Our Team

Nisha Pastreich is the Founder and Managing Partner of Crane Philip, a United States headquartered global advisory and trading firm with offices in New York, London, Abuja, Accra, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong. The firm specializes in sovereign advisory, commodity trading, innovative financing, and infrastructure development, serving governments, sovereign entities, investors, and corporations across Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and the Middle East.

Born in Crane, St. Philip, Barbados, Nisha moved to the United States at sixteen, where she was mentored by billionaire real estate developer Bill Davies. That early mentorship shaped her approach to high-level strategy and cross-border deal-making, setting the foundation for a career dedicated to connecting capital, resources, and expertise with opportunity.

With more than a decade of international business experience, Nisha has structured transactions and advised on projects in over 15 countries, spanning renewable energy, agribusiness, hospitality, and capital markets. Through Crane Philip, she has established a reputation for delivering solutions that combine financial innovation with long-term sustainable impact.

Professional Background

Nisha began her career as a Project Development Executive at International Property Developers, where she spent six years structuring large-scale real estate and infrastructure projects. She later worked in New York with hedge funds and venture capital firms, gaining deep expertise in capital markets, investment strategy, and portfolio management.

To broaden her understanding of sovereign-level deal structuring, Nisha shadowed the head of mission of a CARICOM state. This direct exposure to international diplomacy and sovereign negotiations gave her unique insight into how governments attract global investment and navigate complex financial landscapes.

These experiences inspired her to create Crane Philip, where she is known as a professional dot connector, linking investors from the West, Middle East, and Europe with opportunities that deliver both economic value and social good.

Crane Philip Capital

As part of her vision, Nisha launched Crane Philip Capital (CPC), the venture capital arm of the firm. CPC is focused on supporting early and growth-stage startups across Africa and the diaspora, with a particular emphasis on fintech, agritech, and healthtech. Beyond providing funding, CPC leverages Crane Philip’s global network to offer founders strategic guidance, market access, and cross-border growth opportunities.

Global Perspective and Social Impact

A seasoned global traveler, Nisha has personally visited 89 countries, an experience that gives her unmatched cultural fluency and global adaptability. Her perspective allows her to build enduring relationships and identify opportunities that drive both financial returns and long-term impact.

She is also the Founder of Rivka Cares, a non-profit organization focused on education and community development. Rivka Cares has built a school in Ghana and supports programs across the Caribbean, reflecting her belief that economic growth must be paired with social responsibility.

In recognition of her mentorship and philanthropy, Nisha was honored with the Spirit of Shirley Chisholm Award by the Shirley Chisholm Education Foundation in November 2022.

Today, Nisha continues to expand Crane Philip’s global footprint and reinforce its mission: Empower. Innovate. Impact.

Wale Otegbola is Senior Partner & Chief Executive Advisor at Crane Philip, where he leads strategy and execution for cross-border commodity transactions, sovereign advisory, and capital-raising initiatives. As Owner of Webb Energy, he has built extensive expertise across Africa’s oil, gas, and power sectors, guiding operations in upstream, midstream and downstream development, LNG logistics, and large-scale energy infrastructure projects. Mono-Astamos Energy (Consortium)’s activities are diversified across oil and gas finance, telecoms, Infrastructure with extensive activities in Africa and in the Gulf of Guinea.

He has vast experience in both finance and government deal structuring in emerging economies in Africa. Armed with a good understanding of the global strategic natural resource economies. His leadership has positioned Webb Energy as a trusted regional partner for global energy majors and local markets alike.

At Crane Philip, Wale oversees the firm’s energy and commodities practice, advising on the structuring of transactions, financing mechanisms, and sovereign strategies that enable African states and corporates to secure capital and attract sustainable foreign direct investment. With a proven track record of aligning investors from Europe, the Middle East, and North America with frontier opportunities, he plays a critical role in strengthening the firm’s commodities portfolio and sovereign financing advisory.

Leveraging his extensive political and business networks, Wale is instrumental in positioning Nigerian states in expanding their infrastructure footprint, driving development, and international investment flows. Known as a pragmatic financier and trusted advisor, he brings sharp execution and high-level insight to Crane Philip’s mission of empowering emerging markets through innovative financing and strategic global partnerships.

