Veterans often face numerous challenges upon returning home, including inadequate support in terms of services, treatment, equipment, and tools to navigate their new realities. Citi is joined by Brian Rathjen of Roberts & Ryan, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Broker Dealer, whose mission is to utilize financial resources to support veterans and their families by supporting organizations such as Boulder Crest Retreat, which provides programs and resources for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress (PTS). The collaboration between Roberts & Ryan and Citi is a symbiotic relationship that benefits both organizations, as well as the communities they serve.
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Citibank N.A. (“Citi”), and Roberts and Ryan Investments Inc. are not affiliated and are independent companies, though Citi has a nominal equity investment in Roberts and Ryan Investments Inc. The speakers’ views are their own and may not necessarily reflect the views of Citi or any of its affiliates.
All opinions are subject to change without notice. Neither the information provided nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. The expressions of opinion are not intended to be a forecast of future events or a guarantee of future results.
Nicholas Koukoumelidis was appointed Chief Financial Officer for Citi’s Institutional Clients Group sector in early 2022. In his current role, Nicholas brings together the Finance function across all disciplines and works with the CEO, Business Heads, Product and Regional Leadership to assess financial performance, manage capital and balance sheet deployment and develop and execute business strategy.Most recently Nicholas served as the Lead Finance Officer for Global Markets & Securities Services where he oversaw the franchise’s financial performance and
strategy. In that role Nicholas led the development of a full-scale strategic refresh to transform the business to be a technology-led organization with best-in-classexecution, and optimal resource utilization.
Prior to that appointment, Nicholas served as the Japan Country Chief Financial Officer. In that role, Nicholas was responsible for the Finance function across the Japan franchise and also served as the Chief Financial Officer of the legal entities Citigroup Japan Holdings G.K., Citigroup Global Markets Japan Inc. and Citibank, N.A., Tokyo Branch. Furthermore, he oversaw the divestitures of the Retail Bank and Branded Cards and also led the formation of Japan’s long-range ICG product and client strategy in alignment with the broader firm-wide objectives.
From 2015 to 2017, Nicholas served as the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis and Strategy for the Global Institutional Clients Group. In that role he oversaw and directed all aspects of Strategy, Earnings and Forward-Looking Analytics for the Sector in
partnership with the CFO and broader finance leadership team.
From 2013 to 2015, Nicholas served as the Lead Finance Officer for the U. S. Consumer and Commercial Bank, overseeing all aspects of the franchise strategy, financial analytics, accounting, treasury, and risk management and led the transformational effort on the Bank’s branch network.
From 2001 to 2013, Nicholas has held several senior finance roles in Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis, Global Wealth Management (Citi Private Bank / Smith Barney), including CFO for the North America Private Bank, and Head of Financial Planning and Analysis at Smith Barney. Prior to Citi, Nicholas was a Senior Business Analyst for Spar Group Inc. and a Senior Fixed Income Analyst in the Analytics Division for Reuters America, Inc.
Nicholas is a graduate of Harvard’s Business School Strategic IQ program, holds an MBA in Financial Engineering from Fordham University and a B.S. in Finance with minors in Advanced Statistics and Linear Models from the State University of New York at New Paltz. He is married to Mary and has three children:Petra, Sofia and Stefanos ages 13, 10 and 8 respectively.
Brian Rathjen is the President of Roberts & Ryan Investments. Prior to joining Roberts & Ryan in 2017, Mr. Rathjen co- founded Kelson Group, a premier placement agent focused on raising capital from the institutional marketplace for top tier money managers in alternative and traditional asset classes. Prior to Kelson Group, Mr. Rathjen started and ran Marwood Group Asset Management (MGAM), a subsidiary of Marwood Group. Mr. Rathjen oversaw all business and client service and had senior responsibilities involving the strategic direction and overall management processes at MGAM. Mr. Rathjen started his career on Wall Street as Institutional Fixed Income Specialist at Prudential Securities in 1996.
Brian Rathjen graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1988. After additional Navy schooling in San Diego, Mr. Rathjen was an Engineering Officer in the Surface Warfare Community in the United States Navy. While serving onboard the USS Ouellet (FF1077) in Pearl Harbor Hawaii, then Lieutenant Rathjen was awarded both the Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal for Meritorious Service.
Mr. Rathjen is passionate about Veteran causes. He serves on the Board of Directors for Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness. Mr. Rathjen is a Trustee for the Athletic and Scholarship Program for the Naval Academy Foundation and is a member of the Naval Academy’s President’s Circle. In addition, Mr. Rathjen serves on both Senator Gillibrand and Congresswoman Rice’s Service Academy Selection Committees. Mr. Rathjen is a member of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick where he serves as Historian. Mr. Rathjen resides in Rockville Centre, New York with his wife Wendy and his two daughters Sydney and Charlotte.
