Our Team
Meet the Experts Behind Our Success
Our Talented Team Members
Discover the passion, expertise, and dedication each individual brings to our success
Barry Kostiner
Barry is passionate about bringing together entrepreneur networks to build communities across the spectrum, from helping the struggling with credit repair, tax relief and academic degree completion, to financial and real estate education, mentoring and co-investment.
Barry graduated from MIT with an SB in Electrical Engineering with a minor in History, and an SM in Management Science / Operations Research, with his thesis sponsored by the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Barry spent much of his career in energy risk management and deal structuring, including working in energy trading and derivatives sales at Goldman Sachs / J Aron and Merrill Lynch. With the recent explosion in public company valuations and small cap trading, Barry is advising family offices on taking private investments public, and structuring significant global energy and infrastructure projects.
Michael Bresler
Michael is a visionary in financial education, operational excellence and artificial intelligence. His career highlights include transformative roles at The Agora Companies, contributing to a period of significant growth as the organization scaled from $500 million to over $1 billion in annual revenue. Now, with LECT, Michael is shaping the future of trading education, drawing on his expertise in operational excellence, strategic partnerships, and application of AI tools to build a next-generation ecosystem that bridges learning and wealth creation.
At Agora, one of Michael’s initiatives was leading the design and implementation of a Portfolio Management investment tracking system, replacing outdated spreadsheet-driven processes with a scalable platform. This transformation increased operational efficiency, improved data accuracy, and provided analysts with real-time insights, revolutionizing how investment decisions were made. Beyond technology, he played a critical role in customer engagement strategies, enhancing premium research products, and optimizing financial content. His deep understanding of the financial publishing industry allowed him to develop innovations while always evaluating the newest opportunities to ensure Agora continued to be an industry leader.
Sam Liu
Sam Liu is a UK-based entrepreneur and social innovator, best known as the co-founder and Director of Operations at WebFX, a digital agency helping SMEs with web development and eCommerce solutions. He also founded TechStart, a social enterprise that supports young people—especially graduates and NEETs—by equipping them with skills and experience to bridge the gap between education and employment.
In recognition of his work with TechStart, Sam was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration by the University of West London. Originally from Taiwan, he now lives in the UK, where he actively engages in community initiatives and collaborates with universities, businesses, and government to promote inclusive opportunities.
Issac Qureshi
Issac is a distinguished expert in mergers and acquisitions with a proven track record of crafting business strategies that drive exponential growth. With over three decades of experience, Issac has successfully led numerous M&A transactions, guiding companies through complex negotiations and seamless integrations. His strategic acumen and innovative approach have consistently unlocked new market opportunities, resulting in significant value creation for stakeholders. Issac’s commitment to excellence and his ability to navigate the intricacies of M&A make him a sought-after advisor for businesses aiming to achieve transformative growth.