Team

Justin Schleifer
President & CoFounder

Justin Schleifer is the President and a Co-Founder of Aspect Advisors. He has spent his entire career in compliance, beginning with non-profit fiscal sponsorship before transitioning into securities compliance as a ground-floor employee at Gordian Compliance Solutions. After Gordian, Justin joined Growth Capital Services as Chief Compliance Officer, prior to Aspect’s founding in 2019.

As a consultant, Justin has been the outsourced Chief Compliance Officer for a large wealth manager, a fund-of-funds complex, an options-overlay adviser, an internet-based investment adviser/financial planner, a private placement custodian, and a private placement investment bank. His clients’ strategies run the gamut of the alternative investment spectrum and range broadly from more traditional public/private equity to debt, volatility, robo-advisor services, and digital assets and cryptocurrencies. Justin has also served as the Financial Operations Principal for multiple broker-dealers.

Justin has extensive experience interfacing with the SEC, FINRA, the NFA, and state regulators on topics ranging from initial registration applications, business expansion applications, regulatory audits, enforcement proceedings, and arbitrations. He is a firm believer in understanding and appreciating all of the traits that make his clients unique in order to provide them with tailored advice specific to their needs.

Justin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration, with a concentration in Business Law, from Cornell University. He holds FINRA series 7, 24, 27, 55, 66, 79 and 87 licenses, and serves on FINRA’s Continuing Education Committee.

Amanda Brown
Chief Operations Officer

Amanda Brown is the Chief Operations Officer for Aspect Advisors.  Amanda is responsible for coordinating the various teams, vendors, projects and technologies that support both the Aspect team and our clients.

Amanda brings over 20 years of experience in business leadership, project management, strategic planning, marketing communications, staff training and membership services.   Her top priority is ensuring that the firm’s customer service is top-notch, and she is dedicated to continuous performance improvement and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements governing business practices.

Amanda earned a B.S. in Nursing with a Psychology minor from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and a management certificate from Wharton Business School. She holds FINRA series 24, 63 and 82 licenses.

Jennifer Csaszar
Chief Growth Officer

Jennifer Csaszar holds the position of Chief Growth Officer and brings over 8 years of experience to the financial services industry. Prior to joining Aspect Advisors, Jennifer lead Business Development for the West Coast at MG Stover ($8B+ in AUA), a fund administration firm supporting the alternative investment industry specializing in private investment funds and digital asset strategies. Ms. Csaszar has experience working with PE/VC and Hedge Fund managers by providing insight on the financial services landscape as well as guidance on the initial stages of launching a private fund.

Based in San Francisco, CA, Ms. Csaszar founded the Northern California NextGen Committee for 100 Women in Finance, and is also a member of the Education Committee.

Jennifer earned a B.S. in Economics with an emphasis in Business from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Jennifer also earned a certificate in Finance from Harvard Business School.

Kathlyne Kiaie
Managing Director, Chief Compliance Officer

Kathlyne Kiaie is a managing director and serves as chief compliance officer; she brings more than 25 years of experience in compliance operations, regulatory and risk experience to Aspect Advisors.

In her role, she works with clients as a strategic advisor, providing regulatory and risk advice to registered investment advisers (RIAs), broker/dealers, commodity, digital asset and private fund managers, while also serving as a thought leader in compliance and operational excellence.

Prior to joining the firm, she was a partner and chief compliance officer at SailingStone Capital Partners in San Francisco ($8B in AUM at inception) and a co-founder/chief compliance officer of a global long/short equity hedge fund. Ms. Kiaie’s early career includes tenures at Montgomery Securities, Seneca Capital Management, and Seasons Capital Management.

Kathlyne holds the Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional (CRCP) from the FINRA Institute at Wharton, has previously held FINRA (Series 7, 24, 63, and 65) licenses, and is a frequent speaker at securities industry panels. Kathlyne received her BA in Communications from California State University at San Francisco.

Matthew Dunn, CFA
Principal Consultant

Matt Dunn is a Compliance Consultant with Aspect Advisors. Bringing over 18 years of experience in brokerage and advisory compliance, Matt has served as a CCO, Executive, and OSJ for Stratos Wealth Partners, a $15 billion AUM wealth management platform for independent advisors. Prior experience includes roles in internal audit and risk, and serving as CCO/ FinOP for a dual member hedge fund and money manager. Matt also has tenure with NASD / FINRA as an Associate Principal Examiner.

Matt’s focus is on risk management, applying compliance practices to the unique business needs of each firm. His expertise in products, regulatory processes, and management provides for clear, comprehensive guidance for both brokerage and advisory compliance topics.

Matt holds a BA in economics from Cal State University, Northridge, is a CFA Charterholder, and has previously held FINRA (Series 6, 66, 24, 27, 31, and 53) licensed. He also holds an Ohio Life Insurance license.

Zach Furnald
Principal Consultant

Zach Furnald is a Principal Consultant and brings over five years of experience in compliance, regulatory, and risk experience to Aspect Advisors. He has significant experience providing strategic consulting services to individuals, startup and emerging companies, financial technology firms, enterprises and institutions in the securities industry. In his role, he works with clients on regulatory reporting, policies and procedures, compliance training and testing, regulatory examination support, and other areas of their compliance programs.

