At Pinnacle, our leadership is defined by a collective of seasoned professionals, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to their respective roles within our organization. With a diverse background spanning various facets of the financial industry, our management team is dedicated to driving innovation, delivering excellence, and exceeding the expectations of our clients.
Together, our management team is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and client service. With their collective expertise and leadership, we are well-positioned to deliver exceptional value and drive success for our clients in today's dynamic financial landscape.
Get to know the passionate professionals behind our success
Chief Executive Officer
Sanjay Bhatia is a seasoned expert in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), Joint ventures and fundraising (debt & equity), bringing years of experience and a proven track record in driving successful transactions and strategic growth initiatives. His deep understanding of market dynamics, financial analysis, and deal structuring has consistently enabled clients to achieve their business goals and maximize shareholder value.
Sanjay is known for his strategic insights and innovative approach to business growth and has extensive expertise across multiple sectors, demonstrated through his leadership and analytical skills.
Sanjay holds a degree in Bachelor of Economics and Accounting from the University of Mumbai, along with Chartered Accountant ['ACA'], Chartered Management Accountant ['CMA'] qualifications. Sanjay has also participated in professional development courses with prestigious institutes like IMD, Wharton, London Business School, and Kellogg School of Management.
Board of Directors
Esha Arya is the founding family member of the JBM Group, a $2.7 billion global conglomerate with a footprint across 10 countries. She is also a general partner of 8X Ventures, a deep technology-focused venture capital (VC) fund targeting start-ups that fundamentally change industries and economies through a strong scientific research foundation. She plays a strategic role across automotive, sustainable technologies, AgriTech, and DeepTech, contributing to its global growth and innovation agenda. A recognized voice in the tech and business ecosystem.
Esha is a keynote speaker at NASSCOM and has led several high-impact conversations with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Passionate about innovation, she actively mentors early-stage DeepTech startups and serves on advisory boards across the USA, India, UK, and Singapore.
Esha holds an MBA from INSEAD and a BBA from Boston University.
Board of Directors
Manish Kanthalia is a result-driven C-level executive with a strong track record in business management, strategic planning, and sustainable revenue growth. He currently works with Sathi Group as their Group Chief Financial Officer and provides deep expertise in corporate finance, budgeting, and cost optimization, he brings a sharp focus on enhancing bottom-line performance and operational efficiency through data-driven strategies and innovative problem-solving.
Skilled at leading high-performing teams and implementing transformational initiatives, he has successfully spearheaded turnaround strategies, business acquisitions, and divestitures across diverse industries. His leadership style blends analytical rigor with a pragmatic approach to process and profit improvement. He has previously worked with Sharaf Industries, Tamweel PJSC and Kotak Mahindra Bank.
A qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA) and Executive Management alumnus of Harvard Business School, he combines financial acumen with strategic vision to deliver measurable business impact.
Member - Advisory Board
Anshu Shukla is currently the Managing Director at Atheon Limited, based in Abu Dhabi. She is also an Executive Committee Member at the Indian Business & Professional Group. She specializes in business growth strategies, institutional investments, inspired leader in corporate sales, with a career spanning multiple industries including automotive (electric vehicles), real estate & banking.
Over 25 years of corporate experience, with Senior Management roles in leading organizations in the UAE like First Gulf Bank, Aabar Properties & Tamouh Investments. She brings the expertise and credibility to effectively influence, negotiate and close business transactions.
She is a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical & Electronics and a Postgraduate in Management – Marketing & Sales.
Member - Advisory Board
Jeffrey Asselstine is the Founder and CEO of NelsonPark Group, with operations in Qatar and the UAE, and Co-Founder of Society International Real Estate, a global real estate network based in the USA. A Canadian national with over 18 years of international banking experience, he has led NelsonPark Property to become one of Qatar’s top brokerages, awarded Best Real Estate Agency for 2024–2025.
Since 2009, Jeffrey has built a strong track record in real estate, business development, and strategic advisory. He has held leadership roles across major financial hubs including Toronto, Hong Kong, London, Dubai, and Moscow. He has also served on various boards, including the Canadian Business Council Qatar and the American School of Doha.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a CFA charterholder.
