Founder & Managing Director, Maysaffron

Ellecia advises firms and funds globally to connect with the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Maysaffron, which she founded in 2015 is the solution for institutions wanting to connect intelligently and effectively with the Middle East region. The group focuses on thematic areas of Natural Resources, Disruptive Industry, Technology and Health Care and also works with funds wanting to connect with the region. Formerly a Fund Manager at the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Australia, Asia Pacific & Global mandates) and prior to this a Research Analyst at Macquarie Bank, Ellecia is currently the Deputy Chair of 100 Women in Finance Middle East, Co-Deputy Chair Australian Institute of Company Directors Middle East and the Chair and Co-Founder of the Australian Business Group Middle East Association and sits on the Australian Business Group Abu Dhabi Board. She is passionate about community and giving back. In 2018 she was one of 100 recipients in the UAE of an award in honour of the Founder of the UAE the late Sheikh Zayed, for contributions to the business community. Ellecia received honours for her MBA dissertation in 2010 on “Diversity at the top” a study of the top 200 Australian companies measuring the diversity on their board and management teams and financial performance. The study found a link between the more diverse leadership teams and outperformance. She speaks regularly at conferences on diversity, females in finance and funds management, portfolio management and also has spoken several times as a key note speaker (Private Equity Fund AGM in New York, Middle East Mining Forum & the Kuwait Australian Ambassadors Residence) on the future outlook for commodity demand and the potential disruption of Electric Vehicles in the hydrocarbon market.