New York alumni ambassadors
Get connected with other UQ Business, Economics and Law Alumni living in New York. There is a vibrant community of UQ alumni living in New York, including a team of dedicated volunteer ambassadors who are eager to build the community and remain connected to UQ. There are opportunities to connect with fellow alumni at events and through social media platforms, providing key industry contacts, mentors and employment opportunities from the wider business community.
Brian MacNish
Chair, New York Alumni Ambassador Council
Managing Principal, Craven Capital LLC
UQ Qualifications:
Bachelor of Laws 1977
Brian is currently the Managing Principal at Craven Capital LLC. He has Over 30 years' experience as a practicing lawyer and wealth manager in both the USA and Australia. Responsible for opening and managing the first Private Wealth & Trust office for Merrill Lynch in Hawaii and thereafter representing Merrill Lynch Trust Company on Long Island and the outer boroughs of New York City. He worked on Wall Street for Deutsche Bank Securities prior to setting up Craven Capital in early 2012 and has extensive experience in both raising and managing capital.
Brian began his career as a lawyer in Australia and after gaining experience in family, business, corporate and real-estate law, focused his attention on financial and estate planning.
Chair, New York Alumni Ambassador Council
Managing Principal, Craven Capital LLC
UQ Qualifications:
Bachelor of Laws 1977
Brian is currently the Managing Principal at Craven Capital LLC. He has Over 30 years' experience as a practicing lawyer and wealth manager in both the USA and Australia. Responsible for opening and managing the first Private Wealth & Trust office for Merrill Lynch in Hawaii and thereafter representing Merrill Lynch Trust Company on Long Island and the outer boroughs of New York City. He worked on Wall Street for Deutsche Bank Securities prior to setting up Craven Capital in early 2012 and has extensive experience in both raising and managing capital.
Brian began his career as a lawyer in Australia and after gaining experience in family, business, corporate and real-estate law, focused his attention on financial and estate planning.
Sophie Usasz
Deputy Chair, New York Alumni Ambassador Council
Director of Finance, SIFMA
UQ Qualifications
Bachelor of Commerce 2005
Sophie is currently the Director of Finance for SIFMA. The Securities Industries and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) serves as a productive participant in the regulatory reform process. As the director of finance Sophie assists with the management of the financials and reporting for both SIFMA and their sister entity AFME, the Association for Financial Markets in Europe.
SIFMA brings together the shared interests of hundreds of securities firms, banks and asset managers. These companies are engaged in communities across the country to raise capital for businesses, promote job creation and lead economic growth.
Sophie has completed her Chartered Accountancy in Australia while working for PricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC) in Brisbane as a Senior Consultant involved in the Private Clients division, managing financials and taxes for high net wealth individuals and small businesses. Sophie became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants while working at PwC in 2008.
Deputy Chair, New York Alumni Ambassador Council
Director of Finance, SIFMA
UQ Qualifications
Bachelor of Commerce 2005
Sophie is currently the Director of Finance for SIFMA. The Securities Industries and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) serves as a productive participant in the regulatory reform process. As the director of finance Sophie assists with the management of the financials and reporting for both SIFMA and their sister entity AFME, the Association for Financial Markets in Europe.
SIFMA brings together the shared interests of hundreds of securities firms, banks and asset managers. These companies are engaged in communities across the country to raise capital for businesses, promote job creation and lead economic growth.
Sophie has completed her Chartered Accountancy in Australia while working for PricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC) in Brisbane as a Senior Consultant involved in the Private Clients division, managing financials and taxes for high net wealth individuals and small businesses. Sophie became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants while working at PwC in 2008.
Paul Compton
Group Chief Operating Officer, Barclays
UQ Qualifications
Bachelor of Commerce 1984, Bachelor of Business Economics 1986
Paul Compton is the Group Chief Operating Officer of Barclays. In this role, Paul is responsible for leading the global Operations & Technology functions, driving the implementation of the structural reform and cost transformation programmes, and for the delivery of other major bank-wide projects.