Member - Advisory Board
José Fernández is an accomplished executive, entrepreneur, founder, angel investor, and venture capital specialist with over 20 years of commercial experience across the Agri-Food, Beverages, Ingredients, and Tech sectors. For the past 17 years, he has held C-level Managing Director and Operations Director roles, operating out of Dubai, UAE.
Jose is a strategic leader with a proven track record in driving growth, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. He brings deep expertise in market access, strategic advisory, public relations, and communications, supporting private sector companies, semi-public entities, and startups. His experience also includes serving as an independent board member and consultant, helping organizations scale and navigate complex markets.
He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School (since 2015) and a member of the upcoming #ADECA2025 cohort at San Telmo Business School.
Member - Advisory Board
Nagesh Suryanarayana is a seasoned executive and risk management specialist with over 20 years of experience in internal audit, corporate governance, and business risk services. Based in the UAE, he has held senior leadership roles, including Managing Director at Protiviti, leading Internal Audit and Risk Advisory across the GCC.
A strategic leader, Nagesh drives operational excellence, governance improvements, and transformational programs across sectors such as Energy & Utilities, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Industrial Markets, and State-Owned Enterprises. He has worked with organizations like ADNOC, Mubadala, ENOC, Dubai Investments, and GCAA, delivering large-scale engagements and moderating regional conferences on governance, risk, and audit practices. He is committed to people excellence, innovation, and fostering high-performing, inclusive teams.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Postgraduate degree in Business Administration, and professional certifications, including Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Control Self-Assessment.
Director
Carine Abou Nader is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in consulting, investment, and transaction advisory across the UAE and GCC. She brings a strong track record in M&A, deal execution, and advisory services, with broad exposure across various sectors, including hospitality, real estate, credit, technology, and private equity.
Carine has also experience in asset management, having previously managed an AUM in excess of $2 billion and held several Audit Committee roles, demonstrating her expertise in governance and strategic oversight. She is known for her analytical depth, decision-making capability, and ability to deliver results.
She is a CFA charterholder and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Saint Joseph University in Beirut.
Vice President
Roonak is a corporate finance professional with over 5 years of experience in investment banking and financial services, specializing in M&A and Transaction Advisory in the UAE. She brings strong expertise in Business valuation, financial modelling, and due diligence support.
Her experience encompasses end-to-end execution of buy-side and sell-side mandates, fundraising, divestitures, and strategic carve-outs complemented by in-depth sector and macroeconomic analysis to support informed investment decisions and optimize transaction outcomes. In her previous roles, she has partnered closely with decision-makers and senior executives across diverse sectors such as Energy & Infrastructure, Technology, Apparel, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Hospitality, F&B, Government and the Marine industry.
Roonak holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Management from Cranfield University, United Kingdom, a Bachelor’s degree (BBA) in Finance from MIT, India and has earned a certification in International Business from Institut Mines-Télécom Business School, France.
Financial Analyst
Pallavi Jhanji is an Economics professional with a strong focus on econometric modeling, data analytics, and international tax advisory. She specializes in transfer pricing for the APAC region, with hands-on experience in navigating cross-border tax regulations and advising multinational corporations.
She brings on board a solid grounding in data-driven decision-making and policy analysis, along with analytical depth and technical expertise to every project she undertakes. She has previously worked with Deloitte India as an International Tax professional.
Her academic foundation includes a B.A. (Hons) in Economics from Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi, and an M.A. in Economics from O.P. Jindal Global University.
Executive Assistant
Nay Nwe Naing has over 7 years of experience in executive support, logistics, client services, and business operations. She brings a proven ability to manage complex administrative functions and support high-level business execution.
Her career spans roles in export documentation in Myanmar and front office operations in Dubai, reflecting her adaptability and strong interpersonal skills. Her strengths lie in communication, attention to detail, and adaptability across multicultural environments.
She is currently finalizing her bachelor’s degree in psychology from East Yangon University, Myanmar.