OUR TEAM

DR. AHSAN I. RAJA

Chairman/CEO


Ahsan is Founder, Chairman, and CEO for the UCO Initiative. He is a serial entrepreneur and intrapreneur who started his first business when he was a teenager. During his professional career, Ahsan has been involved in many successful multi-national projects in senior executive management positions. He has participated and advised in the IPOs of four corporations in the industries of consumer goods, textiles, technology, and trade, and personally spearheaded the IPO of a fifth corporation in the financial services sector. Ahsan took over the consumer goods corporation’s international marketing operations and expanded its brand penetration into the regions of North America, Western Europe, Middle East, and South Asia; increasing sales by over 1000% in the USA alone. Ahsan founded AIR 1 Inc., a technology research corporation, and therein invented UCO; a product which he believed could alleviate many basic difficulties of the diverse spectrum of humanity he has encountered, and the challenges Ahsan has had to grapple with in his almost 40 years of senior management experience.

KATHRYN DENSBORN

EVP Corporate Affairs & Communications


Kathryn is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications for UCO. A seasoned executive and innovative leader with both public and private sector experience, she is a deeply committed leader in her community. Kathryn has served in a variety of leadership roles on countless boards, and is able to envision where an organization needs to go and is able to attract the talent needed to get there. As Executive Director of Indiana’s Hoosier Lottery, she was responsible for the total operation and direction of this nearly billion-dollar consumer goods organization. Kathryn brings a wealth of experience working with central Indiana business executives and community leaders. She more than doubled participation with the corporate work-study program at Providence Cristo Rey. With her persuasive communications skill, she raised $1.7 million of operating funds at Providence, and $6 million in capital funds while responsible for stewardship at St. Luke Catholic Church. For her respected service, she was recognized by the Indianapolis Business Journal as a “Woman of Influence;” and was included in the inaugural edition of To Her Success, a publication saluting the achievements and inspiring the aspirations of women.

DEBRA DURHAM

EVP Strategy & Risk Management

Debra is the Executive Vice President of Strategy and Risk Management for UCO. She is the founder of D.S. Durham and Associates, LLC. She serves as a Senior Advisor to the National Center for Complex Operations and is member of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Indianapolis Board of Associates. Debra brings accomplished leadership experience in strategy and planning, acquisition, operations analysis and risk management. Her leadership and experience is founded on a 27-year federal government defense and homeland security career. Debra most recently served as a member of the Senior Executive Service and the Director for the Acquisition Support and Operations Analysis Group including the Offices of Research & Development Analysis and Assessment, Operational Test and Evaluation, and Systems Engineering, in the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In addition she was appointed as the Executive Agent for the DHS Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, the DHS Standards Executive, the DHS Component Acquisition Executive for Science and Technology and the Executive of the Transportation Security Laboratory. Debra served as the United States Secret Service Acquisition Executive (acting) and Deputy Chief for Information Resources Management Division, and prior to joining the Secret Service performed a two and a half year executive tour in private industry following a 20 year career with the U.S. Navy.

NIKKI EBERHARDT

EVP Impact & Relationships

Nikki is Executive Vice President Impact and Partnerships for UCO. She is a strategic entrepreneur who works at the intersection of tech and social impact. Her life goal is to empower people around the globe through innovative solutions. To end extreme poverty, Nikki is an ambassador and former Biz Dev and Event Manager for Global Citizen. Since her involvement in 2013, millions of Global Citizens have taken over ten million actions. 130 commitments and policy announcements valued at over $35B is set to affect the lives of 1 billion people. Inspired by Pope Francis, she recently teamed up with Laudato Si’ Challenge at the Vatican with 400 entrepreneurs, investors and global influencers to accelerate impact-driven business. Nikki has driven sector-cutting interventions for disadvantaged populations. She was Partner with a United Way coalition to improve refugee youth education outcomes. She was Program Manager separately for International Rescue Committee, Choice Humanitarian, Ouelessebougou and Mentors International. She managed Delta Air Lines communications, engagement and charity partner activations. Nikki was Curator/Editor of “Responsible Business” for Progress Daily & Partnership Manager with Nelson Mandela Foundation to promote a peace & reconciliation film. As university instructor for over a decade, Nikki seeks to ignite students’ academic curiosity to tackle global issues then fuels their activism to champion causes. She was a recent TEDx Oxford presenter “Unleash your Inner Campaigner to Drive Global Change.” Passionate to reduce gender inequality and empower girls and women in developing countries, she was Co-Founder & President to a UN Women Chapter. Nikki is an MBA Oxford, PhD (ABD) Global Sociology & MA International Development.

