Sandgate Advisors is a corporate governance and financial advisory firm led by seasoned executives with decades of experience in public REIT leadership, global capital markets, and regulatory compliance.
Sean M. Mahoney
PARTNER
Sean Mahoney is a senior financial executive and former public REIT CFO with extensive experience in real estate investment trusts, capital markets transactions, and corporate governance.
Sean Mahoney brings over 30 years of distinguished experience in professional services, public and private company operations and finance, with a concentration in real estate and hospitality, Boards of Directors, corporate governance, investor relations, international and team leadership. His career spans C-level leadership roles at premier public Real Estate Investment Trusts including DiamondRock Hospitality Company and most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at RLJ Lodging Trust. At DiamondRock, he demonstrated entrepreneurial acumen through his leadership role in a start-up that raised $200M of initial capital through a Rule 144A private placement, followed by a successful NYSE initial public offering, and numerous additional debt and equity capital raises which resulted in a well-respected $3+ billion public company. His recent experience at RLJ Lodging Trust included successfully developing and executing a post-merger strategy of dispositions, conversions and ROI investment, balance sheet recapitalization—all while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Sean’s leadership was recognized by being named “Best REIT CFO” on the Institutional Investor 2017 and 2018 All-America Executive teams and rated as “Most Credible Mid-Cap CFOs” in the 2017 Restaurant and Leisure Industry Survey conducted by Rivel Research Group.
Education
- BS in Accounting, Syracuse University, Martin J. Whitman School of Management
Certifications & Licenses
- Former Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Commonwealth of Virginia
Career Highlights
- “Best REIT CFO” – Institutional Investor 2017 & 2018 All-America Executive Teams
- “Most Credible Mid-Cap CFOs” – 2017 Rivel Research Group Survey
- Led $200M Rule 144A private placement and NYSE IPO at DiamondRock
- Built DiamondRock into a $3+ billion public company
- Current Board Member – KMI International
- Current Board Member – Virginia Health Care Foundation
- Former Board Member – American Lodging & Hotel Association
Dan Mullineaux
PARTNER
Dan Mullineaux is an investment banking and emerging markets specialist with deep experience in global debt markets, portfolio management, and financial institution leadership.
Dan Mullineaux brings over 30 years of distinguished experience in global financial markets, investment banking, asset management, and team development/leadership. His career spans senior leadership roles at premier financial institutions including Goldman Sachs Asset Management, JPM Chase, UBS, Knight Capital Group, and most recently as Managing Director of Emerging Markets at Seaport Global Holdings. At Goldman Sachs, he managed over $8 billion in emerging markets debt across 50+ portfolios, achieving consistent annual returns. His entrepreneurial acumen was evident as Managing Partner at Liquidity Finance LLP, where he built US operations from the ground up, establishing a 10-person team that generated $20 million in peak revenue and opened hundreds of client accounts. At Knight Capital Group, he built and managed global emerging markets teams spanning the US, London, and Hong Kong, generating $50 million in revenue in year one.
Education
- MBA in Finance and Statistics, NYU Stern School of Business
- BS in Finance, Syracuse University, Martin J. Whitman School of Management
- Certificate in AI Strategies for Business Transformation, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management
Certifications & Licenses
- Series 7 License
- Series 63 License
- Series 24 License
Career Highlights
- Managed $8B+ in emerging markets debt at Goldman Sachs
- Achieved consistent 10% annual returns across 50+ portfolios
- Built US operations generating $20M peak revenue at Liquidity Finance LLP
- Led global teams generating $50M revenue at Knight Capital Group
Mark Rubino
SENIOR CONSULTANT
Mark Rubino is a corporate compliance attorney and former federal prosecutor specializing in internal investigations, regulatory risk mitigation, and financial crimes defense.
Mark Rubino is a highly experienced legal and compliance professional whose expertise has been honed through his success as a corporate executive, civil litigator, and federal prosecutor. A courtroom and board room tested professional who brings deep legal expertise and a global business perspective to problem-solving and mitigating risk. Trusted by boards and C-suite executives to effectively uncover root causes and develop proactive compliance strategies. Objective and empathetic leader who inspires cross-functional collaboration to remediate issues and implement practical solutions. Mark began his career as a Trial Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC, handling both civil and criminal matters in the federal courts. He also served as an Assistant US Attorney in both Miami, FL and in Connecticut, where he successfully prosecuted significant narcotics and financial crimes cases, earning several commendations. After completing his government service, Mark joined KPMG as a Principal and Associate General Counsel where he was recruited to build and lead the internal investigation function. Over the course of his tenure at the firm, he directed more than 750 high-profile, corporate internal investigations involving potential violations of law, professional practice standards, and firm policies. He joined the firm at a time of heightened regulatory oversight and was a key player in its successful completion of a DOJ Deferred Prosecution Agreement. Mark fostered open dialogue with regulators and assisted in expanding the firm’s government contracting business. He regularly reported to the Board and executive leadership, advising on emerging legal issues and remediation. He also served as a firm-wide financial crimes thought leader and developed and delivered training to multiple internal audiences on compliance, investigation, and mitigating legal risk. Mark completed his tenure at KPMG in September 2024 and opened his own law firm, Rubino Partners LLC, which specializes in helping companies big and small with corporate compliance and internal investigations. He also represents individuals and organizations in criminal matters. Throughout his career, Mark has been drawn to opportunities to educate and mentor rising leaders. Mark developed and delivered training to DOJ and KPMG professionals. Today he shares his expertise as a Guest Lecturer in business law at the University of Connecticut School of Business. He serves on the Civilian Review Board for the Town of Westport and is an active volunteer with local civic organizations.
Education
- JD, Ohio Northern University, Claude W. Pettit College of Law
- BS in Finance, University of Connecticut
Certifications & Licenses
- Member of the Bar, State of New York
- Member of the Bar, State of Connecticut
- Member of the Bar, District of Columbia
Career Highlights
- Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC
- Assistant US Attorney, Southern District of Florida (Miami) and District of Connecticut
- Principal and Associate General Counsel, KPMG
- Directed 750+ high-profile corporate internal investigations at KPMG
- Key player in successful completion of DOJ Deferred Prosecution Agreement
- Founder, Rubino Partners LLC – Corporate Compliance & Internal Investigations
- Guest Lecturer in Business Law, University of Connecticut School of Business
- Member, Civilian Review Board, Town of Westport
Interested in working with our leadership team?
Contact Sandgate Advisors to discuss your strategic advisory needs.
Trusted by organizations across industries
Private Equity | Family Offices | Real Estate | Professional Services | Accounting