Your dedicated Family Office advisory team

Nick is a Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Emerald Family Enterprise Group, specialising in family business dynamics and formulating financial strategies in accordance with the long-term objectives of the family group and their enterprises.

With a background in corporate finance, asset management, and executive-level experience in family businesses, Nick provides crucial support across various facets of the family enterprise. He also builds trusted relationships with clients that extend beyond financial matters to significant life affairs. He is committed to educating and preparing the next generation for success, fostering their growth into capable successors in their own right.

Nick's problem-solving approach focuses on understanding the underlying factors in each case. Solution-oriented and diplomatic, Nick embraces a long-term perspective when tackling challenges, considering the impacts on individual family members and the family unit as a whole.

Nick holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Science, and a Master's Degree in Financial Planning. He is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Outside work, Nick, a former professional athlete, enjoys golf, skiing, running, and tennis. He appreciates life's simpler pleasures, like immersing himself in a good book at a café or indulging in moments of deep reflection surrounded by nature.

Joanna is a Co-Founder & Partner at Emerald Family Enterprise Group. She is dedicated to providing strategic guidance and holistic financial counsel to owning families, helping them achieve continuity across generations.

Joanna also understands the intricacies of intergenerational and transnational wealth management. Utilising her personal insights and professional expertise, she focuses on family enterprise planning, succession planning, and next-generation development for her clients. Leading a team of exceptional and dedicated advisors, Joanna is passionate about partnering with families and guiding them through each life stage, taking great satisfaction in the success of her clients.

Possessing extensive experience working with high-net-worth clients from various parts of the world, Joanna values integrity, trust, and respect. Born in China and raised in Australia, she brings a wealth of understanding regarding diverse cultural values and beliefs.

Joanna is a keen long-distance runner with a double Bachelor's degree in Business Management and Arts and a Master's degree in Financial Planning. She has also completed the Certified Family Advisor and Advanced Certificate Family Advisor accreditation with the US-based Family Firm Institute. In addition, Joanna has successfully completed the Company Director course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Anna-Lucia stands as an eminent figure in the realms of education, public speaking, writing, and consultancy, particularly in the domains of Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and Innovation.

Her educational journey, spanning the United Kingdom, Middle East, and Australia, has laid the groundwork for a remarkable career that spans over two decades, during which she has made significant contributions as a consultant, trainer, and speaker for some of the world's foremost corporations.

Since 2016, Anna-Lucia has served as a Moderator and Educator at Harvard Business School (Pub), focusing on Strategy, Innovation, Communications, and Emotional Intelligence. Her influential role reflects her status as a thought leader in these vital areas.

An accomplished author, Anna-Lucia's best-selling book, "The Four Mindsets – How to Influence, Motivate and Lead a High-Performance Team" (Wiley 2015), is distributed in over 30 countries and recently translated into Arabic.

Recognised for her contributions, Anna-Lucia was a 2012 finalist in the National Business Woman of the Year Awards in Sydney and, in 2021, was selected as a Judge for Australia's Best of Business Awards in Innovation. Additionally, Anna-Lucia serves as a Board Chair in the finance industry, showcasing her commitment to innovation across various professional landscapes. Her impactful career continues to inspire those seeking expertise in leadership and innovation.

Brian is an experienced and multi-disciplinary finance professional with broad asset expertise that spans 15 years' experience with top calibre companies, including ABN AMRO, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Industry Funds Management and BT Investment Management.

His expertise encompasses various facets of finance, showcasing proficiency in asset management that reflects his deep understanding of the intricacies within the financial landscape. Brian's journey through esteemed organisations has not only fortified his technical acumen but has also afforded him a panoramic view of the financial sector's nuances. At the heart of Brian's passion lies financial modelling and analysis, areas where he not only excels but also derives a unique insight.

This expertise empowers him to provide clients with specialised financial and strategic advice, particularly in the dynamic sectors of infrastructure, real estate, and financial services. His ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and distil insights from data positions him as a trusted advisor capable of steering clients toward informed and strategic decisions.

Currently serving as the Associate Director of the Private Credit team at Aura Group, Brian continues to channel his passion and skills into shaping the financial landscape. In this role, he plays a pivotal part in steering the team towards success, contributing his wealth of experience to elevate the strategic initiatives of Aura Group in the realm of private credit. His commitment to excellence and strategic thinking make him a valuable asset in the ever-evolving world of finance.

