Karim Jaroudi
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
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Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance & Accounting
Sam Houston State University
Robert John Lee is the Vice President of Financial Analytics and Growth Development for ZT Corporate. Mr. Lee is a highly analytical, competitive professional with experience in accounting, operations, sales, inventory control, employee compliance, payroll reporting, budgeting, invoicing, payments, HR analytics, and customer service. He also acts as the liaison to ZT Group Business Center One. Before joining ZT Corporate in 2010, he was a Level III Accounting Clerk at Transocean and an Operations Manager for Absolute Fabrication. At Absolute, a commercial installation startup, he began as a bookkeeper, managing accounts payable and receivable, a payroll with a maximum of 15 employees, and collection activities. Due to the caliber of his work at Absolute, Mr. Lee was promoted to Operations Manager. Prior to building his accounting career, he served for eight years with the US Marine Corps, where he worked both domestically and internationally in management and oceanography, as well as meteorology analysis and forecasting. Over his military career, he advanced rapidly to the level of Sergeant, with increasing responsibilities and commendations for exemplary performance. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in Business from North Harris Montgomery Community College and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where he was inducted into the International Honor Society.
Master of Human Resource Management
University of Phoenix
Master of Business Administration, Global Management
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science, Marketing
University of Phoenix
Professional in Human Resource Certification
Society of Human Resource Management
General Lines Insurance License
State of Texas
Tadessa Johnson-Williams serves as Vice President of Human Resources for ZT Corporate. Ms. Williams is a Certified Human Resource Professional with more than 15 years of experience supporting the strategic initiatives of Altus Community Healthcare Management and ZT Corporate, where, since 2011, she has worked to develop and manage strategic human resources functions and initiatives to support human capital within the organization. During her tenure as HR Director at ZT Corporate, she has successfully created congruent human capital management processes across the organization’s 23 entities. Her team provides concierge-level service to more than 1,200 employees on a daily basis.
Before joining ZT, Ms. Williams was a Regional Human Resource Consultant for TriNet, where she consulted with small to mid-sized businesses, offering strategies related to human capital management and risk mitigation. She served in similar roles for ADP TotalSource, Advantec, and Gevity. Ms. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, a Master of Science in Human Resource Management, and a Master of Business Administration in Global Management, all from the University of Phoenix. She is a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certified by the Society of Human Resource Management.
Master of Science, Human Resources Management
Houston Baptist University
Bachelor of Arts, Corporate Communications with a Minor in International Business
Houston Baptist University
Uyen Chiang works as a Marketing & Event Coordinator at ZT Corporate. Her role involves working with the executive management team to identify, develop, implement, and assess strategic marketing and branding activities that support the company’s goals and objectives. She is in charge of creating marketing collateral, managing the company’s social media, and leading large-scale client events, including conferences, trade shows, executive summits and retreats, sales meetings, incentive trips, product launches, and training. In addition, she also oversees the planning and logistics for a nonprofit organization, Altus Foundation’s annual gala in Houston, which raised more than $1M in 2018.
After coming on board with ZT Corporate in 2016, Ms. Chiang collaborated with different departments to launch a number of projects and most recently spearheaded ZT’s rebranding campaign. She currently works closely with ZT’s Private Equity division and directs the creative design and PR teams.
Prior to ZT, she served as an Account Executive with Adecco Group North America, where she was responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality recruitment to a group of assigned clients. Ms. Chiang holds a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications with a Minor in International Business from the University of Houston and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Houston Baptist University.
Doctor of Law
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science & Government
San Diego State University
Nasir Pasha is the founder and managing attorney of Pasha Law, PC and serves as outside general counsel to ZT Corporate and its portfolio and affiliated entities, including Altus Community Healthcare. In this role, Mr. Pasha advises executive leadership on corporate governance, healthcare and business transactions, compliance management, legal risk management, litigation oversight, contracting, billing and collection matters, and the coordination of internal and external legal resources.
Mr. Pasha has built his practice around providing practical, business-oriented legal counsel to closely held and growth-oriented companies, with a particular focus on healthcare, technology, corporate operations, and long-term outside general counsel relationships. Through Pasha Law, PC, he and his team support ZT Corporate and its related businesses across a broad range of legal and operational needs, helping ensure that complex matters are managed efficiently and brought to the best possible resolution.
Mr. Pasha earned his J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from San Diego State University. He is licensed to practice law in California, Illinois, New York, and Texas. Outside of his legal practice, he is a hobbyist coder and remains involved in volunteer and advocacy efforts on behalf of displaced refugees from around the world.
Master of Business & Information Technology, Finance
Fordham University, Gabelli School of Business
Bachelor of Commerce
University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Najeeha Ghias manages day-to-day operations and investor relations communications in the company’s Private Equity (PE) division and serves as a liaison between PE and other departments/teams. In her role, she works with CPAs and internal auditors and collaborates with executive management, legal attorneys, and the accounting team. Before joining ZT Corporate in 2014, she worked as an Auditor and Risk Analyst for the National Bank of Pakistan, where she also acted as a liaison with information systems auditors as well as the company’s regional audit offices. She holds a Master of Business and Information Technology with a concentration in Finance from the University of the Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan and a Bachelor of Commerce, also from the University of the Punjab. She is a Certified Associate of the Institute of Bankers Pakistan, and, during her tenure at the Lahore-based bank, earned a Distinction in Business Communication. Passionate about service, Ms. Ghias has contributed as a volunteer with the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, where she helped with data management for the Pathology Department during an annual internal audit.