Katie James serves as Senior Partner for Global Markets, Americas and Europe at Crane Philip, where she drives strategic leadership, international business development, and high-impact initiatives across diverse sectors. In this pivotal role, she oversees operations and growth strategies across the Americas, Middle East, and European regions, advising clients in diplomacy, finance, and emerging markets. She spearheads global networking efforts, crafts tailored policy recommendations, and leads crisis management protocols, ensuring organizations navigate complex geopolitical landscapes with precision and foresight.

With over a decade of experience spanning equity research, technology, and investment management, Katie brings deep expertise in analyzing complex markets, managing investment portfolios, and identifying high-growth opportunities across industries. Her analytical insight and market foresight have established her as a trusted leader in high-stakes investment management.

At Crane Philip, Katie plays a central role in connecting European and Middle Eastern investors with transformative opportunities in emerging markets across Africa and the Americas. She structures cross-border financing deals that accelerate sustainable development and bridge private capital with high-potential projects in infrastructure, commodities, and hospitality. Her leadership also extends to strengthening ESG reporting frameworks, embedding environmental, social, and governance priorities into every financing and advisory initiative to align with international standards and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Beyond finance, Katie has successfully spearheaded the expansion of major international hotel chains into the Caribbean, South America, and Africa, driving economic growth through strategic partnerships and sustainable practices. Her ability to navigate regulatory and cultural landscapes has made her a key figure in advancing global hospitality projects.

Based in both London and San Francisco, Katie leverages her transatlantic perspective to forge impactful alliances, guide ESG-driven reporting, and shape the future of global markets. Known for her precision, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence, she continues to build strong stakeholder relationships and drive innovation at the intersection of finance, sustainability, and international expansion.

Jessica Steinberg is Executive Director of Americas & Multilateral Strategy at Crane Philip, where she leads the firm’s engagement across the Americas while advancing sovereign-level partnerships in the Caribbean and South America.

Based in New York, Jessica serves as a critical link between sovereign governments and entities such as the U.S. State Department, development finance institutions, and multilateral agencies. Her role ensures that Crane Philip’s international clients can align their projects with American and regional policy frameworks, access global financing channels, and strengthen ties across the hemisphere.

With extensive experience in foreign policy, sovereign advisory, and cross-border investment structuring, Jessica has worked on initiatives that bring together U.S. policymakers, Latin American stakeholders, and Caribbean governments to accelerate trade and development. Her expertise lies in navigating the intersection of diplomacy, compliance, and capital markets, translating complex policy into actionable strategies for sovereign clients.

At Crane Philip, Jessica’s leadership reinforces the firm’s mission to empower emerging markets by leveraging American and multilateral engagement to unlock sustainable growth opportunities worldwide.

James Greenidge serves as Senior Advisor for Trade, Agribusiness & Export Markets at Crane Philip, where he leads the firm’s efforts to strengthen Africa’s role in global trade. Based in Accra, Ghana, James oversees projects that bridge local value chains with international markets, ensuring that Crane Philip remains a trusted partner to governments, corporations, and investors seeking impactful, export-driven growth.

With a career deeply rooted in international business development and trade facilitation, James brings both local expertise and global vision to his work. He has been instrumental in advancing Crane Philip’s agribusiness strategy, most notably by overseeing a major shea butter project that connected community-level producers with global buyers. This initiative not only highlighted Ghana’s competitive edge in natural products but also reinforced Crane Philip’s commitment to empowering African industries to compete on the world stage.

Much of James’s work focuses on bridging the Caribbean and Africa, two regions whose shared history and economic potential create powerful opportunities for collaboration. He has been especially effective in positioning Africa as an attractive destination for Caribbean investors, building confidence among regional partners and demonstrating the vast potential of African agribusiness and export markets. By connecting diaspora communities with the continent’s growth story, James plays a vital role in mobilizing capital, expertise, and partnerships that strengthen Africa’s long-term trade ecosystem.

As Crane Philip expands its footprint across Africa and internationally, James plays a central role in ensuring that projects are both commercially viable and socially sustainable. His leadership reflects the firm’s broader mission to connect emerging markets with global capital while creating opportunities that drive inclusive economic growth.

