Minneapolis and London offices.

Prior to joining Värde, Tim was an attorney at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft in New York where he was a member of the financial restructuring group.

Tim earned a BSFS from Georgetown University, a J.D. from the University of Chicago and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Giuseppe Naglieri is a Partner and Co-Chief Investment Officer. He oversees public markets investing activity and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Based in London, he joined the firm in 2009 and was named Partner in 2016.

Prior to joining Värde, Giuseppe worked for Goldman Sachs as an Associate in Fundamental Strategies. Prior to Goldman Sachs, he worked at JP Morgan in Investment Banking, focusing on telecom, media and technology.

Giuseppe graduated from Bocconi University with a B.A. in Business and Finance.

George Hicks is a Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chair. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Based in Minneapolis, George co-founded the firm in 1993.

As a founder, George was an original architect of the firm’s investment thesis and philosophy and has helped guide the application of those principles to an ever-changing, growing and dynamic investing environment. He has presided over the growth of the firm, overseeing its transition from a start-up to a global enterprise with the infrastructure required to support offices around the globe and a diverse investor base. George played a central role in developing the mandates and raising the capital for Värde’s funds. He has served as a lead creditor in a number of corporate restructurings and has served on the boards of a number of the portfolio companies owned by the Värde funds. George transitioned to Executive Chair in 2022 after serving as Co-Chief Executive Officer through 2021 and Co-Chief Investment Officer through 2017.

Prior to founding Värde, George served as senior vice president of Cargill Financial, the financial services subsidiary of Cargill, where he helped build and manage the company’s worldwide merchant banking department. A lawyer by training, George also served as counsel in the Cargill legal department.

George graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College, Minnesota with a B.A. in Economics and History, and received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Asia Society.

Marcia Page is a Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chair. She is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Based in Minneapolis, Marcia co-founded the firm in 1993. Marcia is also Founder and CEO of MPowered Capital, an investment firm established to invest in best-in-class female and other underrepresented investment talent in the alternative markets.

As a founder of Värde, Marcia has overseen every aspect of the firm’s growth, ranging from the development of the original investment thesis, to raising capital for Värde’s funds, to the crafting of the firm’s investor communications, to the development of the firm’s infrastructure. Marcia built the liquid investing side of the business, first focusing on all aspects of the day-to-day investing and portfolio management and then building the business on a world-wide basis, including moving to London as she built the liquid side of the business there. Marcia has played key roles in various portfolio companies owned by the Värde funds as well as serving on creditors’ committees. Marcia transitioned from Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chief Investment Officer to Executive Chair in 2016.

Prior to founding Värde, Marcia served as vice president of EBF & Associates, an alternative investment firm, where she managed Merced Partners, an investment partnership. Prior to EBF & Associates, Marcia traded distressed and high-yield bonds and managed fixed-income portfolios at Cargill.

Marcia graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College, Minnesota with a B.A. in Economics, and received an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota. Marcia is active on external boards and investment committees, including serving as the Chair of the Gustavus Adolphus Board of Trustees and a member of the Constellation Fund Board.

Brendan Bosman is a Senior Managing Director focused on real estate investments in the U.S. Based in Minneapolis, he joined the firm in 2008.

Prior to joining Värde, Brendan was an analyst at Banc of America Securities in the Global Structured Products and Debt Private Placement groups.

Brendan graduated from Macalester College in Minnesota with a B.A. in Economics.

Monty Cook is Head of Financial Services, North America Lending and a Senior Managing Director on the Financial Services & Diversified Private Credit team. He oversees private credit solutions to financial services, technology, software, and other businesses. Based in New York, he joined the firm in 2020.

Prior to joining Värde, Monty served as Head of Financial Services at First Eagle Alternative Credit. Monty was with THL Credit for seven years before it was acquired by First Eagle and most recently served as co-head of Direct Lending. Prior to THL Credit, Monty was a Director in Deutsche Bank’s Credit Solutions Group where he sourced and structured credit investments across numerous specialty finance and other asset classes. His previous experience also includes roles at Greenbridge Partners, J.P. Morgan & Co. and Merrill Lynch & Co.

Monty received a B.S. in Business Administration from Northeastern University.

Missy Dolski is Global Head of Capital Markets. Missy joined Värde in 2017 and is responsible for managing relationships with key capital markets accounts globally. She is also responsible for the debt advisory and financing execution needs of the firm’s investment book in both public and private debt markets.