Arthur Chiu is a Senior Relationship Manager at ZT Corporate, where he partners with high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and professionals to provide access to exclusive private equity investments focused on consistent cash flow, diversification, and long-term value.
Prior to joining ZT, Arthur held leadership roles at Bank of America as a Senior Lending Officer and Relationship Manager. Based in the Irvine and greater Orange County area, he built a strong reputation for guiding affluent clients through complex lending and wealth strategies. His performance and client-focused approach earned him President’s Club honors, recognizing him as one of the top producers nationally.
Now based out of ZT’s Newport Beach office, Arthur plays a key role in the firm’s West Coast expansion, helping bridge institutional-grade private equity offerings with the personalized service and long-term relationships that clients value.
With over 15 years of experience in real estate investment and a strong foundation in luxury retail, Ahmed Khan brings a unique blend of market insight, client relationship expertise, and business acumen to ZT Private Equity. His track record in building businesses with brands like Zegna, LVMH, Rolex and navigating dynamic markets allows him to identify opportunities and create long-term value for clients and partners.
At ZT, Ahmed channels this experience to drive growth, strengthen investor relations, and help expand the firm’s presence—especially in the Las Vegas market.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance
University of Oklahoma
Javed Iqbal is a skilled management professional who has had outstanding success building and maintaining relationships with key client decision-makers and establishing large-volume, high-profit accounts with excellent levels of retention and loyalty. During his tenure at ZT Corporate, Mr. Iqbal has initiated and established personalized client relationships and maintained strategic dialogue with investor partners while raising capital for ZT partnerships and funds. In addition to these efforts, Mr. Iqbal also oversees the execution and implementation of client partnership agreements for smooth onboarding.
Before joining ZT Corporate, Mr. Iqbal served for more than a decade as the Vice President of Business Development for Transnational Inc., a Los Angeles-based specialty publishing company. He began his career on Wall Street at United Bank in New York, where he served as a Business Development Officer. Mr. Iqbal earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Oklahoma, where he was listed in the Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities list.
He currently sits on the board of the Houston Community College Foundation (HCCF). Mr. Iqbal’s development focus is primarily geared towards professional trade organization, the Association of Physicians of Pakistani-Descent of North America (APPNA), where he helps with key account management and represents ZT Corporate. He is fluent in English, Urdu, and Punjabi.
As a Director in ZT Corporate’s Private Equity practice, Chihiro cultivates enduring relationships by aligning investor needs with investment opportunities across ZT’s diverse projects. His journey with ZT Corporate began after a successful career in real estate, where he spearheaded deals from acquisition to disposition. Notably, he facilitated capital formation efforts that resulted in $29 million of acquisitions and nearly 600 multifamily units. Chihiro is also a limited partner across various asset classes, shaping his career through resourcefulness, resilience, and the simplification of operational complexity.
Prior to his venture into private equity, Chihiro served as a Business Analytics Manager at Toyota Financial Services. In this role, he applied analytical approaches to enhance loyalty and marketing ROI for both Lexus and Toyota. He also played a pivotal part in establishing marketing infrastructure for Mazda Financial Services.
Chihiro holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a BS from the University of California, Berkeley.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Management
University of Houston
Nuruddin (Nick) Mehdi is a seasoned business leader with over three decades of experience in operations, business development, and strategic growth. As the Vice President of Operations and Business Development at ZT Corporate, Nick plays a pivotal role in expanding the firm’s private equity portfolio, fostering investor relationships, and optimizing operational efficiencies.
With a deep-rooted understanding of the financial landscape, Nick specializes in cultivating long-term partnerships with high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, and business leaders. His ability to identify market opportunities and align investor needs with strategic investment solutions has been instrumental in driving capital growth and strengthening ZT Corporate’s investment platform.
Nick’s expertise extends beyond private equity—he is a successful entrepreneur who has built, scaled, and exited multiple businesses, giving him a first-hand understanding of the financial needs and challenges business owners face. He previously managed and was a partner in over 180 Cricket Wireless stores across six states, providing him with invaluable experience in scaling operations, strategic decision-making, and capital allocation. This background allows him to relate to business clients on a deeper level, helping them navigate investment opportunities that align with their financial goals. Nick also sits on the board of a publicly traded company in the OTC market.
A long-time resident of Sugar Land, Texas, Nick has spent the past 26 years building strong connections within the Greater Houston business community. His leadership is defined by a results-driven approach, integrity, and a commitment to delivering sustainable financial solutions that create long-term value for investors and business owners alike.
