Our People

Our experienced consultants understand each industry’s unique challenges and opportunities, providing tailored solutions to meet our client’s specific needs.

At Ascent Global Partners we believe that the strength of a company lies in its people, and the strength of our service lies in our understanding of this fundamental principle.  We believe that people are not just the heart of a company; they are the soul of its success.

 

“People are not your most important asset. The right people are.” – Jim Collins

Meet our Consultants

John Byrne

Founder & CEO

Primary Coverage: Equity
Secondary Coverage: Legal, Technology & Asset Management
Industry Experience: 23 years
Date Joined: 2012
Languages: English & Japanese
Hobbies: Music, Crossfit & Psychology
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Chu Fang Chiang

Principal Consultant – Financial Services

Primary Coverage: Fixed Income
Secondary Coverage: Asset Management & Private Banking
Industry Experience: 22 years
Date Joined: 2015
Languages: Japanese, English & Mandarin
Hobbies: Yoga & Cooking
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Pema Chhophyel

Managing Consultant – Head of APAC Consumer Markets

Primary Coverage: Consumer Markets
Secondary Coverage: HR & Accounting
Industry Experience: 14 years
Date Joined: 2023
Languages: Japanese, English & Dzongkha
Hobbies: Archery, Hiking & Trekking
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Jean Minier

Partner – Head of APAC Life Sciences

Primary Coverage: Pharmaceutical
Secondary Coverage: Medical Devices, Diagnostics & CRO
Industry Experience: 15 years
Date Joined: 2025
Languages: English, Japanese & French
Hobbies: Rugby, Wine & Poker
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Fumio Miyanaga

Principal Consultant – Financial Services

Primary Coverage: Sell Side Equities
Secondary Coverage: Investment Banking, PE/VC, Asset Management & Cryptocurrencies
Industry Experience: 25 years
Date Joined: 2022
Languages: Japanese & English
Hobbies: Soccer & Reading
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Adrian Stanica

Consultant – Financial Services

Primary Coverage: Equity
Secondary Coverage: Technology, Investment Banking & Consumer Goods
Industry Experience: 16 years
Date Joined: 2023
Languages: English, Japanese, Romanian, Italian & French
Hobbies: Reading, Iron Man & Technology
Location: Hong Kong

Rikiya Fukuchi

Consultant – Consumer Markets

Primary Coverage: Consumer Markets
Secondary Coverage: Legal
Industry Experience: 2 years
Date Joined: 2023
Languages: Japanese & English
Hobbies: Cars & Cats
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Yuki Sonoda

Associate Consultant

Primary Coverage: Consumer Markets
Secondary Coverage: Consumer Markets
Industry Experience: 1 year
Date Joined: 2024
Languages: Japanese, English, Tagalog
Hobbies: Traveling, Music & Movies
Location: Manila & Tokyo

Meet our Researchers

Julie Anne Manuel

Head of Research – Financial Services

Primary Coverage: Retail
Secondary Coverage: Technology
Industry Experience: 3 years
Date Joined: 2022
Languages: Tagalog & English
Hobbies: Singing & Watching Movies
Location: Philippines

Kesiah Esteban

Researcher – Financial Services

Primary Coverage: Finance
Secondary Coverage: Financial Technology
Industry Experience: 4 years
Date Joined: 2021
Languages: Tagalog & English
Hobbies: Cooking, Watching Movies & Hiking
Location: Philippines

Precious Jade Macabante

Researcher – Legal

Primary Coverage: Legal
Secondary Coverage: Finance
Industry Experience: 3 years
Date Joined: 2022
Languages: Tagalog, English & Sign Language
Hobbies: Music, Travelling & Photography
Location: Philippines

Lucia Esquilona

Researcher – Consumer Markets

Primary Coverage: Consumer Markets
Industry Experience: 9 years
Date Joined: 2025
Languages: English, Japanese, Tagalog & French
Hobbies: Learning Languages, Music, Cinematography, Yoga, Dogs & Cats
Location: Philippines

Meet our Operations

Hitomi Morinaga

Finance and Administration

Primary Coverage: Finance & Accounting
Secondary Coverage: Administration
Industry Experience: 8 years
Date Joined: 2017
Languages: Japanese, Tagalog & English
Hobbies: Reading, Cooking & Calligraphy
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Abigail Capua

Reporting and Administration

Primary Coverage: Reporting
Secondary Coverage: Administration
Industry Experience: 4 years
Date Joined: 2021
Languages: English & Tagalog
Hobbies: Reading, Cooking & Traveling
Location: Philippines

John Rich Herrera

Social Media Coordinator

Primary Coverage: LinkedIn Social Media
Secondary Coverage: X, Instagram, Facebook & Youtube
Industry Experience: 3 years
Date Joined: 2022
Languages: Tagalog & English
Hobbies: Music, Basketball & Cooking
Location: Philippines

Annick Jane

Document Formatting Coordinator

Primary Coverage: Document Formatting
Secondary Coverage: Administration
Industry Experience: 3 years
Date Joined: 2022
Languages: Tagalog & English
Hobbies: Movies, Music, Singing & Dancing
Location: Philippines

Jemimah May Manuel

Accounting and Operations Specialist

Primary Coverage: Accounting & Finance
Secondary Coverage: Office Administration
Industry Experience: 19 years
Date Joined: 2025
Languages: English & Tagalog
Hobbies: Singing & Watching Documentaries
Location: Philippines

Shane Arianne Reyes

Project Management

Primary Coverage: Project Management
Secondary Coverage: Administration
Industry Experience: 13 years
Date Joined: 2025
Languages: English & Tagalog
Hobbies: Trekking, Cooking & Painting
Location: Philippines

Eloisa Cruz

Operations and Accounting Specialist

Primary Coverage: Accounting & Finance
Secondary Coverage: Office Administration
Industry Experience: 3 years
Date Joined: 2025
Languages: Tagalog & English
Hobbies: Volleyball, Badminton & Travelling
Location: Philippines

Get in touch today

and let us help you find your ideal job or find the perfect candidate.

Whether you’re looking to hire, change your job, understand the market, consult us about salaries or anything else, our team is ready to answer all your questions.