Meet Yugo’s founders, makers, thinkers and leaders. The ones holding the vision for our global student community — and beyond.
A life lived with purpose and impact: that’s Rui’s vision for each of our students. An expert in leading international teams, he brings 30+ years of hospitality experience to his role as Yugo’s CEO. And before that, as our Global Chief Operating Officer. Life before Yugo included COO positions at Habitas and Quarters Co-living, where he also steered the business safely through Covid as their CEO.
With a strong track record in building and leading finance organizations, Mark fulfills an essential dual role: as CFO to Yugo and also our sister company, Global Student Accommodation (GSA).
Before Yugo, he spent 28+ years in financial and operational management at GE in the US, Europe and Asia. Most recently, he served as the Global FP&A Leader and Chief Diversity Officer at GE Capital.
The driving force behind Yugo’s worldwide expansion and former Managing Director of Global Student Accommodation (GSA) Spain.
Christopher owns the independent bookseller Cervantes y Cia Libros and has published several articles on management in private educational institutions. He’s also an Adjunct Professor at the School of Architecture & Design, IE University.
Bringing 20+ years of international human resources leadership experience, Michelle has been key in shaping Yugo culture.
In a career that's taken her from Australia, to the UAE and the US, she’s proved her ability to create engaging employee experiences, bringing people and culture together. She's an expert in building diverse, high-performing teams.
Jessica has 20+ years experience in both conventional and student housing. She’s a model for effective leadership and has create a team of similarly high-calibre, highly engaged leaders at Yugo.
Before joining us, she was the Regional Vice President of Student Housing for Asset Living, and served as Regional Manager for Campus Advantage.
Leslie brings a valuable mix of marketing, financial analytical, and problem-solving skills to the Yugo team, and is responsible for delivering on portfolio NOI, occupancy, and team development.
She’s spent the past 12 years working across the US in various sectors of the property management industry, for companies such as Greystar and Ambling Management Company.
Richard is a commercially astute leader with a passion for turning businesses around. He has an impressive history of driving growth and performance across operational and functional teams.
It’s a success story that spans his Yugo career, but also precedes it within organizations such as Global Student Accommodation (GSA), Unite Students and Compass Group.
Tim has 20+ years’ experience in hospitality, commercial, residential leased & freehold portfolios, plus global experience in portfolio management.
Before Yugo, Tim led national operations for Unilodge, driving operational standards, revenue generation and managing key stakeholder relationships with Owners and Universities.
Yugo’s profitability sits under Keona’s watchful eye. Using high-impact, technology-based leasing solutions, she ensures we meet our occupancy targets and grow our revenue.
Her career in Sales & Advertising includes specialist experience in the fields of digital media, guerilla marketing, and brand promotions with global pioneers such as Red Bull, Jack Daniels and Clear Channel.
Ed plays a key role in our continued growth as a business, leading our IT team with a combination of business acumen and technical agility. He brings many years’ experience in running transformational projects, driving change and innovation, and successfully building tech systems within the student housing sector.
Before Yugo, he spent over 17 years with University Partnerships Programme (UPP).