Kevin Gandhi joined ZT Corporate in 2011, where he currently serves as an Executive Vice President for the Private Equity Division, managing client relationships and communicating on their investment portfolio performance. Prior to joining the private equity division in 2015, Kevin managed the residential property portfolio of ZT Leasing, which included multiple residential properties across the US.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance & Accounting
Roger Manghnani is the Managing Partner of the ZT New York Office. He is focused on business development and creates growth for high-net worth individuals. Prior to ZT, Manghnani was Vice President of Client Relationships at JP Morgan and an Associate of Institutional Equities and Head of Operations at Global Macro Hedge Fund. He is known as a quick problem solver and an excellent networker. With his vast professional network and exceptional work ethic, Roger is an essential part of the New York office.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Management
University of Houston
Azhar Hirani is a hands-on investor, advisor, and mentor to numerous physicians in his role as ZT Corporate’s Senior Managing Director, a role in which he is focused on onboarding new clients while serving as a relationship manager to limited partners who invest in ZT Corporate’s portfolio of companies. Since joining ZT in 2007, he has advanced from positions as a Client Service and Investment Associate to Assistant Vice President and now Vice President of Private Equity. In his current role, he manages the Private Equity Sales team, which involves relationship management, advising and educating retail clients on new private investments, analyzing private equity portfolios, and oversight of clients’ invested capital in internal private projects. He also manages, raises, and drives strategic business development for the firm. Passionate about business, marketing, and sales, Mr. Hirani maintains deep expertise in high-ticket sales and has a record of success in sourcing capital and acquiring new customers. He also plays a key role in team development and enjoys mentoring Junior Private Equity Associates. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of Houston.
PhD, Predictive Analytics
Walden University
Master of Business Administration, International Finance
Harvard Business School
Program for Management Development
Harvard Business School
Dr. Rick Click brings more than 20 years of extensive experience in healthcare technology and operations to the table. As Chief Operating Officer of Health Essentials, Dr. Click had oversight of medical group operations, information technology, program and product implementation, and clinical operations support. Prior to joining Health Essentials, he served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Molina Health (a FORTUNE 500 company that provides government-sponsored healthcare programs for qualified families and individuals), contributing to the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective healthcare to over 5 million members across 15 states.
Dr. Click holds a PhD in Predictive Analytics from Walden University, a PMD from Harvard Business School, and an MBA with a concentration in International Finance. Dr. Click is certified in Project Management, Change Acceleration Process, and holds a Six Sigma Black Belt business certification.
Bachelor of Science, Information Systems Engineering
University of Westminster London, United Kingdom
Mohsin Malik joined ZT Corporate in 2011 and plays a vital role in driving business development and strategic growth across the organization. As Vice President of Private Equity & Corporate Relationships, he excels at building new relationships while maintaining long-standing physician and client partnerships to ensure ZT Corporate consistently meets evolving client needs.
Since joining ZT, Mohsin has contributed significantly to the firm’s growth by bringing new clients to the Private Equity division, serving as a key point of contact for new markets in development, and supporting private equity initiatives through capital-raising efforts leveraging his extensive network.
Mohsin provides oversight of all ZT Corporate nonprofit initiatives, including serving as Vice President of the Altus Foundation and volunteering as a Project Leader for the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA).
An avid athlete with a storied background as a youth cricket player in England, Mohsin also serves as President of ZT Athletics.
Kaleem Siddiqui, Altus VP Supply Chain, brings over 15 years of experience in healthcare supply chain management. During his tenure at Emerus, he was a key leader in the development and launch of more than 35 micro-hospitals across the country. He guided the organization through rapid expansion and historic supply shortages, while positioning Emerus’s strategic, centralized supply chain model as an industry benchmark. Following his time at Emerus, he served as the Head of Global Logistics, Inventory, and Warehousing at Noble Drilling Services, the world’s largest offshore drilling company.
Darleen Callahan is the Vice President of Revenue Cycle. She resides in Cypress, Texas now but grew up in a small town in upstate New York. Her early start in medical billing was answering phones and checking in patients in an Ear, Nose and Throat medical office. During her time in New York, she held various positions in medical billing, contracting and revenue cycle management. Being a Provider Relations representative at BCBS gave her perspective of the insurance claims processing side of medical billing. She was part of an ICD-10 Talk Ten Radio Program, an EPIC implementation team lead and authored a Patient Financial Guide that was used in the network hospital patient education program while in New York.
After relocating to Texas, Darleen experienced free standing emergency centers for the first time. In the last six years, she has been able to develop her knowledge and understanding of the challenges they face. She has used her skills and experience to grow and sustain revenues in her last Director role at RTMC. Throughout her career, Darleen has focused on operational efficiency, strategic planning, performance management and professional development for her teams. She focuses on streamlining performance, optimizing workflows and team building.
You will find Darleen either on one of her horses or with her dogs when she has some free time. She grew up riding and competing horses in Eventing and Dressage. These days she prefers to teach others how to ride but still attends competitions a few times a year. Darleen is also a big supporter of dog rescue and has fostered many dogs and puppies over the past few years.
Inam is a seasoned healthcare operations executive with 18 years of experience leading hospital systems, Free-Standing Emergency Departments, and specialty care facilities. Having served as COO and CFO, Inam brings deep expertise in clinical operations, patient safety, regulatory compliance, patient satisfaction, and financial performance.
