History
Swell Capital Inc. was launched in January 2019 by founder and CEO Felipe Cusnir, after his 5 years fostering international trade and investment for the City of Los Angeles and the Mayor’s Office. Felipe established the business development and investment advisory firm leveraging on his experience with a number of investment funds and asset managers, his long-term vision for social impact and economic prosperity, and his ability to activate and connect the vast network of investors and project owners worldwide.
Focused on raising capital and assisting funds diversify their portfolios and deploy resources, Swell Capital works with institutional investors - sovereign wealth funds, endowments, pensions - and other organizations to drive investment, innovation and economic growth in Infrastructure, Transportation, Renewable Energy, Health, Sports and Entertainment. Swell’s main markets are in the Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil), in the Middle East (Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates) and in Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam).
Swell’s network of local and international partners, investors and projects is based largely on its CEO and staff’s abundance of international experience, access to information, and connections, both in the public and private sectors. From Mr. Cusnir’s first job at the American Chamber of Commerce in Sao Paulo/Brazil, to his last appointment as Director of International Trade and Investment with the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, he has always prioritized performance and superior customer service, and his diligent work has helped grow companies, expand global presences, and influence industries in many sectors and regions around the world.
Swell Capital works closely with Local, State and Federal Governments worldwide, as well as several Economic Development Corporations, Chambers of Commerce, Business Councils, and others.
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We at Swell Capital know that matchmaking and combining investors and investment opportunities are choices not to be taken lightly. We encourage you to contact us to discuss the scope of your goals, as well as your investment needs and requirements.
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Executives
FOUNDER & Chief executive officer
Felipe Cusnir
Felipe Cusnir is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Swell Capital Inc., providing business development and capital introduction services for companies and investors, raising capital and providing strategic counsel for resource allocation. Felipe focuses on projects in Infrastructure & Transportation Innovation, Sustainability, Health and Sports & Entertainment.
Prior to launching Swell Capital, Felipe served as Director of International Trade & Investment at Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, facilitating international trade development, attracting foreign direct investment and strengthening government relationships. Prior to joining Mayor Garcetti’s Administration, Cusnir worked for the International Development Department for the Port of Los Angeles, where he promoted the Port and the Region to foster trade and business opportunities.
Prior to working for the City of LA, Cusnir was Director of Operations for a food service company in Brazil, and before that, Cusnir was in New York City working on market entry and development strategies for Latin American companies in the Infrastructure, Finance, ICT and Entertainment industries.
Felipe currently serves as President of the Brazil California Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Los Angeles Business Council International Trade Advisory Committee.
Felipe is an American-Brazilian citizen and holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Sao Paulo.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Anderson School of Management
MBA, International Management
UNIVERSITY OF SAO PAULO
B.A., Business Administration
Activities & Affiliations
• Brazil California Chamber of Commerce, President and Chairman of the Media & Entertainment Committee
• Los Angeles Business Council, International Advisory Committee
• Welinder Shi Venture Capital, Advisor
• Los Angeles Blockchain Lab, Advisor
PARTNER, INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT - LATIN AMERICA
Douglas Lucio e Silva
Douglas Lucio e Silva is Swell Capital’s Infrastructure Development Associate, overseeing the Latin America desk, bringing his years of experience and a successful career in Strategy and Commercial Development in Infrastructure, Energy, Sanitation, Transport, Pharmaceutical, Insurance and Food. Mr. Lúcio e Silva's expertise working with Brazilian and International companies in Latin America, tied to his vast knowledge in strategic business development, institutional relations and consultative sales are strong components of his role further connecting Swell Capital's network of investors, projects, developers, companies and technology partners.
Douglas holds a Masters Degree in Business Planning and Management from FAE Centro Universitário and a Bachelor of Business Administration from FESP - Fundação de Estudos Sociais do Paraná.
Education
FAE CENTRO UNIVERSITARIO
School of Business
Masters of Business Management
FESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE ESTUDOS SOCIAIS DO PARANÁ
School of Business
Bachelor of Business Administration
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Monica Cusnir
Monica Cusnir is Business Development Director at Swell Capital, prospecting, identifying and connecting investors, investment opportunities and business partners within Swell’s portfolio. Monica covers Latin America as project manager and facility manager with companies and clients from around the world. Her experience makes a valuable addition to the company, opening new sectors, practices and projects such as corporate offices, building management, hospitality, education, creative industries and sustainability. Prior to Swell Capital, Monica worked as PM/FM for Selina on Hotel Retrofit Projects.
Monica has over 10 years of experience in the Facilities and Project Management field. Her journey includes high-level positions at Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE and Walmart.com, as well as Project Manager at Johnson & Johnson and UBS Bank.