Kent Choi is a senior leader within Emerald's family enterprise and family office practice. Based in Singapore, he leads Emerald's expansion across Asia, bringing a deep alignment with Emerald's values and a strong conviction in the role family office advisory and next generation development play in helping families build enduring, values-led legacies across generations.

With over two decades as a senior executive in Singapore's leading private banks, Kent has spent his career at the heart of the private wealth industry, developing a deep understanding of the families behind the wealth and the challenges that arise when wealth, family, and business intersect across generations.

Kent has since stepped away from banking, recognising that the real work of the family office sector lies not in structures and capital, but in people, relationships, and generational transition. He holds advanced degrees in finance and organisational psychology, with graduate research at INSEAD on how family dynamics shape the transfer of wealth through succession. His work blends a systems-based view of families and organisations with a genuine commitment to helping business families build sustainable, values-led legacies and support the development of the next generation — a philosophy that closely mirrors Emerald's own approach.

A certified coach known for his pragmatic yet reflective style, Kent brings deep insight, sharp questioning, and clear direction to his engagements. He is also a thought leader and leading voice, authoring and sharing insights on the nuances of navigating complex family dynamics, the importance of governance within family enterprise, and communication frameworks that support intergenerational alignment.

Jacob works alongside entrepreneurial families and family offices, helping them navigate the complexity, responsibility and opportunities that emerge around business ownership, leadership, wealth and continuity across generations.

Over the past eight years, Jacob has played a central role in building and leading an international single family office from greenfield stage through to a mature and integrated operating environment, working closely alongside the family in a deeply trusted role.

His experience spans governance, ownership structures, investment frameworks, operational infrastructure and cross-border complexity, alongside the human dynamics of leadership, stewardship and generational transition.

With a background rooted in leadership development, organisational change and human systems, Jacob brings a relationship-driven and practical approach to supporting families and next-generation leaders as they grow into greater responsibility. His work focuses on building clarity, trust and long-term alignment within complex family and ownership environments.

Jacob holds the Advanced Certificate in Family Wealth Advising (ACFWA) from the Family Firm Institute and an Executive Master in Change from INSEAD focused on leadership and organisational development. Originally from Denmark, he has lived and worked across Southeast Asia for the past decade and works internationally with families and family office ecosystems.

Lira Low is a Director at Emerald, leading family office engagements and bringing deep expertise in conflict resolution, mediation, trauma-informed practice and conflict coaching for business families, companies and executive leadership.

With a background in career diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore) and private diplomacy, Lira specialised in international armed conflict mediation with the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), as well as trauma and mental health support in private counselling practice. She went on to pioneer trauma-informed mediation at HD and founded the leadership advisory company The Mencius Advisory.

A multi-linguist who has lived across four continents — Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe — Lira draws on intercultural understanding and 15 years of experience in conflict management, peace-building, leadership and group coaching, as well as mediation and mental wellbeing services. Her work spans corporate, humanitarian and family business settings, including ODI, Swisspeace and the Family Business Network.

As a third-generation member of a family business, Lira brings a personal understanding of the questions families face. Her approach integrates conflict resolution, therapy and cultural sensitivity to foster personal growth, preserve family values, and strengthen harmony and impact across generations.

At Emerald, Lira works alongside Nick and Joanna in a front-facing role across existing and new family engagements, bringing this depth of experience directly to the families we support.

Trevor is a globally accredited property finance and investment professional with RICS and has extensive experience in national real estate and wholesale capital markets. He is devoted to supporting rising generations in the family office field.

He manages unlisted, private real estate funds on behalf of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNW), wholesale and institutional investors, and family offices, offering access to secure, real estate-backed investments with a focus on capital preservation and asymmetric returns on risk.

Specialising in providing intelligent, flexible, and efficient capital solutions, Trevor structures both credit and equity for property developers, investors, and asset owners that operate in the mid-market real estate sector, ensuring attractive and secure risk-adjusted returns for his clients.

Trevor is also a dedicated volunteer within the real estate and general business communities, including active involvement in the Urban Land Institute — a global network of real estate professionals. He has held leadership roles such as board director, secretary, and chair of special interest groups and subcommittees, showcasing his commitment to social responsibility and community service.

Samuel Koh emerges as a distinguished purpose strategist, boasting a wealth of experience that transcends the realms of design, brand management, and change leadership.

