Meet Our Directors

Nicole Fundora, Esq. serves as Chief Legal Counsel at 144 Ventures, where she leads the company’s global legal strategy with a focus on complex transactions, intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance, and cross-border structuring. A seasoned attorney and registered U.S. patent practitioner, Nicole brings a depth of expertise across corporate, IP, and international law—empowering 144 Ventures to scale responsibly and innovate confidently.

Nicole began her legal career at The Brickell IP Group in Miami, Florida, and has advised companies across industries on IP litigation, technology licensing, brand protection, and trade secret management. She previously served as Intellectual Property Attorney and General Counsel at MEP World Group, where she managed high-stakes IP portfolios and spearheaded compliance strategies across multiple jurisdictions.

Nicole earned her Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law, where she was awarded the Lucinda Hofmann Scholarship by the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers. While in law school, she worked full-time as a foreclosure paralegal, showcasing her determination and resilience.

At 144 Ventures, Nicole oversees all legal matters—including M&A, green bond due diligence, government affairs, and IP commercialization across divisions such as advanced materials, media, biotechnology, and sovereign infrastructure.

• Global legal and compliance architecture
• Intellectual property strategy and enforcement
• ESG and green bond legal frameworks
• Cross-border structuring and sovereign partnerships
• Regulatory alignment in the U.S., UAE, EU, and Africa

“Legal foresight is the foundation of innovation. At 144 Ventures, we build boldly—anchored in sound legal strategy and aligned with global ethics.”
— Nicole Fundora, Esq.

Gilbert Cruz serves as the Director of Asian Affairs at 144 Ventures, where he leads strategic partnerships, infrastructure expansion, and advanced material innovation across Southeast Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. With over 35 years of leadership experience in construction, manufacturing, distribution, and green technologies, Gilbert is instrumental in aligning 144 Ventures' investment platform with Asia’s dynamic development landscape.

He is currently involved in the firm’s regional initiatives in sustainable cement technologies, mining-to-manufacturing pipelines, and green bond structuring—leveraging his deep expertise in technical innovation, industrial engineering, and government relations.

Based in the Philippines, Gilbert plays a key role in 144 Ventures' sovereign partnerships and large-scale industrial projects, including the Petra Cement acquisition strategy and the rollout of next-generation materials.

• President, Big Boss Cement – Developer of patented green cement
• Managing Director, Petra Cement – Strategic lead on vertical integration
• Former SVP-COO, Bostik Asia-Pacific
• Director, Total S.A. Asia – Supply chain leader across regional hubs
• 10+ technical innovations in cement chemistry and admixture technology

• Asian expansion of sustainable infrastructure investments
• Strategic alliances with sovereign wealth funds and public-private partnerships
• Deployment of patented technologies across mining, cement, and circular economy industries
• ESG-compliant project development in the Philippines, Indonesia, and beyond

“Asia is not just growing—it’s leading. At 144 Ventures, we're committed to building the industrial and sustainability backbone of that future.”
— Gilbert Cruz

Emmanuel Kabila Mashirika serves as the Director of Africa at 144 Ventures and CEO of 144 Alkebulabn SARL, where he leads the firm’s strategic initiatives across the African continent—focused on green industrialization, sovereign wealth partnerships, critical minerals, and infrastructure development.

A seasoned entrepreneur and political figure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Emmanuel brings deep experience in both public and private sectors. He is the President of Mining Oil & Gas Consulting SARL (MOG) and President of 144 Alkebulan SARL, 144 Ventures’ African affiliate committed to building a value-added future for Africa’s resource wealth.

In 2024, he was a gubernatorial candidate for Tanganyika Province, reflecting his commitment to local governance and economic empowerment. As the son of the late President Laurent-Désiré Kabila—the historic leader who served as the 3rd President of the DRC—Emmanuel continues his family's legacy of national development and pan-African engagement.

He is also a close collaborator and advisor to His Excellency Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the current President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

• Africa-based project pipelines in critical minerals, cement, logistics, and agribusiness
• The establishment of sovereign investment platforms including the Congolese Strategic Investment Authority (CSIA)
• Joint ventures with global partners to localize manufacturing and industrial value chains
• ESG-led investment strategies tailored to Africa’s youth and green future

“Africa must not only supply the world—it must shape it. At 144 Ventures, we are building the engines of economic sovereignty and industrial self-reliance across the continent.”
— Emmanuel Kabila Mashirika

Liza Amani serves as the Director of the MENA Region at 144 Ventures LLC, where she leads strategic growth, regional partnerships, and investment opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa. With a deep understanding of the region’s cultural and economic landscape, Liza plays a critical role in advancing 144 Ventures' mission to drive sustainable innovation, cross-border collaboration, and transformative impact in emerging markets.

Liza brings over 12 years of experience in strategic advisory, government engagement, and media-driven development across the GCC, North Africa, and Levant. Her background includes leading initiatives at the intersection of culture, technology, and finance—working with sovereign entities, multinational brands, and regional creatives to unlock new pathways for investment and innovation.

Fluent in Arabic, French, and English, Liza is a bridge between East and West, known for her diplomatic acumen, market foresight, and commitment to empowering women and youth in business. At 144 Ventures, she is championing a new era of culturally conscious capital and regional storytelling that redefines the role of the MENA region in the global economy.

Keth Ditthavong has worked in both the public and private sectors across multiple disciplines that encompass technology and law. He has counseled Fortune 100 companies and start-ups in all aspects of intellectual property from patent portfolio development and licensing to trade secret protection.

Before his legal career, he worked for a Federally Funded Research and Development Center as a Senior Systems Engineer, and a major telecommunications company as a Senior Telecommunications Engineer. Along with a J.D., he holds a B.S. and an M.S. in electrical engineering.

As an entrepreneur, he co-founded an Internet start-up in the early ‘90s to develop an online platform for C-suite careers. His love of entrepreneurship remained in tack after attending law school and working at boutique and major law firms. In 2000, Keth co-founded his own law firm, and grew it to a premier international firm with multiple domestic and international offices. He has passion for socially impactful philanthropy and has served on the board of several charities.