Athena Absolute
Return Fund

With a rich experience of over 27 years, Sameer has held various positions heading operations, mortgages, retails banking, private banking and wealth management across leading domestic and global entities.

In his earlier role, Sameer held several senior leadership positions at Citigroup over a span of more than two decades. He began his journey with Citi in 1995 in NRI Operations, followed by a stint as Investment Products Manager (1997–2000). He then went on to lead the Insurance Distribution business (2000–2005), before taking charge as Mortgage Business Manager (2005–2007). From 2007 to 2012, he served as Head of Branch Banking Business in India, and subsequently, from 2012 to 2018, as Head of Citi Private Banking in India. His broad experience at Citi spans operations, product management, insurance distribution, mortgages, and retail commercial banking — reflecting a well-rounded and deeply strategic career path.

Sameer holds a bachelor’s Degree in economics from University of Delhi (1991) and an MBA in finance from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1995). An avid reader, Sameer enjoys watching movies and playing golf.

A family man, Sameer stays in Mumbai with his wife and two children.

With over 25 years of experience across Investments and Banking, he has led key assignments in Investment Advisory, Institutional Sales, Product Strategy, and Asset Allocation. Previously associated with RBS, Motilal Oswal, Kotak Bank, and ICICI Bank, he brings a cross-asset perspective rooted in simplicity and value creation.

Since 2014, he has been leading the Advisory practice at TrustPlutus, serving families, family offices, and enterprises. The focus is on long-term value creation through bespoke investment advice and holistic wealth solutions.

Ranked among the Top 3 Financial Planners in Asia by Planplus (2016), he combines deep domain expertise with a framework-driven approach—believing that both data depth and behavioural wisdom are vital. He views volatility as distinct from risk and focuses on building resilient portfolios through framework-driven decisions.

He and his team have developed AVID—their proprietary model integrating Analytics, Visualization, Insights, and Decisions—powered by technology to deliver consistent outcomes.

He holds an MBA in Finance and is a Certified Financial Risk Manager (GARP, New York).

Mr. Kaizad Hozdar, bringing a wealth of knowledge to Athena Investments, has 17 years of experience in equity research, advisory, and portfolio management. An MBA in Finance from Pune University and a Chartered Accountant, Kaizad’s career includes notable roles at Waterfield Advisors, BNP Paribas Wealth, Barclays Wealth, and Kotak Securities. His diverse background as an equity advisor and portfolio manager has equipped him with a keen ability to identify market trends and seize opportunities. At Athena, Kaizad’s role as a Fund Manager is pivotal—his analytical approach ensures your portfolio is consistently aligned with market opportunities, balancing growth with risk management.

Mr. Karan Shah has built a strong foundation in the financial services industry, bringing 8 years of experience and a robust understanding of diverse financial products. As a CFA charter holder, Karan’s expertise spans mutual funds, AIFs, bonds, and offshore investments, which he expertly managed during his tenure at the Trust Group. His in-depth knowledge of product research and development has been invaluable in crafting our offerings. Now as Head of Sales at Athena Investments, Karan is dedicated to providing you with tailored solutions that match your financial goals. His client-focused approach ensures you are equipped with the right tools for success.

Alekhya is a Pharma and Healthcare Investment Analyst at Athena Investments, with over five years of experience spanning equity research and pharmaceutical R&D. At Athena, she conducts fundamental research on 25 coverage companies, builds financial models, performs valuations, and delivers actionable investment recommendations. Previously, she worked at CLSA as an Equity Research Associate, where she covered 15 Pharma companies, analysed quarterly results, and authored market trend reports. Her career began in R&D with Lupin and Micro Labs, where she gained strong technical expertise in analytical method development and solid oral dosage formulations. She brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and financial acumen to deliver deep, research-backed perspectives on the Pharma and Healthcare sector.

Dishank Kothari is the fund manager at Athena Investments. He has 8 years of experience in the financial services industry, dedicating the latter half to derivatives and technical analysis. He is a Chartered Accountant by profession and has completed 2 levels of CFA.

Mr. Jitendra Upadhyay brings over a decade of experience in equity research, having worked with reputable firms such as Morningstar Inc., Bonanza Portfolio Ltd., and Athena Divitie Financial Services. Holding an MBA in Finance and an M.Com from Mumbai University, Jitendra’s academic background complements his hands-on expertise in analysing market trends and financial data. As a Senior Analyst at Athena Investments, Jitendra contributes in-depth research that shapes the firm’s investment strategies, ensuring you benefit from well-informed, data-driven decisions tailored to bring equitable returns.

Uddhavraj Yadav is a Chartered Accountant currently serving as the AIF Operations Manager at Prajana. He has prior experience in Fund Accounting from his role at Axis Bank. Uddhavraj began his career in taxation and auditing, where he worked for over five years, gaining valuable experience in financial compliance and reporting.

With over 2 years of experience, Mr. Badal Rawat brings fresh insights and expertise to our research team, particularly in the consumer space. A graduate from Hinduja College, Mumbai, and a CFA Level 1 candidate, Badal’s enthusiasm for equity research drives his ability to cover consumer sector companies with precision. As an Analyst, his role in supporting investment decisions ensures that you gain access to well-researched, sector-specific opportunities that align with your financial goals.

Gurpreet (GS) carries over 18 years of multi-cycle experience in active fund management and equity research. He joins us from Aviva Life Insurance India (2019-2024), where he was independently managing the equity portfolios across PSU, Infrastructure and Hybrids funds. He carries rich money management experience in fast paced environments across corporate treasury, family office, PMS and insurance. His specialties include bottom-up stock picking, thematic research and portfolio management. He is a hyper-logical thinker and initiator with a fine blend of soft skills, EQ and IQ. Along with reading and travelling, GS is passionate about gourmet cooking, anatomy, physiology & nutrition sciences and strength training.

GS is a Post-graduate in Management with dual specialization in Finance and Insurance & Banking from MSRIM, Bangalore and also holds a PG Diploma in Securities Law from GLC, Mumbai.