With over a decade of dedicated practice, Samuel has honed his expertise in aligning purpose as a strategic anchor, driving decision-making and transformation in various spheres. His profound insights into the symbiotic relationship between purpose and strategic initiatives have positioned him as a sought-after advisor in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of change and innovation.

In 2010, he laid the foundation for the boutique consultancy, Kohlver, a venture that would become the conduit for his unwavering commitment to guiding organisations and change leaders through the complexities of contemporary disruption.

Samuel's impactful journey has seen him collaborate with esteemed leaders and organisations, including industry giants such as Qantas, Telstra, Marriott International, PwC, Australia Post, and Commonwealth Bank. His strategic interventions have left an indelible mark on these entities, guiding them through pivotal transformations while keeping purpose at the forefront.

Edmund Chew is a biographer and project professional who helps individuals and organisations capture meaningful stories, insights and lived experience to inform future projects and long-term capability.

His interest in biography grew naturally through his work as a project controls specialist in public infrastructure, where he focuses on project performance through detailed analysis, clear communication and strong delivery discipline.

Working across major programs with complex scopes and delivery strategies, Edmund helps teams validate and clarify project strategy, align stakeholders, and drive successful outcomes.

Alongside his technical career, Edmund developed a specialist practice in biography through his work with a palliative care organisation, where he received professional training to compassionately and skilfully capture life stories. To date, he has documented more than one hundred personal narratives, preserving lived experience, leadership insights and personal reflections.

Edmund has also developed a nationally accredited training course for his discipline, with learning materials tailored specifically to construction and infrastructure delivery.

Through the combination of structured project expertise and human-centred storytelling, Edmund helps organisations and emerging professionals translate experience into learning, strengthen decision-making and preserve knowledge that would otherwise be lost.

Angela brings over 12 years' experience across Event and Project Management and Executive support, delivering large-scale, high-profile corporate and industry projects across the media, finance and consulting sectors.

Angela has built her career across leading organisations including Seven Network, Allegro Funds, Nous Group and Magellan Financial Group, where she has successfully led a wide range of corporate initiatives and events. Her experience spans large-scale staff functions, corporate AGMs, board and executive events, investor forums, and major sporting and media engagements. Career highlights include Seven Network's sports-focused corporate events, the Cannes in Cairns client conference and Women's World Cup opening ceremony client events.

As Group Operations Manager, Angela brings a proven track record in delivering complex projects and events with precision, professionalism and impact. Known for her strong organisational skills and attention to detail, she expertly manages projects end-to-end, overseeing stakeholders, budgets and logistics to ensure seamless delivery and outstanding results.

Yilin is a dedicated young professional in the telecommunications industry, currently serving in a graduate position. With a passion for fostering strong stakeholder relationships, Yilin actively engages in stakeholder management to ensure project alignment with organisational objectives.

Bringing a wealth of academic knowledge and practical experience, Yilin graduated from the University of Melbourne with double major in Finance and Marketing. Throughout her academic journey, she excelled in collaborative projects and active involvement in various student associations.

Outside of her corporate responsibilities, Yilin passionately supports Emerald, contributing her efforts to strategy and design initiatives. Her commitment to team dynamics and strategic decision-making processes underscores her dedication to personal and professional growth.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Yilin is an avid traveller with a passion for exploring different cultures and languages, enriching her personal and professional experiences.

With aspirations to become a proficient communicator and effective leader, Yilin is committed to continuous learning and development. By actively engaging in meaningful conversations and seeking mentorship opportunities, she strives to navigate complex discussions with finesse and empathy, resonating with others on a deeper level.

Tracy works with Next Gens and families across Emerald's Next Gen Development program, supporting personal development, career exploration, and thoughtful family engagement.

With a background in communication, language interpreting, and program coordination, Tracy works closely with Next Gens, parents, mentors, and program directors across Emerald's Next Gen Development program. Her role centres on helping individuals and families navigate education pathways, career decisions, and long-term development in a way that feels clear, practical, and aligned.

Tracy is particularly drawn to work that sits across cultures and generations. In practice, this often means helping families bridge differences in language, expectations, and lived experience — supporting conversations where perspectives are clarified, assumptions are surfaced, and mutual understanding can develop. She brings a steady, considered approach to these moments, helping conversations stay constructive and forward-looking.

