TEAM
Ben Havlin
Board Member & Founder
In 2012, Ben founded New York Gulf to advise his network of private clients, building a leading strategy, investment research and transactions advisory firm. After working at NASDAQ in DC & Dubai, he led NYG to advise public companies, HNWI and families across the GCC. He has advised on and overseen financial deals in logistics, food, real estate, retail and e-commerce.
Matt Bodenhamer
Partner
Matt Bodenhamer co-founded NYGC with Ben Havlin in Dubai in 2018 where he developed deep transactions experience in RD&E, Matt leads the GCC Dubai practice covering Riyadh, Kuwait and other gulf states. He focuses on dining, franchises, tech, retail, dining, entertainment, real estate, and venture capital. As a venture advisor he developed multiple successful raise models for pre-seed and seed rounds.
Nicholas Polley
Chief Legal Officer & MD
Nicholas, an accomplished Chief Legal Officer, boasts extensive experience in governance, IPOs, acquisitions and legal aspects of structured finance. He has been the Chief Legal Officer at prominent family offices such as YBA Kanoo, Saudi FAS Holding, GFH, and SEDCO Holding. He has overseen 10 BN USD of successful IPOs, finance deals, acquisitions, construction and infrastructure projects.
Ken Adams
MD Americas
Ken Adams has been a CEO, CFO, and COO of multiple companies in the Hospitality & Entertainment Industry with a focus on Retail, Dining, and Entertainment (RD&E). Ken brings a network of retail and real estate finance relationships to NYG and access to GCC trading families. Ken's expertise spans business development, franchising, and operations with strong regional access in the Middle East, USA, and Latin America.
Malak Mohammed
MD Saudi
Malak is an experienced fundraiser and entrepreneur based in Riyadh with deep experience in the entertainment, hospitality and medical sectors. Combined with his experience with his family's Saudi business, he spent 14 years in the United States in the entertainment business and provides deep knowledge of the Saudi ecosystem to New York Gulf as well as relationships with families and semi-government partners.
Arselan Masood
MD Tech
Arselan is an automation and virtual reality wizard, having led large development teams specializing in robotics, software engineering, and virtual reality. He possesses expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Deep Learning, and is well-versed in a wide range of technologies such as simulation modeling, Internet of Things (IoT), Unity, Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS
New York Gulf unites expert practitioners from corporations, research institutions, and professional practices, leveraging a panel system to harness their cutting-edge knowledge across various disciplines.
VENTURE CAPITAL
Latif Nathani
VC & Tech Consultant
Latif Nathani is a distinguished tech industry veteran with 31+ years of experience. He co-authored the Windows TCP/IP protocol and held leadership roles at Microsoft, co-founding two enterprise businesses. As a co-founder, he achieved a successful exit with eMemories and led product marketing for Norton 360. Serving as CEO of eBay India, he substantially grew the business and orchestrated a notable $800M deal. In 2018/19, he pioneered a fashion Omnichannel marketplace in Saudi Arabia and has been a Web3.0 industry advisor and investor since 2019.
Ghassan Aloshban
VC & Co-CEO, Tech Consultant
Ghassan Aloshban is a General Partner at Emkan Capital, a prominent VC firm in Saudi Arabia. He is also the Co-CEO of Wareef, a leading IT integrator practice. With his Harvard MBA, Ghassan is an expert in the U.S. entertainment and sports landscape. Emkan Capital has recently closed its inaugural $31 million fund, Emkan Capital Fund I (ECP I), with a focus on pre-Seed and Seed startups in the MENA region, particularly in fintech, e-commerce, and logistics. The fund received significant investment from global partners, including Silicon Valley-based investors, and aims to support early-stage tech startups in various sectors across the region.
Jonathan Hakakian
VC & Investment Consultant
Jonathan Hakakian is a partner at Soundboard Venture Fund with a diverse entrepreneurial background. Having grown up in a family business, he developed an owner's mindset and has successfully built businesses across various sectors, including tech, SMB consulting, and real estate/construction. He joined Sound Board in 2010, where he aids early-stage entrepreneurs in navigating challenges from concept to growth. In 2012, he co-founded Sound Board Angel Fund, overseeing capital raising, due diligence for a portfolio of 30 companies, and mentoring portfolio entrepreneurs.
Real Estate: Hospitality & Sports
Sample of Available Consultants, Subject Matter Experts & Advisors
Ahmad Ashrafi
CEO Infinity Real Estate
Ahmad - CEO of Infinity and CIO of A9 Family Office Ahmad is a serial entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in startups. He founded Infinity Investment Group to offer family offices and HNWIs direct access to private equity real estate deals. His leadership has grown the firm into an investment management powerhouse, serving 35 HNW clients and overseeing 45 investments globally. Ahmad is an expert in real estate, public markets, and cryptocurrencies, actively sharing his knowledge through articles and conference speaking engagements.
