Meet our Art Finance specialists
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Sayuri Ganepola
Global Managing Director, Art Finance
BIOGRAPHY
Sayuri Ganepola is the Global Managing Director of Christie’s Art Finance and the Co-Chairman of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for the Americas. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania and earning her MBA at the Darden School at University of Virginia, Sayuri gained extensive experience in wealth management, structured finance and investment banking at Merrill Lynch, Standard and Poor’s and Lehman Brothers before completing a master’s degree from Christie’s Education. During her Christie’s career she has held numerous leadership positions, building on her finance acumen and strong knowledge of the art and capital markets. Prior to her current role, she was the Head of Client Strategy for the Americas.
Name:Sayuri Ganepola
Position:Global Managing Director, Art Finance
SGanepola@christies.com +1 212 636 2000 -
Abigail Barkwell
Vice President, Corporate Counsel, Art Finance
BIOGRAPHY
Abby Barkwell is the Corporate Counsel for Christie’s Art Finance. She is responsible for overseeing all facets of corporate governance, compliance matters, regulatory matters and commercial contracts. Abby joined Christie’s in 2021 after growing her career at Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC and Skadden, Arps, Slate, and Meagher & Flom LLP. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and has a JD from the University of Michigan Law School. Abby volunteers with the Legal Aid Society and Ronald McDonald House New York.
Name:Abigail Barkwell
Position:Vice President, Corporate Counsel, Art Finance
ABarkwell@christies.com +1 212 636 2000 -
Shaun Desiderio
Vice President, Regional Portfolio Manager, Americas
BIOGRAPHY
Shaun Desiderio is Vice President, Regional Portfolio Manager of the Americas focusing on loan originations and borrower relationship management. Shaun joined Christie’s in 2017, working in various roles in Business Development and Commercial Finance before joining the Art Finance team in 2021. He has a BS in Finance and Marketing from Lehigh University and an MBA at NYU Stern School of Business, specialising in Finance and Management. Shaun is a member of the Guggenheim Young Collectors Council.
Name:Shaun Desiderio
Position:Vice President, Regional Portfolio Manager, Americas
SDesiderio@christies.com +1 212 636 2000 -
Alessandro Fiorotto
Regional Managing Director, EMEA
BIOGRAPHY
Alessandro has a wide range of art finance and investment expertise. With a track record of structuring and advising on +$3 billion of global transactions, his experience includes corporate acquisitions, investment funds, startups, as well as complex equity and debt financings. Alessandro specialises in flexible structured finance and works closely with art collectors and advisors, as well as lenders, insurers, lawyers, and institutional investors. Alessandro has spoken on various panels and is recognised by Spear's 500 as one of the leading global art-finance advisors. Prior to joining Christie's, Alessandro was a co-founder and Managing Director of Gurr Johns Capital. He was previously a Vice President and CFO at The Fine Art Group, and before that worked as a credit and investment specialist at XXIII Capital, Citibank, and PwC. A South African and Italian national, Alessandro is also involved in sustainability and conservation initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce with majors in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Cape Town, and a Master of Science in Politics and Economics from University College London (UCL).
Name:Alessandro Fiorotto
Position:Regional Managing Director, EMEA
afiorotto@christies.com +44 787 610 4425