Prior to joining Barclays, Paul was the Chief Administrative Officer of JPMorgan Chase. Before being appointed in this role in 2013, Paul served as Co-Chief Administrative Officer for the Corporate & Investment Bank, Deputy Head of Operations for JPMorgan Chase, and head of the JPMorgan Chase Global Service Centre in India. Paul started his career at JPMorgan in 1997, and first led the overhaul of the wholesale bank’s credit risk infrastructure, before taking on the role as Chief Financial Officer for the Investment Bank.
Previous to JPMorgan Chase, Paul was a Principal at Ernst & Young having spent 10 years in its Brisbane, Australia and New York offices.
Paul is a member of the Board of Directors of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) and the American Red Cross of Greater New York. He has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Queensland, Australia. He received post-graduate degrees from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the Securities Institute of Australia.
Group Chief Operating Officer, Barclays
UQ Qualifications
Bachelor of Commerce 1984, Bachelor of Business Economics 1986
Paul Compton is the Group Chief Operating Officer of Barclays. In this role, Paul is responsible for leading the global Operations & Technology functions, driving the implementation of the structural reform and cost transformation programmes, and for the delivery of other major bank-wide projects.
Prior to joining Barclays, Paul was the Chief Administrative Officer of JPMorgan Chase. Before being appointed in this role in 2013, Paul served as Co-Chief Administrative Officer for the Corporate & Investment Bank, Deputy Head of Operations for JPMorgan Chase, and head of the JPMorgan Chase Global Service Centre in India. Paul started his career at JPMorgan in 1997, and first led the overhaul of the wholesale bank’s credit risk infrastructure, before taking on the role as Chief Financial Officer for the Investment Bank.
Previous to JPMorgan Chase, Paul was a Principal at Ernst & Young having spent 10 years in its Brisbane, Australia and New York offices.
Paul is a member of the Board of Directors of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) and the American Red Cross of Greater New York. He has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Queensland, Australia. He received post-graduate degrees from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the Securities Institute of Australia.
Evan Kilpatrick
Vice President - Investment Banking and Capital Markets, Credit Suisse
UQ Qualifications
Bachelor of Commerce 2005
Professional memberships
Member, Chartered Accountants Australia
Evan has over ten years of experience advising private equity, corporate and government clients in Australia, Asia and the US. In his current role at Credit Suisse, Evan covers a broad range of private equity clients, from leading middle-market investors to global private equity firms, responsible for originating and executing leveraged finance, mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets and corporate strategy opportunities.
Evan joined Credit Suisse in Sydney in 2009 before transferring to New York City in 2013. He specialises in mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity capital markets, restructurings and corporate strategy. Prior to joining Credit Suisse, Evan spent three and a half years with Ernst & Young in their Transaction Advisory Group.
Evan’s advice to new graduates is to be open-minded about where roles and opportunities will take you. Always apply yourself and don’t ever be afraid to speak up and let your voice be heard. His favourite memory of UQ is his time at Emmanuel College with the rivalry of the inter-college championships and the comradery and friendships made. His interests and hobbies include cycling, running, surfing, snowboarding, soccer and investing (real estate, shares and alternatives).
Vice President - Investment Banking and Capital Markets, Credit Suisse
UQ Qualifications
Bachelor of Commerce 2005
Professional memberships
Member, Chartered Accountants Australia
Evan has over ten years of experience advising private equity, corporate and government clients in Australia, Asia and the US. In his current role at Credit Suisse, Evan covers a broad range of private equity clients, from leading middle-market investors to global private equity firms, responsible for originating and executing leveraged finance, mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets and corporate strategy opportunities.
Evan joined Credit Suisse in Sydney in 2009 before transferring to New York City in 2013. He specialises in mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity capital markets, restructurings and corporate strategy. Prior to joining Credit Suisse, Evan spent three and a half years with Ernst & Young in their Transaction Advisory Group.
