OUR TEAM
Akiva J. Kurland
Founder & CEO
Akiva J. Kurland, CPA is the founder and CEO of Yellow Jacket Ventures LLC. Akiva has been investing in and managing real estate since 2002 and has been a direct private lender focused on providing short-term bridge loans secured by first-mortgages on real estate since 2012.
Akiva has worked at some of the most prestigious consulting and asset management firms in the world where he accumulated the knowledge and discipline that he now applies to running and operating YJV. Akiva held roles at EY and Blackstone and was the CFO of Palladium Capital Advisors and KG Funds Management. Akiva has extensive experience with numerous asset classes including equities, debt, derivatives, alternatives, real estate and structured products.
Akiva graduated with honors with a B.S. in accounting from Brooklyn College, CUNY, is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of New York and is a member of the AICPA and a licensed real estate broker with the state of NY. Akiva is involved with many charitable organizations in his community and has pioneered mentoring programs for students at local elementary and high schools in Brooklyn, NY.
Akiva enjoys traveling, closing deals, cycling and skiing when he is not closing deals.
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Jordan Wolf
COO
Jordan Wolf is the Chief Operating Officer at Yellow Jacket Ventures and is responsible for all firmwide operations.
Jordan brings over 20 years of real estate equity and debt leadership experience spanning commercial, residential, and mixed-use portfolios. Known for driving operational efficiencies and maximizing asset performance, he has overseen everything from ground-up developments to strategic repositioning.
Jordan holds a B.S. in Management Information Systems from Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business and has a proven track record of balancing technical acumen with strategic foresight.
Despite managing thousands of units and navigating complex development timelines, Jordan’s most challenging project remains assembling IKEA furniture without calling customer support.
Craig J. Hyman
Controller
Craig J. Hyman, CPA is the Controller at Yellow Jacket Ventures and is responsible for the management of the accounting, tax and finance functions at the firm.
Craig brings three decades of experience to his position with an extensive background in accounting, real estate, mortgage banking, underwriting, compliance and property management.
Craig earned a B.B.A. in accounting from Emory University and received his Certified Public Accountant license in the state of New York.
Craig ensures that we all get paid so we have to be nice to him. He loves live music, sports and is a lifelong NY Giants fan.
Skyla D'silva
Chief Legal Officer
Skyla D'silva, Esq is the In-House Counsel at Yellow Jacket Ventures and is responsible for the legal and compliance functions and provides underwriting assistance at the firm.
Skyla graduated with an LL.M. from Pace University School of Law and has an MBA in Finance and Business Analytics from Monroe College. She also received a Bachelors of Law from Rizvi Law College in Mumbai. She is admitted to the state of New York as an Attorney.
In her free time, she loves to work and study (and cook & bake when she’s hungry).
Alex Espinosa
Property Manager
Alex is a Property Manager at the Firm and is responsible for the property management, maintenance and construction functions at the firm.
Alex earned a B.B.A. in Business Administration from PUCMM in addition to an Associate of Science from People Business School in Santo Domingo, DR.
Alex travels back to the DR to watch baseball because that's better than getting caught in traffic driving to the Bronx.
Joycelyn Noralez
Accounting Associate
Joycelyn Noralez is an Accounting Associate at Yellow Jacket Ventures and assists with the accounting, finance and operations of the Firm's real estate portfolio and lending fund.
Joycelyn graduated with a B.S. in accounting from Brooklyn College, CUNY.
Joycelyn works when she's not debating politics and enjoys cultivating her love for music during her spare time.
Frances Hercules
Associate
Frances Hercules is an Associate at Yellow Jacket Ventures and is responsible to do just about everything in our office since no one else really does much.
Frances graduated with a B.A. in Marketing and Business Management from Long Island University.
Frances loves bimmers and hydrates on moscato.
Sherry Winter
Associate
Sherry Winter is an Associate at Yellow Jacket Ventures. Sherry brings over 5 years of property management experience and assists with asset maintenance and tenant relations.
Sherry graduated with a B.S. in Business Management with a minor in Marketing from Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business.
Sherry traded LA sunshine for the NYC hustle but still makes sure to come into work every day flexing that Dodgers cap.
Sparrow St. Aime
Maintenance Engineer
Sparrow is a Maintenance Engineer at the Firm and is responsible for maintenance and upkeep at the firms real estate properties.