BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING AT THE INTERSECTION OF HUMANITY AND SERVICE
MICHAEL TIEDEMANN
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Michael is a Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Tiedemann Advisors. He is also a member of the Firm’s Board of Directors and Chairman of the Firm’s Internal Investment Committee. Michael began his career working for Tiedemann Investment Group (TIG) as an emerging markets research analyst. In 1994, he joined the equity research group at Banco Garantia, one of Brazil’s leading Investment Banks, living in Brazil for two years. Later Michael ran their equity sales and trading operations out of New York where he worked closely with Garantia’s top-ranked Hedge Fund-of-Fund Group. In 1998, when Credit Suisse acquired Garantia, he remained there heading up their sales trading efforts for Latin America until he left to start Tiedemann Advisors in 2000. Michael has been a selected speaker at a number of financial and regulatory associations around the country. In 2012, the Henry Street Settlement honored Michael for his contribution to charitable causes, and most recently in 2017 Michael received the Impact Award for his contribution to fighting poverty by RIVER FUND.
Certifications and memberships include:
- Board Member, Stephen Gould Corporation
- Founder and Chairman of the Board, RIVER FUND
- Vice President and Treasurer, Good + Foundation
- Member, Economic Club of New York
- Board of Governors, Metropolitan Club of New York
Michael received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. Born in Manhattan, he currently resides there with his wife, Ariel, and children, Emma, Roman, Vale and Conrad.
R. SPENCER POTTS
CAPITAL CHAIR
Spencer Potts is President of MadHive, an enterprise software that powers modern media, and a Managing Partner of Maximalist Ventures which centers on Tech and E-Commerce businesses. Previously, Potts has served as Global Head of institutional Sales & Marketing for Investment Managers including Silver Creek Capital, CIFC Asset Management, and most recently MidOcean Partners. In addition to advertising, he carries domain expertise across alternative asset classes including venture capital, hedge funds and private equity. Potts serves as the Capital Chair for New York City’s largest poverty frontline center, RIVER FUND, and holds a B.A. in History from the University of New Hampshire.
RICCARDO BENEDETTI
Riccardo is a senior partner at Perella Weinberg Partners, an independent financial advisory services firm. He has worked in investment banking for more than 30 years in London and New York. Riccardo lives with his wife and three daughters in New York.
DANIELLE BERNSTEIN
Danielle Bernstein is a native New Yorker and Fashion Blogger turned business mogul. Bernstein has a dedicated fan base of over 2.6 million followers and counting across her social media platforms. Bernstein started her internationally recognized blog, WeWoreWhat.com, and Instagram, @WeWoreWhat, in 2010 as a daily dose of outfit inspiration for women everywhere, before growing the platform into an aspirational yet relatable home for all things coveted. Danielle has since launched her brand, Shop WeWoreWhat along with her namesake line, Danielle Bernstein. Danielle was quickly recognized by Forbes’ coveted “30 Under 30” list at just 24 years old in 2017 and became a New York Times best selling author for her book, This Is Not A Fashion Story that was published in May 2020. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Danielle created the philanthropic arm of her business as a way to give back using her massive platform, WeGaveWhat, which has since been able to raise and donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to all different organizations and causes in need.
PATRICK DALY
Patrick Daly is a founding Partner of PJT Park Hill’s directs placement practice and launched the hedge fund/credit business in 2006. Mr. Daly has over 30 years of experience in the alternative asset and financial services industry. Prior to joining Park Hill in 2006, Mr. Daly was a Director in Credit Suisse First Boston’s Private Fund Group. Previously, Mr. Daly was a Managing Director at Norfolk Markets and a senior derivative trader on the mortgage desks of Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse First Boston. Mr. Daly received a BBA from James Madison University and is a CAIA Charterholder.
ADAM G. DONEGER
Adam Doneger is an Executive Managing Director with Cushman & Wakefield’s Capital Markets Team. He joined the firm in October 2016 after spending 5 years at Eastdil Secured where he served as Managing Director. Prior to Eastdil Secured, Adam worked at Brookfield Asset Management in their Real Estate Debt Fund. Adam began his career at Morgan Stanley in the real estate group. He is a licensed real estate salesperson in the State of New York.