Evan’s advice to new graduates is to be open-minded about where roles and opportunities will take you. Always apply yourself and don’t ever be afraid to speak up and let your voice be heard. His favourite memory of UQ is his time at Emmanuel College with the rivalry of the inter-college championships and the comradery and friendships made. His interests and hobbies include cycling, running, surfing, snowboarding, soccer and investing (real estate, shares and alternatives).
Stephanie Kilpatrick
Chief Financial Officer, The Doman Group, LLC
UQ Qualifications
Bachelor of Business Management / Bachelor of Commerce 2007
Professional memberships
Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, Member of the American Institute of CPAs
Stephanie is currently the Chief Financial Officer at The Doman Group, a federally registered investment advisor based in New York City. The Doman Group provides not only investment advisory services, but also wealth management, business management, tax, legal and estate planning services and specialises in servicing elite athletes, entertainers and ultra-high net worth individuals. Stephanie’s areas of expertise include tax consulting, management consulting, general business and strategy consulting, wealth management, corporate strategy and business development.
Prior to joining the Doman Group, Stephanie worked in the Private Clients team at PricewaterhouseCoopers in both the Brisbane and Sydney offices where her client base consisted of ultra-high net worth individuals and families as well as privately held businesses. She considers the experience to work with high profile clientele as well as creating a financial model to help athletes and entertainers understand their world from a financial perspective as some of her career highlights.
Her advice to new graduates is to seek out opportunities and exposure to things you are passionate about. Align yourself with people you admire and respect. A positive attitude and hard work will usually take you where you want to go.
Her favourite memory of UQ is the adventures and friendships formed whilst living at Women’s College. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys skiing, travelling, going to the beach, spending time on her family farm and catching up with family and friends.
Chief Financial Officer, The Doman Group, LLC
UQ Qualifications
Bachelor of Business Management / Bachelor of Commerce 2007
Professional memberships
Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, Member of the American Institute of CPAs
Stephanie is currently the Chief Financial Officer at The Doman Group, a federally registered investment advisor based in New York City. The Doman Group provides not only investment advisory services, but also wealth management, business management, tax, legal and estate planning services and specialises in servicing elite athletes, entertainers and ultra-high net worth individuals. Stephanie’s areas of expertise include tax consulting, management consulting, general business and strategy consulting, wealth management, corporate strategy and business development.
Prior to joining the Doman Group, Stephanie worked in the Private Clients team at PricewaterhouseCoopers in both the Brisbane and Sydney offices where her client base consisted of ultra-high net worth individuals and families as well as privately held businesses. She considers the experience to work with high profile clientele as well as creating a financial model to help athletes and entertainers understand their world from a financial perspective as some of her career highlights.
Her advice to new graduates is to seek out opportunities and exposure to things you are passionate about. Align yourself with people you admire and respect. A positive attitude and hard work will usually take you where you want to go.
Her favourite memory of UQ is the adventures and friendships formed whilst living at Women’s College. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys skiing, travelling, going to the beach, spending time on her family farm and catching up with family and friends.
Matthew Lancaster
Senior Managing Director, Macquarie Group Limited
UQ Qualifications
Bachelor of Commerce 1994, Bachelor of Laws 1997
Matthew has more than 15 years of experience in finance and investment in Australia and internationally. Based in New York, He is a Senior Managing Director and North American Head of Lending at Macquarie Group Limited where he has been employed for the last 10 years, working in the firm's Sydney, London and New York offices.
Matthew currently oversees all lending and credit investment activities carried on by Macquarie Group's Corporate and Asset Finance business in the United States and Canada and has held that role since 2009. Since 2011, He has also served as a member of Macquarie Group's management committee in the United States. Mr Lancaster holds Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce degrees from the University of Queensland where he was awarded the University Medal.
Senior Managing Director, Macquarie Group Limited
UQ Qualifications
Bachelor of Commerce 1994, Bachelor of Laws 1997
Matthew has more than 15 years of experience in finance and investment in Australia and internationally. Based in New York, He is a Senior Managing Director and North American Head of Lending at Macquarie Group Limited where he has been employed for the last 10 years, working in the firm's Sydney, London and New York offices.
