ABOUT US

Empire Capital Ventures was born out of a need to bring the financial, accounting and tax advice typical to the 1%, to the hard-working Americans on Main Street. We believe that everyone, especially systemically excluded business professionals, deserve a level of advice that will propel them to the next phase of their wealth building journey. In collaboration with our extensive network of partners, we can confidently assist our clients with creating tax-free wealth with a target time-frame of 10 years. Empire Capital Ventures mission is to help you do well financially so you can continue to do good for your community. We would be honored to build a lasting legacy together.

MEET THE TEAM

Amelia Thomas

Managing Partner

Amelia Thomas is a small business planner and advisor who specializes in tax planning and advisory services for businesses. Amelia’s passions lie in assisting families with creating legacy building frameworks that will carry the family wealth forward for the next 200 years. She has a dedicated “money team” that includes attorneys, CPA’s and other qualified professionals to ensure that one, cohesive strategy is implemented to grow and protect her clients’ assets.

 

With over 15 years of experience, Amelia also earned a B.S. in Business Administration in Finance from Alabama State University and a M.S. in Financial Planning from Kansas State University. Last, she actively works to eliminate the “illusion of inclusion” regarding the use of minority businesses in local government and corporate contracting.

Photo of Dhruva Patel, In-House Bookkeeper

Natilee McGruder Kyle

Partner

Natilee McGruder Kyle weaves a rich tapestry of operations and strategic planning, programming and connecting people–honoring her ancestors with her work. She has since worked with a multitude of dynamic organizations and institutions including Empire Capital Ventures, Tuskegee University, the Wallace Center and the ACLU of Alabama. Her work centers racial equity and emotional intelligence within people-centered operations.

Natilee holds a B.A. from Howard University, a J.D. from the University of Alabama, an M.A. from the University of Sydney and is based in Huntsville.

Ossie Vaughn, Executive Assistant

Ossie Vaughn

Executive Assistant

Ossie Vaughn is from Dothan, Alabama. She attended Auburn University at Montgomery where received a degree in Human Resource Management. Professionally, Ossie has a background in HR Management and insurance. In 2016, she started a virtual assistant business where she supported small business owners with high level administrative support needs.

Ossie resides in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband and three children. When she is not working, Ossie enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, and dancing. Ossie is passionate about community, collaborations, and desires to be a source of light and love in the world. Ossie joined ECV November 2022 and is thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic team of professionals.

Photo of Dhruva Patel, In-House Bookkeeper

Dhruva Patel

Senior Tax Accountant

Dhruva Patel joined the ECV team last February 2022. She has more than five years of experience in preparation of US Tax Returns.

Dhruva has also completed her Masters of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from Mumbai University in the year of 2019. For her pastime, she loves to spend time with her friends.

Harry Boafo, In-House CPA

Harry Boafo

In-House CPA

Harry Boafo is a highly experienced, proficient, and dedicated accounting professional with 6+ years of progressive and successful experience in the field of accounting and finance.

Harry is an exceptional leader, motivator, and team builder who is goal-oriented and excels in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment.

Jada Washington, Administrative Assistant

Jada Washington

Administrative Assistant

Jada Washington is the Administrative Assistant in Empire Capital Ventures, joining in January 2023.

She is a mother of three boys. Jada is born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama.

Holly Groome, Bookkeeping Quality Control Liaison

Holly Groome

Bookkeeping Quality
Control Liaison

Holly Groome has been providing tailored Bookkeeping services for 20 years. Her clients ranged from brick and mortar establishments, to trailing-blazing SaaS start ups and innovative retail ventures. She has worked independently but also for established Accounting, Finance, Tax and HR firms during her career.

When not in professional mode, Holly is a mental health advocate, artist, and mother of two teens. She currently resides in Pennsylvania.

Photo of Horancia deGraft-Osei, In-House CPA

Horancia deGraft-Osei

In-House CPA

Horancia deGraft-Osei has over 12 years’ experience as a CPA, she began her career in Public Accounting as an auditor, then moved to corporate accounting rising from senior accountant to assistant controller across various industries including entertainment/media and insurance. She currently works with small business and individuals where she focuses on accounting support, tax preparation and planning for small businesses and individuals, she enjoys working with clients and helping them understand and improve their “financial health”.

Horancia graduated from James Madison University with a B.B.A and M.S in Accounting. She is originally from Ghana, West Africa but currently lives in Virginia with her husband and three children.

Jubair Taug, Administrative Assistant

Jubair Taug

Administrative Assistant

Jubair Taug has work experience in various niches and fields. Aside from having a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering degree from the Philippines, his experience assisting in the medical field, as well as being a freelance writer and transcriptionist, with considerable experience in leading operations in the field of oil and gas, makes him equipped with the essentials that an Administrative Assistant should have.

When he’s not working, his passion for food, music, tech, and philosophy keeps him busy. But more importantly, his sense of duty to help the people, whether it be through his work, food drives, outreach programs, or just giving back to the community, makes him a great fit for the ECV team.

Lyka Sembrero, Administrative Assistant ECV

Lyka Sembrero

Administrative Assistant

Lyka Sembrero is an Administrative Assistant that has years of experience of being an assistant in various fields, ranging from the Accounting to the Legal field. She is a graduate of BA Political Science and is currently taking up her Juris Doctor degree in the Philippines. Her work experience as a teacher, a freelancer, a paralegal, and an assistant equipped her with the knowledge to customize her services for her clients—to better help them achieve their business goals.
Outside of work, she enjoys travelling and is a big fan of music. She also likes to read as a conscious effort to keep herself grounded, and as a way to free her brain from her studies. But most of the time, when she’s not busy working or studying, you can find her playing with her pets
Photo of Marisa Breathwaite, Project Manager

Marisa Breathwaite

Project Manager

Marisa Breathwaite is from Moyock, North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Global Studies and Asian Studies. She lived in Cairo, Egypt for two years working and studying to improve her Arabic. She is planning to pursue graduate studies in the near future and is excited to start her journey with the ECV Team.

