Experience.
Discipline.
Alignment.

CAPSPACE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Capspace is founded on four core principles: focused on preserving capital, seeking to generate resilient income, maintaining rigorous governance standards and creating enduring wealth over the long term. These principles underpin every aspect of the business, from origination and credit assessment through to portfolio management and investor engagement.

By combining experienced leadership, disciplined governance, aligned interests and direct engagement, Capspace is aligned with investors seeking resilient income and long-term wealth creation.

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DANIEL DUSEVIC

Co-Founder and Director

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JOHN ENCINA

Co-Founder and Director

tim keith photo

TIM KEITH

Co-Founder and Director

Julio Labraga photo

JULIO LABRAGA

Co-Founder and Director

Ken Poutakidis photo

KEN POUTAKIDIS

Advisory Board

Peter Vala

PETER VALA

Advisory Board

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SARINA ROPOLLO

General Counsel

YVONNE KOLA

Head of Risk & Operations

JULIAN DEZA

Head of Credit

PETER HARTLEY

Head of Distribution

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AARON BROWNE

Head of Loan Distribution

Capspace

DANIEL DUSEVIC

Co-Founder and Director

Daniel brings 19 years of experience from global financial institutions, including Macquarie Bank and Goldman Sachs in London, where he built a strong foundation in property, credit and emerging markets. His early work in mortgage lending at Macquarie sparked a lasting interest in property wealth creation, eventually leading him into broking where he was recognised as a finalist for Mortgage Broker of the Year.

It was during his time as a broker that Daniel recognised a growing gap in the market for flexible, alternative finance solutions. Drawing on his entrepreneurial mindset and deep industry insight, he co-founded Capspace with a vision to do things differently.

As Head of Investment Origination, Daniel’s approach is grounded in curiosity, clarity and a considered perspective. A lateral thinker, unconfined by convention, he challenges the boundaries of traditional finance to deliver outcomes that are both strategic and personal. He’s known for aligning investor goals with a long-term vision, forming the foundation of Capspace’s genuine and distinctive approach to wealth creation.

JOHN ENCINA

Co-Founder and Director

With over 30 years’ experience in senior roles across leading national and global institutions including Westpac and Macquarie Bank, John Encina is a seasoned expert in managing complex financial structures, deal origination, and SME lending.

As an award-winning former commercial broker, John is known for delivering tailored outcomes in high-pressure environments. In 2021, he was named Best Finance Broker NSW/ACT and Broker of the Year NSW/ACT, which is recognition of his technical expertise, strong client focus and deep understanding of the broking industry.

Today, as Capspace’s Head of Borrower Origination, John is focused on reshaping the SME lending experience. He partners closely with a growing network of brokers to remove friction and deliver structured, bespoke finance solutions that support long-term growth.

John’s approach is conservative, thoughtful and future focused. He believes the strongest foundations are built on detail, discipline and consistency, and he brings these values to every interaction. For his clients and broker partners alike, John is a steady hand, a strategic thinker and a trusted advisor.

TIM KEITH

Co-Founder and Director

Tim Keith brings over three decades of institutional expertise to Capspace, backed by a distinguished leadership career in banking and financial markets. As Managing Director and Chair of the Investment Committee, he oversees fund governance, strategy, risk management and portfolio decisions, ensuring a disciplined risk framework that delivers sustainable value for investors.

Previously, Tim was Managing Director, Global Market Sales at NAB, leading a global wholesale banking business. He was responsible for delivering financial market products across Australia, New Zealand and the UK while driving financial performance, managing risk and enhancing customer satisfaction. During his banking career he also lead banking teams that specialised in lending and transactional requirements of the SME segment, giving him deep expertise in Capspace’s chosen market.

A respected industry expert, Tim simplifies complex financial concepts into clear, actionable insights, making him a sought-after voice among peers and clients. Beyond his technical acumen, he is guided by fairness, integrity and purpose, earning deep trust and respect across the industry.

JULIO LABRAGA

Co-Founder and Director

With over 30 years of experience in accounting, finance and property, Julio brings a rare depth of knowledge when it comes to wealth creation and funding strategies. Over that time he has built an extensive background in broker finance, property advisory and investment, positioning him as a respected authority and trusted advisor in the finance industry.

Julio’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for helping people build lasting value have led him to co-found and grow award-winning businesses across finance and property. He is widely sought after for his strategic perspective on transactional finance, property acquisitions and long-term investment planning. His ability to uncover overlooked opportunities and think commercially has consistently delivered strong outcomes for clients, including both businesses and individuals.

Known for his calm, thoughtful approach, Julio has a talent for simplifying complexity and delivering solutions that align with both short-term needs and long-term goals. He also leads Capspace’s community arm, driven by a strong belief in service, giving back, and creating meaningful impact beyond business.

KEN POUTAKIDIS

Advisory Board

Ken Poutakidis is an experienced public company director and corporate finance professional with more than 30 years’ experience spanning corporate finance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and related advisory services. As a Board Advisor to Capspace, he supports the business on the capital side, bringing extensive experience across capital markets, corporate transactions, strategic advisory and corporate governance.

