GVF North American Founders Fund
Passionate. Focused. Innovative. Founders exemplify the qualities needed to achieve growth and success in business.
Clarien’s North American Founders Fund holds a concentrated portfolio of high-quality businesses that are leaders within strong, long-term industries. The Fund aims to protect your capital and deliver solid returns by:
Selecting companies that exhibit a founder’s mentality
These are owner-led companies in which the interests of the leadership and the investors are aligned. They are innovative, sustainable and diversified, with a clear vision and a commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) best practices.
Investing in exceptional companies with proven longevity
We look for performers with strong track records and identifiable and sustainable competitive advantages that sustain enduring returns on investment.
Building a profound understanding of each company
Our exhaustive reviews of each prospective business include thorough examinations of all aspects of their structure, strategy, and financials, from cash flow to assets and return on capital.
Leveraging institutional investment strength
With Clarien Investments, institutional and individual clients benefit from a uniform investment approach. Investors in the Fund are served by the same principles and discipline that support large institutions and family offices.
For additional information, please contact your Relationship Manager, or email privatewealth@clarienbank.com.
We view the management teams of our portfolio companies as partners, sharing the same objectives for progress and long-term success. Through our partnership with the Portland Holdings group, we:
- Leverage the value of the Group’s investment framework
- Build on the investing expertise of our team
- Enhance our ability to develop world-class equity solutions
![Miguel DaPonte]()
Miguel DaPonte, CFA
EVP, Chief Wealth Management Officer
Mr. DaPonte is a CFA charter holder who obtained an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. Prior to joining Clarien, Mr. DaPonte was the SVP Investments and Pensions at a local insurance company. During that time, he was responsible for the asset allocation and manager selection of the balance sheet assets of the firm and headed the company’s defined contribution pension business. Prior to that, he was Assistant Vice President at a global annuity and life insurance company, where he monitored and advised on investment portfolios totaling over $12 billion.
The formative years of his career were spent at an investment advisory service firm as a Senior Investment Analyst, where he managed global equities and fixed income portfolios.
In his new role as Chief Wealth Management Officer, Mr. DaPonte will be tasked with leading and overseeing Clarien’s Wealth Management business and all associated teams, including but not limited to: Private Banking, Investment Management (Clarien Investments Limited) and Trust Management (Clarien Trust Limited), including Family Office and Clarien Corporate Services Limited.
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Qing Lutkin (Judy), CFA
VP, Head of Investment Management
Judy Lutkin leads the overall investment management at Clarien Investments Ltd., overseeing the Global Voyage Family Fund and managing daily operations, financial planning, and risk management. She is responsible for developing and executing investment strategies tailored to private client portfolios and institutional investors. As the Chair of the Investment Committee, she drives strategic decision-making and execution, guiding her team toward establishing Clarien as the premier wealth manager in Bermuda.
Prior to joining Clarien, Judy served as a Portfolio Manager at PRP Performa Ltd., where she specialized in customized investment solutions for captive insurance companies and institutional investors, managing $2.5 billion in institutional assets. Earlier in her career, she was the Manager of Market Strategy at Saint-Gobain China, a subsidiary of the French Fortune 500 company, where she focused on market analysis and strategic development.
Judy holds an MBA in International Business from the University of Birmingham, UK, and a BSc in Economics from Hubei University, China. She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder.
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Usama Makhdoom, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Usama Makhdoom is a Portfolio Manager at Clarien Bank’s Discretionary Wealth Management team, specializing in investment strategies for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, Family Offices, and institutional clients. Reporting to the Head of Investment Management, he plays a key role in portfolio management and investment decision-making as a member of the Investment Committee.
Before joining Clarien, Usama was a Risk Officer at Sovereign Asset Management (Monterosa Group), where he prepared investment reports for multi-billion-dollar private equity funds and implemented enterprise-level risk mitigation strategies. Prior to that, he was a Portfolio and Research Analyst at Bermuda Investment Advisory Services, where he developed a high-performing equities fund strategy.
Usama holds a BS in Accounting and Finance from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, and is a CFA charter holder.
![Henry Hernandez]()
Henry Hernandez
Portfolio Manager
Henry Hernandez has 17 years of experience in treasury banking, financial reporting, trading, and portfolio management. As a Portfolio Manager at Clarien, he develops and executes investment strategies for Private Client portfolios, conducts research, and provides investment and technical sales support for the Wealth Management division. He is also a member of the CIL Investment Committee, contributing to strategic and tactical asset allocation.
Before joining Clarien in June 2022, Henry was Head Trader/Manager at ACM Bermuda Ltd., where he constructed client portfolios. His career began in 2007 at Banco Exterior in Venezuela as a trader, followed by a role at Bancaribe Curaçao, where he managed a proprietary portfolio and traded across Fixed Income, Equity, and Structured Products.
Henry holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a master’s degree in financial institutions. In November 2024, he passed the CFA Level 2 Exam.
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Samuel L. McKittrick
Junior Portfolio Manager
Samuel McKittrick is a Junior Portfolio Manager at Clarien Investment Limited, responsible for supporting investment strategy development and trade execution. He conducts research and provides investment support for managing client portfolios and Global Voyager mutual funds. His role includes portfolio analysis, trade monitoring, and assisting with investment decision-making.
Prior to joining Clarien, he worked in the (re)insurance industry. As a Risk Analyst in Allied World’s Catastrophe Modelling Department, he collaborated with underwriters to produce pricing reports and modeling summaries. At AIG, he was a Claims Analyst in the Multinational Department, managing over 50 accounts and overseeing various client service projects.
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