Investment Management

 
Chris Freund - Managing Partner
Mr. Chris Freund is the founder and Managing Partner of Mekong Capital. As the Managing Partner, Chris is accountable that Mekong Capital works effectively as an organization, and that each of the team members are empowered to achieve extraordinary results, to fulfill our commitment that Mekong Capital achieves consistently excellent investment returns as a private equity investor in Vietnam. Chris Freund is a member of Mekong Capital's internal Management Committee.

Prior to forming Mekong Capital in 2001, Chris Freund was a Vice President and Portfolio Manager with Templeton Asset Management, Ltd., the emerging markets arm of the Franklin/Templeton Group. Chris Freund's involvement with Vietnam dates from mid-1994 when he was doing a research project for Harris Associates, a Chicago based fund management firm. Chris Freund worked for Templeton in Vietnam from early 1995 until mid-1998. In mid-1998, Chris relocated to Templeton’s Singapore office, where he covered the technology sector in emerging markets. Chris moved back to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in April 2001 to establish Mekong Capital.

Chris Freund is a member of the Board of Directors of Mekong Enterprise Fund II, Ltd., and Chairman of Vietnam Azalea Fund Limited. Chris is a Special Advisor to the Vietnam Association of Financial Investors (VAFI).

Chris Freund is one of the co-founders, and a non-executive Director, of Management Consulting Group Ltd., which owns VietnamWorks.com, Vietnam's most successful job recruitment website, and Navigos Group, the largest executive search company in Vietnam.

Chris holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology, with honors, from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Chris grew up in Chicago and attended the Latin School of Chicago.

Nguyen Tran To Uyen - Director
Ms. Nguyen Tran To Uyen is responsible for overall management of investment activities. Uyen is also responsible for the development of the company’s business, strategy, structure and expansion plans. Uyen is a member of Mekong Capital’s internal Management Committee.

Prior to joining Mekong Capital, Uyen was an Investment Officer at CalPERS Alternative Investment Management (AIM) Program. CalPERS is one of the largest pension fund in the world, with over $235 billion of assets under management. She was part of the team that was responsible for investing in private equity partnerships and direct investments. Uyen represented CalPERS on fund Advisory Boards, lead AIM’s efforts in exploring healthcare investment activities, and was part of the emerging markets and Asia investment group.

Uyen was also a Technical Scientist and an Education Manager at Silicon Genetics, a bioinformatics company, where she was in charge of turnaround efforts and global expansion of the Training Department. She also held various research positions at Roche Bioscience and Miravant Medical Technologies conducting cancer and arthritis research.

Uyen is currently the Chairman of the Board for Friends of Hue Foundation, a non-profit focusing on providing long-term assistance in economic self-sufficiency, health care, education and emergency relief for people in Vietnam. Uyen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacology from UC Santa Barbara, a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences from UC San Diego, and an MBA from UC Berkeley.

  Hoang Xuan Chinh - Director
Mr. Hoang Xuan Chinh is responsible for overall management of investment activities. Chinh is also responsible for portfolio management of Mekong Enterprise Fund II ("MEF II") and post investment value creation for portfolio companies of the funds in the South. Currently, Chinh is member of Board of Directors of Ngo Han Joint Stock Company, Lac Viet Computing, Goldsun Group, MK Smart, Mai Son and Mobile World. Chinh is a member of Mekong Capital’s internal Management Committee.

Before joining Mekong Capital in 2004, Chinh had more than seven years working with Ford Vietnam Ltd, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, where he was a Six Sigma Black Belt, responsible for originating and leading process improvement projects to improve the business in various areas such as Manufacturing, HR, Finance, Sales and Marketing and Part and Services. He was responsible for training and coaching other employees in the use of Six Sigma. Prior to that Chinh was Ford's HS&E Manager and responsible for various operational management and human resources processes. Chinh has a MBA degree from RMIT University and engineer in OHS&E from the Trade Union University.

  Thomas F. Lanyi, CFA - Director
Dr. Thomas Lanyi is responsible for overall management of investment activities. He is also responsible for portfolio management of Vietnam Azalea Fund (“VAF”). Dr. Lanyi is a member of Mekong Capital’s internal Management Committee.

