Meet The Team
Gabriel Pereira-Langevin
Managing General Partner
Gabriel is the founder and manages Spiga Capital Group. He is based in Canada and is Spiga's lead consultant. Gabriel has over 25 years of corporate finance and banking experience, has worked in three continents, serving a variety of industries and is fluent in multiple languages including English, Spanish and French. He specializes in corporate finance, corporate strategy, business planning and capital structuring. Gabriel holds a Bachelor of Arts -Political Science as well as Masters in Business Administration from McGill University. He is currently pursuing his Chartered Professional Accounting (CPA) designation, in addition to Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Marcel Simenon
Managing Partner -Europe
Based in France, Marcel oversees Spiga Capital Group operations in Europe. He has over 15 years' experience in management consulting, previously working for EY before founding his own consulting firm, Degas. He is versed in a wide variety of industries with particular specialization in retail and consumer goods, operational efficiencies and business scaling. Marcel is fluent in French, English, Italian, and German. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics from the London School of Economics, as well as a Masters in Business Administration from the EDHEC Business School in France.
Ricardo Anibal Martinez Gonzalez
Managing Partner -Mexico
Ricardo is responsible for Spiga Capital Group operations in Mexico, and Executive Director and owner of Ceiba Asesores Sureste SC, a Mexican consulting firm. He has ample experience in financial services, insurance, corporate finance,
investments, restructuring and is a skilled negotiator. He is fluent in English and Spanish and holds a Bachelor of Economics and Finance from the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara as well a Bachelor in Banking, Credit and Finance from the Universidad Iberoamericana-Puebla.
Will Nico
Managing Partner -Capital Markets
As Managing Partner, Capital Markets, Will is Spiga's frontline voice with equity as well as debt capital markets partners. Will is a seasoned alternative investments executive and investment banker with over 35 years of experience structuring and executing complex transactions across private equity, mergers & acquisitions, project finance, and merchant banking. He has advised and invested in over 250 transactions with an aggregate value exceeding US$10 billion spanning buyouts, recapitalizations, growth equity and special situations across infrastructure, real estate, power and energy, technology, consumer products, media and entertainment, and ancillary business services. Will maintains extensive Limited Partner relationships across family offices, registered investment advisors, pension funds, insurance companies, foundations, endowments, sovereign wealth funds and ultra-high net worth investors; along with deep credit and institutional buyer networks. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Southern California and an Masters in Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Franz M. Garcia de Paredes
Managing Partner - USA
As Managing Partner -USA, Franz M. Garcia de Paredes is charged with leading Spiga Capital Group's presence in the United States out of California. Franz's library of experience includes expert knowledge in corporate finance and international commerce, with specialization in strategic planning, debt and equity structuring. Franz's client representation has spanned across industries and geographies, with advisory experience in Central America, the USA and Mexico for a wide variety of industries. Franz was the lead advisor to Panam Development Corporation in Panama for the strategic planning and development of two major hydroelectric projects in the region. Prior to joining Spiga Capital Group, Franz was an accomplished management consultant, founding Latin American Synergies, LLC, as well as Optimal Management Resources. Prior to consulting, Franz was an accomplished corporate banker, holding positions with Bank of America, NT & SA and BankBoston NA. Prior to banking, Franz held positions in tourism as well as real estate development. In the community, Franz was an active member of Rotary International for 38 years, occupying several national, regional and international leadership positions, ultimately serving a Governor of District 4240 with supervision over 59 Rotary Clubs throughout Central America. Franz holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Boston College and a Bachelor's Degree in Management from Florida State University.
Karla Hernandez
Partner, Consulting -USA
As Partner-USA, Karla Hernandez brings a wealth of experience to Spiga Capital Group in matters of public policy, corporate governance, government relations and human rights. As a former Congresswoman from El Salvador, Karla made significant achievements during her political career. She served as President of El Salvador's Women's and Gender Equality Committee and was instrumental in passing numerous pieces of key legislation advocating for the rights of women and minors. This included the reformation of El Salvador's Family Code, as well as the passage of the Law of Culture and Integration, which established guaranteed fundamental rights such as education, health and labor conditions for youth. Karla was also involved in trade negotiations between Europe and Central America, as well as the US Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Karla holds a Bachelor of Communications from Universidad Francisco Gavidia and Postgraduate Degrees in Human Resources as well as National Security & Development from Universidad Jose Matias Delgado. She also completed studies at El Salvador's Advanced School of Strategic Studies -El Salvadoran Armed Forces. Karla is also an accomplished author with numerous publications to her credit.
Yan Chu Li
Managing Partner -Asia
As Managing Partner-Asia, Yan is based in Spiga's Singapore office and oversees Spiga Capital Group's activities throughout Asia. Yan has over 25 years experience in management consulting, previously working for Bain & Co. in addition to China's second largest real estate group. He is versed in a wide variety of industries with specializations in real estate, as well as mergers & acquisitions. Yan is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a Masters in Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business.
Fikriyah Hadi
Principal, Consulting -UAE
Fikriyah, is responsible for Spiga Capital Group's Middle Eastern presence. Based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, "Fikri" is a specialist in logistics , transportation and international trade which forms the core of business in the Middle East. He has 10 years' experience, previously working for a major international airline in their Financial Planning department, then later a prominent UAE based multinational private equity firm. He is fluent in multiple languages including Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, Urdu, English and French. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Tulane University, coupled with a Masters in Business Administration from the IMT Business School-Dubai. Fikriyah maintains his Certified Project Management designation.
Sheila Sepkowski
Head, Marketing
Sheila is responsible for the overall marketing and social media aspects of Spiga Capital Group, and is a lead consultant on these topics for Spiga clientele. She is the founder, owner and principal photographer for Out West Photography and Media Services Ltd. . Sheila holds a Diploma in Journalism from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Prior to Spiga and establishment of her own company, Sheila was a journalist for 10 years. She continues her writing and photography.
Hernando Esquivel
Head, Analytics
Hernando is Head of Spiga Analytics, and is responsible for overseeing underwriting and analytical support for Spiga Capital Group S.A. Prior to Spiga Capital, Hernando worked for Deutsche Bank, as a Research Analyst in New York, as well as in the capital markets division of Itaú Unibanco (Brazil). Hernando is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. He holds designations as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) as well as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Hernando has a Bachelor of Computer Science, Economics and Data Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in addition to an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management.
Samantha Stevens
Head, Administration
Samantha overseas all administrative functions within Spiga Capital Group S.A. and is also Executive Assistant to the Managing General Partner. Her duties encompass management of client information, compliance and general administrative interaction both internally and externally. Samantha formerly worked as a Chief Administrative Officer in the oil and gas sector, as well as in the legal sector. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, -Management Information Systems from the University of Texas at Austin.