ROBERT REED

Chief Technology Officer

Robert is the Chief Technology Officer for UCO and has built a solid professional career as a leader in the area of Information Technology. He is the founder and CEO of RCR Technology Corporation, an innovative Information Technology consulting firm. His employment history includes five years with Rockwell International, where he worked on Top Secret projects such as the B-2 Bomber, Stealth guidance systems and NASA’s Space Shuttle. Robert focused his IT career in Data Management and Data Warehousing in Chicago studying under Bill Inmon (father of Data Warehousing). Robert has more than 20 years of experience in designing and implementing eligibility systems and Data Warehouse solutions for state and federal government. He has worked in more than 17 states and is certified in many computer technologies and platforms. In 1997, Robert applied his expertise of Information Technology and project management skills to form RCR Technology Corporation. He has grown RCR from a 2 person operation into a leader among data management solutions and technology-driven companies with over 180 employees and an annual turnover of over $20 million and has received the Governor’s Technology Company of the year award, Indiana Companies to Watch Award, Pathfinders Award and many other accolades.

SKIP CIAMPA

Chief Operating Officer

Skip is the Chief Operating Officer for UCO. He is the former Managing Partner of Unisys, a Fortune 500 company which during his tenure was worth over $12 Billion. He was part of building the world’s first terabyte database, and the Wells Fargo Genesis project. Skip also previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of Innovative American Technologies, which designed and fabricated detectors, software and electronics for neutron and gamma-ray detection systems for Homeland Security applications.

Tom Downs

Chief Marketing Officer

Tom is the Chief Marketing Officer for UCO. He pioneered one of the first digital advertising firms in the world, and the brands he has launched have generated over a billion dollars in sales for his Fortune 500 Clients.

Ali Raja

Chief Business Development Officer

Ali is a co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer for UCO. He has experience in the areas of consumer goods import and export, security, technology, and ecommerce. Ali has authored case studies on the subjects of: Prepaid Regulatory Compliance, Issues in Pakistani Remittance, and Cryptocurrency Advantages/Shortcomings. He has co-authored the UCO Business Plan, White Paper, Executive Summary, Executive Summary Canvas, and Business Model. Ali has also spearheaded the analysis and development of the legal, financial, and execution models, and has lead the research (both primary and through reputable secondary sources) on target geographies and demographics of the UCO business model. Ali is extensively involved in the development of new features, products, technologies, and applications of UCO, as well as the identification and pursuit of potential partnerships.

AUSAF ZAIDI

VP Corporate Affairs

Ausaf is the founder of On Time Envelopes & Printing & Shan Distribution Network. He has grown both companies to multi-million dollar sales and each services over 300 businesses in the United States. He is also partner in Shan Distribution Network (Pakistan) which caters to the distribution needs of over 15,000 retail locations and represents many well-known FMCG brands. His successful ventures in the printing and distribution sectors underscore his expertise in operational efficiency and market expansion. With strong ties to multinational companies like Pepsi, RedBull, Nestle, Mondalez, Loreal,and Mobil1 operating in Pakistan, Ausaf is a hardened and market-experienced entrepreneur. With a strong network of both strategically valuable companies and seasoned investors; Ausaf significantly enhances the market reach and competitive positioning of UCO within the financial technology landscape. Ausaf’s proficiency in streamlining business processes and fostering growth will be invaluable in driving UCO. vision forward, ensuring robust growth and long-term success.

Dan Columbus

Vice President

Dan brings a diverse background in enterprise sales and operational management, with 18 years in technical enterprise sales and 8 years in C-level operational roles. Most recently, he served as the Director of Enterprise Sales for an international software development company, where he engaged with CTOs, CIOs, data scientists, IT teams, and developers. Dan successfully negotiated several OEM and licensing agreements, including a significant deal with Microsoft Corporation. In 2015, as COO of an international dietary supplement company, Dan led a successful business turnaround, bringing the company’s manufacturing operations into cGMP compliance and avoiding regulatory action from the FDA by implementing rigorous SOPs focused on product safety and consistent training. Dan holds a BS in Engineering from Penn State University. Outside of work, he is a dedicated parent to a special needs son and enjoys family outings to beaches and theme parks. He also prioritizes maintaining a balanced lifestyle through regular exercise and mental well-being practices.
EXECUTIVE ADVISORS