Dr. Lanyi has seven years of direct investment management experience, most of which he gained working in Asia. Dr. Lanyi started his career in asset management with Singapore-based Templeton Asset Management Ltd. Reporting directly to Group Executive Chairman and Emerging Markets pioneer, Dr. Mark Mobius, Dr. Lanyi was solely responsible for strategic listed and unlisted investment opportunities in South East Asia, including Vietnam. As Executive Director, he also provided input at the fund level, including product development & investment strategy, communication & investor relations, and fund administration. Prior to joining Mekong Capital, Dr. Lanyi worked with Hanoi-based BIDV-Vietnam Partners Investment Management as a portfolio manager, successfully investing the firm’s first fund and significantly contributing to raising its second vehicle.

Dr. Lanyi earned a Doctorate in Economic Sciences and Capital Markets Theory with distinction from the Vienna University of Economics and a Masters Degree in International Management in exchange with Hautes Etudes Commerciales in Paris (Community of European Management Schools). Besides pursuing his career in the fund management industry, he has been accepting visiting lecturer positions at institutes and business schools around the region teaching Finance/ Applied Accounting and Investment Management. Dr. Lanyi holds the CFA designation and is an active member of the Singapore Society of Financial Analysts.

  Nguyen Ngoc Lan - Senior Advisor
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Lan is responsible for finding new investment opportunities for the funds of Mekong Capital.

Lan is a co-founder and Vice Chairman of Natural Joint Stock Company, a leading Vietnamese company in supplying natural bath products to domestic and international hospitality market. Prior to that, he was the co-founder and Executive Director of Buss Company Limited/Jockey Vietnam. Lan has advised several major international retail companies on setting up their retail operations in Vietnam and has extensive knowledge and experience of the retail industry in Vietnam. He has also written several papers on entrepreneurship for leading newspapers and magazines in Vietnam. In addition, Lan is a senior advising editor for the luxury magazine – Golf & Life. Lan obtained an Honors degree in Agricultural Science from Latrobe University in Melbourne, Australia and enrolled for further studies at the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley on a reciprocal scholarship program with Latrobe University. He attended the Balwyn High School in Melbourne, Australia.

  Tran Thi Thu Hong - Principal
Ms. Tran Thi Thu Hong is responsible for finding, appraising, negotiating and implementing new deals for the funds of Mekong Capital. Hong is also fully responsible for leading the team to create significant values for portfolio companies of the funds in the North. Hong is a member of Board of Directors of Goldsun Joint Stock Company, Golden Gate Joint Stock Company and Venture International Vietnam joint Stock Company. Hong is a member of Mekong Capital’s internal Management Committee.

Prior to joining Mekong Capital, Hong was a Business Development Manager with IKEA, where she was in charge of creating a sourcing network in South East Asia, building up supplier’s competence and setting up business strategy. Before that she worked for IBM Indochina as a Procurement and Distribution Specialist. Hong is expected to receive her MBA from Impact University in Hanoi in mid 2008. She has a Bachelors degree in English from the Hanoi Foreign Language University.

  Truong Cong Binh - Principal
Mr. Truong Cong Binh is responsible for finding, appraising, negotiating and implementing new deals for the funds of Mekong Capital. Binh is also responsible for leading the investment team to develop the pipeline for the funds of Mekong Capital to invest. Currently, Binh is a member of Board of Directors of International Consumer Products (ICP), AA Construction Architecture Joint Stock Company, Duc Thanh Wood Processing Joint Stock Company, and Minh Phuc Packaging Joint Stock Company.

Before joining Mekong Capital, Binh had nine years working with Procter & Gamble Vietnam with various positions from Regional Sales Manager, Customer Business Development Capability Manager, and Market Strategy & Planning Manager taking care of strategy and planning to build brands of Hair Care, Paper, and Oral Care product lines for P&G Vietnam. Prior to P&G, Binh was a Tax Manager of Lam Dong Taxation Department. He has BA degree from the Economics University, Ho Chi Minh City.

  Le Manh Dzung - Principal
Mr. Le Manh Dzung is fully responsible for identifying, analyzing, executing investment opportunities for the funds of Mekong Capital. In addition, Dzung is responsible for managing and monitoring the divestment process of the VAF’s existing investments.

Before joining Mekong Capital, Dzung was Head of Business Management and Development Group at Saigon - Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB), a local joint-stock commercial bank. Prior to that, he worked for Vietnam Bank for Private Enterprises (VP Bank) from 2005 to 2006 as Strategy Assistant to the CEO and Director of Training Center. Before VP Bank, Dzung was Head of Corporate Banking at Woori Bank Vietnam, where he worked from 1997 to 2004. He also participated in projects related to credit risk management for several state-owned commercial banks. Dzung has a MBA from CFVG Hanoi, Vietnam and a Bachelor of Banking Credit from Hanoi Banking Institute.

