Reproduced with Permission A group of global trade and supply chain finance specialists has launched Prism Global Partners, a new London-based boutique consultancy. Initial founding partners of the new firm are industry stalwarts Craig Weeks, Alexander Malaket, James...
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Expertise Across Trade, Financing and Policy: Trade, From Every Angle
Our Team
John Ahearn
John Ahearn is Vice Chairman of Falcon Group and CEO of Falcon America where he is responsible for establishing and growing the business across the Americas. Prior to Falcon, John ran Citibank’s Global Trade as part of their Treasury and Trade business having worked there for 16 years. Prior to joining Citi, Ahearn worked for ABN Amro in Chicago IL where he ran the US Trade franchise and their Financial Institutions for the Trade Group globally. John also held a senior position at the Bank of New York/National Community Bank (merger).
John also held various board seats including Chairman for BAFT (Bankers Association for Finance and Trade) and PEFCO (Private Export Funding Corp) of which he is still a member.
David Cooperman
Seasoned banking executive with a rich history in commercial banking including transaction banking, trade finance and working capital finance. I drive innovative growth strategies, improve complex processes with cutting-edge technology, enhance regulatory compliance controls and cultivate teams that thrive in challenging international environments. Some of my key accomplishments include:
Guiding executive teams with data-informed strategies and advancing the industry narrative.
Unlocking new opportunities with a sharp focus on high-impact solutions, organic and inorganic growth agendas and innovative product development.
Designing and implementing global solutions for banking institutions through new operating models, automating complex processes and improving risk controls
Deploying innovative technology, including AI, to improve efficiencies and enhance financial crimes compliance effectiveness
Turning around under performance with a focus on revenue growth, profit optimization and market positioning
Jonathan Fried
Mr. Fried is a Senior Advisor to the Albright Stonebridge Group in Washington, DC, Senior Associate to the Center for Strategic and International Studies also in Washington, DC, and Advisor to Independent Economics (formerly Llewellyn Consulting) in London, UK, building on his distinguished diplomatic career for Canada.
He is widely recognized for his long experience and leading roles in international trade, finance, and economic affairs. Prior to his retirement from the Government of Canada in August 2020, he was the Personal Representative of the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the G20, and concurrently Coordinator for International Economic Relations, a Deputy Minister-level position with a mandate encompassing Canada-Asia and other international trade and economic policy. From mid-2021 to February 2022, he served part-time as Executive Advisor to Global Affairs Canada on the development of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
As Canada’s Ambassador to the WTO from 2012-2017, Mr. Fried served both as Chair of the Dispute Settlement Body and subsequently as Chair of the General Council. Prior roles include Ambassador to Japan, Executive Director at the IMF, Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister, G7 and G20 Finance Deputy, Canada’s senior trade official and Chief Negotiator on China’s WTO accession, and earlier, lead counsel for NAFTA.
Mr. Fried is a Distinguished Fellow of the Asia-Pacific Foundation and the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. Once professor of law at the University of Toronto law school, he has been an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa and Georgetown University. He received his B.A. and LL.B. from the University of Toronto, and LL.M. from Columbia University, and is a member of the Law Society of Alberta.
He was awarded by the Emperor of Japan the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, in November 2022.
Robert Handfield, Ph.D
Robert Handfield, Ph.D., is the executive director of the SCRC and the Bank of America University Distinguished Professor of Supply Chain Management in NC State’s Poole College of Management. Handfield is a consulting editor of the Journal of Operations Management and has written several books on supply chain management, including “Supply Market Intelligence, Supply Chain Re-Design.”
Identified as one of a handful of professionals in the 2007 Pros to Know list complied by Supply and Demand Chain Executive journal, Handfield is regularly quoted in such periodicals as the Wall Street Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle and the Supply Chain Management Review.
Over the course of his career, Handfield has consulted with more than 25 Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries. Such experience has helped inform his ongoing research on the performance of companies with “best in class” supply chain management processes versus those whose supply chain practices are mediocre, which shows that best-in-class companies experience greater stockholder value and enjoy higher savings. Handfield joined the college in 1999 and received his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1990.
Alexander R. Malaket
Mr. Malaket is a recognised specialist in international trade, trade financing and trade-related international development.
He has advised banking, government and international institution clients around the world, currently serves as Deputy Head of the Executive Committee, ICC Banking Commission, Paris in addition to contributing to numerous boards and advisory committees.
