Our Team

Lakshmi Narayanan comes with over 20 years of experience in venture investing, impact investing, and entrepreneurship. As SWFI's Chairman, Narayanan is responsible for formulating and driving the execution of SWFI's corporate strategy and growth. In addition to his role as Chairman of SWFI, Lakshmi serves as Managing Partner and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Patel Family Office and its numerous portfolio companies. He also sits on the board of Land Global, a real estate company focused on acquiring lakefront land, and installing critical infrastructure for sustainable homesite development.

Michael J. Maduell is President and Founder of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. Michael Maduell is a sought-after intellectual, world traveler, global advisor, and investor. Under his leadership, SWFI has grown dramatically in prestige and global reach. Michael is credited with bringing sovereign wealth funds and public pensions to the forefront of investor and public awareness. A pioneer in financial data, Michael co-invented the Transparency Index for sovereign wealth funds and pensions. Michael's prolific research and the Institute's data products have been referenced in thousands of academic papers and respected journals, and been featured in prominent media outlets. Michael has numerous television appearances on channels including CNBC, CNN, BNN, and Bloomberg. Michael previously held roles at Thomson Financial (now part of the London Stock Exchange Group) and the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

He received his Master's in Investment Management and Financial Analysis from Saint Mary's College in Moraga, California, and a Bachelor's in Finance and Risk Management from California State University, Sacramento.

Karen Maduell is Chief Operating Officer at the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. Previously, Karen was Head of Events and supported the membership business at the organization. Previously, Karen was Chief of Staff at Roth Staffing Companies, LLP, and reported to the CEO. Karen has a Bachelor's in Marketing from Colorado State University.

Bhat is a seasoned business and technology professional, with deep experience in software architecture and management, product management, competitor analysis, industry standards formulation, IP generation (14 patents granted, three pending), business strategy formulation, and due-diligence for M&A. His work includes experience in pre-deal and confirmatory diligence, focusing on establishing strategic value and deal valuation. He is a team builder, leader, educator, and mentor. He is also Director of Technology for the Patel Family Office Portfolio Companies and the Chief Technology Officer for SWFI Data Labs, where he leads the development of innovative solutions for Big Data applications.

Bhat has a Masters of Computer Science Degree from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a Bachelor's of Engineering and Communication at Regional Engineering College, Srinagar.

Edward Longhurst-Pierce, SWFI's new Director of Engagement and Partnerships, is responsible for helping the organization expand its global network to financial institutions, professional services firms, and technology partners. He is an experienced government relations director and editor in the areas of policy, finance, and economics, and is known for introducing creative new approaches to strategic communications, the study of political and country risk, research, and content creation. He has specialized expertise in emerging markets, especially Latin America, and is fluent in French and Spanish. Prior to joining SWFI, he worked with Brennan & Partners, OMFIF, Lafferty Group, and Canning House in various government relations roles, marketing, planning, and strategy positions. Edward Longhurst-Pierce has an MA in Translation from the University of the West of England and a Bachelor's of Arts in French and Spanish at the University of Surrey.

Kim S. Diamond has 30+ years of experience in commercial real estate capital and structured finance debt capital markets. In addition to her leadership role at SWFI, she is a Board Member of various portfolio companies at Patel Family Office, a mission-oriented family office that focuses on solving some of the critical problem in America, including affordable housing, maternal justice, and biodiversity protection. Previous experience also includes high profile positions at Crescit Capital Strategies, Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Inc., and Standard and Poor

She is a member of the Board of Governors for the Commercial Real Estate Finance Council and received its prestigious Founder's Award. She has also served on the Commercial Board of Governors for the Mortgage Bankers Association. In addition, she is an independent director of BrightSpire Capital, Inc., an advisory board member of Ai SPARK, a start-up commercial real estate fintech firm, and an adjunct professor at New York University School of Professional Studies' Schack Institute of Real Estate.

Dipika has over 22+ years of experience in the hospitality industry and is a seasoned veteran in hotel operations and real estate. Dipika served as the President and CEO of Hayden Holdings, a hospitality investment and management company with real estate assets valued at more than $250 million.

Dipika is a corporate professional turned entrepreneur known as "Dee" in hospitality circles. Before carrying the family mantle into the hospitality industry, she spent 14 years on Wall Street with leading banks and private equity firms, including Citigroup and Merrill Lynch/Bank of America. She carries 20+ years of experience in developing, managing, and transacting hotels in Select Service and Full-Service segments across various geographies in the U.S. She has also managed investment exposure in multi-family properties and real estate beyond hospitality across various states. In the last 10 years, she has developed 25+ hotels and arranged 50+ hotel deals. She also created and owned the boutique hotel brand "Hayden" in NYC.

Dipika holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Finance from the Business School of Manchester, in the UK, and an MBA in Business Management from New York University. She is also a Six Sigma black belt, certified in process management from GE Jack Welch Academy.

Dipika is a Managing Member, providing strategic guidance. She oversees the origination, structuring, and asset management of the company's investments.

With over two decades of rich experience in Advisory and Technology consulting, Ajay brings expertise and experience from serving multiple Fortune 500 companies in various roles. With deep expertise in Data & Analytics in Senior leadership roles at Big 5 consulting companies and providing strategic leadership in building data platforms.

Ajay is actively working to build modern data platforms at SWFI, in sourcing and curating crucial data feeds using advanced tools of Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, to track profile data, and asset flows, while enriching user experience by providing complex information using modern data science tools to provide comprehensive and visually rich dashboards and information at fingertips.

Ajay is engaged in various philanthropic causes and building multiple enterprising solutions for social organizations.