Prior to joining Värde, Missy was a Director at Wells Fargo Securities in the Commercial Real Estate Capital Markets & Finance group where she focused on capital markets financing for a variety of non-bank lender clients. Throughout her career she held multiple roles at Wells Fargo within its structured finance, principal investing and corporate credit divisions in New York, London and San Francisco.

Missy graduated from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management with a B.S. in Business Administration and received an M.B.A. with distinction from London Business School.

Krzysztof Drozd is Global Head of Portfolio Operations focused on value creation in Värde private equity investments. Based in London, he joined the firm in 2007.

Prior to joining Värde, Krzysztof was a Manager at Deloitte responsible for advisory on corporate treasury and complex financial instruments. Prior to that, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Frankfurt, Germany.

Krzysztof received an M.B.A. from Frankfurt University in Germany. He earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a CPA (inactive).

Hanli Mangun is a Senior Managing Director of Värde’s Asia-Pacific team, with a focus on Corporate and Traded Credit. Based in Singapore, he joined the firm in 2011.

Prior to joining Värde, Hanli worked as a research analyst at King Street Capital Management and as an associate at Ripplewood Holdings, a global private equity fund focusing on leveraged buyouts in the U.S. and Japan. Prior to that, Hanli was an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch, where he provided M&A and corporate finance advisory services.

Hanli received a B.S. in Systems Engineering and a B.S. in Finance from the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Kathryn Azavedo is a Managing Director on the European Corporate investment team. Based in London, she joined the firm in 2014.

Prior to joining Varde, Kathryn worked in credit sales at Lloyds Banking Group.

Kathryn earned a BSc in Management from University of Warwick.

Melissa Band is a Managing Director on the Capital Markets team. She is responsible for the capital markets and structured finance needs of Värde’s real estate investments, in addition to relationship management of key accounts. Based in New York, she joined the firm in 2019.

Prior to joining Värde, Melissa was a Vice President in the CRE Capital Markets & Finance group at Wells Fargo Securities where she focused on securitization execution and capital markets analysis across CRE CLOs, Conduit, Agency and other CRE-backed capital markets transactions. Prior to her time at Wells Fargo, Melissa spent time working at Ernst & Young, focused on CMBS and other fixed income products as part of the Structured Products Advisory group.

Melissa graduated summa cum laude as the class valedictorian with a B.S. in Finance and minor in Economics from James Madison University.

John Baumgardner is a Managing Director and leads investment strategies in U.S. traded structured products. He was previously on the Global Real Estate and Mortgages team. Based in Minneapolis, he joined the firm in 2011.  

Prior to joining Värde, John was an analyst at Citi, where he provided mergers and acquisitions and other corporate finance advisory services.   

John received a B.B.A. in Finance from The University of Notre Dame.

Lynn Er is a Managing Director on the Asia Corporate and Traded Credit team. Based in Singapore, she joined the firm in 2016.

Prior to joining Värde, Lynn spent five years with Credit Suisse, where she provided corporate finance advisory services before focusing on its private financing business.

Lynn received First Class Honours in BSc Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and MSc Financial Economics from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Hamish Goar is a Managing Director on the European Corporate and Traded Credit team. Based in London, he joined the firm in 2019.  

Prior to joining Värde, Hamish was an investment professional at Alchemy Partners and previously worked as an analyst at Sothic Capital Management and Greenhill & Co.   

Hamish received a B.A. in Economics from Durham University. 

Anders Gode is a Managing Director on the real estate asset management team. Based in Minneapolis, he joined the firm in 2014.

Prior to joining Värde, Anders was a Vice President at Toll Brothers overseeing their Minnesota business. His 10 years of senior management experience at the company spanned multiple markets focused on both horizontal and vertical development operations along with portfolio management of distressed ADC loans and REO assets.

Anders received his B.S. in Applied Economics from Cornell University and his M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Vishal Kumar is a Managing Director on the Asia Real Estate investment team. Based in Mumbai, he joined the firm in 2018.

Prior to joining Värde, Vishal was a Managing Director, Private Investments for The Xander Group where he focused on real estate investments and asset management in India. Prior to that, he was a Senior Consultant at Deloitte.

Vishal received a Bachelor in Commerce from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad. He is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accounts of India.

Daniel Ma is a Managing Director on the U.S. Corporate & Traded Credit team. Based in Minneapolis, he joined the firm in 2017.