Steve Massey
CEO & Investment Advisor
Stephen Massey, CEO of Gulfstream Financial Advisors, Inc. since 1986, is an accomplished professional with a diverse background. His experience encompasses international project management, including a significant project in Gabon involving heavy equipment maintenance. Massey also founded and leads TractorExport.com LLC, co-founded MBROS Real Estate Services, and serves as CEO of Senyia LLC, a nutritional supplement company. His prior roles range from leading AutoChina Ltd to founding TelAir Network, Inc. Massey holds a Bachelor of Science, JD, and LLM in Taxation, and is a licensed attorney in Florida.
Valentina Ashrafi
Partner & COO at Infinity
Valentina is a versatile leader with experience in marketing, communications, and operations. She played a pivotal role in building and leading a Marketing and Communications team at a Miami-based unicorn during its growth stage. Valentina also served as a founding member of a Silicon Valley venture capital firm's Middle East office, managing partnerships, operations, and marketing. Her career started at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where she contributed to various functions, including pre-operational planning and marketing.
Dean Studebaker
Global Real Estate Consultant
Dean Studebaker is an international real estate development consultant with expertise in Latin America, South Pacific, and Southeast Asia. He specializes in strategic development planning, capitalization, investor relations, and offers capital solutions for various property types in the U.S. including hotels, commercial properties, single-family homes, condos, and multi-family units. Dean has also been featured as an international real estate brokerage expert on HGTV's House Hunter International for 6 years.
"SportsFacilities"
Community Sports Real Estate Firm
The sports real estate practice focuses on the economic development power of sports tourism. Through its partner SFC, New York Gulf works with the largest single network of tournament and community-based sports facilities in the U.S. The SF Network has grown to a 1500+ person team, working on over $15 billion in developments, hosting over 25 million visits annually, and producing $250 million in direct annual economic impact to the communities it serves.
Dr Oliver Finlay
PHD PT & Investment Consultant
Dr. Oliver Finlay, CEO of Beautiful Game Group LLC, a sports advisory practice leverages 23 years of leadership across sports, such as the English Premier League, NHL, F1, and Olympics. His expertise extends to the real estate sector, creating unique brand partnership opportunities. The company specializes in sports investments, particularly soccer, offering exclusive access. With a collaborative approach that involves industry experts, academics, and brand partners, BGG aims to identify high performing investments for its clients.
Sample of Available Consultants, Subject Matter Experts
Samuel Kang DMD
DMD & Medical Investment Banker
Samuel Kang's professional journey combines investment banking and healthcare. After a successful career in Dubai as an investment banker with HSBC, he studied dentistry at University of Pennsylvania and serves as Finance Chair of Dental Innovators, Creators & Entrepreneurs. He worked as a General Dentist at MANHASSET DENTAL, P.C., and Diamond Braces – Premiere Orthodontics and Invisalign. Samuel is dedicated to improving health outcomes through collaborative teamwork, a passion for cutting edge techniques and in depth knowledge of venture capital in dentistry.
Sam Benosman
Saudi & GCC Medical Consultant
Sam Benosman, Founder of STC Consulting, is a healthcare management strategist with a decade of expertise, specializing in medical sector research in Saudi Arabia and Dubai. His forte lies in international expansion and business development across GCC and MENA regions. Proficient in Medical Affairs, Team Leadership, and Finance, he leads Saudi market entry and research initiatives. Currently, Sam holds a key position at Quirónsalud, and is responsible for setting up and managing international Office expansion at Quironsalud Spanish healthcare leader part of Fresenius Helios Germany with more than 150 medical facilities
Girma WM JD
Medical Device IP Law & VC Consultant
Girma Wolde-Michael, JD has spent the last six years advising medical and startups in venture capital. Prior to this, he had an 18-year career at Medtronic, as Deputy Chief IP and Head of International IP Operations, and was involved in M&A, international tech transfer, and global IP strategy. With six US patents, Girma's education spans engineering, economics, MBA, MIM, and JD at University of Minnesota, University of St. Thomas, and William Mitchell Law School w/ postgraduate studies in microcircuits, semiconductors, Blockchain, & AI. Additionally, he served as a Microsoft Chair IP Law professor in India, showcasing his career at the intersection of business, law, and technology.
Professor Lauriat
Professor & Copyright IP Lawyer
Professor Barbara Lauriat is an accomplished legal academic with a Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford and JD from Boston University, accomplished in the US and UK with memberships in the Bars of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and the Bar of England and Wales. She currently holds the position of Associate Professor of Law at Texas Tech University School of Law. In addition to her legal expertise, Professor Lauriat is a National Certification holder as a Pilates Teacher, and she serves on the board of the Pilates Method Alliance. She specializes in copyright law and history of intellectual property as it applies to fitness, art and the law.