He has served on the Boards of several ASX-listed companies as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman and currently serves as Deputy Chair of EML Payments Limited (ASX: EML), as well as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Associate Global Partners Limited (ASX: APL) and Symal Group Limited (ASX: SYL). His professional career encompasses extensive experience in capital raisings, acquisitions, asset divestments and strategic transactions, including senior corporate finance experience with Findex. He holds a Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance) from Monash University.

PETER VALA

Advisory Board

Peter Vala is a highly respected finance industry leader with extensive experience across aggregation, distribution strategy, intermediary growth and commercial lending. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with brokers, lenders and industry stakeholders to drive growth, strengthen distribution networks and develop sustainable origination pathways. Peter is widely recognised for his deep understanding of the broker market and his ability to build high-performing partnerships that create long-term value for both brokers and borrowers. 

As a member of the Capspace Advisory Board, Peter provides strategic guidance across broker distribution, aggregation relationships and growth initiatives. Working closely with the leadership team, he supports the continued expansion of Capspace’s broker-first model, helping strengthen market presence, deepen industry relationships and enhance origination capability. His focus on disciplined growth and long-term borrower outcomes aligns closely with Capspace’s commitment to supporting brokers through increasingly complex lending environments.

CLARE CONNELL

Operations Manager

Clare brings 7 years of experience across business advisory and practice management, with a background in accounting and a sharp focus on operational efficiency. She began her career as a Business Services Accountant at a national financial advisory firm before moving into a practice management role at a business advisory firm, where she helped lead internal operations and process improvements.

With a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and a minor in Business Law and International Studies, Clare blends financial insight with a love of systems thinking. She has a passion for streamlining workflows and is energised by the possibilities of automation and AI to create smarter, more efficient ways of working.

At Capspace, Clare combines her accounting knowledge and business advisory experience with a forward-thinking mindset to support operations, drive continuous improvement and contribute to financial analysis alongside the leadership team.

YVONNE KOLA

Head of Operations

Yvonne brings over 14 years of leadership in banking and finance to Capspace. A proven expert in stakeholder management, regulatory engagement and operational excellence, she holds a Green Belt in process improvement and is a qualified mediator.

Her award-winning leadership includes overseeing risk management and customer advocacy at CBA, where she supported the dispute resolution function in assisting vulnerable customers and communities with their banking needs.

Yvonne’s deep industry knowledge, combined with her exceptional ability to connect with people, ensures seamless operations and exceptional service for investors and borrowers.

Passionate about driving positive change and helping clients achieve their financial goals, she is a key contributor to Capspace’s growth and success.

JULIAN DEZA

Head of Credit

Julian Deza brings nearly two decades of experience in credit and risk within financial services, having led high-performing teams across global finance and banking. As Head of Credit at Capspace, Julian oversees credit policy, risk management and loan structuring, ensuring disciplined lending practices that support tailored, streamlined solutions for brokers and borrowers.

He has held senior roles across a leading private lender, one of Australia’s largest banks and a global finance organisation. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in designing and delivering end-to-end credit systems and developing large-scale policy frameworks that enable both speed and scalability. His achievements include implementing direct to credit systems for residential and SMSF lending, and growing portfolios from $10 million to over $300 million per month.

Passionate about simplifying credit and risk processes, Julian brings a forward-thinking mindset to decision-making. He applies AI, data analytics, and automation to improve efficiency and performance. His expertise spans credit and risk controls, product and system integration, compliance and financial data management.

Respected for his collaborative approach and calm leadership style, Julian is known for balancing commercial insight with strong governance. He values transparency, integrity and long-term relationships that build trust across all stakeholders.

PETER HARTLEY

Head of Distribution

Peter brings over 17 years of experience in banking and financial services, with a career spanning senior roles at Macquarie Bank and NAB. He has deep expertise across credit, securitisation, foreign exchange and digital sales, and a strong track record of building and leading high-performing national teams.

With a passion for technology and entrepreneurship, Peter is known for his strategic thinking and results-driven approach. He specialises in designing and scaling sales and business development functions across complex financial environments, bringing a sharp commercial lens, creative problem-solving skills and a deep focus on customer outcomes.

Peter holds degrees in Commerce and Law, a Global Executive MBA, and is accredited by AFMA and IECL.

At Capspace, he leads the sales function with a commitment to building meaningful partnerships, unlocking growth, and delivering long-term value for brokers and investors alike.

AARON BROWNE

Head of Loan Distribution

Aaron Browne has over 20 years of experience across banking, credit and risk management, with expertise spanning commercial and corporate lending, credit structuring, portfolio management, and business development. He has built a strong track record in originating and structuring complex lending transactions, while developing long-standing relationships across the broker and professional adviser communities. 

As Head of Loan Distribution, Aaron oversees the sourcing and structuring of lending opportunities across the portfolio. Working closely with borrowers, brokers and professional advisers, he is responsible for identifying opportunities that align with Capspace’s investment objectives and credit framework. Known for his commercial acumen and solution-focused approach, Aaron plays a key role in supporting sustainable portfolio growth while upholding the underwriting discipline and capital preservation principles that underpin Capspace’s investment strategy.