Uncertain of her initial career plans in marketing, Anadeen Nembhard seized the opportunity to apply for a recruiting operations vacancy while working at a business process outsourcing organization as a customer service representative thus catapulting her career in human resources. In her transition to HR, she discovered her passion for helping people, learning and development; later creating high-performance and highly engaged working environments through agile thinking and solution-oriented problem-solving.

Anadeen is a passionate and strategic human resource professional with a successful track record of over 10 years of experience in the areas of talent acquisition and management, learning and development, HR project management, strategic human resource development and management, change management and leadership development. Prior to joining Sygnus, Anadeen was instrumental in providing invaluable support to local, regional, and international companies to achieve strategic people initiatives across several industries including financial services, professional services, manufacturing and retail, business processing outsourcing (BPO).

As the Head of People, Culture and Talent Management, Anadeen develops and executes the people management framework to enforce the Sygnus difference and culture by fostering a strong relationship with team members, executives, and regulatory agencies. Being a continuous learner and a strong believer in the principles of Kaizen; a Japanese management concept that promotes continuous improvement, she drives team members to achieve big, audacious goals.

She excels in her role by applying her knowledge and skills from her BBA in Marketing and International Business from the University of Technology and a Master of Business Administration with a focus in Human Resources Management from the Mona School of Business and Management. She also pursued her designation as a Senior Professional in Human Resources International (SPHRi) as well as having completed several professional certifications in human resources and leadership.

Anadeen is a proud HR millennial who serves as a Director of the Human Resources Association of Jamaica Young Professionals (HRMAJyp) Chapter and Chair of its University Relations and Mentorship Committee.

Yashi Hall was educated in Jamaica and the UK, returning to Citibank shortly after completing her Masters’ degree in 1997. At Citibank she accumulated Wholesale Banking experience with junior and senior management positions across Treasury, Transaction Banking Services and Relationship Management, with a foundational period as a Risk Manager. During Yashi’s time with Citi’s Risk Unit she completed extensive training in corporate credit, managed Citi Jamaica’s payments and market risk systems and obtained her credit committee initials. Yashi left Citi in 2007 to join CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank in an origination role with its newly formed Capital Markets Unit and later headed its Jamaica, Cayman and BVI Corporate Units as Director and Cluster Head, where she had oversight and responsibility for that Cluster’s investment banking, corporate sales and corporate credit portfolios.

After five years in the Middle East where Yashi and her family lived in Dubai, she returned to CIBC FirstCaribbean in 2021 as Director responsible for Investment Banking Origination across its regional footprint. In May 2022 Yashi returned to her risk roots to head and build out the Risk Management Unit for Sygnus Group as VP Head of Risk Management.

Yashi is married with three children and enjoys spending time with her family, reading for growth, and supporting causes that promote her values with regard to helping those in need and climate sustainability.

Monique Anthony is an accomplished Chartered Accountant with more than 20 years’ experience managing financial and accounting operations within the banking and financial services sector. She currently holds the position of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, with responsibility for directing the financial reporting functions across the Sygnus Group.

Having started her career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, she moved onto The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica, where she rose from accounting, to Finance & Operation, Compliance Officer and Assistant VP of Finance at Scotia Investments. Before she joined the Sygnus Team in 2019, Monique was Senior Manager, Finance and Chief Accountant at The Bank of Nova Scotia, where she was integrally involved in the execution of special projects and played a critical role in expense management and had oversight of regulatory reporting.

As the Chief Financial Officer at Sygnus Capital Ltd., Monique is instrumental in directing all financial functions of the Sygnus Group of Companies in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and guidelines issued by the Financial Services Commission, the Jamaica Stock Exchange and other regulatory and advisory organizations.

She assesses and evaluates the financial performances of the group and provides key insights and recommendations on short-term and long-term growth strategies. Her leadership and direction is also critical in motivating the team’s performance.

Former Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Brigadier David Cummings is an accomplished leader who brings unmatched depth of experience and expertise in project management, negotiation, risk management, finance and logistics. Prior to joining Sygnus, David served with the JDF for over 32 years where he held impressive leadership roles, including Colonel General Staff and Colonel Adjutant Quartermaster, and lastly as Deputy Chief. During his tenure he created and successfully implemented projects valued at over US$200 million spanning construction, infrastructure, maritime, information systems and aviation.

As Head of Real Estate and Project Finance, David is charged with providing leadership and project management of Sygnus Real Estate Finance Ltd. (SRF). No stranger to high-level negotiations and risk management, David is astute at leading and developing high-performing teams for complex organizations and projects. David served as a Board Member and Chairman of Audit, ICT and Security Committees for the Urban Development Corporation for seven years. He is a recipient of the Order of Distinction in the 2016 National Honours and Award for outstanding service to the Jamaica Defence Force. He possesses a Bachelor of Engineering, a Master of Military Arts & Sciences and a Master of Business Administration.