Reberca David, Tax Reviewer

Reberca David

Tax Reviewer

Reberca David is a Certified Public Accountant with a passion for everything accounting and taxes. She desires to educate those around her and assist them in attaining financial independence.

Reberca has devoted her time to educating individuals about finances and taxes.

Natasha Cross, Tax Assistant

Monique Clayton

Tax & Wealth Manager

Monique Clayton has over 15 years’ experience in corporate account management, focused primarily on delivering exceptional service to clients and building strong, lasting relationships. Monique is a graduate of Liberty University with a degree in Business Administration. She is currently seeking her series 65 license and is passionate about the opportunity to empower clients to make sound financial decisions and achieve success in their finances. She enjoys building relationships with clients to address the financial needs of individuals, families, and businesses.

Outside of serving the needs of clients, Monique enjoys reading, spending time with her family, online venture consulting, and serving her church and community within various volunteer roles. She lives in Fayetteville, Georgia with her husband Derris of 17 years and they have 2 children.

Natasha Cross, Tax Assistant

NaTasha Cross

Tax Assistant

NaTasha Cross is a Florida native with a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida A&M University. She has over 15 years of experience in account management and currently resides in coastal Georgia. NaTasha recently joined Empire Capital Ventures as a Tax Assistant in January, where she has been able to further develop her skills.

In addition to her professional work, NaTasha is committed to community service and making a positive impact in the lives of others. She dedicates her time to various service projects and continues to actively seek ways to give back to her community.

Photo of Prudence Zhu, In-House CPA

Nicole Cone

Quality Control Liaison

Nicole Cone is from the Montgomery, Alabama area where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Huntingdon College. She was an in-house Corporate Tax Accountant for about 7.5 years before moving to Saskatchewan, Canada with her husband in May 2013 and becoming a self-employed Digital Professional Bookkeeper. She loves bookkeeping, helping people free up time, and getting their books in order. Nicole loves connecting with people; their creativity, heart, and dedication inspire and amaze her. She loves working from home and homeschooling her two daughters. She also loves gaming where she’s like the mom to her online family, leading a small group since 2007. Nicole is your conscientious and caring CONEsultant and super excited to be part of the ECV Team.

Photo of Prudence Zhu, In-House CPA

Prudence Zhu

In-House CPA

Prudence Zhu has more than nine years of experience in finance and strategy for industries including financial services, consumer electronics, and CPG. She graduated from University of Notre Dame with her MBA in 2014, and she was licensed as a CPA in 2019. Her focus areas are wealth strategy, tax planning, financial planning and analysis, and strategic and financial advisory. She believes that money can’t buy happiness, but it is a foundation for lasting happiness. She’s passionate about travel and continuing learning. She lives in Phoenix AZ with her loving husband and two children.

Photo of Ruth Bacayana

Ruth Bacayana

Administrative and Marketing Assistant

Ruth Bacayana is equipped with years of background on administrative support in various industries. With that, she is set in assisting the team for any course of action. Her experience with sales also contributes to her quality of work in marketing. She takes on the job with enthusiasm, and carries on tasks diligently and passionately.
Outside of work, she immerses herself in books and movies, then catches on with the times through social media.
Ruth is also a great listener, which comes from her enthusiasm and sincere interest in people. She took up a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of the Philippines and has the intention to further her studies in the future.

Sera Deva

Systems & Process Engineer

Sera Deva has a B.S. in Agroecology & Soil Science from The Evergreen State College. She is an adamant believer that related, equitable, and adaptable systems can change the world. For the last ten years, she has worked with various organizations in systems design and director roles to ensure their systems provide the best possible environment for employees and customers alike. She is a student of social justice, racial equity, and approaches to power and wealth distribution. When she’s not geeking out over spreadsheets, genetics, systems theory or soil hydrology, she spends her time growing food and building things in the South Toe Valley in Burnsville, North Carolina.

Toneka Wright, Launch Coordinator Project Manager

Shaira Ebio

Administrative Assistant

Shaira Ebio is from the tropical country, Philippines. Her experience as an Administrative Dietitian and Customer Support Representative equipped her to be a Personal Assistant. She is eager to learn new skills and has the hunger to obtain knowledge to help her grow and achieve her dreams. Outside work, she appreciates art and makes artwork. She loves to paint and create Digital Art and 3D Digital Art. By profession, she’s a registered Nutritionist and Dietitian in the PH. She’s an advocate of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. She’s passionate about helping people. She’s also excited to be part of the ECV team.

Toneka Wright, Launch Coordinator Project Manager

Toneka Wright

Launch Coordinator Project Manager

Toneka Wright is a seasoned project manager and analyst with over 15 years of experience in the legal industry. With a wealth of expertise in managing complex litigation projects for multi-million dollar companies, Toneka has established herself as a highly competent and reliable professional. She is widely respected for her ability to effectively manage project timelines, budgets, and resources while ensuring quality results.

Toneka has a proven track record of success in her field. Throughout her career, she has overseen a wide range of litigation projects, including large-scale document reviews, e-discovery projects, and trial preparation. Her strong leadership skills and keen attention to detail have enabled her to consistently deliver projects on time and within budget while exceeding client expectations.

In addition to her project management and analytical skills, Toneka is known for her ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues. She has a talent for communicating complex concepts in a clear and concise manner, which has earned her a reputation as an effective collaborator and problem-solver. Outside of work, Toneka enjoys DIY, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.