Leopard Capital Haiti
Investment Team
Douglas Clayton
Chief Executive Officer
Show Biooversees Leopard Capital’s investment activities and business expansion in pre-emerging economies. With 26 years of experience in frontier markets, Douglas is a commentator of the asset class at investment conferences, on financial television programs, and in print media publications. Prior to founding Leopard Capital in 2007 Douglas held senior executive positions at multi-national equities firms such as CLSA and Indosuez WI Carr, gaining frontline experience building and managing teams across Asia and Latin America. In 1999 Douglas founded Abacus Equity Partners which sourced and arranged two 10x private equity investments in two years. He is a Trustee of the Center for Khmer Studies and formerly served as Technical Advisor to the Director-General of Cambodia’s Securities & Exchange Commission. Douglas holds an MM from Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University and a BA in History from Cornell University.
Thierry Bungener
Managing Partner
Show Bioa Swiss national, has worked in Haiti for over half of his 30 year previous career as a banker and consultant. Thierry opened and headed Citibank’s Haiti branch, then was founding Managing Director of SOFIHDES, Haiti’s leading development institution that funds hundreds of SMEs. As an independent consultant he advised AECOM/IFC on creating Special Economic Zones in Haiti, and headed I-TRADE, a USAID-funded project to improve Haiti’s investment environment. In addition to serving other international management roles at Citibank, Thierry was a Senior Banker in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)’s Financial Institutions Group in London. Thierry holds a MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from EM Lyon. He is fluent in French and English, and proficient in Haitian Creole, Spanish and German.
Jean Feminier
Managing Partner
Show Bioa French national, gained expertise in operational management, strategic development and corporate turnarounds in emerging markets over a 28 year career with consumer giants such as Nestlé, Maggi and L'Oréal. He has lived and worked in a variety of locations including China, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Gabon, Spain, Switzerland, and France. Jean holds a TRIUM Global Executive MBA (NYU, HEC, LSE, FDC and HKUST), and degrees from Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris and Lycée Lyautey in Casablanca. He is fluent in French, English, and Arabic and can communicate in Spanish, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese.
Lawrence Mackhoul
Associate Partner
Show Biohas over 12 years of investment experience in emerging and developed markets. He joined Leopard Capital in 2009 as part of the Leopard Cambodia investment team. Lawrence later transitioned to the Leopard Capital Global team in order to spearhead the groups expansion into Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2012 Lawrence led the successful launch of the first private equity fund for Haiti, the Leopard Haiti Fund. Before joining Leopard Capital he managed a real estate investment portfolio which achieved a 26% IRR over a 6 year period. He commenced his professional career at the CNN headquarters in Atlanta and later gained experience in the hotel industry while working with Marriott International. He holds an MIM from Sorbonne Université an MBA from Georgia State University and certificate from COPPEAD (University of Rio De Janeiro).
Reshma Alva
Associate Partner
Environmental and Social Impact
Show Biohas over ten years experience in maximizing social impact. Prior to joining Leopard Capital in 2011, she worked in a variety of roles – as consultant, program manager, funder, and fundraiser - in organizations focused on social finance, social services, governance, and capacity building. She holds an MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management, and a BA from University of Michigan. Reshma speaks English and basic French and Tulu.
Sebastien Mortimer
Investment Analyst
Show Bioinitially joined Leopard Capital Haiti as an intern, providing support to the investment team, and was subsequently promoted to Analyst. His responsibilities include evaluating investment proposals, assisting in the due diligence process, and helping monitor portfolio companies. Previously Sebastien completed an Analyst internship at Banque de la Republique d’Haiti, Haiti’s Central Bank. Sebastien holds a BS in Finance from Florida International University and is fluent in French, Creole, and English.
Thou Sen Chann
Financial Controller
Show Biowas previously Financial Controller for Royal Angkor Resorts, Sunway City, and Allson Angkor Paradise Hotels in Phnom Penh, and Siem Riep. He earlier served as a Caltex Station manager, and Account Officer with Medtecs Cambodia. Thou holds Bachelor degrees in accounting and management from Royal University of Law and Economics.
Cassandre Valbrun
Office Manager
Show Biohas more than ten years of experience in Management. Before joining Leopard, Ms.Valbrun oversaw the day-to-day business activities of several Haitian companies operating in the automobile dealership warranty and marketing industries. Ms. Valbrun currently overseas accounting and human resources activities for Leopard Capital’s Haiti office. She studied Business Management in Haiti, and speaks Creole, French and English."
Investment Committee
James Seymour
Chairman
Show Biohas compiled 35 years of investment and finance experience in emerging markets at SeedRock Corporation, EMP Global, Commonfund Capital, and Bankers Trust. As Co-Head of Investments for 13 years at Commonfund, Jim gained specialized knowledge of the key issues related to private equity investments in developing countries. He has served on 18 private equity advisory boards, including a number of Africa-focused funds, and is currently on the Advisory Board of the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association. Jim holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in International Relations from Yale University.
Patrice Backer
Show Bio(Haitian-American) is partner and chief operating officer of a Senegal based private equity group. He was previously Managing Director of Promocapital, an investment partnership established for investing in Haiti. He was also a Vice President with BCR. Patrice started his financial career as an Associate at J.P. Morgan where he later became Vice President in the Emerging Markets Sales & Trading division. Patrice holds a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and an MBA (the Wharton School) and MA in International Studies(the Lauder Institute), both from the University of Pennsylvania.
Douglas Clayton
Show Biohas over 26 years experience in emerging markets investments. In 1999 he founded Abacus Equity Partners which arranged and participated in several of Thailand’s most successful private equity investments. As Chief Investment Officer of Knight Asia Group, he helped manage Knight Pacific Fund. He also served as a senior executive at prominent securities firms such as CLSA. Douglas holds an MM from Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University and a BA (History) from Cornell University.
Thierry Bungener
Show Bioa Swiss national, has worked in Haiti for over half of his 30 year previous career as a banker and consultant. Thierry opened and headed Citibank’s Haiti branch, then was founding Managing Director of SOFIHDES, Haiti’s leading development institution that funds hundreds of SMEs. As an independent consultant he advised AECOM/IFC on creating Special Economic Zones in Haiti, and headed I-TRADE, a USAID-funded project to improve Haiti’s investment environment. In addition to serving other international management roles at Citibank, Thierry was a Senior Banker in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)’s Financial Institutions Group in London. Thierry holds a MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from EM Lyon. He is fluent in French and English, and proficient in Haitian Creole, Spanish and German.
