Chenel Capital Partners

Andrew Kurian serves as CCO and CFO at Chenel Capital Partners, bringing over 25 years in the securities industry, including a decade as CCO and CFO of Hedgebay Securities, a FINRA-regulated broker dealer focused on illiquid and alternative assets. He was appointed to a FINRA regional advisory board, works as a certified arbitrator, and acts as an officiant for the Office of Hearing Officials. He began his career trading on the floor of the NYSE and holds a graduate degree from Georgetown University, an MBA from NYU Stern, an advanced accounting degree from Fairfield University, and a BA in Business from Franklin & Marshall College.

Works in capital formation across private markets, supporting fundraising with a current focus on space infrastructure. He previously managed roughly $250M in client assets as a Portfolio Manager.

Leads institutional capital formation and investor positioning with over 20 years across global capital markets. He previously held senior roles at ABN AMRO and RBS and launched a U.S. securities finance platform at Itau.

Leads UK and European capital formation initiatives. He previously connected East Asian family offices and investors with opportunities across the US and Europe spanning private markets, real estate, and public equities.

James Michael Lafferty is a CEO and marketing executive with over 35 years of experience building businesses across five continents, including CEO roles at Procter and Gamble, Coca-Cola, and British American Tobacco. He specializes in business-building, marketing, branding, and organizational development, particularly in emerging markets. Outside of business, he works as a track and field coach, having coached the Philippines Olympic Athletics team at the 2016 and 2021 Games, and competes as an athlete.

Heads investor relations, overseeing client service, marketing, and reporting, with more than 18 years across private equity, venture capital, real estate, infrastructure, and private credit. She was previously a Principal at Blackstone.

Robert Rooks is a criminal justice reform organizer and strategist with over two decades of experience building and scaling social justice organizations. He co-founded and served as CEO of the Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ), a state-by-state public safety reform organization, growing it from one state to eight, and previously worked with REFORM. He serves as Ethics Advisor at Chenel Capital and sits on the Board of Directors for the Chenel Foundation.

Supports fundraising, LP relationships, and institutional positioning for the firm's space-focused strategy, with more than 23 years across hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, real estate, and asset management.

Leads strategic operations, overseeing daily operations, communications, and cross-team execution while supporting fundraising and LP engagement. She has 10 years across venture capital, capital markets, fintech, and emerging tech, and was previously Head of Business Development at Enkonix Venture Studio.

Stephen E. Fox is a partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek in Uniondale, Long Island, and has served as acting outside General Counsel for Chenel Capital Partners since 2020. A corporate and securities lawyer with over 20 years of experience, he advises companies, individuals, and investment funds across industries such as technology, medical device, manufacturing, entertainment, energy, food and beverage, media, and financial services. He has acted as transaction counsel on hundreds of deals ranging in size from under $1 million to over $1 billion.

Steve Smail is a Senior Associate at EB5AN with over 10 years of experience in China focused on international real estate development fund formation and capital raising. He brings expertise in investment structuring, agreement negotiation, and Asian investment preferences, with a background in managing business development teams.

CFO and COO of Chenel Capital Partners with over 24 years of experience across private credit, private equity, and hedge funds. She previously served as CFO and COO of Morgan Stanley Tactical Value and held leadership roles at Neuberger Berman.

Leads the firm's Middle East operations, specializing in international relations. He has held senior roles in the Israeli government and high-tech sector and is a former Special Forces Combat Team Commander.