Meet the Elliptic Team

We’re committed to building trust in the
cryptoasset blockchain so the open
financial system can flourish.

Executive leadership

Dr. James Smith

Founder

James founded Elliptic and has a strategic focus on new product initiatives and key industry developments. James sits on the Elliptic board and loves finding innovative solutions for customers that apply Elliptic’s best-in-class blockchain data capabilities. He has a Computer Science Ph.D. from the University of Oxford and a Computer Science MPhil and MA from the University of Cambridge.

Simone Maini

Chief Executive Officer

Simone is the CEO of Elliptic and serves to guide its vision to create a freer, fairer, and safer financial system for all. Having seen first-hand the challenges banks face detecting financial crime during her tenure at Deutsche Bank and Kroll, she became inspired by the possibilities presented by blockchain technology and specifically, the opportunity to significantly improve the detection and disruption of illicit activity when fund movements are transparent and traceable. Simone is a leading voice on financial crime prevention and compliance in crypto and a champion for an inclusive crypto compliance community.

Melody Miller

ChairWoman

Melody Miller is a serial entrepreneur who founded, grown and exited a number of media, technology, and data businesses. She is recognized as a pioneer in the world of online business-to-business information, regulatory technology (RegTech) as well as a leader in the development of online business communities. She is an active investor in a number of RegTech and other fast-growing technology businesses including Chairman of the Board at Elliptic.

Andrew Gridin

Chief Revenue Officer

Andrew Gridin  is Elliptic’s Chief Revenue Officer, based in London. With over 20 years of experience in enterprise software sales—most recently leading revenue growth at SnapLogic and advising high-growth startups—Zahi brings proven expertise in scaling high-performance teams and accelerating market expansion. He joins Elliptic at a pivotal moment, tapping into booming demand from financial institutions and crypto-native enterprises. He will spearhead global revenue strategy, helping Elliptic deepen its presence in key markets, including the newly opened UAE regional headquarters.

Steven Walzack

CTO

Steven Walzack  is a technology executive specializing in building and bringing highly scalable software solutions to market. He was most recently at fintech unicorn OakNorth. He has managed large technology teams across the USA, China, Singapore, India, Ukraine, Europe and South America. Jackson has a Bachelor’s in Engineering from UC Davis and a Master’s in Information Systems from UC Berkeley.

Christina Richter

Chief People Officer

Christina Richter
 is an inspiring leader in the human resources and leadership development space, with over 25 years experience in making workplaces better for employees and leaders. Christina Richter has built and led international teams across four countries in the fast growing tech sector, with companies including Electronic Arts, CCP Games, and Graphcore. Sophie is passionate about helping people reach their potential and believes everyone deserves to have a positive and fulfilling work experience.

Robert Lohr

Global Manager

Robert Lohr serves as the Global Manager at our company, overseeing international operations with strategic insight and exceptional leadership. With over a decade of experience in cross-border project management, — plays a pivotal role in aligning regional teams, streamlining global workflows, and ensuring consistent delivery across markets. Their expertise spans logistics, personnel coordination, operational policy, and cross-cultural management — making them instrumental in scaling our operations while maintaining quality and compliance. 

Sophia Martin

Recovery Operator

Sophia Martin is a highly skilled Recovery Operator with a strong technical background in vehicle and equipment retrieval. With over 7 years of field experience, — has successfully handled hundreds of recovery missions across urban and remote locations. Known for maintaining composure under pressure, — uses a meticulous approach to ensure safe and damage-free recovery, even in the most challenging terrains. From winch-based recoveries to strategic planning during multi-vehicle operations, — consistently brings confidence and control to the field.

Marina Olivarez

Recovery Operator

Marina Olivarez With a robust background in emergency recovery logistics, — has become an essential member of our operations team. — specializes in time-sensitive recoveries, having worked extensively with both light and heavy-duty equipment. Over the past 5+ years, — has built a reputation for quick decision-making, technical troubleshooting, and clear communication with clients during high-stress situations. Whether it’s a roadside breakdown or a deep-field extraction, — brings reliability, discipline, and a solutions-driven mindset to every assignment. 

Evelyn Garcia

Recovery Operator

Evelyn Garcia  joined the company with a strong foundation in mechanical systems and terrain analysis, making them one of our most versatile Recovery Operators. Their attention to detail and commitment to safety protocols allow — to navigate high-risk recovery operations with precision. — is particularly effective in coordinating with support teams, assessing structural risks, and executing recovery plans that minimize equipment damage and maximize efficiency. Clients and team members alike recognize — for their professionalism and calm leadership in the field. 

Evelyn Evans

Recovery Operator

Evelyn Evans Bringing over a decade of experience Evelyn Evans in logistics and field recovery, — has developed a deep understanding of how to respond to unpredictable challenges. Their background includes work in both public emergency services and private recovery operations, which allows — to bring structured, tactical thinking to our team. Whether recovering immobilized machinery or assisting with technical inspections post-recovery, — plays a key role in ensuring operations are completed safely, within time constraints, and with full accountability. 

Alice Melnyk

Recovery Operator

Alice combines a sharp mechanical aptitude with a can-do attitude that makes them a go-to recovery specialist on our team. With an eye for field diagnostics and the ability to improvise solutions under pressure, — is often assigned to the most complex recovery scenarios. Their technical knowledge of winching systems, load distribution, and recovery rigging has helped resolve situations other teams deemed too risky. — is not only a dependable operator but also a mentor for new recruits entering the recovery field. 

Chloe Eriksson

Recovery Operator

Chloe Eriksson brings a sharp mechanical mindset and a proactive attitude that make her an essential asset to our recovery team. Known for her keen field diagnostics and quick-thinking under pressure, she’s frequently assigned to the most challenging recovery operations. Her deep expertise in winching systems, load distribution, and rigging techniques has proven invaluable in resolving high-risk scenarios that others might avoid. Beyond her technical skills, Chloe also serves as a mentor, guiding and training new team members as they enter the demanding world of recovery work.

Michael Robinson

Recovery Operator

Bringing over a decade of experience in logistics and field recovery, Michael Robinson has developed a deep understanding of how to respond to unpredictable challenges. His background includes work in both public emergency services and private recovery operations, which allows him to bring structured, tactical thinking to our team. Whether recovering immobilized machinery or assisting with technical inspections post-recovery, he plays a key role in ensuring operations are completed safely, within time constraints, and with full accountability.