Maryam Nizam
I am an operations and strategy leader with a passion for building transformative companies at the intersection of innovation, impact, and scale. With over two decades of experience driving commercialization and organizational growth, I have a knack for turning bold ideas into high-functioning ventures.
I hold an undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto and earned an MBA through the Kellogg-Schulich Executive Program, a joint offering from Northwestern University and York University. I currently serve as Head of Operations at Alset AI Ventures, where I lead strategic initiatives across the firm’s portfolio — sourcing investments, serving on the investment committee, working hands-on with founders to shape go-to-market strategies and operational infrastructure and building out our Compute business.
My career began with an 18-year tenure at Citco Fund Services, where I rose to Senior Vice President, leading the firm’s $150B multi-asset business line. I later headed North American and European operations at Lynk, a knowledge-as-a-service platform, followed by global expansion roles at OCG Aviation.
A builder at heart, I previously co-founded The Revolving Kitchen, a commercial kitchen rental marketplace. Today, I am also a co-founder of Un-Pause, a women’s health startup addressing menopause through a mission-driven lens.
Through my fractional COO consultancy for early-stage ventures — NextPhase Innovations — I advise startups across AI, health, aviation, talent mobility, and tech infrastructure. My recent collaborations include Modgarden (AgriTech), Global Innovates (Mobility), and Typical — a programming language designed to unlock a leap in LLM-generated code. Whether designing GTM strategies, aligning partnerships, or scaling operations, I bring clarity, rhythm, and shared momentum to every project.
Outside of work, I am a curious traveler, amateur chef, writer, and lifelong student of systems — whether built by people, code, or nature. My personal mantra? Elevate everyone I meet and leave each day better than I found it.
