Exiled: Dealmakers on a Desert Island

Oscar is a dealmaker at heart, whose career beginnings in 2008’s El Salvador paved the way for a role at the heart of industry. For Oscar, challenging conditions are nothing but an opportunity to learn, instilling a mindset of solutions-focused creativity. He’s driven by a passion to innovate, and his chosen guests are the perfect combination of pioneers to make the most of desert island life.

Today’s guest is Alise Porto, Senior Vice President Power & Sustainability at Switch, whose impressive journey through the tech and sustainability space is built on meaningful connections.

Our guest today is Dhruv Menon, CFO for Ampyr Solar Europe, an independent power producer focused on Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands. Dhruv's career includes work at Credit Suisse, HSBC, and White Oak. It will come as no surprise that his choices reflect a deep respect for those who demonstrate commercial drive and the ability to build businesses from the ground up.

Today’s guest is Fahad Afolabi, Senior Vice President of Project Finance at Arevon. After a globe-trotting childhood between Nigeria and the US, and an early fascination with aviation, Fahad found his calling in renewable energy. He now helps oversee more than 5.5 GW of solar and storage projects across 17 states, powering communities and championing teamwork at every turn.

In this special edition, we caught up with two former Global Heads of Export Finance: Michiel de Vries and Francesca Beomonte. As well their respective 'Exiles', we took the opportunity to hear their reflections on a career in export finance. 

James Lowrey is a well-known name in the commodity trade finance world, with over 30 years’ experience across the sector. He’s worked internationally, living and working in eight different countries in the past two decades, before launching his own consultancy focused on trade, finance, strategy, risk management, and commodities.

Today’s Exile is Madiha Aslam, Director and Head of Structured Finance At Innovo Group. Madiha admires people who forge their own path, drawing on their experience without being restricted by what’s gone before.

Today’s Exile is Federico Fische, President at Alternative and Sustainable Energy Inc. For Federico, learning is key. He may have switched his career three times, but he won’t be leaving the world of sustainable energy for some time, as he continues to learn something new every day.

Today’s Exile is Harsha Mehta, part of the Global Trade Distribution Team at Citi. The guests that Harsha has chosen reflect her value of mentorship and education, as she wants to use her Exile to celebrate teachers past and present.

Today’s Exile is Dr Yinghuang Ji, Vice President and Head of Structuring at MN8 Energy. Yinghuang cites her hometown in North-East China as her biggest career inspiration - coming from China’s largest oil field taught her early on the importance of balancing fossil fuels with alternative energy solutions. Her chosen guests map her path from engineer to project financier, bringing together leaders who champion strong networks and the convergence of energy and infrastructure.

Today’s guest is Kam Hesseling, managing director at the Loan Market Association, with over 20 years of experience in the loan markets under her belt. Kam is inspired by people from her professional past, and from her family. Her Exile credits the people around her, from within the industry and wider, who provide inspiration, encouragement and lead by example. 

Today’s guest is Emeka Chinwuba, Partner at Cahill, Gordon & Reindel. A seasoned project finance lawyer, Emeka is inspired by fellow Nigerian legal minds whose resilience supports infrastructure and energy needs across Sub-Saharan Africa. His Exile brings together personal stories and business leaders who have demonstrated resilience even in the most challenging of circumstances. 

Today’s Exile is Jorge Barrigh, Regional Director at Heifer Impact Capital. Jorge’s career has been defined by construction - whether that’s building engineering projects, carbon funds, agricultural platforms, or even relationships. His Exile brings together colleagues and people from his personal life who share his passion for building a better world through infrastructure, integrating communities as part of those projects.

Today’s Exile is Christine Jordan, Head of Development & Agency Finance for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France at Standard Chartered Bank. A true international, Christine’s career has been shaped by confident leaders who are driven by strong values that they aren’t afraid to speak up for. She’s determined to use her Exile not just to celebrate the export finance leaders of today, but to champion the next generation.

Today’s guest is Silvia Gavornikova, Head of Export Credits and Competition Division at the OECD. With over 20 years of experience in export finance - as well as some other surprising talents - Silvia’s Exile will be a place of trust, flexibility, and mutual respect. 

Today’s Exile is Veronika Koroleva, Partner at gunnercooke. Veronika’s Exile celebrates the importance of mentorship and resilience, as well as embracing alternative working models to deal with problems that aren’t quite as unprecedented as we give them credit for. 

Today’s Exile is Beatriz Perez Perazzo, Managing Director of the Latin American Portfolio at Global Recovery Group. 

Today’s Exile is Ayodeji (DJ) Olaifa, Vice President, Senior Business Development Officer at KfW IPEX Bank. A seasoned financier, storyteller, and self-professed pan-Africanist, DJ approaches infrastructure with empathy, focusing on the impact that projects have on lives across Africa.

Today’s Exile is Marlon Smith, Managing Partner at JLC Infrastructure. As well as heading up Magic Johnson’s infrastructure fund, Marlon is a keen musician and propounder of joy - in his Exile, Marlon wants to create a joyous, musical community that’s built to last.

Welcome to Exiled: The Real Assets People, a podcast where we ‘strand’ a guest on a desert island and ask them who from their professional past, present, and future they’d choose to be stranded with. After all, it’s people that make a profession. Our first guest is Catherine Lang Anderson, Partner & Head of Trade & Commodity Finance Practice at A&O Shearman. Recorded live from the Royal Academy of Arts, it will be no surprise to anyone who knows Catherine that her Exile is going to be a party!