Dr Bernd Liesenfeld
Inventor & PHD, Medical Distribution
Dr. Bernd Liesenfeld, Quick-Med's President since 2004, is a pioneering figure in durable antimicrobial solutions. His expertise extends to guiding grant-funded research in antimicrobial-driven wound healing, project management for medical devices and consumer textiles, and commercializing NIMBUS antimicrobial technology with FDA clearance. Acknowledged for leading U.S. Army-sponsored research, he garnered top honors at the 2011 Wound Healing Society meeting, showcasing improved wound healing using advanced NIMBUS dressings. Dr. Liesenfeld has a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Florida.
David Moore
Microbiologist & Medical Consultant
David Moore is a seasoned Microbiologist with extensive experience in leading over 5700 assays and developing patented antimicrobial products. He holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida (1996) and has been with QMT since 2004. His expertise includes project management, regulatory compliance, quality control, prototype design, and product development. Davif has experiencr overseeing quality assessment and control for projects, handling all microbiology aspects, testing, and evaluation.
Aschkan Abdulmalek
Founder & Investment Consultant
Aschkan Abdulmalek is the Founder of AlemHealth, where he has developed vertically integrated and AI-enabled teleradiology hardware and software, revolutionizing radiology services in areas with limited capacity. He has a background in strategy consulting with Altai Consulting, directing large projects in Central Asia. Abdulmalek has also held roles as Director of Finance and Operations with Heartland Alliance and as Vice President at Merrill Advisory Group. His expertise spans finance, operations, and consulting, with a focus on healthcare and technology solutions.
Dr. Josh
MD, Founder and Medical Consultant
Dr. Josh, an Emergency Medicine Physician at US Acute Care Solutions,
co-founded Transformative, where he served as CEO and Chief Medical Officer. He innovated predictive patient monitoring software using advanced machine learning to improve cardiac arrest response. His work, funded by notable organizations, is pivotal in transforming emergency medicine. He has experience successfully overseeing research partnerships with leading hospitals and fundraising from private investors, government agencies and non-profits.
MEDIA, SPORTS & CULTURE
Sample of Available Consultants, Subject Matter Experts & Advisors
Our Technology specialists outside of medical focus on venture capital, media, extended reality and generative AI
Yousef Ali
Blast Founder & Media Tech Consultant
Yousef Ali is a seasoned entrepreneur with extensive experience in the technology and entertainment industries. He is the Founder and CEO of Blast Radio, a company focused on making HiFi live audio streaming accessible through portable devices and WiFi connections. With a background in digital strategy consultancy, Yousef has served notable clients like Black Entertainment Television, Viacom, and F.A.M.E. He also founded Fanclub, a platform that redefined celebrity-fan interactions through data science, benefiting celebrities such as Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and Jeezy.
Mary Ames
Global Media & Branding
Mary, with a rich background in Physics, Mathematics, and Education, serves as the Director of Strategy at Xische, a multifaceted venture consulting and strategy boutique. She leads brand and communication projects, working with prestigious clients like Smart Dubai, the Prime Minister’s Office, and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Her work extends to private sector entities like Dubai Design District and Quest Nutra-Pharma. Recently, Mary played a key role in publishing influential AI and blockchain reports in the UAE with deep insights into shifting global cultural landscape in media and culture.
Legends Advocates
Professional Athlete Partnership Advisors
A Major NFL Family, known for their NFL achievements and business ventures including an apparel & clothing line, consumer products, and Fitness Products, has partnered with Legends, a consortium of international business experts led by De Anna Guerreiro. This collaboration aims to elevate the family's brand and co-invest in opportunities that support athletes in building substantial business ventures during and after their sports careers, merging sports excellence with entrepreneurial acumen.
Johnny Lin
Founder, Film Producer & Distributor
Johnny Lin is a multifaceted film industry professional with extensive experience as an executive producer, financier, distributor, and aggregator in both Asia and North America. He is the principal of Filmula Entertainment and has produced notable films such as "American Made" and "Bernie." Lin is also the CEO of Studio Solutions Group and has acquired rights to several major films. His career includes partnerships, joint ventures, and legal disputes in the film industry. Lin earned his Executive MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management in 2022.
Emeka Olumba
Founder & Wellness Consultant
Emeka Olumba has developed the NaturalWorth Wellness methodology, emphasizing holistic health through mindfulness, yoga, and self-worth. His Workplace Wellness Programs help organizations create a healthy and productive work environment. He assists individuals in achieving balanced well-being by helping them to recognize and put to work their most influential resource for thriving. With over 20 years of experience as a top tier Wellness coach, he has served many individuals and numerous organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, Equinox DC, Brookings Institution, Toyota, US National Park Service, US National Association of Manufacturers,.
Susanne Bohnet
Film Producer
Susanne Bohnet is a seasoned film producer who previously led the U.S. office of Equity Pictures, one of Germany's largest film funds. During her tenure, she initiated strategic partnerships, negotiated deals, and oversaw production, contributing to the company's annual investments growth from $30 million in 2002 to $100 million in 2004. She also served as SVP for Production and Business Development at Cinemedia, where she played a significant role in successful projects like "What Women Want." Susanne's producer credits include notable films like "Hostage," "The Matador," "New York, I Love You," and "16 Bars."