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Michael Palma
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
Michael began his career in 2002, working at leading Swiss private banks including Pictet, Credit Suisse, and Mirabaud. With experience in Geneva, London, and Dubai, he brings a global perspective to wealth management.
In 2023, he founded ELAIA Capital SA to build a modern, independent family office — combining structure and humanity in service of families and entrepreneurs.
His background in finance, professional sports, and entrepreneurship shapes a leadership style defined by clarity, integrity, and the ability to forge lasting relationships.
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Teodoro Diaz
DIRECTOR
Teodoro is a Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM) and a member of the Swiss Financial Analysts Association (SFAA), with over 20 years of experience advising high-net-worth clients at leading firms including Lombard Odier, Lloyds Private Banking, and UBS.
He brings deep expertise in serving both traditional and next-generation clients — from entrepreneurs to athletes and influencers — delivering tailored solutions with a commitment to exceptional service and long-term success.
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Laurent Samson
RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Laurent Samson has over 23 years of expertise in international wealth management.With a degree in business law and a Master's degree in Wealth Engineering, he began his career in private banking with major international banks BNP Paribas Private Banking and Dexia BIL in Luxembourg. He works with international UHNWI clients in Europe, Latin America and Asia.
In 2009, he decided to serve his clients directly by joining independent management companies.
Laurent has distinguished himself in several management and administrative positions at leading banks and family offices, where he has developed and consolidated his international wealth management expertise. His strong international network is a major asset in developing personalised solutions.
Trilingual in French, Spanish and English, he combines technical expertise, wealth management and tax strategy with a human approach.
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Damian Padua
RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Damian Padua has over 15 years of experience in private banking and wealth management, gained at leading institutions such as UBS and UBP Union Bancaire Privée in Zurich and Geneva.
Since 2018, he has created and managed several independent wealth management companies, demonstrating his entrepreneurial expertise in the sector.
A Certified Wealth Management Advisor (CWMA), he supports high net worth clients and entrepreneurial families with a comprehensive approach that integrates financial management, tax planning and wealth transfer. His recognised expertise, discretion and ability to build lasting relationships make him a trusted advisor at the crossroads of finance and strategic consulting.
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Caroline Zorn
WEALTH MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT
Caroline is a management assistant at Elaia Capital. She provides rigorous and professional support to the team and clients.She began her career in administration, where she gained solid experience in organisation, file tracking, and coordinating activities and teams. She then obtained a certification in wealth management.
Her career path demonstrates her versatility and ability to adapt to demanding and multicultural environments. She now brings her dual expertise to the company.
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Lenia Calhau
SECRETARY AND RECEPTIONIST
Lenia is the receptionist and secretary at ELAIA Capital, where she supports the team and clients with efficiency and professionalism.
She began her career in tourism, spending 9 years with a tour operator and developing strong skills in logistics, travel planning, and client relations. She later transitioned to the banking industry, where she worked for 8 years as a receptionist and administrative assistant, refining her expertise in coordination, priority management, and communication.
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Philippe Preite
MEMBER OF THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Philippe is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Technician (CFTe), with 20 years experience in international financial markets in different international banks across the world: 8 years experience in Europe (Switzerland), 5 years in Asia (Singapore) and since 2014 in Latin America (Panama).
Broker, Trader and Investment Consultant in Geneva (2001-2009), Head Portfolio Consulting for UHNWI (2009-2014) in Credit Suisse Singapore, Head Investment Advisory Americas (2015-2018) in Julius Baer Panama, International financial markets specialist with knowledge on the different asset classes.
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Pascal Tourette
COMPLIANCE - Kronbichler & Tourette
Pascal Tourette is a Swiss-qualified attorney with over 25 years of experience in banking law, financial regulation, and compliance. He began his career in both private practice and the banking sector, gaining valuable hands-on insight into compliance frameworks and the regulatory challenges faced by financial institutions. In 2005, he founded his law firm, Kronbichler & Tourette.
He advises banks and other regulated financial intermediaries on banking law, compliance, and regulatory matters. His legal practice also covers contract law, civil law, international administrative assistance, and economic criminal law. Pascal Tourette is a regular lecturer in banking law and compliance at the ISFB and VisionCompliance SA. -
Stéphane Hofer
RISK - InCompliance
After more than 14 years heading up various operational services and departments in major international banking groups, Stéphane Hofer founded inCompliance with other specialists and experts in their fields.Among other qualifications, Stéphane holds a law degree, a diploma in the prevention of financial crime and a certification in Corporate Governance, a diploma as a Specialist in Collective Investment Compliance and certifications as a Risk Manager and Internal Auditor from the Institute of Internal Auditors.
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Félix Gallego
ARRIVING SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2025
Felix began his banking career in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, where he held a position as Head of a city-center branch offering commercial banking services and mortgages. In 1989, he joined an international bank in Geneva, working in private banking and advising clients from Europe, Central, and South America on wealth management and investment strategies.He retired in 2016 but remains deeply interested in the evolution of the banking sector—private banking in particular. Felix continues to follow the stock markets closely and often shares thoughtful insights drawn from his 40 years of hands-on experience in both commercial and private banking.
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RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
To be announced Q3 2025