As part of the Next Gen Development community, Tracy works largely behind the scenes to maintain structure, continuity, and momentum across each individual's journey. She is known for creating a calm and supportive working environment — one where people feel heard, conversations feel grounded, and progress happens naturally over time.

Penny is a finance enthusiast with a strong academic foundation in Finance and Economics, having completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Melbourne.

Beyond the classroom, Penny actively manages her own investment portfolio, exploring various investment strategies and asset classes. Her hands-on approach to investing continually enhances her understanding of financial markets, fuelling her passion for the industry.

Currently pursuing a Master of Management, Penny is expanding her expertise beyond finance, focusing on the complexities of human dynamics and strategic decision-making. Her curiosity spans multiple fields, and she is dedicated to enhancing both her personal and professional toolkit. This commitment to learning reflects her desire to bring a well-rounded perspective to her future endeavours.

Outside her academic and professional life, Penny enjoys travelling, playing tennis, practising Pilates, and exploring Chinese history. She is also passionate about helping others through volunteering, finding fulfilment in making a positive impact. Looking ahead, Penny aspires to use her skills and knowledge to guide others toward achieving their goals and improving their lives.

Catherine is a dedicated and highly skilled professional with a strong background in project management, client service, and property-related negotiations.

With a degree in Property & Real Estate from Deakin University, she has built her expertise in the real estate and property advisory industry since graduation. Her extensive experience in property management allows her to navigate complex client needs and deliver tailored solutions. As the second generation of her own family group, Catherine has a deep understanding of family dynamics, making her uniquely equipped to handle the intricate matters of family enterprises.

In her role as Executive Assistant to the Founding Partners at Emerald Family Enterprise Group, Catherine is known for her exceptional communication and time management skills. She plays a key role within the organisation, providing critical support to the leadership team while mentoring newer members of the Emerald team. Her ability to manage diverse responsibilities with efficiency and precision, combined with her strong work ethic, makes her a valuable asset to the group.

Outside of her professional life, Catherine is a mother of two young children, a role she views as both fulfilling and challenging. This experience has driven her passion for continuous learning, particularly in understanding the needs of younger generations. She enjoys reading about parenting and exploring adventurous destinations with her family, always seeking new ways to grow both personally and professionally.

Carla is a highly experienced and trusted Executive Assistant with a strong background in senior stakeholder management, executive communications and end-to-end operational support.

With over 20 years supporting C-suite executives and Partners across professional services and finance, Carla has built deep expertise in complex diary management, project management and confidential communications. Her extensive career across KPMG, Deloitte and ABN Group has equipped her to navigate competing priorities and deliver seamless, high-level support in fast-paced environments.

In her role as Executive Assistant at Emerald, Carla is known for her proactive approach, discretion and exceptional organisational skills. She provides critical support to the leadership team, managing diverse responsibilities with precision and professionalism, making her a reliable and valued member of the group.

Outside of her professional life, Carla is a proud mother of two young children — a role she finds both incredibly rewarding and wonderfully challenging. This experience has deepened her appreciation for balance, structure and perspective.

Vincent Liu is an entrepreneur and technology strategist with over 20 years of experience helping businesses use AI and digital innovation to work smarter.

He has led teams across major companies and startups, turning complex challenges into clear, practical solutions that drive real results.

Vincent's expertise spans enterprise architecture, AI integration, and strategic technology design. He has developed enterprise-wide frameworks for Australia's largest healthcare providers and architected core technology platforms for leading broadcasters.

As the founder of KidsFirst, he created a platform to help separated families co-parent more effectively, fostering better communication and protecting children's well-being. He also co-founded IGNIVATE, a consultancy dedicated to applying systemic thinking and AI integration to organisational strategy.

Holding a Bachelor's in Quantum Physics and a Master's in Computer Science (Genetic Algorithms), Vincent combines analytical precision with human-centred design. As a mentor, he brings curiosity, empathy, and systems thinking to guide emerging leaders in navigating complexity, strengthening relationships, and building sustainable success with clarity and compassion.

Susan Fan is a Vice President at Ellerston Capital, specialising in New Resident Investment Solutions, with over two decades of experience in wealth management and family office advisory.

Her expertise extends beyond investment strategy, focusing on mentoring next-generation leaders in navigating the complexities of wealth stewardship, relationship management, and family dynamics.

