A Team Built to Operate in Austria

Ryan Finlay is an investor and analyst in the natural resources industry with experience spanning engineering, project development, financing, and mineral exploration across global markets. As CEO of Ekometall, he leads the company’s strategy to unlock Austria’s critical mineral potential. Ryan is also the founder of Ledgewood Resources, a resources investment firm targeting mineral exploration opportunities. He studied geology at Brown University, earned his Master’s in Engineering Management from Duke University, and holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation—bringing rigorous, investment-grade discipline to Ekometall’s exploration thesis.

Severina Ditzov is a dual-qualified legal professional who graduated from the University of Vienna and the University of Sofia. With deep expertise in Austrian commercial, corporate, and regulatory law, Severina is Ekometall’s anchor in the country’s complex operating environment. She oversees corporate development and ensures that the company navigates licensing frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory compliance with the precision that Austria’s well-governed mining jurisdiction demands. Her entrepreneurial mindset and understanding of Austrian business operations are instrumental to Ekometall’s growth on the ground.

Thomas Unterweissacher is one of Austria’s premier exploration geologists, with nearly two decades of hands-on experience across the Austrian Alps. As a certified European Geologist (EurGeol), he has led and overseen technical programs spanning early-stage exploration through advanced project development. Thomas holds a Ph.D. in Economic Geology and Geochemistry from the Montanuniversität Leoben — Austria’s foremost mining university. His deep modern exploration expertise, paired with an extensive knowledge of Austria’s historical mining legacy, enables him to translate Ekometall’s archival insights into boots-on-the-ground exploration results.

Jennifer Epstein has been instrumental in building the geological foundation of Ekometall’s thesis. She led the company’s historic data research program alongside the Geologische Bundesanstalt in Vienna, translating thousands of pages of archival records into actionable exploration targets. Jennifer holds an MSc in Earth Sciences from Universität Wien with a specialization in impact petrology and geochemistry. Her expertise in data management, digitization, and GIS—combined with extensive geological fieldwork including mapping and sampling—makes her a critical link between Austria’s mining heritage and Ekometall’s modern exploration strategy.