The Global SWF Team -

The Team

Global SWF comprises seasoned professionals with background in consulting and banking, in data and analytics, in journalism and academics, and in web development. Some of our team members have worked for other data providers in the past and are highly experienced in tailoring key big data for different client segments. Our data and research offering is complemented with consulting, executive education and events, making Global SWF a one-stop shop for all SWF-related services.

Diego López

Founder and Managing Director of Global SWF, based in New York / Singapore. He is a world-renowned expert on Sovereign Wealth Funds, having acted as practitioner and advisor for many years and published several articles in leading academic journals. He has worked as a consultant of the World Bank and of the United Nations and supported the establishment or reformulation of a number of SWFs around the world.

In the past few years, he has reshaped the SWF industry by establishing several key initiatives including the Global SWF Data Platform, the GSR Scoreboard for best practices among institutional investors, and the SWF Academy to nurture the future leaders of the world’s top sovereign and pension funds.

Prior to establishing Global SWF, Diego spent five years building up PwC’s footprint in the SWF industry as the Director and COO of the global practice, based in Abu Dhabi and New York. He has also worked for KPMG and Santander and has lived in Europe, the Middle East, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brazil and the US.

A Spanish-American dual citizen and Singapore resident, he earned his Masters in Finance from the London School of Economics (LSE) after graduating in the Universities of Madrid and Milan. Diego is a prolific open water and ice swimmer and has raced in all seven continents including Antarctica. He is the author of the book "Continents Seven: Values for sports, business and life, learned around the world".

Edward Tang

Head of Asia at Global SWF, based in Singapore. Prior to this role, he has had a diverse career spanning multiple industries, including the Singapore Foreign Service, journalism, media advertising, and business development.

He has strong interest in institutional investments in the Asia Pacific, including sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds. He spent several years in journalism with the Straits Times and, more recently, with the AsianInvestor, where he covered these topics.

Edward holds a BBA (Upper Honors) from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in Marketing, Finance and Strategy. He is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, and conversational Japanese and Thai.

He enjoys reading, golf, jogging, brisk walking, current affairs, music, movies, and social media.

Ziad Fouladgar

Head of Middle East at Global SWF, based in the UAE. He worked as a trader before transitioning into enterprise software solutions, with a focus on the largest Sovereign Wealth Funds, Pension Funds, and Investment Managers across the Arabian Gulf.

Prior to joining Global SWF's team, he spent almost 13 years at Bloomberg LP, where he oversaw the firm’s market expansion in key markets across the Gulf as the Country Manager. He led workflow adoption, training, and performance management projects.

Ziad started his career as a stockbroker / FX trader and spent six years at Amwal and Al Mal Capital. He graduated from the Lebanese American University (LAU) with a Bachelor of Science in Business.

He is a long-time resident in Dubai and during his free time, he enjoys mixing electronic music and spending time with his family.

Drew Waddington

Senior Associate at Global SWF, based in New York. In the past two years, he has completed a number of strategic projects for the World Bank and for the United Nations as an external consultant.

Prior to joining Global SWF's team, he spent over four years at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where he was a project analyst in the Fiscal Affairs Department. He started his career as a staff assistant at the US House of Representatives.

Drew completed a BA in Global Studies and Minor in Spanish cum laude from Loyola University Maryland, and a Master of International Business at Tufts University in Boston. He also completed the SWF Academy in the UAE in February 2023.

He was a four-year member of NCAA Division 1 soccer team while at school and is an avid traveler. He is advanced in Spanish and Arabic.

Daniel Brett

Head of Research & Data of Global SWF, based in London. He started his career in journalism and has worked for over 17 years as a consultant to Fitch with a focus on O&G, chemicals & finance.

Prior to joining Global SWF's team, he was head of data and research at Institutional Investor's Sovereign Wealth Center. He has also worked for OPEC and other organizations providing intelligence on oil, gas, electricity and renewables in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Daniel is a fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society and a member of the Royal Africa Society, having graduated in political science at Queen Mary University of London and obtaining a Master of Science in international development at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

He has a black belt in Taekwondo and is a senpai student of Shotokan Karate. He has also fought competitively in fencing in the foil category.

Ethan Dincer

Consultant at Global SWF, based in London / Boston. He is currently pursuing an MSc in International Political Economy, with a dissertation on "Flashy Investments and the Loud Politics of GCC Sovereign Wealth Funds", at the London School of Economics (LSE).

Ethan earned a Bachelors in American Studies and Political Science with Highest Honors, cum laude from Williams College. He has completed internships at the US Embassy in Ankara, at the Middle East Policy Council and at the Middle East Institute.

Habiba Toufik

Research Intern of Global SWF, based in Paris. She is pursuing an MSc in Finance and Strategy at Sciences Po Paris and earned its BA in Politics at the same university, with a study year abroad at University College London (UCL).

Habiba has completed internships at legal boutique Perchet Rontchevsky & Associés, as well as at Deloitte Paris, where she was a legal intern focused on M&A and PE. She is fluent in Arabic, French and English, and is passionate about calligraphy, painting, old currencies and colorimetric.