Known as a hands-on, people-centered leader, Inam has led teams across U.S. and international healthcare systems and supported the construction and launch of emergency centers, cancer hospitals, and global physician staffing initiatives. Inam holds an MBA in Accounting from the University of Houston and combines strategic insight with operational excellence to drive sustainable, high-quality healthcare delivery.
Dr. Khalid Siddiqui, Altus Chief Medical Officer, offers over 25 years of experience as an emergency medicine physician and healthcare executive, overseeing multiple emergency medicine, ICU and hospital programs across Florida. He previously served as Chair of Emergency Medicine at Aga Khan University Hospital and held key leadership roles at Team Health and Winter Haven Hospital, where he specialized in strategic decision-making, patient-centered leadership, and financial discipline.
With over three years of experience supporting C-suite executives, Chloe manages the Operating Partner’s projects and oversees staff operations at headquarters. She streamlines processes, supports strategic initiatives across the platform, and coordinates quarterly General Manager meetings as well as dealer events. Chloe plays a key role in fostering strong relationships with bank lenders, manufacturers, and partners while ensuring smooth daily corporate operations.
David Marrero is the Corporate Trainer at ZT Automotive, bringing over 20 years of experience in automotive finance, business development, corporate training, and retail operations. He has led training programs in sales, finance and insurance, compliance, and leadership development, helping organizations enhance workforce performance and operational efficiency.
Before joining ZT Automotive, Mr. Marrero held leadership roles at Safeguard Products International, Gulf States Financial Services, Daimler Chrysler Financial Services, and Toyota Financial Services, where he designed and implemented training initiatives, developed operational procedures, and built high-performing teams. His automotive retail experience includes senior leadership positions at Holt Fiat, Audi Fort Worth, and North Hills Toyota.
He also has served in the National Security Agency as a Military Intelligence Cryptanalyst in Panama, leading regional cryptanalysis efforts and developing a foundation in strategic analysis and operational leadership.
At ZT Automotive, Mr. Marrero oversees corporate training programs that support the company’s strategic initiatives, drive employee development, and strengthen organizational performance across all divisions.
Lucho Vizcardo is a Human Resources Transformation Leader with over 20 years of progressive experience overseeing complex, multi-state, and international HR operations within the energy, manufacturing, and technology sectors. His extensive expertise encompasses M&A integration, HRIS transformation, total rewards strategy, global mobility, and talent development.
Prior to joining ZT Automotive, Mr. Vizcardo served as Regional Head of International Human Resources at Nabors Industries, where he led people and culture strategies across multiple regions and implemented key operational enhancements. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Lima and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University.
In his new role at ZT Automotive, Mr. Vizcardo will oversee the transformation of the Human Resources function, advance the organization’s talent strategy, and drive initiatives designed to enhance workforce performance in support of ZT Automotive’s long-term growth and strategic vision.
Ivan Cerna is an accomplished Internal Audit Manager with over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, working with both private companies and Fortune 500 organizations, including AutoNation and Asbury Automotive Group. His expertise spans internal audit, fraud prevention, fixed operations, lender relations, and operational oversight.
Prior to joining ZT Automotive, Mr. Cerna spent more than a decade at Asbury Automotive Group, where he strengthened collaboration between corporate and field operations and delivered significant improvements in audit processes and operational performance.
Earlier in his career, he gained global experience as an International Convention Manager and Trainer with Marriott International. Having studied and lived abroad, Mr. Cerna brings a global perspective, a deep appreciation for cultural diversity, and a strong commitment to continuous learning, all of which inform his leadership approach and strategic contributions at ZT Automotive.
Babar has over a decade of experience in IT and operations within the automotive retail sector. He specializes in operational efficiency, cost reduction, and technology standardization across multiple locations. His initiatives include cybersecurity enhancements, network upgrades, software licensing optimization, and vendor contract consolidation. He also implemented ZT’s centralized ticketing and reporting system to improve visibility and responsiveness group wide.
Jaqueline brings 15+ years of expertise in retail management, CRM, and strategic planning. She has led multi-unit retail operations in Northern California and managed flagship locations for LVMH’s Fendi and Tory Burch in San Francisco. At ZT Automotive, she oversees the customer experience across Sales and Service, driving growth through CRM innovation and strategic initiatives that enhance every customer touchpoint.
Ray has over a decade of automotive leadership experience with Group 1 Automotive, Sonic Automotive, and Snell Motor Company. He has held leadership positions at top dealerships including Sterling McCall Lexus, Land Rover Southwest Houston, and JLR Dallas. A four-time Group 1 Chairman’s Award winner, including multiple Luxury Pre-Owned Department of the Year awards at Sterling McCall Lexus.
With 19 years of experience in fixed operations, Mustafa has held leadership roles at Asbury Automotive Group and Napleton Automotive Group. As Regional Fixed Operations Director, he managed over $220M in annual revenue, implementing strategies to optimize performance and profitability.
With more than 30 years of blue-chip automotive experience, Ricardo has led large-scale operations across North and Central Texas. As Market Director at Group 1 Automotive for over eight years, he consistently delivered operational excellence and market growth.
Hammad brings 20+ years of expertise in finance and accounting, including serving as Regional Finance Head for Siemens. His global experience spans multiple countries, providing a strong foundation for strategic financial leadership.