Prior to joining Värde, Daniel was an associate at Houlihan Lokey in their Financial Restructuring group.

Daniel received a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Matt Mach is a Managing Director on the U.S. Corporate investment team and the emerging markets team. Based in Minneapolis, he joined the firm in 2008.

Prior to joining Värde, Matt was on the Fixed Income Trade Support desk at Piper Jaffray. Prior to Piper Jaffray, he founded and ran a skateboard company.

Matt graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Minor in Mathematics.

Matteo Masi is a Managing Director on the European Corporate and Traded Credit team. Based in London, he joined the firm in 2019.  

Prior to joining Värde, Matteo worked as a director in the London office of Bayside Capital and HIG WhiteHorse (both part of HIG Capital), where he focused on corporate credit opportunities. 

Before HIG, Matteo was a senior associate in the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs where he worked on a wide range of M&A, equity and debt capital market transactions. 

Matteo holds an M.B.A. from the London Business School.  

Hemang Mehta is a Managing Director on the Asia Corporate and Traded Credit team. Based in Singapore, he joined the firm in 2018.

Prior to joining Värde, Hemang was an Executive Director at Goldman Sachs in their Investment Banking Division.

Hemang received a Bachelor’s of Commerce majoring in Actuarial Studies and Bachelor’s in Applied Finance from Macquarie University. In addition, he holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

Jon Miller is a Managing Director on Värde’s Mortgage team. He is responsible for cultivating new investment channels and sourcing commercial real estate financing opportunities in the U.S. Based in Minneapolis, he joined the firm in 2016.

Prior to joining Värde, Jon spent five years in mortgage banking at NorthMarq Capital where he focused on originating, placing and closing commercial real estate loans for clients. Previously, Jon spent five years on the commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) capital markets desk at Morgan Stanley in New York. He started his career at a real estate development and management firm based in Monterey, California.

Jon earned a B.B.A. in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Barbara Richter is a Managing Director on the Financial Services & Diversified Private Credit team. She serves as Head of European Financial Services and leads the firm’s whole loan program, including loan portfolio acquisitions and other related asset-based investing. Based in London, she joined the firm in 2016.  

Prior to joining Värde, Barbara worked for eight years at Goldman Sachs, most recently as a director in Structured Credit Trading.   

Barbara graduated from Harvard with a B.A. in Chemistry and Physics and received a PhD in Chemistry from University of Cambridge.  

Alek Roomet is a Managing Director on Värde’s Mortgage team. He is responsible for cultivating new investment channels and sourcing commercial real estate financing opportunities in the U.S. Based in New York, he joined the firm in 2016.

Prior to joining Värde, Alek was a Principal at Ares Management where he focused on originating and acquiring commercial real estate loans, mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments. Prior to Ares, Alek worked at Wrightwood Capital and Cohen & Steers Capital Management.

Alek graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in History and received an M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

Dan Saldanha is a Managing Director leading Macro Research and Trading. Working directly with the CIOs, he is responsible for guiding the firm’s portfolio risk and other hedging strategies as well as providing research support for Värde’s investing teams. Dan was previously a member of the Fund Analytics and Risk Management team where he focused on portfolio management, foreign currency hedging and other risk management strategies, as well as fund level financing and liquidity solutions. Based in Singapore since 2018, he joined the firm in London in 2015.

Prior to joining Värde, Dan worked in market risk at The Swiss Re Group, and in credit and market risk at RBS Group.

Dan received a MEng in Chemical Engineering from University of Cambridge.

Richard Thomson is a Managing Director on the U.S. Corporate & Traded Credit team. Based in Minneapolis, he joined the firm in 2016.

Prior to joining Värde, Richard was an Associate at Apollo Global Management in the private equity group, and prior to that, was an Analyst at J.P. Morgan in the M&A investment banking group.

Richard graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Applied Economics and Management and a focus in Finance.

Kevin Tham is a Managing Director on the Asia Corporate & Traded Credit investment team. Based in Singapore, he joined the firm in 2017.

Prior to joining Värde, Kevin was a Managing Director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, based in Singapore and Hong Kong, where he established their Asian distressed debt and par loan trading business in 2005. Prior to that, Kevin led the Asian syndicated loans business for ABN AMRO Bank N.V..

Kevin received a B.Sc. (Econs) in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Nick Winter is a Managing Director and North American Head of Portfolio Operations focused on value creation in Värde private equity investments. Based in New York, he joined the firm in 2018.