  Dang Ngoc - Senior Associate
Ms. Dang Ngoc is fully responsible for managing the investments of MEF. She is currently on the Board of Directors of Sai Gon Gas, Lac Viet Computing and Nam Hoa Wooden Toys. Ngoc is also responsible for leading the team to set clear divestment strategies for portfolio companies of the fund and ensuring sufficient exit alternatives for the fund’s investments.

Before joining Mekong Capital, Ngoc was one of the winners of Fulbright scholarship for MBA study in the US in 2005, majoring in marketing. Before that she has eight years of experience in marketing and sales management. Ngoc’s latest position was Key Account Manager based in the regional sales office of Mattel in Singapore. Prior to that, she was the Senior Brand Manager in Unilever, taking care of the body care line of Hazeline. Before joining Unilever, she was the Toy Division Manager in Phuong Nga Trading Ltd – the exclusive distributor of Lego and Mattel in Vietnam – where she had built a solid foothold for Lego as well as successfully launched the Barbie brand for Mattel in Vietnam.

  Le Quang Hung - Senior Associate
Mr. Le Quang Hung is responsible for finding, appraising, negotiating and implementing new deals for the funds of Mekong Capital and fully responsible for managing the funds’ investments. Hung is also responsible for leading and coaching the team to structure the deal which satisfies the fund’s best interests.

Quang Hung was previously the Internal Audit Manager of Metro Cash & Carry Vietnam, where he successfully built up internal control framework in various areas for Metro Cash & Carry Vietnam. Before that, he was the Internal Audit Manager of Theodore Alexander Ho Chi Minh Group for 2 years. Prior to that, Hung was an auditor with Ernst & Young Vietnam for more than 4 years. Hung obtained a Bachelor degree from the Economics University, Ho Chi Minh City and has Level II Certificate of ACCA.

  Nguyen The Vinh - Senior Associate
Mr. Nguyen The Vinh is fully responsible for managing the existing investments of MEF. Vinh is on the Board of Directors of Minh Hoang Garment Joint Stock Company, Ngo Han Joint Stock Company. Vinh is also responsible for overseeing the MEF’s portfolio and coordinating with other investment team members to create and maximizing values for the fund’s portfolio companies. 

Before joining Mekong Capital, Vinh was previously Account Manager for Advanced Distribution Company where he was responsible for developing and managing distributors for Mead-Johnson Nutritionals. Prior to that, he also worked for Beaufour Ipsen, a French leading pharmaceutical company as a sales and marketing manager, responsible for Cambodia market and involved in finance and accounting Indochina team. Vinh is currently the Executive MBA Student at RMIT University. He also has a Bachelor Degree, major in Insurance business, from HCM University of Economics and also has an associate diploma in office management, a co-program of Lotus University and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Versailles-France.

  Ngo Thi Ngoc Anh - Senior Associate
Ms. Ngo Thi Ngoc Anh is fully responsible for managing the existing investment of MEF II. Ngoc Anh is also responsible for leading other team members to implement deals within the optimum time scale which satisfies the fund’s best interests.

Ngoc Anh was previously a management trainee with British American Tobacco Vietnam where she rotated through various functions in the Marketing department. Before that, she worked as a financial analyst and project assistant with IDG Ventures, assisting the project manager in investigating the Vietnam security market to evaluate investment opportunities. Between 2004 and 2006, she owned a retail business with 2 souvenir shops in Hanoi. Ngoc Anh achieved the Gold Prize in the National Lighting Young Business Talents Competition in 2003. She has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the Hanoi Foreign Trade University and expects to receive her MBA degree from the Hanoi School of Business in late 2007.

  Ho Hong Quang - Senior Associate
Mr. Ho Hong Quang is fully responsible for managing the MEF II’s existing investment. Quang is also responsible for leading and coaching the team to appraise and negotiate with potential companies with highest possible quality standard which would result in the successful investment for the fund.

Quang was previously a General Accountant of Vuon Pho, a restaurant chain with 3 restaurants and 2 wedding reception centers. He did a 3-month internship at Viet A Joint Stock Bank as a Credit Analyst during his studies. Quang has a Bachelors of Engineering in Mechatronics from the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Australia and a Bachelors degree in Commerce, Accounting and Finance from the University of Sydney.