Education
MIDWESTERN CAREER COLLEGE CHICAGO
School of Business
Business Certification
CENTRO UNIVERSITÁRIO BELAS ARTES - SÃO PAULO
School of Architecture & Interior Design
Masters of Sustainability
Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design
Business development associate
Mohammad Khaled Aljassar
Mohammad K. Aljassar is Business Development Associate at Swell Capital, prospecting, identifying and connecting investors, investment opportunities and business partners within Swell’s portfolio. Mohammad works directly with funds, project owners and companies forging foreign direct investment, collaboration and knowledge transfer. He currently oversees the Middle East desk and his main projects are in Infrastructure, Transportation, Sustainability, Health, Education and the Creative Industries.
Prior to joining Swell Capital, Mohammad was studying for his Masters of Science in Finance at the University of San Diego/CA, and prior to that he was getting his Bachelor of Science, Finance at the USD School of Business. Mohammad worked at the Financial Planning Department at Dakheel Al Jassar Electrical in Kuwait City.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
School of Business
Masters of Science in Finance
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
School of Business
Bachelor of Science - Finance
Market intelligence analyst
Loulou M. Alharbi
Loulou Alharbi is Swell Capital Market Intelligence Analyst, conducting strategic marketing analysis, identifying trends and opportunities for market entry and development, and providing recommendations regarding local and international businesses practices and strategies. Additionally, Loulou is responsible for researching, preparing and presenting market intelligence reports to facilitate investors’ access to high-quality information in different sectors and for a variety of investment and business development opportunities.
Loulou’s attention to detail and proficient analysis skills, tied to her 15 years of experience with financial analysis, accounting, revenue generation and business growth provides Swell Capital’s partners and clients with unique perspectives and knowledge about their specific areas of interest, allowing for deep understanding of market dynamics, strategies and processes, ultimately enabling well-informed decisions geared towards superior returns and success.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS, CA
School of Business
Master of Science in Information Technology
Strategic Partners, Advisors & Consultants
PROJECT FINANCE
Marcos Amin Telles, MAT Partners
Marcos Amin is Swell Capital’s Project Finance Consultant and the Managing Partner of MAT Partners Consultoria e Investimentos, a Brazil based consulting firm specialized in project finance and deal structuring. With extensive experience in capital markets and financial modeling, having held executive positions such as CEO, CFO, Fiscal & Tax Advisor, Mr. Telles brings his 35 years of expertise structuring deals, providing financial analysis and debt restructuring in publicly traded companies like Aracruz Celulose (Suzano), CSN, Oi and Light SA. Mr. Telles works on financial modeling and deal structuring on behalf of Swell Capital’s clients and partners, mainly in the Agriculture, Transportation Infrastructure and Real Estate sectors.
Education
FUNDAÇÃO DOM CABRAL (FDC), MINAS GERAIS
School of Business Administration
MBA
PONTIFICA UNIVERSIDADE CATOLICA (PUC), MINAS GERAIS
School of Management
Postgraduate in Accounting and Costs
TRADE, SUPPLY CHAIN & GOODS MOVEMENT
Marshall Rea, Unitrade International
Marshall Rea is Swell Capital’s Special Advisor and Consultant for Trade, Supply Chain and Goods Movement, and is President at Unitrade International. Mr. Rea is an international transportation and supply chain executive with more than 25 years of experience leading business development teams and managing enterprise client relationships with service providers. Mr. Rea began his career in international trade on the shipper side in the aerospace industry, and over the course of his career he has supported customers across multiple industry segments and all elements of the international supply chain, working for major integrators and freight forwarders. He currently supports clients with business development and operational assistance with a primary focus on the Latin America and Caribbean region.
In addition to extensive business travel in 38 countries, Marshall was an expatriate for 4 years in Brazil as Managing Director South America Sales for FedEx. Marshall is trilingual (English, Portuguese and Spanish), is based in southern California and is married with two adult sons.
Education
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Thunderbird School of Global Management
MBA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
B.A., Latin American Studies
ENERGY FINANCE
José Carlos Pinheiro, Neo Energy
José Carlos Pinheiro is Swell Capital’s Energy Finance Consultant and the CEO of Neo Energy, providing business development and capital introduction services for companies and investors focused on the Infrastructure and Renewable Energy sectors. Prior to founding Neo Energy, José Carlos structured and developed wind, solar hydroelectric power projects in Brazil for domestic and international investors and companies. Mr. Pinheiro brings his expertise structuring energy deals, providing unparalleled financial analysis and modeling, as well as negotiating and facilitating off-take and Power Purchasing Agreements (PPA), capital placement and matchmaking services on behalf of Swell Capital’s clients and partners.
Education
FUNDAÇÃO GETÚLIO VARGAS (FGV), SÃO PAULO
School of Business Administration EAESP
MBA, Strategic Management