With a deep commitment to relationship development, Susan believes exceptional wealth management starts with understanding a family's unique values, aspirations, and challenges. She helps next-gen leaders build interpersonal skills essential for balancing legacy with leadership, fostering open communication, and establishing their own strategic vision within their family enterprise.

Susan's mentorship philosophy integrates technical proficiency with emotional intelligence, offering personalised guidance, real-world investment insights, and frameworks for balancing innovation with tradition. She is dedicated to equipping the next generation with the skills to navigate wealth and relationships effectively, ensuring long-term success for both family enterprises and personal growth.

Seamus is an MBA candidate at the University of Oxford, focused on turning raw ideas into scalable, venture-backed businesses. He brings a background in venture capital, having partnered with founders at the earliest stages to shape strategy and build strong foundations for growth.

He works closely with early-stage teams to pressure-test ideas, define go-to-market strategies, and lay the foundations for sustainable, long-term growth. His background spans several continents and industries (and identity crises). Born in Spain, raised in China, and having spent time in Australia, he started his career in strategy consulting after studying pharmacy and biotechnology. This mix of science and strategy gave him a strong analytical foundation and a deep interest in solving complex problems. He's also built his own e-commerce brand and played semi-professional volleyball in Spain (mostly from the bench).

Seamus is passionate about health, wellbeing, and performance. Rooted in his upbringing with his mum working in early childhood education across Chinese orphanages, he has a deep curiosity in development and family dynamics. He also has a long-standing personal interest in healthtech, where he sees enormous potential to improve how people access and manage care. He's particularly interested in what drives human behaviour, motivation, and decision-making. An interest that often comes through in how he evaluates founders and teams.

Outside of work, he's an avid reader who loves golf, surfing, and training for triathlons. He's a major proponent of physical challenge as a catalyst for creative thinking and resilience. He's also deeply committed to mentoring, and has especially enjoyed supporting young people at the start of their careers through alumni networks and coaching programs, a small way to pay forward the generosity he's received along the way.

Jim Schuman is a dedicated mentor with a passion for nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs. His extensive background — spanning over two decades across various industries and roles — equips him with the unique skills to guide young people in developing the resilience, creativity, and problem-solving abilities that are crucial for success.

Jim began his entrepreneurial journey with a lawn-mowing business in his neighbourhood and went on to volunteer with the United States Peace Corps, where he built leadership skills through community service in Central and South America. This hands-on experience has shaped his commitment to creating supportive, growth-oriented learning environments for young people.

As an advocate for youth, Jim combines his entrepreneurial spirit with a commitment to education. Through workshops, school programs, and seminars, he inspires young minds to embrace collaboration and community as core entrepreneurial values. His current role with FIRST PIVOT exemplifies this dedication, where he works to instil purpose and resilience in aspiring entrepreneurs, guiding them from idea to implementation.

Jim's philosophy centres on entrepreneurship as a mindset that fosters creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving. He champions an inclusive approach, encouraging young people to support and learn from each other on their entrepreneurial journeys. With his extensive experience and passion for youth empowerment, Jim is an inspiring speaker who motivates young entrepreneurs to think big and take meaningful steps toward their goals.

Amanda Yang is a seasoned entrepreneur and family enterprise professional whose career spans two decades, two countries, and a broad range of industries.

She began her entrepreneurial journey at 18, founding her first hospitality venture in China and growing it into a three-store, multi-brand group before achieving her first business exit. After relocating to Australia, she established her own beauty salon and expanded it through a joint venture partnership. Over the years, Amanda has built and managed a diversified portfolio across hospitality, beauty, manufacturing, and construction — growing from a single venture into a sustainable, profitable family enterprise that she continues to steward today.

Since 2024, Amanda has also served as Family Office Manager for a single-family office, overseeing next-generation development, concierge services, and property management — bringing the same discipline she applied to her own family enterprise into a formal professional setting.

At Emerald Asia, Amanda leads the Next Gen Development program and bridges the communication gaps between G1 founders and G2 inheritors. These divides are shaped not only by generation, but by language, migration, and cultural change — all of which she has lived through herself. She speaks native Mandarin and fluent English, and is currently pursuing advanced accreditation with the Family Systems Institute in Sydney.

Amanda is the mother of a 14-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter, a perspective that grounds her empathy for the G1–G2 dynamics she works with every day. Outside of work, she finds balance through Pilates, travel, music, and Buddhist philosophy.