Prior to Värde, Nick spent seven years at JPMorgan Chase in senior operations and technology transformation roles, most recently as a Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Reference Data Operations. Previously, he worked on bank turnarounds, and in private equity portfolio operations roles at Organic Growth Partners, Millennium Partners and Ameriquest Capital Group with a focus on financial services and real estate related businesses. Nick started his career with Mercer Management Consulting, ultimately as a Partner in the Financial Services practice and as Co-Leader of the North American Private Equity Group.

Nick received an M.A. in Electrical Engineering and Information Sciences from the University of Cambridge, England.

Rick Noel is a Senior Advisor to Värde. Rick previously served as Partner (2006-2022) and Global Co-Head of Financial Services. Based in London, he joined the firm in 1999.

Rick established the firm’s Singapore office in 2008 after working in Minneapolis on U.S. illiquid investments. Rick is an experienced debt and equity investor in the financial services, real estate and transportation sectors.

Prior to joining Värde, Rick served as a Fixed Income Investment Officer at Advantus Capital Management and an Investment Manager at Cargill Financial. He also formerly worked in the Audit and Business Advisory Group at Arthur Andersen.

Rick graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a B.A. in Accounting and received his M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota. He earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a CPA (inactive).

Kevin T. Medina is the Global Chief Compliance Officer responsible for overseeing Värde’s global compliance and audit functions. Based in New York, he joined the firm in 2023.

Prior to joining Värde, Kevin served as Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of Apogem Capital LLC. Prior to that, Kevin was Chief Compliance Officer of GoldPoint Partners and Madison Capital Funding LLC and held senior compliance roles at SPARX Group Co. Ltd., Allianz Dresdner Asset Management, and Zurich Scudder Investments.

Kevin received a B.A in Political Science from Syracuse University and a J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law.

Michael Reimler is the Global Head of Finance and is responsible for leading and managing the accounting and financial reporting for Vӓrde’s investment funds, general partner entities and management companies. In addition, Michael is responsible for leading and managing the firm’s Treasury function. Based in Minneapolis, he joined the firm in 2010.

Prior to joining Vӓrde, Michael was Director of Financial Reporting for RBC Capital Markets Corporation. In this role, Michael managed the financial and regulatory reporting, accounting policy, corporate tax and commission accounting functions. Michael was also a Senior Audit Manager with PwC in Minneapolis.

Michael received a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa and is a CPA (inactive).

Carrie Seele is a Senior Managing Director. Working directly with the CIOs and broader investing teams, she leads the global team that is responsible for supporting investments and strategic investment initiatives, including driving structuring and execution. Based in Minneapolis, she joined the firm in 2011 and has worked in Värde’s London and Singapore offices.

Prior to joining Värde, Carrie was a Shareholder at Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. practicing in the areas of finance, and mergers and acquisition.

Carrie graduated with a B.B.A. and a law degree from the University of Iowa.

Marie Suesse is the Global Head of Human Capital. In addition to overseeing the global Human Capital team, she leads Communications, DEI and Philanthropy for the firm. Based in Minneapolis, she joined the firm in 2019.

Prior to joining Värde, Marie was at Artisan Partners, overseeing talent management, talent acquisition, global benefits and training. Prior to Artisan, she worked as Vice President of Human Resources focusing on talent acquisition at JPMorgan within the Asset Management division.

Marie received a B.A. from the College of Wooster and Master’s in Journalism from the University of Mississippi.

Lemuel Cheong is a Managing Director and Global Head of Operations. Based in Singapore, he joined the firm in 2014.

Prior to joining Värde, Lemuel was an Associate Director on KPMG’s Deal Advisory team in Singapore, where he provided M&A advisory services on numerous transactions in the region. Prior to that, Lemuel worked in the Assurance practice of KPMG Australia, with a primary focus on clients in the industrial and mining sector.

Lemuel received a B.S. in Biotechnology from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Professional Accounting from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants.

Ari Dukas is a Managing Director and Head of the Product Specialist team within Business Development and Investor Relations. In this role, Ari leads the team that serves as a resource on the firm’s products and investment strategies for its investors. Based in New York, he joined the firm in 2019.

Prior to joining Värde, Ari worked at BlackRock as a senior product specialist focused on new products and business development in opportunistic and private credit.

