Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer

Christopher L. Hughes has over 35 years of experience in the investment and capital markets including making direct investments, structuring joint ventures, forming long-term operating partnerships, and privatizations of public companies.

Chris was formerly a Managing Director of Deutsche Bank’s Alternative Investments business (RREEF) and the Chief Executive Officer of RREEF Global Securities and Structured Investments, based in Chicago and New York. During his time with RREEF, he held various senior executive positions and was a voting member of the RREEF Global Executive and Principal Investment Committees since their inception. Previous positions included CEO of RREEF Private Equity, Global Head of Capital Markets and Structured Investments and North American Head of Capital Markets. He also served as the Chairman of RREEF’S Private Equity and Structured Debt Investment Committees. Before RREEF, he was a Senior-Vice President at Transwestern Commercial Services, an Executive Director with CIBC, a Senior-Vice President with Heller Financial and a manager in the national consulting business line at KPMG.

Chris is a member of multiple investment company and limited partner advisory boards.

Chris was a member of the 2005 Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40. He has been actively involved with and supported multiple charitable endeavors including forming The WiSLiM Foundation to provide educational and need based grants to deserving students.

Chris earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Managing Director, Finance, Operations and Compliance

Kimberly Carlini has over 24 years of investment and commercial banking experience, leading functions in accounting, operations, risk management, investor relations and business development.

Prior to joining Cypress Holdings Group, Kimberly was the Senior Vice President of Investments for Foss & Company, a boutique tax credit syndicator, where she led national capital raising for alternative investments. Kimberly held two Chief Operating Officer roles as an Executive Director in Commercial Banking and Global Risk at JPMorgan. She spent ten years in JPMorgan’s fixed income business, most recently as Chief Financial Officer for Global Fixed Income. She was the head of Financial Planning & Analysis for the Securitized Products Group, and before that was a Controller for Asset Backed Finance in the predecessor investment bank, Banc One Capital Markets, where she began her 21-year career with JPMorgan. Kimberly started her career in public accounting in the Chicago office of KPMG.

Kimberly is also the founder of EBTIDAta Consulting Services, where she has advised female owned start-ups on financial risk management and operational matters.

Kimberly is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the board of the Chicago Chapter of Financial Executives International. She supports her local parish of Notre Dame in various capacities and mentors early stage professionals in finance. Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois and her Masters in Business Administration, with a focus on Finance, Strategy and Analytical Consulting from Chicago’s Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business.

Investor Relations Manager

John A. Staab currently serves as the firm’s Investor Relations Manager.

John has over 35 years of combined experience in investment advisory and capital markets activities. He has experience with asset allocation, portfolio construction, risk mitigation at both the balance sheet level and as it relates to concentrated stock positions. In addition, John has helped families with intergenerational values-based wealth transition strategies. He has also assisted clients with the evaluation of numerous private equity and hedge fund investments as well as evaluating direct investments in private companies and real estate.

John was formerly a Senior Vice President with Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management division in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he was a Vice President with the Citi Family Office which became part of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and a Vice President with the Merrill Lynch Private Banking and Investment Group. Prior to his investment advisory career, John was an independent floor trader at the Chicago Board of Trade where he focused on interest rate futures and options.

John received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

Manager, Accounting and Financial Reporting

Vangjelika Toshi manages the accounting and financial reporting function for Cypress Holdings Group.

Prior to joining Cypress, Vangjelika spent eight years at Plante Moran. As a Manager, she led audit engagements for a diverse portfolio of clients, including complex financial statement and employee benefit plans audits. Her leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to quality helped deliver high-impact results across industries, all while fostering strong client relationships through clear, effective communication and collaboration.

Vangjelika is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds both a Bachelor of Science and Masters degree in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University.

Director, Operations

Melissa Wilczak oversees operations for our family office and investment management lines of business.

Melissa has over 25 years of investment and wealth management experience which included roles in capital markets and wealth advisory.

Prior to Cypress, Melissa held the role of Group Administrator and Senior Wealth Strategy Associate at UBS Financial Services where she managed all operational and administrative functions of a large private wealth advisory team. Before that, Melissa was a Senior Wealth Associate in the Private Banking and Investment Group at Merrill Lynch. Her main responsibilities were capital markets and performance reporting.

Melissa graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She is an active member and prior board member of the National Charity League – Clarendon Hills IL chapter.

Executive Administrative Assistant

At Cypress, Esther Neal is responsible for supporting all business functions, through administrative assistance, operations and office management.

Esther Neal brings over 20 years of experience in various operations, accounting, and administrative management roles. Before joining Cypress, Esther managed key accounts for a mid-sized consumer products company.  She previously supported budgeting and pricing functions through reporting and analytics.  Esther’s industry experience spans numerous industries, including consumer products, food and beverage manufacturing, and banking.