As the Head of Wealth, Elizabeth James is charged with the strategic direction and expansion of Sygnus’s Wealth Management Division. She leads an innovative team focused on delivering creative and personalized financial solutions to corporate and individual clients. Known for her motivational leadership style and superb relationship management skills, Elizabeth has a solid reputation as one of the region’s most well-respected investment bankers.

Elizabeth has twelve years of experience providing cutting-edge leadership and strategic direction in Wealth Management services. She possesses an MBA in International Business and is a Certified Financial Planner. Prior to joining Sygnus, Elizabeth held several leadership positions at NCB Capital Markets as a Regional Manager in the areas of Private Wealth, Retail and Corporate Sales. Elizabeth has significant experience in offshore banking and was instrumental in the strategic development of Private Wealth at NCB Capital Markets Cayman. She now plays a key role in Sygnus’s rapid expansion into the Caribbean.

Known for empowering clients through financial literacy, Elizabeth is passionate about helping to structure and create a financial future for her clients and their families. It is one of the hallmarks of her success. Through Sygnus’s commitment to innovation in portfolio management and investment advisory, she expands the horizon of financial possibilities for her clients.

Cerilin is the linchpin that manages the firm’s compliance and regulatory framework. She strikes a unique balance in applying creative thinking and legal oversight to her work as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer. She is an attorney-at-law admitted to practice in Jamaica with over fifteen years’ experience in the financial services industry.

Prior to joining Sygnus, Cerilin was Senior Manager, Corporate Trust at Scotia Investments Jamaica Limited, where she had investment management and administrative responsibility for the trust assets under the company’s administration. She also served as Senior Manager, Compliance from July 2012 to March 2015. In addition, Cerilin has occupied several positions in RBTT and RBC Bank from 2005 to 2012. During this time she developed and implemented the compliance programmes for the business, as well as the business acceptance standards for the onboarding of new clients. In her role as Business Banking Executive, she was responsible for originating commercial loans of over J$900 million for medium to large businesses.

Cerilin joined Sygnus for the opportunity to shape the regulatory framework of the company and ensure that the business can withstand scrutiny while protecting the interests of the business and its clients. As legal advisor to Sygnus’s business units, she applies her experience gained in the financial services industry and knowledge of the regulatory regime relating to the securities, pensions and capital markets to provide invaluable insights and advice.

Cerilin has a BSc in Management and Accounting from the University of the West Indies, Mona and a Master of Business Administration from the Manchester Business School. She was called to the Jamaican bar in December 2012. Cerilin is passionate about what she does and is often seen as a creative and strategic business leader who works with the highest level of integrity.

Gregory is the Senior Vice President & Head of Investment Banking at Sygnus. In this role, he leverages his diverse skillset, creative thinking and deep financial and engineering expertise to devise innovative financial solutions for corporate and individual clients. He made a big move when he left his role as Assistant Vice President at Scotia Investments to join the Sygnus start-up – an exciting move that positions him as a leader in structuring new and innovative financial products and solutions.

At Scotia Investments Gregory was responsible for the management of the firm’s treasury, investment and trading operations and had over JA$70 billion under his management. In addition, he successfully raised over JA$8 billion in financing for local corporate clients as interim Head of Capital Markets.

Gregory spent 6 years at CIBC FirstCaribbean prior to Scotia Investments. There he worked in the Corporate Investment Banking division as part of the origination deals team that provided investment banking and advisory services to clients in the region with transactions of over US$2.0 billion in deal size. Next, he held the position of Associate Director, Client Solutions Group and was responsible for providing structured products and derivative hedging solutions to large corporate and government clients in the English & Dutch Speaking Caribbean.

Before his successful career in Investment Banking, Gregory started out his profession as an Engineer. His legacy in engineering includes 6 years at Royal Dutch Shell PLC, as well as leading the expansion of Shell Gas Jamaica’s on-island operations, which included the delivery of several large infrastructure projects.

Gregory’s qualifications include an MBA in Banking & Finance, a BSc. in Mechanical Engineering, a Certificate in Project Management and he is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a member of the CFA Society of the Cayman Islands.

Jason Morris is purpose-driven and relentless in his mission to create a lasting impact on businesses, people, and the economy. Driven by a passion for creating nimble solutions addressing critical needs faced by entrepreneurs and investors, Jason isn’t afraid of a challenge. To establish Sygnus, he played a lead role in one of the largest equity raises done by a startup entity in Jamaica. Now, he is committed more than ever to working with team members to create a world-class “Sygnisian culture” that will revolutionize the way financial services are delivered in the Caribbean.