Ari holds a B.S. in Quantitative Economics from Tufts University.

Andrew Helms is Chief Technology Officer leading Värde’s global engineering, infrastructure and operations, and business analysis teams. Andrew joined the firm in 2018 and is responsible for the firm’s technology strategy and execution. He previously served as Chief Data Officer and Head of Engineering.

Prior to joining Värde, Andrew held several roles spanning 8+ years at The Carlyle Group including Technical Lead, where he was responsible for the technology strategy and vision for Carlyle’s Investment Solutions segment. Prior to that, he was a Data Architect and Analysis Manager at American Cancer Society.

Andrew received a B.B.A. in Management Information Systems from University of Kentucky and an M.B.A. from Georgia State University Robinson College of Business.

Rhonda Kjarland is Deputy Chief Compliance Officer. She previously served as North America Compliance Officer. Based in Minneapolis, she joined the firm in 2014.

Prior to Värde, Rhonda spent over five years at Northland Group, most recently as Chief Compliance Officer. Prior to Northland Group, Rhonda held accounting roles at two regional CPA firms, the City of Austin, Minnesota and Reichel Foods. She started her career as the Assistant Controller at Complete Packaging Service.

Rhonda received a B.S. in Accounting at Winona State University. She is a CPA.

Tom Knechtel is a Managing Director on the Business Development and Investor Relations team. Based in New York, he joined the firm in 2020.  

Prior to joining Värde, Tom was a managing director at Pinnacle Trust Partners focused on the distribution of alternative investment funds to institutional investors in the United States. Previously, Tom was a managing director at Verition Fund Management where he led the marketing and investor relations effort. Prior to that, Tom held senior marketing roles at firms including Eaton Partners and Prosiris Capital Management.  

Tom received at B.A. from Middlebury College. 

Ann Lundeen is Fund Controller at Värde. Based in Minneapolis, she joined the firm in 2016.

Prior to joining Värde, Ann was Director, Financial Control at CarVal Investors for seven years. Prior to CarVal, she spent three years with TPG Credit Management and three years with Target Corporation. Ann began her career with Ernst & Young, where she primarily focused on asset management clients.

Ann received a B.A. in Business with an Accounting focus from the University of St. Thomas. She is a CPA (inactive).

Alice Ong is the Head of Human Capital for Asia. Based in Singapore, she joined the firm in 2020.   

Prior to joining Varde, Alice worked for PIMCO where she was the Head of Human Resources for Australia. Previously, Alice was with Goldman Sachs Australia and Hong Kong where she held a number of HR roles.  

 Alice graduated from Lancaster University (UK) with a B.A. in Accounting and Finance. She is a certified public accountant (CPA) with The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). 

Claire Pautz is Global Co-Head of Tax. Claire shares global responsibility for managing tax matters that cut across investments, funds, and the upper-tier entities. Based in Minneapolis, she joined the firm in 2009 to help build Värde’s tax function.

Prior to joining Värde, Claire worked at Deloitte Tax LLP where she advised clients on tax matters related to global mobility and remuneration programs.

Claire received a B.B.A. in Accounting and a Master’s of Accountancy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She is a licensed CPA.

Vasundhara Pradeep is a Managing Director in Business Development and Investor Relations. Based in London, she joined the firm in 2019.

Prior to joining Värde, Vasundhara was a Managing Director and Co-Head of Prime Services Coverage, Asia Pacific at Credit Suisse based in Hong Kong, where she led regional sales, relationship management, capital introduction and advisory services to alternative investment firms. Vasundhara joined Credit Suisse in 2010 from UBS Investment Bank, where she was a Director in Prime Brokerage and Business Consultancy Sales in Asia Pacific for five years. Prior to joining UBS, she was a Management Consultant with Accenture in London advising investment banks on equity finance and prime brokerage.

Vasundhara earned a Bachelor’s in Applied Science (Honours) from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. She also holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.

Mark Rabogliatti is the Chief Counsel – Global Investments and is responsible for legal matters related to the firm’s investment activities across all regions. Based in Minneapolis, he joined the firm in 2016.

Prior to joining Värde, Mark was a Senior Attorney – Emerging Markets at Black River Asset Management, working most directly on emerging market credit transactions. During his tenure at Black River, Mark also served as chief legal officer for more than four years. Prior to Black River, Mark was a partner in the Finance and Restructuring Group of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in Minneapolis.