Matthew currently oversees all lending and credit investment activities carried on by Macquarie Group's Corporate and Asset Finance business in the United States and Canada and has held that role since 2009. Since 2011, He has also served as a member of Macquarie Group's management committee in the United States. Mr Lancaster holds Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce degrees from the University of Queensland where he was awarded the University Medal.
Serena Wolfe
Partner - Real Estate Audit, Ernst & Young LLP
UQ Qualifications
Bachelor of Commerce 2000
Professional memberships
ICAA, CPA (NY, CA and PA)
Additional roles
Trustee – Urban Land Institute, Audit Committee member – Urban Land Institute, Treasurer – Non-traditional Employment for Women (NEW), Finance Committee and Board member – NEW.
Serena is currently a partner in Ernst & Young’s (E&Y) New York Real Estate practice. She practiced for six years with E&Y Australian and eleven years with its US practice, transferring from the San Francisco office to the Global Real Estate Centre in New York in 2007. In addition to her client responsibilities, Serena is active in E&Y’s Professional Women’s Network, co-leading the real estate group’s chapter in New York. Additionally, she was recognised as one of the Real Estate Forum’s 50 Women of Influence for 2011.
Serena is active in various real estate trade and not for profit organizations. Serena is a member of the Finance Committee and Board of Directors for a New York based not for profit, Non-traditional Employment for Women (NEW). NEW helps train underprivileged women in basic construction skills and assists with union job placements. Serena is also involved with NAREIT as Ernst & Young’s representative on the Best Financial Practices Council (NAREIT) and Auditor Discussion Group.
Serena’s advice to new graduates is ‘don’t be afraid to try new things. I’ve learnt a lot through my career by being willing to put up my hand for projects.’ Her favourite professor at UQ was Professor Colin Ferguson who helped her decide on a career in audit. She recalls when her textbooks had been stolen from her car Professor Ferguson kindly helped her get some sample textbooks from the publisher. Serena is an avid music fan and vinyl collector. It’s not unusual to see her and her husband thumbing through dusty records at markets and record stores on the weekend.
Partner - Real Estate Audit, Ernst & Young LLP
UQ Qualifications
Bachelor of Commerce 2000
Professional memberships
ICAA, CPA (NY, CA and PA)
Additional roles
Trustee – Urban Land Institute, Audit Committee member – Urban Land Institute, Treasurer – Non-traditional Employment for Women (NEW), Finance Committee and Board member – NEW.
Serena is currently a partner in Ernst & Young’s (E&Y) New York Real Estate practice. She practiced for six years with E&Y Australian and eleven years with its US practice, transferring from the San Francisco office to the Global Real Estate Centre in New York in 2007. In addition to her client responsibilities, Serena is active in E&Y’s Professional Women’s Network, co-leading the real estate group’s chapter in New York. Additionally, she was recognised as one of the Real Estate Forum’s 50 Women of Influence for 2011.
Serena is active in various real estate trade and not for profit organizations. Serena is a member of the Finance Committee and Board of Directors for a New York based not for profit, Non-traditional Employment for Women (NEW). NEW helps train underprivileged women in basic construction skills and assists with union job placements. Serena is also involved with NAREIT as Ernst & Young’s representative on the Best Financial Practices Council (NAREIT) and Auditor Discussion Group.
Serena’s advice to new graduates is ‘don’t be afraid to try new things. I’ve learnt a lot through my career by being willing to put up my hand for projects.’ Her favourite professor at UQ was Professor Colin Ferguson who helped her decide on a career in audit. She recalls when her textbooks had been stolen from her car Professor Ferguson kindly helped her get some sample textbooks from the publisher. Serena is an avid music fan and vinyl collector. It’s not unusual to see her and her husband thumbing through dusty records at markets and record stores on the weekend.