Matt Sueoka
Senior Vice President & Global Head of Amex Ventures
BA, Dartmouth College
MBA, Harvard Business School
Biography
Matt Sueoka is Vice President & Global Head of Amex Ventures, where he leads venture investments in startups that can help drive innovation across American Express. Amex Ventures’ portfolio includes companies such as Stripe, Instacart, Plaid, Boom Supersonic, FalconX and more. Matt and the Amex Ventures team focus on creating long-term partnerships with portfolio companies, with 75% of the portfolio having partnerships with American Express.
Previously, Matt was Vice President & Head of Global Strategy, Partnerships & Enablement for the Amex Digital Labs innovation team at American Express. In this role, he worked with thought leaders, customers, and partners across the globe to catalyze digital innovation at Amex by originating, incubating, and managing emerging products and platforms that prove essential to Amex customers’ lives. In this role, Matt led strategic partnerships with Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, PayPal/Venmo, Samsung and other top partners, as well as numerous Amex Ventures portfolio companies. He has a particular passion for creative thinking around new products, services, and business ventures, and leverages his background and experience with the Ventures portfolio. Matt was previously a strategy consultant at Bain & Company, where he focused primarily on advising financial services and private equity clients, and a Business Designer at IDEO.
Matt received an MBA from the Harvard Business School and is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he received a degree in mechanical engineering and studio art.
Margaret Lim
Managing Director
Margaret leads Fintech and Web 3 investments, as well as portfolio partnership initiatives.
Before joining American Express in 2019, Margaret worked across tech-focused private equity and venture capital at Temasek International and Credit Suisse's TMT Investment Banking team. Margaret also spent two years as the co-founder of HEROdyssey, a startup that connected US talent to innovation ecosystems in Southeast Asia.
Margaret earned her BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of Michigan.
Kevin Tsang
Managing Director
Kevin leads Consumer Services and Enterprise Capabilities investments, as well as the portfolio management function.
Before joining American Express in 2011, Kevin was part of the diversified industrials investment banking group at RBC Capital Markets, where he focused on M&A and corporate finance transactions. He began his career as an investment banking analyst at New Harbor Incorporated, covering the Power/Utilities sector.
Kevin holds a BS in Finance and Accounting from NYU's Stern School of Business.
Ope Runsewe
Managing Director
Ope Runsewe joined Amex Ventures in 2022. Ope focuses on leading the development of partnerships to drive engagement between Amex Ventures and the broader Venture Capital and startup ecosystem.
Ope has been at American Express since 2011, working across a number of Business Development, Partnerships and Marketing roles, during his tenure at the company. His most recent roles have included leading our U.S. merchant acquiring partnerships with Fintechs. Prior to this, he was responsible for signing commercial deals with bank partners across Africa to grow Amex merchant coverage.
Ope holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from The University of Nottingham.
Kevin Weber
Managing Director
Kevin Weber joined Amex Ventures in 2023. Kevin focuses on Enterprise Capabilities, including credit and fraud, AI and machine learning, data and other enterprise initiatives.
Prior to joining American Express, Kevin was at Citi Ventures with a focus on fintech, payments and commerce. Kevin worked at Synchrony Ventures and GE Capital prior to Citi Ventures, spanning venture investing and corp dev/M&A.
Kevin holds a BS in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. He and his fiancé Cristina live in Brooklyn, NY.
Anatoly Kvitnitsky
Investment Director
Anatoly joined American Express Ventures in 2020. His responsibilities include sourcing and evaluating early- and growth-stage investments in Enterprise Capabilities and driving partnerships between portfolio companies and business units.
Before joining American Express, Anatoly was a VP at Trulioo, a leading global identity verification company – and also an Amex Ventures portfolio company. He was responsible for Business and Corporate Development, R&D, Investor Relations, and Strategic Sales. Previously, Anatoly was on the Corporate Development and Strategy team at Experian's consumer business.
Anatoly holds an MBA from the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business and a BS in Finance from Rutgers University's Rutgers Business School.
Parin Shah
Investment Director
Parin joined American Express Ventures in 2021. His responsibilities include sourcing and evaluating early- and growth-stage investments in Consumer FinTech and driving partnerships between portfolio companies and business units.
Before joining American Express, Parin was a VP in Citi's Technology Investment Banking team, leading M&A and Capital Markets transactions in the Consumer Technology space. Parin has a combined experience of twelve years in Citi's Investment Banking practice across the San Francisco, New York, London, and Mumbai offices.
Parin holds an MBA from Cornell's Johnson School of Business and a BE from Mumbai University.
