Meet our team
Merchant Partners' outstanding team of professionals has formed its reputation in the industry based on integrity, tenacity, excellence, and business expertise.
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ROSTOM HAIDAR
Managing Partner - International
ATOM SIMMS
Principal, Business Development
KIKI ATHANAS
Director, Health & Wellness Advisory practice
SAMUEL ELKEBBI
Managing Director & Principal
Samuel leads Merchant Partners' overall corporate strategy of advisory practices and business development bringing strategic insight to the complexities surrounding infrastructure projects, start-ups, and family offices across the private and public sectors with a focus on the landscape of emergent fund-raising strategies & corporate financial management.
Samuel is an international investment banker, deep thinker, and effective communicator with an exceptional investment insight. He has a background of over 20 years in providing managerial, investment, financial & organizational services. Samuel’s substantial experience was gained in investment banking, private equity, and family offices over the financial capitals of North America (New York and Toronto), Europe (London, Paris & Geneva), and MENA region (KSA and UAE).
Samuel has been advising institutional investors, private and public corporations on governance, corporate restructuring, financial engineering, capital and fundraising, change management, and corporate finance. These have led to his recognition as a consultant that leaders of government and businesses alike can trust.
Samuel holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Master Business of Administration from Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom, Oxfordshire.
ROSTOM HAIDAR
Managing Partner - International
Rostom leads Merchant Partners’ global corporate strategy. A seasoned strategist, restructuring specialist, negotiator, and trouble shooter with over 35 years of International experience gained over USA, Canada, Caribbean, UK, Eastern & Western Europe, & the MENA region.
During his career, Rustom built an extensive network of contacts in the private equity, family office, and investment circles. He served multiple boards, chaired and participated on executive, investment, compliance, audit, & finance, committees across several verticals investments, banking, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, education, property development, facilities management, construction, start-ups, retail, aviation, audit, & consulting.
Restructured several businesses including commercial banks, IT groups, contracting, hospitality & education. Structured and negotiated investments, partnerships and joint ventures including public private partnerships (PPP). Setup multiple start-ups with a focus on the IT industry. Provided leadership and support over activities covering funds’ raising, financial engineering, investment management, M&As, business valuations, contracts negotiations & management, as well as litigation strategy and support activities.
Rustom is a certified public accountant (CPA) holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from the school of business studies currently the London Metropolitan University, and an MBA in Finance from California State Polytechnic University at Pomona.
ATON SIMMS
Principal, Business Development
Aton leads Merchant Partners' Business Development and client relationships with over 25 years of international experience in sales and marketing and providing financial resources of insurance and segregated funds products, by assisting families with the financial erudition process. Aton is a subject matter expert in planning and strategic business support to the insurance and healthcare industry.
Ex- NBA Player, holds 6th Round draft pick, NY Knick, 1983 World Champions. Aton is an accomplished author, Wealth MindSet public speaker, and CEO of Sovereign Quest Inc.
Aton is consistently working on implementing a training development program in Canada and the USA for Youth, identifying talented and skilled basketball hopefuls, and placing scholarship bound athletes with Universities.
Aton holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Boston University.
KIKI ATHANAS
Director, Health & Wellness Advisory practice
Kiki leads Merchant Partners' Health & Wellness advisory practice, bringing strategic insight to the complexities surrounding natural & health supplements, the cannabis industry, and the landscape of emergent bioenergetic & healing modalities.
Kiki brings over five years of industry experience to her role, including consulting work with health-tech start-ups as well as from hands-on expertise from successfully launching her own company. She is familiar with global ingredient sourcing, Health Canada NPN registration & approval process, and all related logistics involved with manufacturing, packaging, labelling & distribution of wellness products across North America.
As a media personality both online & leading in-person events, Kiki is well-versed in the valuable subtleties of connection & community-led branding, marketing, and business development.
Kiki is known for her next-level perspective & insights on up-and-coming wellness offerings that are of high & sustainable value for the masses.
Kiki holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto, Canada.