Zeeshan Shaikh serves as the President for ZT Corporate’s automotive portfolio entity, ZT Motors, one of the nation’s top minority-owned auto groups. Shaikh, born and raised in Dubai before moving to the U.S. at 17 years old, has a passion for results-driven entrepreneurship. He credits his success to his upbringing in Dubai where he learned to navigate an international and diverse business community at a young age. Being able to understand different cultures and perspectives has been the foundation of successful negotiations and dealmaking throughout his career.
Shaikh recently joined ZT Corporate, one of the leading private equity firms in the Houston area. In his role, he is focused on developing and driving the strategy for ZT Motors’ business plan, creating operational excellence amongst dealerships, and identifying new areas of expansion that create value for the portfolio. He brings a personal passion for implementing proven and emerging technologies that enhance the ZT Motors dealership experience, both for the end customer as well as the operational teams.
Before joining ZT Corporate, Shaikh spearheaded a successful startup company that developed a digital platform focused on boosting relationships and loyalty between automotive retailers and their customer base. Prior to that, he served as Manager, Pre-Owned Operations and F&I Compliance at Group 1 Automotive, an international Fortune 300 automotive retailer. During this time, he developed the pre-owned operations and processes within the corporate office, launched the Val-U-Line project (a proprietary brand for high mileage pre-owned vehicles), built an internal online buying center with an upgraded internal auction capability, implemented a new transportation infrastructure, developed a pre-owned vehicle pricing platform, and enhanced technologies and processes. He also managed the launch of the audit functions within the company’s UK and Brazil operations. Earlier in his career, he held positions at PKF Texas, Chicago Bridge & Iron and IBM Global Process Services.
In addition to his work in the automotive sector, Shaikh is a successful entrepreneur operating several restaurant and hospitality locations in the Greater Houston area. One example is FiLLi Café, a tea and restaurant experience from Dubai. Shaikh launched three locations in the market that now generate more than $1.5 million in annual sales.
Shaikh has been conducting business and fostering relationships in Houston for more than 20 years. In addition to his deep connections within the business community, he also believes in giving back and volunteering his time a local nonprofits like Kids’ Meals. In his new leadership role at ZT Motors, he will have oversight of community engagement programs where each of ZT’s nine automotive dealerships operate.
He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting & Management Information Systems from the University of Oklahoma.
Wajid Mirza, Founding Partner of Altus Healthcare & Advisor to CEO, is a recognized thought leader in the new venture launch, finance transformation and business performance measurement fields with over 30 years of management and consulting experience with Fortune 100 corporations across the world. He is the managing partner at Arthur Lawrence LP, a global management and technology consulting firm.
Master of Science, Global Finance
Fordham University, Gabelli School of Business
Bachelor of Science, Finance
Bachelor of Science, Finance
University of West Georgia
As an Investment Associate with ZT Corporate, Mr. Ju is an integral part of the company’s private equity deal team on the buy/sell-side of transactions. He specializes in healthcare and auto dealerships, performing valuation analyses and financial modeling for portfolio entities going through M&A activity on both the buy and sell sides. In his work for ZT Corporate, he creates CIM, pitchbooks, private placement, and other deal collateral; leads confirmatory diligence workstream; develops financial models; works with the investment team to create investment cases and model investment theses; consults with the portfolio management team to guide and influence long term and strategic decision making, and manages the financial analysts.
Mr. Ju joined the company in 2018, after serving as a private equity associate for three years with the Woodlake Group in New York City. There, he specialized in the education, industrial, and healthcare industries, involved in financial modeling, conducting research and deal origination, and portfolio management.
Mr. Ju holds an MS in Finance from Fordham University and a BS in Finance from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level III Candidate and is fluent in both English and Mandarin.
Senior Associate, Investments
Master of Science, Finance and Information System
The Johns Hopkins University
Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Finance and Mathematics-Economics
University of Pittsburgh
As an Investment Senior Associate with ZT Corporate, Mr Gao is responsible for assisting in performing the tasks of evaluating the performance of potential investments and conducting due diligence as well as perform quantitative analysis of specific transactions.
Prior to joining ZT Corporate, Ken Gao served as an Equity Research Associate at Tigress Financial Partners LLC. His responsibilities include assisting with the coverage of sector through analysis of the industry macro trends and company financials. Mr. Gao provides analytical support by maintaining and updating financial and valuation models. Mr. Gao was also responsible for writing and publishing initial coverage and research update on Chinese ADRs.
Mr. Gao received two M.S. in Finance and Information Systems from Johns Hopkins University and two B.S. in Accounting, Finance and Mathematics-Economics from University of Pittsburgh. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Enrolled Agent (EA). He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level II Candidate and is fluent in both English and Mandarin. Mr. Gao holds FINRA Licenses: Series 7, 63, 86 and 87.
Howard Levine, Chief Business Officer and Managing Partner, Miami, brings deep expertise from over 15 years in senior banking leadership, most recently serving as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Consumer Banking Officer at Amerant Bank. In his new role at ZT, Levine will lead the firm’s Miami expansion, with a focus on developing strategic partnerships, optimizing operations, and advancing stakeholder relationships. He is widely respected for his collaborative leadership approach and ability to align teams and investors around long-term value creation.