Diana Tsinis
Portfolio Director
Diana Tsinis joined Amex Ventures in 2023. Diana focuses on all aspects of portfolio management, including strategy, analytics and reporting.
Prior to joining American Express, Diana was a Senior Associate at Neuberger Berman covering private equity client reporting and analytics. Before that, she focused on portfolio management and operations at Strategic Partners, Blackstone’s secondary private equity division.
Diana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Financial Economics from Columbia University.
Jennifer Cozen
Director, Business Development
Jen joined American Express Ventures in 2023. Jen focuses on ecosystem partnership strategies and development to drive engagement between Amex Ventures and VCs and startups.
Prior to joining Amex Ventures, Jen was Director, Business Operations at Buzzer, a sports tech startup, where she led GTM strategy & cross-functional initiatives. Previously, she worked in
marketing and partnership roles on the Global Merchant & Network Services and Consumer Marketing teams at American Express.
Jen holds an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and a BS in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis.
Maddy Gaiman
Senior Manager, Business Development
Maddy joined Amex Ventures in 2023. Maddy focuses on ecosystem partnerships, building community, and driving engagement between Amex Ventures and the startup ecosystem.
Prior to joining American Express, Maddy was at Fractal Software, a venture studio where she led Community and Partnerships. Previously, she spent six years at high-growth tech companies including Klarna, WeWork, and Wunderkind in a variety of marketing and partnerships roles.
Maddy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Wake Forest University.
Mona Pezeshki
Senior Investment Manager
Mona joined American Express in 2020 as a member of the company's venture capital team and covers opportunities across Enterprise Capabilities.
Before joining American Express, Mona led business operations at StyleSeat, a software-enabled marketplace for beauty professionals where she was responsible for driving corporate planning, strategic partnerships, and special projects. Previously, she underwrote fund-of-fund and direct investments as an associate covering venture capital at Albourne Partners. Mona started her career in investment banking at Duff & Phelps, where she provided M&A and advisory services to software companies.
Mona graduated with honors from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business with a BS in Business Administration.
Michal Edelman Tepper
Investment Manager
Michal Edelman Tepper joined Amex Ventures in 2022. Michal focuses on sourcing and evaluating opportunities in B2B FinTech and driving partnerships between portfolio companies and business units.
Prior to joining American Express, Michal was a Senior Associate at TRAUB where she helped Consumer, Retail and Tech businesses execute on their strategic initiatives. Previously, she was an analyst at Barclays in their Consumer Retail Group, where she evaluated and advised on M&A and equity transactions in the Food & Beverage and Retail industries.
Michal holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a BA with honors in Economics and Social History from Barnard College.
Anirudh Singh
Investment Manager
Anirudh joined Amex Ventures in 2022. Anirudh focuses on sourcing and evaluating early stage B2C fintech investment opportunities and developing partnerships between portfolio companies and Amex’s business units.
Prior to joining American Express, Anirudh was a senior associate at Strategy&, consulting financial services firms on technology transformation initiatives. Before
that, he worked as a technology consultant at Deloitte Consulting.
Anirudh holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematical Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Hamish Baillieu
Investment Manager
Hamish Baillieu joined Amex Ventures in 2022. Hamish focuses on sourcing and evaluating investments in Consumer Services and driving partnerships between portfolio companies and business units.
Prior to joining American Express, Hamish was an Investment Associate at Flat World Partners, where he led several investments into purpose-driven startups. Before that, Hamish worked for one of Australia’s largest venture capital funds, Square Peg Capital.
Hamish holds a Bachelor of Business with a major in Banking & Finance from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
Rachel Payne
Portfolio Manager
Rachel Payne joined Amex Ventures in 2022. Rachel will be supporting Amex Ventures in all things portfolio management ranging from supporting our accounting processes, senior leadership reporting, Finance stakeholder management, and portfolio exits as well as driving insights for better decision support from our portfolio data.
Prior to joining American Express, Rachel was the Venture Operations Manager at Arc Ventures, a New York Family Office, focused on investing in startups and venture funds. She oversaw their venture operations focusing on legal, accounting, and portfolio management.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History in 2009 from Manhattanville College.
Lyncy Nyandoche
Portfolio Management Analyst
Lyncy joined Amex Ventures in 2021 and focuses on portfolio management activities – specifically, fund reporting, analysis, and strategy.
Before joining American Express, Lyncy was actively involved in the Microfinance and Impact Investing Initiative at Haverford College as an alumni and student board member of the Impact Investing class focused on portfolio management.
Lyncy holds a BA in Economics and Mathematics from Bryn Mawr College.