Mr. Doneger holds a Master’s in Real Estate from NYU and a BA from Johns Hopkins University. Doneger is a former professional lacrosse player that played for the New Jersey Pride in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) from 2003-2007. He was named the Major League Lacrosse Rookie of the Year in 2003. Prior to playing in the MLL, Doneger played his college lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University where he was named a two-time First Team All American and team captain during his junior and senior years. Doneger was named to the All Time JHU Lacrosse Team. In 2002, Doneger played for the United States Men’s National Team that won a gold medal in Australia. In 2014, Doneger was elected into the Long Island Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Mr. Doneger currently serves on the board of directors for RIVER FUND, a not-for-profit dedicated to fighting hunger, homelessness and poverty in city neighborhoods. Doneger serves as a Leadership Fellow at Johns Hopkins University and sits on the Johns Hopkins University Athletic Department Advisory Board.
HAROLD FORD, JR.
Currently, former 5-term Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. is a vice chairman and executive vice president of PNC Bank’s Corporate and Institutional Banking business. In addition, he is chairman and CEO of Empowerment & Inclusion Capital I Corporation (NYSE: “EPWR”) - a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) with the unique, purpose-driven mission of acquiring a diverse led business or a business focused on promoting economic and societal inclusion.
Prior to joining PNC, Ford was most recently a director of Live Oak Acquisition Corporation - a blank check company that successfully combined with Danimer Scientific, Inc (NYSE: DNMR) - and non-executive chair of Rx Saver, a patient directed prescription medication search engine platform. Before that, Ford spent 11 years in investment banking at both Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley.
Ford is a graduate of both the University of Michigan Law School and the University of Pennsylvania.
And, he, his wife Emily and their 2 young kids - Georgia Walker and Harold III (HEF) - live in New York City.
JUSTIN D. GOLDEN
Justin Golden is President of Stephen Gould, one of the largest privately held creative supply chain partners in the world, known for its innovative ability to help bring ideas to life. The company is headquartered in Whippany, NJ with over 40+ locations around the globe. Representing the 3rd generation of family ownership, Justin had driven the organization through its most dynamic transformational period, embracing growth and innovation while ensuring connectivity to its past principles, distinct culture and community focus. Justin graduated from The University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Economics in 2006. An avid soccer player and fan, he currently resides in Short Hills, NJ with his wife Jayme and their three children. In 2014, Justin was introduced to the RIVER FUND and, inspired by the work and commitment the organization delivers to its community, joined the Board shortly thereafter. Since then, Justin has been an active participant and fundraiser for the RIVER FUND. He is proud to partner with Stephen Gould to support many RIVER FUND initiatives, including Child Poverty Awareness (CPA) Day, Fund a Need, and sponsorship of the annual Mary C. Tiedemann Scholarship Fund, which provides economic opportunities for college-bound students.
MICHAEL HUBBE
Michael Hubbe was introduced to the RIVER FUND in 2017 and decided to take a more active role joining the board in 2020 after experiencing first-hand how vital the River Fund’s mission is to fighting poverty. Michael’s son, Connor helped start a tutoring program which has inspired the River to Success Learning Center.
Michael is a Managing Director at JP Morgan since 2008. He was a Senior Managing Director at Bear Stearns for 13 years. Michael earned his Bachelor of Science from Binghamton University and a Masters in Business from the University of Chicago.
Michael's prior board service includes the YMCA. His family is actively involved with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation in New York City.
CLAYTON ORRIGO
Clayton Orrigo is co-founder of The Hudson Advisory Team, a tech-based real estate firm based in New York City. As one of the highest-grossing agent teams in the country, The Hudson Advisory Team has conducted over $2.5 billion of real estate sales throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and The Hamptons since 2017. Prior to real estate, Clayton ran Business Development at Identified, a Silicon Valley venture-backed startup that was acquired by Workday (WDAY). He graduated with honors from Villanova University, with a dual concentration in finance and entrepreneurship. Clayton currently resides in the West Village. He is an avid skier, surfer, and cyclist, and enjoys traveling regularly outside of New York City for these interests. He is a proud Board Member of RIVER FUND and is committed to supporting the organization’s mission and the NYC community.