Ron Lieberman serves as a strategic advisor to the ZT Corporate Chairman and CEO, bringing more than 30 years of experience in finance, operations, and public‑private partnerships. As Executive Vice President at The Trump Organization, he oversees financial management, insurance strategy, and major development initiatives across the company’s golf and real estate portfolio. Ron applies his deep expertise in complex projects and organizational oversight to support ZT Corporate’s growth, risk evaluation, and long‑term strategic planning.
Shayan brings over 12 years of experience as a finance and transformation executive that is spread across working with private equity sponsors, boards, and management teams to drive value creation across multi-entity platforms.
Shayan began his professional journey in journalism before transitioning early-on into management consulting where he advised senior leadership teams on enterprise-level financial, operational, and technology transformation initiatives. Over time, he has performed deeply embedded leadership roles within PE-backed environments, supporting initiatives focused on cash flow optimization, margin expansion, finance modernization, and exit readiness.
Shayan’s background spans mid-sized enterprises across automotive, wholesale distribution, healthcare, manufacturing, and oil and gas. Most recently, he was leading a finance transformation practice at Arthur Lawrence, a global management and technology consulting firm, serving in a Managing Director capacity where he drove 100% growth in the practice during his tenure.
Amanda brings more than 20 years of leadership experience building high-performing teams and strong cultures across complex, multi-unit organizations. For the past 13 years, she held senior leadership roles with Prada, where she led multi-state portfolios and large teams while consistently delivering growth, strengthening leadership pipelines, and elevating organizational performance. Prior to Prada, Amanda developed her leadership foundation across other global luxury brands, gaining deep expertise in people leadership, operational discipline, and talent development.
As Chief People Officer, Amanda will lead ZT’s enterprise people strategy, with a focus on culture, leadership development, organizational design, and performance alignment across the portfolio.
Ali Tariq is a strategic finance leader with deep expertise in healthcare finance, including M&A (buy-side and sell-side), credit structuring, and core financial operations. He brings a systems-level perspective to complex financial challenges, translating sophisticated concepts into clear, actionable strategies.
Ali is recognized for integrating financial, operational, and policy considerations to drive growth and resilience across healthcare platforms. Whether deploying capital for high-growth ventures or guiding freestanding emergency centers through evolving reimbursement models, he combines analytical rigor with a keen eye for structural efficiency. Ali is a trusted partner in shaping high-stakes financial strategies and advancing innovation.
Judy Ku, Chief Performance & Operations Officer, brings 25 years of expertise in client relations management, business development, sales, and marketing, with experience at Giorgio Armani and LVMH. With involvement in foundation and philanthropic work, she will play a key role in shaping ZT’s customer experience strategy, driving innovative initiatives, and strengthening relationships across all industries ZT serves. Her leadership and deep understanding of luxury and high-touch client engagement will help foster long-term success and meaningful community connections.
Baber Sheikh is the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at ZT Corporate, a prominent Houston-based private investment firm with holdings in healthcare services and franchise automotive dealerships. As CIO, Baber spearheads the firm’s M&A activities, overseeing all acquisitions and divestitures across ZT’s portfolio. He joined ZT in 2023, bringing 20+ years of strategy, investment banking and transactions leadership experience across multiple industries.
Prior to joining ZT, Baber was a Senior Director in Strategy & Transactions at EY-Parthenon (strategy consulting arm of Ernst & Young LLP). He advised multiple Fortune 100 clients on M&A strategy and operational execution, driving complex buy-side and sell-side transactions.
Baber was previously an Investment Banker to the energy industry. He held investment banking positions with Raymond James, UBS, and Citigroup and was based in New York, Houston and London. He was instrumental in helping corporate and private equity clients achieve their growth and financial objectives through acquisitions, divestitures, and related strategic initiatives. He advised clients on identifying the right investors, partners and buyers for capital raises, joint ventures, and asset transactions. As an investment banker, Baber advised dozens of management teams and executed over $12 billion of M&A transactions and $70 billion of debt & equity offerings. He also helped multiple clients raise capital through IPOs.
Baber holds an MBA from Rice University and a B.A. in economics with a mathematics concentration from Haverford College.
Farhan Kasbati is the Chief Financial Officer at ZT Corporate, a prominent private equity firm headquartered in Houston, Texas. In this pivotal role, he spearheads the company’s strategic financial initiatives, overseeing acquisitions, financing, and divestments across the entire ZT Group portfolio.
Prior to his tenure at ZT Corporate, Farhan amassed invaluable experience at two of the world’s foremost audit firms, PwC LLP and EY LLP, where he honed his expertise in auditing cross sectoral clients. His remarkable journey led him to assume the position of Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at Saudi Aramco, where he played a pivotal role in orchestrating landmark transactions, including the historic Saudi Aramco IPO—the largest ever public offering.
Farhan is distinguished by his professional credentials, holding the esteemed designations of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). His academic journey culminated with a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the prestigious Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), solidifying his foundation in business management and finance.
With his unparalleled blend of experience, expertise, and academic acumen, Farhan Kasbati continues to drive innovation and excellence in the realm of corporate finance, cementing his legacy as a leader in the global financial landscape.