PETER VERHOEVEN

Executive Advisor

Peter Verhoeven is an Executive Advisor to UCO. He is a seasoned international senior executive with extensive global financial services experience accumulated during his last 36 years of international banking, board representation, and corporate Chief Executive/Compliance/Operating Officer roles across Asia, Europe, The Americas and The Middle East for Deutsche Bank, Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, Bank Albilad, Riyad Bank, and most recently for Kuwait Finance House. Successfully navigating cultural differences and sensitivities, he has managed multi-billion dollar businesses across international markets and developed numerous highly successful business strategies for multi-national banks. He brings to the table an in-depth knowledge of these markets and the primary players. In addition to running day-to-day banking franchises, he has also managed customer IPOs, M&As, DCM instruments (bonds and Sukuks) and project financings in the European, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets; including both Citibank and Standard Chartered Bank in-house M&As and DCMs. Peter has leveraged his extensive skills and experience to write the credit risk policies and operating policies/procedures for several banks. Peter is Citibank risk trained and was awarded an SCO (Senior Credit Officer) level II designation (second highest personal credit authority). He is fully Basel II and III literate and has a thorough understanding of IFRS9 and the implications this will have not only on banking but on bank clients in the years to come. Peter has served on countless internal executive committees as well as on several external boards including LSG Philippines (a Lufthansa subsidiary), the German Philippine Chamber of Commerce, as Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium, as a member of the SWIFT Advisory Council, and several advisory positions with SolidGround AG; 6 Sigma Group; Prado Capital Group; and most recently the board of KFH Capital.

PETER RAKOCZY

Executive Advisor

Peter Rakoczy is an Executive Advisor to UCO in addition to being a Business Coach and Consultant for his company, Trillium Pointe Business Solutions Inc. He is also a board member at ProFitHR, a start-up company. Previously, he worked for PowerBand Global where he was CEO. Before going to PowerBand, Peter worked for Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, Washington as General Manager of Worldwide Enterprise Services. His previous Microsoft role was Senior Director of Enterprise Services in Microsoft Canada. Additionally, He was on the board of Cyence International Inc. for five years until its successful acquisition in 2008. Peter joined Microsoft in 1997 through the acquisition of LinkAge Software. While at LinkAge, He was Director of Professional Services. He started his career at the Royal Bank of Canada in Information Technology. He has coached and consulted throughout his career in small, medium and large companies and thrives on helping others achieve their goals. Peter has recently completed his third Tough Mudder.

VIVEK MITAL

Executive Advisor

Vivek Mital is an Executive Advisor to UCO, in addition to being an experienced senior banker and entrepreneur. He has over ten years of international experience in capital markets consulting, training, business analysis, and project management. Vivek is an energetic self-starter with excellent team development, negotiating and inter personal skills. He has worked at leading investment banks, hedge funds, consulting firms and analytical software companies. He has managed derivatives products ranged across liquid to exotic, across asset classes, FX, rates, credit, etc. Vivek has participated in implementation of financial regulatory frameworks such as Basel, Dodd Frank and related transformational projects across banks from front to back, focused on OIS based discounting, CVA/FVA adjustments to securities pricing, enterprise wide VaR implementation using full historical simulations. He has familiarity with Standardized methodology, IMA/SMM, and specific/general approach as well as stress and scenario analysis. Vivek is experienced with design and implementing of trading, risk management, and price valuation platforms, such as Murex, Calypso, Sunguard, and Numerix. He has a strong combination of pre-trade quantitative analytics, along with post trade workflow, functional solutions, and operational experience; and has been involved in selection of 3rd party vendor systems for clients.

AIZAZ ASIF

Executive Advisor

Aizaz is an Executive Advisor to UCO. He has a BA in Economics and Statistics from Sir Syed College of Punjab University, a MA in English Literature from Gordon College of Punjab University, and a M.Sc of Economics from Quaid-e-Azam University; specializing in Monetary Policy, Development Policy, and Agriculture Economics. He has contributed to 18 published research papers on various aspects of the Pakistani economy and government policies. He has served as a consultant for the United Nations and USAID in Pakistan, been a faculty member and lecturer at various Pakistani universities for Economics, and worked on several government associated projects improving policy and parliamentary oversight of various aspects of Pakistan’s economy.

GREG THOMAS

Legal Advisor

Thomas is a Legal Advisor to UCO. He is a graduate of Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis. He has worked as a pension attorney for One America Insurance Company. He also worked eight (8) years in the Office of the Indiana Attorney General. Atty. Thomas also served as Chief Deputy Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Insurance where he supervised the Anthem demutualization, the largest business transaction in the State of Indiana He went into private practice representing business clients in various transactions. He currently is the City Attorney for the City of Gary, Indiana.

Chief Complaince Security Officer

Candidate selected and awaiting departure from federal government. He is a federal agent with extensive leadership experience in financial crimes enforcement and compliance.