Team
Madani Boukalba
Co-Founder and CEO
Madani brings over 15 years of institutional experience in capital markets. As a former Senior Trader at CDPQ, he specialized in risk analysis, market strategies, and tokenization technologies. At CDPQ, he was renowned for establishing industry benchmarks and driving strategic innovation. Madani's leadership at T-RIZE is pivotal in integrating real estate and private credit into cutting-edge blockchain solutions.
Kaiwen Zhang Ph.D
Chairman T-RIZE Labs, Head of T-RIZE Technology Research Chair
Professor Kaiwen Zhang serves as a professor at ÉTS Montréal where he specializes in Software and IT Engineering. Holding a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, he also completed an Alexander von Humboldt postdoctoral fellowship in Computer Science at the TU Munich from 2015 to 2017. He leads pioneering research in blockchain technologies focused on tokenization, federated learning, and distributed systems. His significant contributions to major conferences like IEEE ICDCS and ACM Middleware have helped set industry standards.
Eduardo Furtado, M.Eng.
Founding Partner, CTO
Eduardo is an expert in Distributed Ledger Technology, Cyber Security, and complex systems architecture. He began his tech journey more than 20 years ago and holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science and Master's degree in Software Engineering.
Eduardo is recognized for his hands-on expertise in full-stack development, software design, innovative blockchain applications that significantly impact the industry, and for being a polyglot in human and computer languages.
Michael Duchesne, M.Eng
Founding Partner, Head of AI & Web3
Michael holds a Master’s degree in Software Engineering from ÉTS. He focuses on Machine Learning and Blockchain, particularly in Federated Learning and Decentralized Finance (DeFi). Michael combines his practical experience and theoretical knowledge to lead projects that push the boundaries of data privacy and transaction security.
Thien Duy Tran, M.Sc. CFA, CAIA
Founding Partner, Director & Head Product Strategy
Thien brings extensive financial expertise from his former role as an investment consultant for pension funds, foundations, and endowments. He holds CFA and CAIA charters along with a Master’s degree in Financial Engineering. His robust background in strategic asset allocation, financial modeling and market research has recently led him to specialize in DeFi, Web3, and RWA Tokenization. Over the last four years, he has leveraged his deep institutional finance knowledge and embraced cutting-edge technologies to develop new innovative product strategies.
Helmi Trabelsi, M.Eng.
Head Blockchain
Helmi brings over seven years of specialized blockchain experience from École de Technologie Supérieure. His work includes enhancing Hyperledger Fabric to improve system efficiency and security, and he has been instrumental in developing advanced personal data tokenization systems.
Yahya Shahsavari Ph.D
AI & DLT Technology Architect
Dr. Yahya Shahsavari is an esteemed expert in cybersecurity, AI, and blockchain. After earning his Ph.D. from ÉTS and serving as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Montreal, he has made notable contributions to the industry as a distinguished reviewer for IEEE and consultant, leveraging his academic expertise to tackle complex challenges.
Jeremy Larente LLB, MBA
General Counsel
Attorney Larente, specializing in corporate restructuring and tax planning, brings a focused approach to mergers, acquisitions, and optimizing fiscal structures at T-RIZE. Holding an LLB and an MBA from Université de Sherbrooke, his ongoing study for a Master’s in Taxation is enhancing his ability to navigate complex tax laws effectively.
Isabelle Godin
Head of Branding
Isabelle has over 15 years of branding and marketing experience, leading strategic initiatives that position T-RIZE prominently in the financial sector. She specializes in elevating brand visibility and market impact, contributing to significant growth in brand equity.
Andrée-Anne Godin
Organizational Resources Strategist
Andrée-Anne brings a decade of HR expertise, focusing on transformative strategies that enhance talent management and organizational efficiency. She aligns HR practices with business goals, significantly improving workforce engagement and operational excellence.
Daniel Bisaillon
Director
Daniel has over 25 years of institutional experience in capital markets, specializing in strategic partnerships and market dynamics. As Head Trader at CDPQ with over CAD 430B in assets under management, he plays a crucial role in developing strategic alliances and implementing significant financial initiatives. His extensive institutional network and his expertise in navigating market complexities is now instrumental in advancing T-RIZE’s financial strategies.
Raghda Selmi
Marketing and Design Coordinator
Raghda excels in UX/UI design, with a deep understanding of user needs, enhancing T- RIZE’s digital interfaces for optimal user engagement. With three years of experience, she help with the coordination of marketing efforts, ensuring campaigns are both aesthetically compelling and sound, leading to measurable engagement.
Advisors
Etienne Phaneuf
Institutional Infrastructure
Etienne has over 25 years of experience in finance and technology for financial institution, and is currently CEO of ArchES Computing Systems. His 19-years leadership as former ITG Canada President and his expertise in FPGA-based hardware have been crucial in major strategic projects, focusing on bridging technology and finance through innovative infrastructure solutions.
Amine Radhouane, M.Sc. CFA
Real Estate
Amine brings over 15 years of institutional financial expertise, holding a Master’s in Financial Engineering and CFA credentials. He specializes in strategic asset allocation, financial modeling, and complex challenges in commercial real estate and private credit financing. Previously, he served as a Credit Director at Otéra Capital (CDPQ), a major North American institutional player in commercial real estate debt, managing assets exceeding CAD 30B. His great analytical skills and risk management skillset are crucial in driving T-RIZE's initiatives, particularly in the MENA region.
Daniel Pye
Web3 Partnerships
Daniel Pye is a passionate Web3 Project Manager with over six years of experience in the blockchain industry. He has a strong background in digital marketing, project management, and ecosystem building, with a proven track record of leading high-impact initiatives across Canada and beyond. He has led major projects at 3iQ, significantly boosting visibility and engagement for flagship digital asset products like the Bitcoin and Ethereum Staking ETFs.