Malaket is the President of OPUS Advisory Services International Inc. in Toronto and a Founding Partner of London-based ESG Validation LLP.
John Monaghan
Senior Advisor with extensive global banking experience covering both developed and emerging markets. Proven expertise in leading diverse global teams in all facets of Transaction Banking. Recognized for building nascent businesses into leadership positions with particular focus on delivering Working Capital optimization and Supply Chain Finance solutions/products to both corporate and Financial Institutions/FinTechs
Lisa Robins
Lisa Robins is a Senior Executive, Board Director, and trailblazer in emerging financial markets recognized for special expertise and leadership developing business across Asia Her strong business judgment and focus on digitization of transaction banking have led to her success in global and U.S. domestic roles. Ms. Robins is known for effectively leading organizations with diverse teams, across multiple geographies, through transformation to embrace change and become cultures of action and collaboration.
Most recently, Lisa served as Managing Director and Global Head of Transaction Banking (TB) for Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore. Previously, Lisa was Regional Head of Global Transaction Banking, Asia Pacific at Deutsche Bank from 2011 – 2018. Lisa started her banking career with JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Chase Manhattan) in Paris in 1980 and held a variety of leadership positions in NY, HK, and China in transaction banking.
Currently, Lisa is a senior advisor to Oliver Wyman for Transaction Banking. In addition she is Vice Chair of Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA). She also serves on the board of OH! ( Open House) a non profit arts organization in Singapore. She has served the financial industry through BAFT and SWIFT. In appreciation of her professional expertise, Ms. Robins was honored as an IBF Fellow by the Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore, named as a Hall of Fame – Legend by Global Custodian Magazine, and named Transaction Banker of the Year by The Asset’s Triple A and The Asian Banker. She earned a MA in Asian (Chinese) Studies from Stanford University and her BA, magna cum laude, in Asian Studies and History from Tufts University. Ms. Robins speaks Mandarin and French. She and her husband live in New York City.
Rick Striano
Mr. Striano’s career spans over 35 years with senior postings in the New York, Washington D.C., Milan and Frankfurt with industry leading organizations including Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan, The London Forfaiting Company, and AIG. His experience ranges from structuring complex and esoteric structured trade finance, Forfaiting, and Supply Chain Finance transactions to various forms of structured risk distribution. In addition to his expertise in deal origination and distribution, Mr. Striano also has extensive experience in product management as Global Head of Deutsche Bank’s Trade Finance Product function and a member of Deutsche Bank’s Transaction Banking Product Management Executive Committee.
Beyond trade Finance, Mr. Striano also has extensive experience in Cash Management, Technology, Innovation, and Project Management.
As Global Head of Market & Client Intelligence, Mr. Striano ran Deutsche Bank’s global Cash RFP response team. He also headed the Cash Digital Product Development function where he identified and executed on new technology and product opportunities including investing and/or partnering with fintech partners, and successfully concluded Deutsche Bank’s first ever block chain based payments and collections in the production environment. Mr. Striano also holds a U.S. patent on a multi-channel electronic payment system.
Currently based in Frankfurt, Germany, Mr. Striano is a dual national carrying both Italian and U.S. passports.
Maureen M. Sullivan
As an accomplished Finance Executive with extensive experience in Global Supply Chain Finance leadership roles, I am also an advocate for Women’s Health, Children at Risk and Fine Arts. I am passionate about leadership partnerships to serve on boards as an advocate for women, children, and fine art for generations to come.
LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Leadership Effectiveness.
I balance priorities, communicate skillfully, and lead courageously during ambiguous transitions. I am adept at identifying and aligning talent to opportunity for optimal outcomes.
Revenue Growth | P&L Management.
I partnered top tier banking organizations to generate wins in underserved, highly regulated commercial financial services markets. I am skilled at taking ownership and driving performance of divergent international trade and finance businesses.
Business Development | Client & Customer Relationships.
I rely heavily on early career originator successes and a keen understanding of client differentiators to build strong, productive partnerships. I go the extra mile to determine client fit for the business.
Functional & Technical Expertise.
I am recognized as an expert in working capital products, international trade finance, and product structure and delivery. I excel in project plan development, technology utilization, and execution in complex global settings.
BOARD EXPERIENCE
Evanston Art Center Board of Directors, Executive Committee | Treasurer | Finance Chair
(2019-Present)
Boys Hope Girls Hope Illinois, Board Member, Past Treasurer and Finance Chair
(2004-2013)