Farrukh Tariq brings over 21 years of extensive expertise spanning operations, business development, and finance across diverse sectors. With a knack for effective management, he adeptly navigates through varying market landscapes, showcasing his visionary leadership by pioneering innovative revenue growth strategies. Farrukh excels in orchestrating comprehensive business functions encompassing finance, sales, and HR, while steering diverse teams and spearheading successful sell-side transactions. Renowned for his achievement-oriented approach, he is a dynamic executor, leveraging analytical prowess and leadership acumen to tackle challenges head-on. Armed with a degree in Economics, Farrukh is a seasoned professional driven by a passion for delivering results.
INTRODUCTION
Currently serving as the Chief of Staff at ZT Corporate, ThuyLan Chang is the longest-standing female executive at the company and a partner in the firm. During her 14 years with the firm, ThuyLan previously served as Vice President, Business Manager to the Chief Executive Officer where she oversaw a variety of business projects that honed her skills in structured problem solving, outcome-oriented execution and executive level communications.
INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP
An integral part of ZT Corporate’s management team as Chief of Staff, ThuyLan is responsible for supporting and advancing the company’s mission while overseeing the day-to-day operations of the marketing and executive administration departments as well as special projects. She plays an active role in the execution of strategic initiatives for the Chairman and CEO and other members of senior leadership, helping drive significant impact on the company’s business objectives. In addition to her daily responsibilities, ThuyLan continues to play a significant role in the firm’s philanthropic efforts and internship program. In 2021, she was named one of Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business for the finance industry.
GENEROUS PHILANTHROPY
A passionate believer in corporate social responsibility and an ardent philanthropic supporter, ThuyLan donates her time as the Director of Marketing for the Altus Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has given back $10M+ in healthcare services to families that do not have access to first-class medical services. In addition, she oversees ZT Baseball, a 501(c)(3) organization with hundreds of teams across the U.S. that provides opportunities and exposure for the youth in our communities no matter their financial need.
Finally, ThuyLan oversees the largest and most extravagant annual black-tie event in Houston, ZT Corporate’s Chairman Gala, hosted by the company at the end of each year. She is responsible for editorial direction, design, production and distribution of all organization publications, including those leading up to gala, raising funds to support ZT Corporate’s foundations each year.
Nuruddin Ali, a Managing Partner in ZT Capital (a ZT Corporate company), leads the alternative investments and capital market functions for ZT Corporate and its affiliate businesses. In his role, he manages the Private Investment team, conducts project assessments, raises equity and debt for new projects, and structures deals with lenders. Ali also plays a pivotal role in business development and project & relationship management for ZT Corporate. He joined ZT in 2007, after serving as a Vice President at Bank of America.
Bachelor of Business Administration
University of Michigan
Kraig Killough is the Managing Director of Altus Community Healthcare, as well as a principal partner of ZT Corporate. He oversees all aspects of the company’s growth and performance. After joining ZT Corporate in 2002, he spearheaded the formation of multiple healthcare organizations at Altus Community Healthcare, ranging from acute care to post-acute care, while acting as a primary investor and partner with the company. Through his work as the Chief Operations Officer of Altus, he laid the foundation for the structure and operations of Altus Community Healthcare Management and grew the company from a staff of three to more than 1,000 employees. Prior to joining ZT, Killough was a Vice President with Morgan Stanley and served as a Compliance Principal for two office locations. With Morgan Stanley, he specialized in retirement and estate planning while managing more than $30 million in assets. His career began at the Private Clients Group (PCG) with Olde Discount Corporation; while there, he was promoted and transferred to Houston, where he assisted in opening what became the third largest PCG branch out of 200. Serving as a manager, Mr. Killough also directed the recruiting, hiring, and training of broker trainees for the company’s Southwest Texas region. Mr. Killough has served as the Political Actions Chair for Missouri City NAACP as well as the Board of Directors for the Chester Pitts Charitable Foundation, which assists youth by providing arts and cultural programs. He is also a Client Advisory Board member for TriNet HR Services and a member of the Board of Directors of the nonprofit organization Carson Park. He holds a bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management from the University of Michigan.
FINRA LICENSES: SERIES 7, 8, 63, 65
INTRODUCTION
Taseer Badar was born with the DNA of an entrepreneur. An immigrant from Pakistan, from an early age Taseer set his sights on a successful business career and to create opportunities. He began several small businesses in high school and college, where he learned how to build trust and exercise financial discipline. After finishing his BA in Entrepreneurship and Finance from Texas A&M University, he joined Morgan Stanley in New York. Taseer’s big picture focus and deep passion for the success of his clients built a tremendous amount of trust. During this time, he realized building an owner-operator private equity firm would yield higher returns, especially one that embodied his strong passion for customer service, drive for constant innovation, a selfless winning attitude and sharp focus on execution.
Taseer formed Houston-headquartered ZT Corporate in 1997 to offer unique investor-owner opportunities to clients. The company has a diverse and dynamic investment portfolio that it owns and operates primarily in the healthcare and automotive space. Its flagship operations include Altus Community Healthcare, a multi-disciplinary healthcare services provider, and ZT Motors, which provides the management expertise and capital to grow retail automobile dealerships. ZT Corporate has grown into a $1 billion business adding 50 plus individual businesses to its portfolio, with offices in Houston, New York City, Century City, Newport, and Los Angeles, as well as an upcoming office in Las Vegas.