Jason received both his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (1998) and Master of Science in Economics (2000) from the University of the West Indies and has spent the last 14 years working in the Investment Industry. Throughout his career, he has led or played a lead role in key investment decisions on over US$1.1 billion in international investments, developed key private sector and public sector economic research during crisis periods in Jamaica, as well as provided investors with extensive cutting-edge insights on local, regional and international financial markets through various events media channels and publications.

In the early part of his career, Jason worked as an economist with the Private Sector Organizations of Jamaica followed by a year at the National Water Commission as a Corporate Economist/Financial Analyst. He then spent eight years from 2002 to 2010 with the JMMB Group Limited. There he served as their Investment Research and Sovereign Risk Analyst and then as Senior Investment Strategist and Portfolio Manager. Most recently Jason worked at Scotia Investments Jamaica Limited (SIJL), where he served as Vice President of Business Analytics, Portfolio Advisory, and Product Development from June 2012 to June 2016, and Assistant Vice President of Product Development from March 2010 to June 2012. In addition to that Jason served as Deputy Board Chairman and Chairman of the Investment Committee for three years from 2016 to 2019 at National Insurance Fund (NIF). Jason is currently the Director and Founding Member of the Caribbean Alternative Investment Association (CARAIA) that is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the expansion of Private Equity, Venture Capital, Real Estate, Private Credit, Mezzanine Financing, and other Alternative Investments in the Caribbean.

Dr. Ike Johnson is a distinguished leader in the financial industry and a driving force behind Sygnus’ success. With his deep expertise in finance and unwavering dedication, he is instrumental in driving the group’s corporate strategy and positioning Sygnus as the premier alternative investments solutions firm in the Caribbean.

With a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Manchester Business School and a CFA charter holder, Dr. Johnson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role. His academic background, coupled with his extensive practical insights, enables him to navigate complex financial landscapes with exceptional acumen.

As the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Sygnus Group, Dr. Johnson holds executive responsibility for Operations, Corporate Strategy, and the Real Estate and Private Equity business lines. Thereby playing a pivotal role in shaping the group’s growth and development. His leadership and deep industry knowledge enable him to identify high-growth opportunities and deliver exceptional results for clients and investors.

In addition to his role at Sygnus Capital, Dr. Johnson also serves as the Managing Director for Sygnus Group Puerto Rico Inc. Furthermore, he holds directorship positions in Sygnus Credit Investments Limited, Sygnus Real Estate Finance, and Sygnus Deneb Investments Limited, showcasing his multifaceted contributions to the Sygnus Group’s diverse portfolio.

Driven by his dedication and passion for excellence, Dr. Ike Johnson embodies Sygnus Group’s commitment to delivering innovative and transformative solutions. His exceptional leadership, strategic foresight, and commitment to pushing boundaries have solidified Sygnus Group’s position as a trusted partner in the alternative investments landscape.

Berisford Grey (known as Beris) is widely considered one of the region’s top investment bankers. As one of the founders of Sygnus Capital, he is living out his passion to create a leading Alternative Investments firm that uses creative approaches to unlock capital for clients.

Beris’s career was launched in the European Debt Capital Markets where he worked as an Associate Director in investment banking with particular focus on Securitisation and Structured Finance. After returning to the Caribbean, he held key positions at leading regional banks where he used his out-of-the-box thinking to generate game-changing results. This includes setting up and driving the Scotia Investments Capital Markets Unit to become a leader in the local market within 3-years and contributing significantly to the turnaround of CIBC FirstCaribbean Corporate & Investment Banking business between 2013-2016. Over the last decade he has raised over US$ 10 billion in financing for corporates and sovereigns across the region.

At CIBC FirstCaribbean, the largest regional bank in the English Speaking Caribbean, he held the posts of Managing Director and Executive Director of Corporate and Investment Banking where he oversaw a loan portfolio of US$3.0 billion USD in assets, and developed and executed regional strategy for the business to ensure competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

Prior to joining CIBC FirstCaribbean, Beris served as Senior Vice President of Origination & Capital Markets at Scotia Investments Jamaica Limited between 2010 and 2013. During this time, he executed some of the most innovative transactions in the local market including synthetic REIT financing structures and other first-of-its-kind project financing ideas.

Beris has the knowledge, talent and leadership skills to move Sygnus Capital forward. He holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial Finance from Vlerick Leuven Management School, Belgium and an MSc in Economics from the University of the West Indies. He has also completed the 1-year Executive Leadership Program at the Wharton School of Business in Pennsylvania, USA. Beris is currently the Chairman of the Caribbean Alternative Investments Association (CARAIA) Board.