  Phi Cong Toan - Senior Associate
Mr. Phi Cong Toan is fully responsible for identifying, analyzing, executing investment opportunities for the funds of Mekong Capital. Toan is also responsible for managing and monitoring the divestment process of the VAF’s existing investments.

Before joining Mekong Capital, Toan has 10 years of experience in investment implementation for a telecommunications project with total capital of US$194 million financed by NTT Vietnam, a subsidiary of NTT Corporation - one of the largest telecommunications groups headquartered in Japan. At NTT Vietnam, Toan was the Corporate Planning Manager and Member of Strategic Management Board. Prior to that, he was a Sales Consultant at Diethelm & Co., a Swiss trading company, from 1996 to 1998. Toan holds a MBA and Bachelor of Science in Industrial Business Management from National Economics University in Hanoi.

  Le Quang Hung - Senior Associate
Mr. Le Quang Hung is fully responsible for identifying, analyzing, executing investment opportunities for the funds of Mekong Capital. Hung is also responsible for managing and monitoring the divestment process of the VAF’s existing investments.

Hung previously worked for the Department of External Relations, Ho Chi Minh City for more than 2 years. Prior to that, he was Deputy Director of Vietravel's Overseas Study Center where he worked from 2002 to 2004. Hung has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Impac, Florida, and a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from Northwood, Michigan, USA.

  Mai Hoang Phuong - Senior Associate
Mr. Mai Hoang Phuong is responsible for managing the MEF II’s existing investment, as well as appraising, negotiating and implementing new deals for the funds of Mekong Capital.

Prior to joining Mekong Capital, Phuong was a Category Manager at Tetra Pak Vietnam where he was in charge of category strategies and customer consultant service on business planning. Before that, he was Head of Advertising & Promotion at S-Telecom, the first Vietnamese CDMA telephony provider, responsible for brand strategies, market research and media planning management. Phuong started his career with positions at Taylor Nelson Sofres and Unilever in Distribution, Marketing and Media. Phuong received the best prize awarded by the Institute of Applied Marketing in 2003. He has a Bachelors degree in Enterprise Finance from the Economic University in Ho Chi Minh City.

  Tran Thi Nhu Thang - Associate
Ms. Tran Thi Nhu Thang is responsible for assisting other senior investment professionals in managing the existing investments of MEF. Thang is also responsible for researching, analyzing investments opportunities for Vietnam Azalea Fund.

Before joining Mekong Capital, Thang was previously a Management Trainee, then an Assistant Brand Manager, Skin Care categories, of Unilever Vietnam, where she worked for 3 years. At Unilever Vietnam, Nhu Thang supported Senior Brand Manager in total brand management and brand strategy, and led cross-functional team and external agencies to deliver innovation, activation and promotion projects. Nhu Thang graduated as a valedictorian of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City.

  Nguyen Thi Dieu Thuy - Associate
Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Thuy is responsible for assisting other senior investment professionals in managing the MEF’s and MEF II existing investments where she is responsible for originating and leading some value creation projects for the fund investee company. Thuy is also responsible for finding, appraising, negotiating and implementing new deals for the funds pf Mekong Capital.

Thuy was previously a Sales Manager for Vertu, a luxury mobile phone brand, with FPT Distribution Company, where she was in charge of the Hanoi market. During her study, she did an internship with Ernst & Young Vietnam in the Corporate Consultant Service Department and an internship with the Vietnam-US Trade Council in Washington, DC. In 2004, Thuy won the Gold Prize in the National Lighting Young Business Talents Competition and in 2005, the Scholar Award for Potential Woman Business Leader granted to first year MBA students by The Committee of 200 (an organization of successful American Women Business Leaders). She received a bachelor degree in International Business from Hanoi Foreign Trade University and she expects to receive a MBA degree from Hanoi School of Business in 2008.

  Do Kim - Associate
Ms. Kim Do is responsible for assisting other senior investment professionals in researching, analyzing and appraising investment opportunities for the funds of Mekong Capital. Kim is also involving in post-investment value-addition work. 

