A focus on growth
Founded by two former bankers, John McGinley and Stephen Higgins, both with deep experience in the region, Mekong Strategic Capital is now an experienced firm that helps clients invest in growth.
Early success working on some of the largest transactions in Cambodia’s history resulted in the business moving beyond Cambodia to take on clients and transactions in Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.
A passion for the environment and sustainable business practices led to a growing volume of engagements associated with climate finance. This resulted in the establishment of a dedicated Climate Finance division in 2019 to join the existing Corporate Advisory and Investment Management business units.
Our Corporate Values
Integrity
Respect
Always, in everything we do.
For each other, our community, our clients, and all those we do business with.
Excellence
Innovation
Clients First
For our clients.
Essential in developing markets.
The interests of our clients come first.
Our Team
John McGinley
CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER
An experienced banking and development finance executive, John possesses dual expertise across financial services, as well as the development sector. As a long term resident of Cambodia, John has a proven track record of successfully building high performing businesses across the Mekong region.
Bora Kem
PARTNER
Bora is an American Cambodian with 10 years professional experience in the United States working in investment management, private equity and technology start-ups. He was born and raised in Phnom Penh and joined Mekong Strategic Capital in 2016.
Moniroth (Mona) Chuon
MANAGER, CLIMATE FINANCE
Mona joined in 2022, bringing with her a number of years of experience in banking, foreign exchange and money markets, and insurance. She is an Australia Awards scholar, graduating with a Master's degree in Applied Finance from the Australian National University (ANU).
Somaknea Khay
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT
Before joining Mekong Strategic Capital in 2023, Somaknea worked as an auditor at KPMG across a range of industries. She holds a Bachelor of Accounting from Royal University of Law and Economics and a Bachelor of Education in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Royal University of Phnom Penh.
Rotha Khiev
OFFICE MANAGER
As Office Manager Rotha performs clerical duties and administrative tasks in support of the team and clients. She has over 10 years of experience in business administration and secretarial roles and previously worked as an Executive Assistant and HR Admin & Compliance Officer at NGOs and professional firms.
Chanlina Meng
MANAGER, CLIMATE FINANCE
Lina has multiple years experience in commercial banking, wholesale treasury and securities exchange trading operations. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Otago in NZ and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking from Royal University of Law and Economics in Cambodia.
Riza Rith
ANALYST, CLIMATE FINANCE
Riza is a finance professional with diverse experience in Auditing, Consulting and Investment Banking. She participated in the CFA Research Challenge, leading her team to win the National and Sub-regional competitions in 2021. She holds a Bachelor's in Accounting and Finance from CamEd Business School.
Helene Tun
ANALYST
Helene has experience in auditing and accounting having worked at PwC Cambodia with clients from the corporate and NGO sectors, including financial institutions. She is an ACCA affiliate and holds a Bachelor's in Accounting and Finance from CamEd Business School.
Fitrah Syms
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
In addition to supporting MSC in an administrative capacity, Fitrah is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Administrative Science at University Technology Mara, Sabah, Malaysia. She also holds a Diploma in Banking from Labuan Vocational College, Labuan, Malaysia.
Stephen Higgins
CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER
Stephen has more than two decades of experience in banking and financial services, communications, leadership, and strategy. At Mekong Strategic Capital he specialises in financial services and renewable energy, and has advised on some the largest transactions in Cambodia in recent years.
Bophana Chap
HEAD OF FINANCE
With 10 years of experience in Finance, Accounting, Controlling and Tax, Bophana joined Mekong Strategic Capital in 2017 as the Finance Manager. Prior to joining us Bophana was Head of Accounting and Finance at the German multinational firm Bayer.
Ian Gisbourne
CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Ian has 25 years experience in investment banking in Asia, primarily in equity research. Until 2019 he was Head of Research for SE Asia at UBS. Ian has also worked at Credit Suisse and Phatra Securities. He holds a degree in law from University College London and qualified as a solicitor with Herbert Smith in the UK.
Norfaradiana Khamis
HR & ADMIN EXECUTIVE
Diana is an HR and Admin Executive with experience since 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, specializing in Human Resources from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Bun Meng LENG
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Meng joined in 2019, bringing a diverse range of investment banking skills and corporate advisory experience. Meng is a Fulbright scholar and has a Master's degree in Economics from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Royal University of Law and Economics.
Channaren Ny
MANAGER, CLIMATE FINANCE
With over 15 years’ experience in commercial banking, M&A and Capital Raising, and the telecom sector, Naren joined Mekong Strategic Capital in 2024 as Manager, Climate Finance. Prior to joining MSC, Naren was the CFO of a major telecom. She holds an MBA in Risk Management, Insurance, Banking and Finance (RMIBF) from the University of Nantes, France.
Mark Selby, CFA
DIRECTOR CLIMATE FINANCE
Mark Selby, CFA, joined Mekong Strategic Capital in 2018 as a Senior Investment Analyst. Mark is an investment professional with over ten years of experience analysing investment strategies and advising institutional clients.
Lychou Sok
INVESTMENT ASSOCIATE
Before joining in early 2021, Lychou was a project management consultant for GroundSearch International and completed marketing and finance internships at Amret Microfinance Institution. She recently graduated from Bangkok University School of Entrepreneurship and Management.
Careers With Us
Mekong Strategic Capital offers an inclusive workplace that values excellence, respect, autonomy, and integrity. We operate in agile teams that change depending on the project needs, and each day brings new challenges or something to learn. We’re passionate about what we do and like to have fun along the way.
We generally don’t advertise for roles. Instead, when we find a high-quality candidate, we either take them on straight away, or put their CV on file so that when an opening comes up, we can consider them then.
So if you’re smart, energetic, have unquestionable integrity, and think you might fit our culture, please email us.
Mekong Strategic Capital is currently recruiting for the following roles:
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Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Our Commitment
Mekong Strategic Capital is committed to supporting and respecting the human rights of our employees, clients, and communities in line with international standards, our Code of Conduct, and our corporate values.
