Our Team
The people behind Verdant Ventures.
Tim Redman
Chief Executive Officer
Prior to joining Verdant Ventures, Tim served as the Chief Development Officer of Gateway Delta Development Holdings. Throughout his career, he has managed a combined project value over $3Bn spread over more than 12 major real estate developments.
Tom McCallum
Chief Investment Officer
30+ years of real estate experience; spearheaded many of Sub-Saharan Africa's largest real estate debt and equity transactions on behalf of the IFC.
Scott Friesen
Co-founder + Board Chairman
A serial entrepreneur with 18+ years experience founding-growing and successfully exiting 4 technology businesses in the US and 5 in Ethiopia serving in roles as CEO, COO, CFO & Head of Sales.
Russ Murphy
Co-founder + Board Director
10+ years experience in real estate development; built 4,000+ units valued at over $1 billion; co-founder of Aspen Heights, a multifaceted real estate development company with annual revenues above $500m.
Sarah Jackson
Financial Controller
Chartered Management Accountant who has been based in Ethiopia since 2009, she holds Master’s degrees in Development Management and International Studies, she has built up a strong understanding of the political and social context in Ethiopia and is experienced in raising debt, equity and grant financing.
Shannon Sedgwick Davis
Board Member
Shannon is a passionate advocate for social justice around the world. As an attorney and activist, she sits on the board of several organizations including the Elders, Humanity United, TOMS and charity: water.
Fraser Kadera
Board Advisor
Fraser has spent three years as the Senior International Realty Specialist for the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (US Department of State) and brings valuable expertise to the team from his tenure there as well as in his career in managing real estate development and construction projects from concept through delivery.
Joe Panter
Board Advisor
Joe has been an executive and investor in the real estate industry for more than 30 years. He co-founded Caddis Partners in 2005 and has participated in the development, financing and management of over a billion dollars of retail, office, multi-family, hotel and industrial properties in 20 different states.