Prior to joining the firm, he was a Program Manager at MarketCounsel, a regulatory compliance consultancy, and an Associate at Hamburger Law Firm, its affiliated securities law firm. He also has experience in civil enforcement matters, having represented the New Jersey Bureau of Securities in enforcement proceedings arising from violations of the state’s securities laws. In addition, Zach assisted with the investigation and prosecution of violations of industry regulations as a legal extern with FINRA’s Enforcement Division.

Zach earned a J.D. from Washington & Lee University School of Law and a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College, double majoring in American Studies and Government.

Jim Smith
Principal Consultant

Jim Smith is a Principal Consultant and brings over 30 years of compliance and regulatory experience to Aspect Advisors. His background includes working with broker dealers, registered investment advisers, private and registered funds. Jim has deep experience in the areas of regulatory exams, annual reviews, compliance culture, policies and procedures, compliance and risk training programs, performance marketing and advertising, testing programs, and mentoring compliance professionals. 

Prior to joining Aspect, Jim was a senior compliance consultant at Core Compliance & Legal Services, where he focused on investment adviser, broker-dealer, and private fund compliance programs. Prior to this, Jim was a member of the compliance team at Charles Schwab, where he focused on implementation of an enterprise-level compliance program and appropriate controls and the development of a firm-wide training program including operational risk, corporate compliance, broker-dealer, financial crimes, and information security, training 20K+ personnel on an annual basis. Jim has served as chief compliance officer with a number of large financial services firms during his career; most recently RS Investments, Inc. and BlackRock, Inc. 

Jim has held various securities licenses including Series 6, 7, 24, 26, 51 and 63, and is a current member of the National Society of Compliance Professionals (NSCP).  Jim has also been a presenter at industry conferences, and he volunteers within the community, serving as Co-President of his children’s Parent/Teacher organization (PTO) and Chairman of the School Accountability Committee (SAC). 

Alex Mendez
Compliance Analyst

Alex Mendez is a Compliance Consultant for Aspect Advisors. Before joining Aspect, Alex spent over 5 years as an Assistant District Attorney with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office in New York City. While a prosecutor, Alex handled a variety of criminal matters spanning the investigative stage to trial, most recently having worked on tax-related financial investigations and criminal prosecutions. While a law student, Alex was on the executive board of the Fordham International Law Journal and worked at Abrams Fensterman LLP on responses to federal civil investigative demands related to white-collar fraud. Alex brings his commitment to integrity and his skills and experience as an investigative attorney to Aspect Advisors to ensure a thorough and conscientious approach to treading complex and ever-changing regulatory landscapes.

Alex earned a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, and a B.A. from Duke University, double majoring in Political Science and Public Policy along with minoring in Classical Studies.

Michelle Perez
Compliance Analyst

Michelle Perez is a Compliance Analyst for Aspect Advisors.  Previously, she was a Recruiting Coordinator at Innovations PSI where she assisted in the recruiting process for various roles at top firms within the finance industry, ranging from Compliance and Audit personnel to C-level executives.

Michelle is currently enrolled at College of Marin and will be transferring to finish her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration  in the Fall of 2021, after which time she hopes to attend one of the many fantastic law schools in the Bay Area.

Diane Remer
Information Systems Manager

Diane Remer is the Information Systems Manager for Aspect Advisors. Her responsibilities at Aspect include overseeing IT infrastructure, managing endpoint and network security, and tending to any other technological or operational needs of the company.

Diane has over 10 years of IT experience and has worked for companies such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft. She has also been a project manager and operations manager at previous companies, which has taught her to prioritize long-term planning for scalability and how to stay cool headed in fast paced environments.

Diane earned a B.A. in Behavioral Sciences with a focus on Anthropology from San Jose State University. She is also an Apple Certified Macintosh Technician and Certified Casper Administrator.

Danielle Magaña
Operations Administrative Assistant

Danielle Magaña is Operations Administrative Assistant at Aspect Advisors. Previously, she worked in the non-profit sector as a Gift Processing Specialist for the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, where she supported the museum development team with its fundraising and database management needs.

Danielle holds a B.A. in History from San Francisco State University, and enjoys knitting and spending time with her cat, Tully.

Bart Mallon is a Co-Founder of Aspect Advisors and participates on our Advisory Board. He is also a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP, a successful boutique investment management law firm.

Bart has cultivated a successful career helping investment managers start and grow their businesses. His practice specializes in forming domestic and offshore hedge funds, private equity funds, and other types of pooled funds, as well as providing advice on management company operational issues, separately managed account structures, and registration and compliance matters. He is also the creator and manager of the prominent Hedge Fund Law Blog and has been quoted in a number of high-profile industry publications including the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Compliance Update, and Absolute Return + Alpha.

Karl Cole-Frieman
Advisory Board

Karl Cole-Frieman is a Co-Founder of Aspect Advisors and participates on our Advisory Board. He is also a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP, a successful boutique investment management law firm.

Karl has become a recognized authority in the compliance consulting industry. His extensive resume boasts of years of advising clients on critical transactional, operational and regulatory matters. His experience includes serving as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of an SEC-registered hedge fund manager and Associate General Counsel of a multi-strategy hedge fund. He specializes in the formation of hedge funds, private equity funds, and other types of pooled investment vehicles.