Wyatt Friedman
Investment Analyst
Wyatt Friedman joined Amex Ventures in 2022. Wyatt focuses on sourcing and evaluating opportunities in B2B Fintech and driving partnerships between portfolio companies and business units.
Prior to joining American Express, Wyatt was a Director at FTI Consulting, helping clients create and execute value creation strategies. Prior to that he was an investment banking analyst at CIT Group.
Wyatt holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from Lehigh University.
Oliver Ginns
Investment Analyst
Oliver Ginns joined Amex Ventures in 2022. Oliver focuses primarily on opportunities related to the consumer fintech sector and works closely with members of the investment team on sourcing, evaluating and executing investment opportunities.
Prior to joining American Express, Oliver was a summer analyst for Tesla where he focused on financial and operational analysis for North American distribution centers. Previously, he was an investment analyst at Bloccelerate, where he sourced and evaluated investment opportunities in the enterprise blockchain sector.
Oliver holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Alyssa Smith
Chief of Staff
Alyssa Smith joined Amex Ventures in 2022. Alyssa focuses on strategic projects and business development activities across the Ventures team, and helps manage the day-to-day operations of the team.
Prior to joining Amex Ventures, Alyssa worked on the Enterprise Strategy team at American Express where she managed a wide range of projects focused on determining the company’s strategic direction.
Alyssa holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and a BA in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Mariluz Villa
Executive Assistant
Mariluz joined American Express in 2012 and currently supports Margaret Lim and Kevin Tsang as an Executive Assistant.
Before joining the Amex Ventures team, Mariluz was a Project Analyst within the Real Estate team, where she worked on several initiatives, including the rollout of American Express's flexible workplace program, BlueWork.
Mariluz holds a BA in Multicultural Communications and International Marketing from Baruch College.
Christina Caruana
Executive Assistant
Christina joined Amex Ventures in 2021, where she supports Matt Sueoka, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Amex Ventures.
Before joining American Express, Christina supported the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at MacAndrews and Forbes. Previously, Christina worked in public relations for Sephora and marketing for Revlon.
Christina holds a BS in Marketing from St. John's University.
Aziza Johnson
Vice President,
Communications for Digital Innovation
Aziza joined Amex Ventures in 2021, where she focuses on building the organization's profile with external and internal audiences and establishing the executive team as thought leaders. She also works across several other businesses to tell holistic stories about American Express' leadership in digital innovation.
Before joining American Express, Aziza was SVP at OutCast, an integrated marketing agency specializing in digital, communications, and creative. At OutCast, she led communication initiatives for clients across various industries, including venture capital, technology, beauty, retail, and more. Before OutCast, Aziza held roles of increasing responsibility at several communication agencies.
Aziza holds a BA in Sociology from Harvard.
Jacob Wilson
Director, Communications for Digital Innovation
Jacob joined Amex Ventures in 2022, and provides global communications and thought leadership support to showcase how American Express is driving innovation and powerfully backing its customers. Prior to joining Amex Ventures, Jacob supported Global Merchant and Network services (GMNS) within American Express’ Corporate Affairs and Communications (CA&C) team.
Prior to joining the CA&C GMNS team, Jacob was an independent contractor supporting both GMNS and the American Express Social media team. Before he became a contractor for Amex, he held various agency roles with increasing responsibility supporting Amex at companies such as Day One Agency, TheAudience and Edelman.
Jacob holds a BA in Economics from the University of North Texas.
James Franklin
Chief Counsel
Jim joined American Express in 2011 and serves as Chief Counsel. Jim oversees and participates in the structuring, negotiation and execution of American Express’ M&A, joint venture, and venture investment transactions globally, as well as related integration activities.
Prior to joining American Express, Jim worked in the M&A group at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, where he specialized in private equity and public company M&A as well as corporate governance matters.
Jim received his J.D. from Columbia Law School and his B.A. with Honors from Brown University, where he majored in History.
Regina Sorin
Lead Counsel
Regina joined American Express in 2020 and serves as VP & Senior Counsel and Lead Counsel to Amex Ventures. Regina supports Amex Ventures in its investments, exits, portfolio management and business development activities, and also works on American Express’ M&A and joint venture transactions globally, as well as related integration activities.
Prior to joining American Express, Regina worked in the Financial Services Group at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where she advised public and private financial institution and other clients on a wide variety of complex strategic transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, financings, and securities offerings, and developed a broad-based M&A, corporate governance, public company reporting and capital markets practice, focused on financial institutions.
Regina received her J.D. from Boston University School of Law and her B.S. and B.A. from The Ohio State University, where she majored in Accounting and Spanish.
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