Prior to joining Mekong Capital, Kim was Senior Lawyer at YKVN, one of Vietnam’s top law firms, where she specialized in matters relating to securities, commercial contracts, and foreign investments. Before that she was a legal and financial consultant at energy companies in the United States. Kim also had worked at the Corporate Finance Division of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), where she monitored a wide range of corporations, from large conglomerates to start-up companies. Kim has an LL.M. degree from Georgetown University, a J.D. degree from the University of Washington, and a B.A. from the University of San Diego; she is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

  Pham Vu Thanh Giang - Associate
Ms. Pham Vu Thanh Giang is responsible for assisting other senior investment professionals in researching, analyzing, appraising investments opportunities for the funds of Mekong Capital. Giang is also involving in post-investment value-addition work and assisting the Director in fund administrative and managerial works.

Giang was previously an Account Executive at Aon Vietnam Ltd., a non-life insurance broker, and also being a part of the Risk Management Accounts team. Her key responsibility at Aon was to work closely with corporate clients to ensure their industrial risks, financial risks and legal liabilities which are adequately covered under the insurance program. Prior to that, she worked as a part-time Assistant to Head of the Vietnam Representative Office of Pearson Education, an American Publisher. Giang holds a Bachelor Degree in Financial Institutions Management from Ho Chi Minh City Banking University.

  Nguyen Pham Ngoc Thach – Associate
Mr. Nguyen Pham Ngoc Thach is responsible for assisting other senior investment professionals in managing the MEF’s and MEF II's existing investments. He is also responsible for originating and leading some value creation projects at some MEF and MEF II’s investee companies.

Before joining Mekong Capital, Thach was the Unit Manager of Procter & Gamble Vietnam in Customer Business Development Function in 3 years. Prior to P&G, Thach was a Sales & Marketing Coordinator of JFE Shoji Trading – JFE Group (Ex. Kawasaki Group). He has BA degree from University of Economics & BA from University of Social Science & Humanity.

  Le Thu Trang - Analyst
Ms. Le Thu Trang is responsible for performing analytical, financial and operational activities of VAF, including macro-economic analysis, sector research and certain company-specific research to assist with appraisals and pipeline development.

Prior to joining Mekong Capital, Trang was a Sales and Film Festival Coordinator at Vietnam Media Corporation – one of the most well-known media company in Vietnam. At that position, she successfully promoted the company brand at international markets through media and press. Trang holds a Master of Diplomacy and Trade and a Bachelor of Banking and Finance, both from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Nguyen Thi Bich Thao - Analyst
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thao is responsible for performing analytical, financial and operational activities of VAF, including macro-economic analysis, sector research and certain company-specific research to assist with appraisals and pipeline development.

Before joining Mekong Capital, Thao was one of the awardees of Endeavour Asia Awards program for a Master course in International Economics and Finance in Australia. Prior that, she was a Tax Assistant at KPMG Vietnam, where she worked with clients to assist them in achieving effective tax compliance and managing tax risks. She also involved in tax aspects of acquisitions and mergers.

  Nguyen Thi Kim Uyen - Analyst
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Uyen is responsible for performing analytical, financial and operational activities, including macro-economic analysis, sector research and certain company-specific research to assist with appraisals and pipeline development.

Prior to joining Mekong Capital, Kim Uyen was previously Assistant to the Director, from 1999 until the end of 2002, of www.scootRS.com, an e-commerce company specializing in restoring classic scooters (Lambretta & Vespa) and manufacturing spare parts. At scootRS she was responsible for solving problems with customer orders, controlling expenses and preparing all financial reports. Kim Uyen has a Bachelor Degree in Economics from the University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh City and has a Chief Accountant Certificate from the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance.

  Truong Ngoc Phung - Special Assistant to Managing Partner
Ms. Truong Ngoc Phung is responsible for assisting the Managing Partner in all functions.

Phung was a representative of Leysin American School in Switzerland (LAS). Phung’s main responsibility was to work with agents and other bodies who wish to send students to LAS. Phung obtained a BA Degree in English from Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Language – Information Technology in October 2007.

Ho Phuoc Thuc Doan - Administrative Analyst
Ms. Ho Phuoc Thuc Doan is responsible for assisting the Vietnam Azalea Fund Portfolio Team with various secretarial tasks.

Doan was previously an HR Administrative Officer at Unilever Vietnam. Before that, she worked at International Stars Cruise Line and at Scancom Vietnam as a Sales Accountant. She did an internship with Ben Thanh Commercial Company in the Accounting department during her study. Doan has a Bachelors degree in Banking & Finance from the Economic University in Ho Chi Minh City.


 
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