STEVEN PETERSEN
Steven Petersen is the Co-Founder of Stavtar Solutions, a financial technology company that creates software which improves financial and operational workflows of the most sophisticated asset managers in the world. Prior to this, Mr. Petersen was the Chief Financial Officer of Hudson Bay Capital where he was responsible for managing their global accounting, finance, operations and tax reporting functions. He was also the Chairman of Hudson Bay's Operational Risk Working Group and Valuation Committee. Prior to joining Hudson Bay, he spent nine years at TPG-Axon as its Global Controller then Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining TPG-Axon, Mr. Petersen served as a Vice President and Global Operational Risk Manager for the Proprietary Positioning Business (PPB) at JP Morgan Chase. He started his career at Arthur Andersen LLP in 1994.
TIMOTHY REILLY
Mr. Reilly is President of Hilton Capital Management, a boutique asset manager located in Garden City, NY. Prior to joining Hilton Capital, Mr. Reilly spent 10 years as a Managing Director at Bank of America, where he oversaw their Global Convertible Sales and Trading business. Prior to Bank of America, Tim was a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, where he managed their U.S. Convertible Trading business. Mr. Reilly graduated from Harvard University with a B.S. in Economics. A hockey, golf and swimming enthusiast, he currently resides in Manhasset, NY with his wife Patti Anne and their three children. Tim is very committed to his role as a Board Member of RIVER FUND and as a member of RIVER FUND Finance Committee. He and his family appreciate the opportunity to volunteer on the Saturday Food Distribution Program and spreading the mission statement of the FIVER FUND. Tim is especially proud to have Hilton Capital offer an internship each summer to a Mary C. Tiedemann Scholarship Recipient. Getting to know and support the RIVER FUND family has been a huge blessing.
ELIZABETH M. STEEL
Elizabeth resides in New York and London.
After graduating from the American University of Paris, Elizabeth began her career planning events; ultimately joining the renowned design and production firm Van Wyck & Van Wyck in New York City. She is now working on her own, event consulting, for a wide range of private clients.
Elizabeth, a proud and committed Board Member of RIVER FUND, can be found volunteering at the Saturday Food Distribution Program. Bringing her family along whenever she can too!
ALYSSA FANELLI VARADHAN
Alyssa brings nearly 20 years of experience in financial service and real estate industries. She started her career at Goldman Sachs and served in various sales and trading roles from 2002 to 2018. Most recently Alyssa served as Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development at Delos.
In addition to serving on RIVER FUND’s Board of Directors, Alyssa served on the Board of Visitors for the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University for 8 years. She is currently spending her time investing in and advising start-ups in the consumer and fintech space. Alyssa graduated from Duke University with BSc degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering.
MELISSA WOOD-TEPPERBERG
Melissa Wood-Tepperberg is the Founder of MWH - a wellness platform on a mission to create a more mindful way of life, accessible and attainable for all - and the Creator of the MWH Method. MWH workouts and meditations are designed to do anytime, anywhere - from the comfort of your own home, using what you have available to you. MWH isn’t just about building a body you desire; it’s about building a better, stronger relationship with yourself. Melissa and MWH have been featured on LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, GMA, The Today Show, Forbes, Fortune and more. MWH was also the subject of a 2021 Harvard Business School case study. Melissa is proud to be a RIVER FUND Board Member.
DOUGLAS WURTZ
Doug Wurtz is the Senior Portfolio Manager of 10b Capital Management, a Millennium Platform Company, which invests globally across the technology, media, and telecom ("TMT") industries. Prior to launching 10b, Doug was a Portfolio Manager at Hudson Bay Capital for 6 years, where he ran a similar global TMT strategy. Doug spent 10 years at Tiger Veda Management, a fund seeded by Julian Robertson, as a Senior Analyst and Partner, before joining Hudson Bay. Doug started his career as a research analyst at Goldman Sachs after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science in 2000. An avid guitarist and surfer, he currently resides in Greenwich, CT with his wife Amanda, four children Jackson, CeCe, Byrdie, and Noa, and two dogs, Evie and ZouZou. Doug and his family enjoy RIVER FUND's relentless commitment to breaking the poverty cycle through increasingly more impactful food, social welfare, and education initiatives, and can be found working the Saturday lines alongside friends and fellow Board Members.
SWAMI DURGA DAS
FOUNDER AND CEO
Swami born and raised in Queens, New York.
RIVER FUND was established in response to the ravages of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic and continues some 30 years later responding to the devastation of those living on the lines of poverty. RIVER FUND remains purpose driven while bringing humanity, tolerance, and empathy to our neighbors in need.
“the best part of who we are is in the caring for each other however we choose to share and serve.”