Mark received his B.A. in English and Theology from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. from the Notre Dame Law School.

Steffanie Sanders is Head of Operations for Legal, Compliance, Audit and Tax. Steffanie has held numerous leadership positions during her tenure, including Head of Fund Formation, Head of Investor Services and Chief Financial Officer, when she had overall responsibility for the U.S. accounting, operations, treasury and technology functions. Prior to that, Steffanie held roles as Director of Operations and Manager of the accounting and administration, including audit and tax work, for Värde’s illiquid investments. Based in Minneapolis, she joined the firm in 1996.

Prior to joining Värde, Steffanie worked as an audit senior at KPMG, LLP in the real estate and brokerage industries, with an emphasis in back office operations.

Steffanie earned a B.S. in Accounting from St. Cloud State University.

Stephen Seymour is a Managing Director, focused on co-investment opportunities. Based in London, he joined Värde in 2009 and has over 15 years’ investment experience.

Prior to joining the Business Development and Investor Relations team in 2020, Stephen’s investment roles at Värde included Corporate and Traded Credit, Financial Services, Private Debt, and since 2015, leading Värde’s investments in Transportation.

Before moving to Värde, Stephen worked for Terra Firma Capital Partners as an Associate Director with responsibility for private equity investments, and EMP (Europe) Ltd. as a Senior Investment Officer overseeing private equity investments in Central and Eastern Europe. He began his career in Mergers & Acquisitions at BT Wolfensohn in New York.

Stephen graduated with a B.A. in Political Science with distinction from Yale University and received a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.

Richard Strohmenger is the Chief Counsel – Global Funds. His responsibilities include overseeing legal matters relating to the firm’s private funds and accounts. Based in New York, he joined the firm in 2020.   

Prior to joining Värde, Richard was the Head of Alternatives Legal at AllianceBernstein. Additionally, Richard was an associate at the law firms of Haynes & Boone and Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt in New York.   

Richard received a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.  

Helen Tindle is Global Co-Head of Tax. Helen shares global responsibility for managing tax matters that cut across investments, funds, and the upper-tier entities. Based in London, she joined the firm in 2019.

Prior to joining Värde, Helen was an Associate Partner at EY in the Financial Services Tax Team in Singapore, advising clients on tax matters related to investing and fund structuring in the region.  Prior to that, Helen was Head of Asia Pacific Tax for the Global Real Assets Group at JPMorgan in Hong Kong, covering all tax matters related to real estate and infrastructure funds investing across Asia Pacific.

Helen received a B.A. (Hons) in Economics and Social Sciences from The University of Manchester. Helen is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

Helen Ward is a Managing Director. Working directly with the investment teams, she is responsible for supporting investments and strategic investment initiatives, including driving structuring and execution. Based in London, she joined the firm in 2019.

Prior to joining Värde, Helen worked at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP with a focus on restructuring. Previously she also held positions at Cadwalder, Wikersham & Taft LLP and Linklaters LLP.

Helen received a B.A. in Geography from Kings College University, London and is admitted to the roll of Solicitors of England and Wales.

Mona Girotra is a Senior Managing Director on the Business Development and Investor Relations team. She previously led the team’s Product Specialist and Consultant Relations functions. Based in New York, she joined the firm in 2018.

Prior to joining Värde, Mona was a Managing Director in Business Development and Investor Relations at Highbridge Capital Management. Previously, Mona was an Executive Director with JPMorgan Asset Management’s institutional sales and advisory business and, prior to that, she served as a Vice President with Neuberger Berman, holding product management and product specialist roles within the alternative investments business. She started her career at JPMorgan Investment Management where, as a member of the Strategic Investment Advisory Group, she advised institutional investors on optimal portfolio design and implementation given their liability-related objectives.

Mona received a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.B.A from Harvard Business School. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

Dave Marple is a Senior Advisor to Värde. Dave previously served as the firm’s Global Head of Legal, Compliance, Audit & Tax until 2022. Based in Minneapolis, he joined Värde in 2008 as General Counsel.

Prior to joining Värde, Dave was Senior Managing Director and General Counsel at Residential Capital, the global real estate business of GMAC Financial Services, where he had legal oversight of securitization, corporate finance, trading, master servicing, servicing, regulatory compliance and litigation. Prior to GMAC, Dave practiced law in the Structured Finance Department of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in New York.

Dave graduated with a B.A. from Colgate University and earned a J.D. from The New York University School of Law.