In addition, philanthropy and industry development are key aspects of Taseer’s weekly focus to give back to the community ZT serves and inspire the next generation of business leaders. He is a board member for the Boys and Girls Club Southwest Region National Board of Trustees that enables young people to reach their full potential. Taseer also serves under the Dean’s Advisory Board at Texas A&M Mays School of Business, where he is in the position to inspire and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. To give back to his hometown of Houston, he sits on the Board of Directors for Houston Crime Stoppers that aims to reduce serious crime.
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
Taseer’s management approach entails adapting and evolving to ever-changing to market conditions. Internally at ZT Corporate, he terms his style as “changing the menu.” The approach has overcome enormous challenges to achieve continued portfolio growth year over year. For example, after the introduction of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, Taseer’s physician clients suggested an exit from the healthcare vertical, believing Altus Community Healthcare would not survive the regulatory changes. However, Taseer convinced his investors to double down on the opportunity and leveraged the challenge to create an opportunity and established Altus Accountable Care Entity (ACE) with the goal of providing increased quality of care, lower costs and improved patient population health. As a result, Altus has grown by over 300% over the last three years. He also hedged the risk by venturing into non-healthcare verticals such as automotive, real estate and restaurants.
Taseer attributes the success of ZT Corporate and Altus Community Healthcare to the employee empowerment model he champions, believing that true leadership and innovation only comes when his employees share his same passion and enthusiasm for the organization and investors. Breaking from the established corporate norms regarding leadership roles, his portfolio managers are young, dynamic entrepreneurial individuals from diverse backgrounds that play a very key role in the business. Taseer empowers each portfolio manager to build personal relationships with operators and investors, listening, coaching and sharing data-driven insights when appropriate.
Taseer’s original innovative ideas can be illustrated in both his overall go-to-market strategy as well as how he operates his companies. ZT and Altus are built upon an innovative business model that provides a platform to their physicians’ network with true financial security through prudent investment strategies and operational support. This allows physicians to properly manage their practices and provide the best-in-class patient care. Ultimately, ZT and Altus are on a mission to build “healthier communities by empowering physicians,” and are some of the only companies in the United States that provide such comprehensive service offerings to its physician network.
STRONG TRACK RECORD
Financially, the numbers strongly support the incredible level of success Taseer and ZT Corporate have achieved. The company has grown from $28M in portfolio revenues in 2008 to over $1B to date, expanding from a strictly healthcare portfolio to automotive, restaurants and wealth management. This allows ZT Corporate to hedge against the risk and returns associated with healthcare.
GIVING BACK
Taseer’s passion for the community is rooted deep within his businesses and nonprofits. He focuses his philanthropy on key initiatives that deliver lifechanging impact.
Financial giving to local organizations
Taseer provides monthly donations to Shifa Healthcare & Community services, a clinic founded in 1997 as part of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston that provides free social and medical services to the community. He is a regular contributor to Mercy Community Center, which provides a dynamic atmosphere for Houstonians to embrace life and Islam.
Supporting physicians of Pakistani descent
ZT Corporate is a proud corporate partner of the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Decent of North America (APPNA), whose nationwide reach allows ZT to provide educational support, charitable donations, and medical assistance across North America and Pakistan. Additionally, ZT Corporate provides two internships each year for children of APPNA members.
Furthering education in Pakistan
Taseer and ZT Corporate are proud contributors to The Citizen Foundation, a nonprofit currently operating 1,567 purpose-built school units in Pakistan’s urban slums and rural areas. Their team educates more than a quarter-million underprivileged children with 50% female enrollment.
Improving local healthcare
Taseer has set up healthcare systems, through Altus Healthcare, to give back and create an impact in communities that may not have access to first- class emergency care or other medical services. To date, the healthcare network has served thousands in communities across Texas and is one of the few care centers that accepts all insurances (including government) and has in-network contracts to reduce the cost of care to the patients. Additionally, Taseer has helped raise funds and made significant contributions to advance his passion for healthcare for all, which also provides millions in free healthcare for local communities. As of 2022, the Altus Foundation has provided over $10 million in healthcare services to individuals in need.
Youth advancement through sport
Taseer also created ZT Athletics, a 501 (c)3 organization with over 100 teams across the United States that provides opportunities and exposure for youth players no matter their financial need. Driven by his love for baseball, Taseer founded ZT Athletics in 2017, where he plays a hands-on role in molding young baseball talent into esteemed professionals, both on and off the field.
ZT Athletics provides a platform for youth athletes to showcase their talent in the sport while embracing the values of discipline, integrity, teamwork and sportsmanship. The players receive training and mentorship by gaining access to high-profile coaches and world-class facilities.
The program operates two premier training locations, Elite Academy (Houston, TX) and ZT Prospects Academy (Anaheim, CA) as well as facilities through ZT Parks (Pep Mueller Park – Houston, TX) and ZT Athletics Nation (Aviator Park – Mckinney, TX).