Chinesom is available for hire
Hire ChinesomChinesom Ejiasa
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Location
Washington, DC, United States
Toptal Member Since
September 11, 2020
Chinesom has 15+ years of experience in fixed income and emerging markets private equity across asset classes (real estate, FMCG, real assets, and education) and geographies (Africa, LatAm, and the US). He has analyzed, structured, or managed up to $33 billion in assets, and his expertise includes fundraising, corporate governance, and operational and financial optimization. Chinesom pursues advisory and freelance work because of the diversity of clients and problems they present.
Career Highlights
Founder/Principal
Sums 15 Holdings
Board of Governors
Washington Latin Public Charter School
Managing Director - Private Equity
International Development Finance Corporation
Education Highlights
MBA
Darden School of Business - University of Virginia
Bachelor of Arts Degree
The Colorado College
Expertise
Work Experience
Founder/Principal
2018 - PRESENT
Sums 15 Holdings
- Developed an investment unit that will invest across the entire African educational value chain to improve access to and the quality and relevance of Africa’s educational system.
- Raised $2 million from private family offices toward our financial close.
- Created an investment advisory unit that provides financial and operational consultancy services to companies across various geographies and within a range of industries including FMCG, healthcare, and education.
- Advised executive and board leadership for a $120 million charter management organization (CMO) on matters concerning strategic expansion, corporate governance, organizational redesign, and operational optimization.
- Advised a UAE-based sovereign wealth fund on a multimillion-dollar prospective investment into a poultry farm in West Africa. Conducted market research, valuation, and deal structuring analysis.
- Conducted market research, valuation analysis, and deal structuring for a Hong Kong-based family office on a $10 million+ buy-side investment within the health and wellness industry.
- Advised a private school operator serving 500+ students on its $7 million Series B capital raise round. Completed a valuation analysis and a corporate, organizational, and governance optimization exercise.
Focus areas: Education, Investment Manager
Director of Investments
2015 - 2017
Africa Integras
- Led the sourcing and vetting of $200 million in potential educational real estate assets and negotiated economic and governance terms for $100 million in educational real estate assets across Africa.
- Co-led fundraising efforts for $55 million in equity and debt capital. Negotiated terms with project partners to align commercial objectives.
- Supported the financial close of a $64 million educational real estate development investment in a historic university in Accra Ghana.
Focus areas: Finance, Impact Investing, Real Estate, Private Equity
Board of Governors
2010 - 2016
Washington Latin Public Charter School
- Oversaw a 15-member board of governors while spearheading the development of the school’s five-year strategic plan, secured $24 million in funding, and led an executive search for the head of school and director of finance positions.
- Secured $24 million in debt and quasi-equity capital to renovate the school facility, build a new gym, and expand academic programming.
- Oversaw a $10 million operating budget, restructured a $500,000 line of credit, and implemented financial controls and procedures.
- Chaired the executive committee and served as an ex officio member of the audit, finance, strategic, governance, development, and academics committees.
- Oversaw the management of a nationwide executive search to replace the retiring head of school.
Focus areas: Leadership, Operations, Strategy, Education, Finance, Board of Directors
Managing Director - Private Equity
2014 - 2015
International Development Finance Corporation
- Participated as a voting member of the investment committee that oversaw asset allocation of a $2.1 billion portfolio through due diligence, evaluation, and private equity fund approvals.
- Negotiated over $150 million in complex funding agreements that included commercial and governance matters.
- Supervised and mentored four analysts, associates, and directors to align investments with department and agency-wide business objectives.
- Overhauled fund manager selection policies and procedures by incorporating analytical templates, simplified and streamlined diligence and interview processes, enhanced transparency, and shorter selection time frames.
Focus areas: Investment Portfolio Management, Investment Committee Advisory, Private Equity, Due Diligence, Asset Allocation
Director - Private Equity
2012 - 2014
International Development Finance Corporation
- Led and co-led origination and due diligence processes and negotiated $330 million in board-approved commitments to real assets, credit, real estate, and growth equity-oriented private equity funds.
- Participated as an advisory board member that oversaw financial and developmental returns on nine private equity funds comprising $1.8 billion in assets under management across Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean.
- Created 20+ dynamic and diverse Excel models that increased the group's precision in the assessment and selection of investment opportunities across a range of asset classes.
- Restructured $50 million in financial commitments associated with severely underperforming private equity funds.
Focus areas: Investment Portfolio Management, Fund of Funds, Due Diligence, Finance, Asset Allocation, Private Equity
Officer - Private Equity
2009 - 2012
International Development Finance Corporation
- Managed $900 million+ in committed capital across four continents through industry research, financial modeling, asset monitoring, and investor calls.
- Performed financial statement and operational analysis for 75+ underlying portfolio assets and companies that operated across four continents and 20+ countries.
- Simplified and updated investment management reporting templates and standardized operating procedures to streamline senior-level decision-making and enhance communication with internal stakeholders.
Focus areas: Finance, Investment Portfolio Management, Due Diligence, Asset Allocation, Private Equity
Associate
2008 - 2008
Standard & Poor's
- Rated three asset-backed commercial paper transactions for a senior management committee by conducting industry reviews, analyzing company risk profiles, and stress testing financials to validate the ultimate risk rating.
- Conducted financial stress tests on healthcare, energy, and financial services companies to assess cash flow resiliency and collateral risk sensitivity.
- Completed a research project on credit spread variability (before and during the credit crisis) by employing statistical and financial modeling to validate the hypothesis that the financial crisis caused the widening of credit spreads.
Focus areas: Fixed Income, Finance
Manager
2005 - 2007
Clayton Fixed Income Services
- Oversaw 23 analysts and team leaders by managing and assigning duties and fostering professional development, which resulted in six promotions to leadership and technical positions across the firm.
- Managed $33 billion in fixed income products spanning four Wall Street investment banks by resolving systemic and non-systemic issues, which indemnified clients from over $60 million in losses.
- Sourced and cultivated relationships with three high-value clients, which significantly increased company revenues.
- Spearheaded research efforts for entering the asset-backed securitization market by conducting white paper desk reviews and investment bank interviews. Synthesized data into a report presented to senior-level management.
Focus areas: Investments & Risk Management, Operations, Finance, Mortgage-backed Securities, Fixed Income
Education
2007 - 2009
MBA in Finance
Darden School of Business - University of Virginia - Charlottesville, VA, USA
1999 - 2003
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics
The Colorado College - Colorado Springs, CO, USA
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