Olabinjo, Yewande M. is a highly skilled professional with extensive experience in information technology, project management, and linguistics. With a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and a Master’s in Chinese Linguistics from Suzhou University, coupled with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Yoruba from the University of Lagos, she combines academic excellence with practical expertise. Dr. Olabinjo has demonstrated strong leadership and team management abilities through her roles in market expansion and product implementation at Splashers Technology, as well as teaching Chinese as a second language at the University of Lagos.

Known for her excellent communication skills and creativity, Olabinjo excels at motivating teams to achieve common goals while managing multiple tasks efficiently. She thrives in fast paced, dynamic environments and possesses a global perspective gained through extensive travel and cross-cultural experiences. Fluent in English, Chinese, Yoruba, and several dialects, she brings a diverse linguistic and cultural competency to her work. Olabinjo’s dependable nature strong work ethic, and innovative mindset make her a valuable asset in any organization looking to blend technology, communication, and multicultural expertise.

As Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Crane Philip, Dr. Olabinjo plays a pivotal role in driving the firm’s operational excellence and global growth strategy. She oversees day-to-day operations while ensuring alignment with Crane Philip’s mission of empowering emerging markets through innovative financing, commodity trading, sovereign advisory, and venture capital investments.

Her expertise in project management and technology allows her to streamline processes and optimize efficiency across the organization, while her linguistic and cultural fluency strengthen Crane Philip’s ability to engage with partners across Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and the Middle East. By bridging strategy and execution, Dr. Olabinjo ensures that complex projects are delivered with precision, innovation, and cultural intelligence, making her a cornerstone of Crane Philip’s leadership team.

Trina Whittle is Finance & Accounts Manager at Crane Philip, where she plays a central role in overseeing the firm’s financial operations across multiple markets and instruments. She manages client transactions and in-house disbursements with precision and transparency, ensuring that every payment is executed smoothly and in full compliance with global standards.

In addition to her expertise in traditional financial management, Trina is well-versed in cryptocurrency and digital assets. She leverages this knowledge to help navigate alternative payment structures and ensure that clients have access to secure, efficient, and innovative transaction pathways. Her dual fluency in conventional and digital finance adds strategic value to Crane Philip’s ability to facilitate complex, cross-border transactions.

Her background spans multi-currency account management, vendor coordination, and high-level reconciliation of financial flows, giving her a reputation for accuracy, accountability, and efficiency. By maintaining strict oversight of payments and fund movements, Trina reinforces client confidence and supports the seamless delivery of Crane Philip’s projects worldwide.

At Crane Philip, Trina’s leadership in financial operations strengthens the firm’s reputation for reliability and innovation. Her ability to integrate modern payment technologies with traditional systems ensures that the company remains at the forefront of global trade and investment facilitation, empowering sovereigns, corporations, and investors alike.

Obehi Amy Barrett is the Brand & Support Executive Associate at Crane Philip and Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President & COO. In this dual capacity, she plays a critical role in ensuring executive efficiency, operational excellence, and brand consistency across Crane Philip’s global platform.

At Crane Philip, Obehi manages executive-level coordination, communications, and organizational support that enable leadership to focus on strategy and execution. She also contributes to shaping the firm’s brand identity and partner engagement, ensuring that Crane Philip is represented with the professionalism and impact that defines its work in financing, commodity trading, sovereign advisory, and venture capital investments.

Her career has been marked by versatility and breadth. She began in consulting as an Executive Assistant at Renaissance Management Consultants in Lagos, where she developed her administrative and organizational expertise. She later transitioned into hospitality as a Human Resources Manager, gaining deep insights into people management and talent development. From there, she expanded into the non-profit sector as an Assistant Manager, strengthening her skills in community engagement and strategic planning. Most recently, she successfully founded and managed her own fashion business, gaining firsthand experience in brand building, market positioning, and entrepreneurial leadership.

Drawing from this diverse background, Obehi brings both structure and creativity to her role at Crane Philip. She blends sharp executive support with brand strategy, ensuring that the firm operates at the highest standard internally while projecting its values and vision externally. Her contribution is central to advancing Crane Philip’s mission of building trusted partnerships and driving growth across Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and the Middle East.