Team

Ziyou is the founder and CEO of Qualiv Real Estate. She holds a degree in urban planning and real estate from Cornell University. Ziyou’s previous experience in building revitalization includes projects for Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong and for a nonprofit in Portugal. She is an author for the China Urban Development Blog and a certified LEED green building associate.

Claire is an investment manager with a unique experience in financial services in Asia. After graduating from New York University with a degree in economics, Claire joined Ernst & Young where she participated in audit reviews for IPOs and listed firms. Prior to Qualiv, she worked as an investment manager at UBS SDIC Asset Management Co. where she managed over $1.5 billion in portfolio investments.

Rui has a graduation in Economics with a postgraduate master’s degree in International Management by the School of Economics of the University of Porto. His employment background includes consulting services in PwC and EY in the audit and transactions teams, providing advisory overhaul to corporate and private clients mainly for financial due diligence services. In between, Rui has also worked in a real estate development company in Lisbon, Eastbanc, where he was responsible for investment and business development, including analysing new investment opportunities. Prior to Qualiv, Rui worked as CFO in an urban mobility sector company, in Porto.

Maria Vasconcelos has experience developing a wide variety of projects, ranging from family housing to the requalification of urban spaces. As a designer, Maria has worked alongside renowned architects such as Eduardo Souto Moura, Manuel Aires Mateus, and Adriano Pimenta for over a decade. As a project manager, Maria ensures the success of planning approvals, the quality and details of architectural projects, and the accuracy and compliance of all engineering projects.

Rui Ferreira is a civil engineer with over a decade of experience in the construction industry. Having started his career in Portugal, Rui Ferreira spent 7 years in London where he managed construction projects ranging from residential, and commercial, to public buildings. Rui successfully led a major residential development in London as the Project Manager before returning to Portugal in 2020. He continues to develop his career managing complex construction sites, aiming to guarantee the quality and efficiency of investments in real estate.

Laila Nesheim has a diverse background in various fields, including International Development with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Jerusalem and Norway. In 2014, the negotiation skills acquired from complex international development projects allowed her to successfully transition to the Real Estate field. She currently sources and negotiates deals on behalf of many investors and funds from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Manuel Fidalgo is a Civil Engineer with 15 years of professional experience in managing several Projects in different areas of the Construction Industry, such as Hospitality, Industrial, Residential, and Retail. Rehabilitation of an Old Power Station in Luderitz, The construction of a Forensic Institute in Windhoek and the construction of a 200-bedroom Student Residence in Lisbon are some examples of the experience of Manuel. Postgraduate in Real Estate Management By Porto Business School (PBS) will continue to develop his career in successfully managing Real Estate Projects and Investments.

João Santos has worked in the hospitality sector for over 15 years. João honed his hospitality skills working as a steward on Japanese and British airlines. Before Qualiv, João was an independent decorator and home rental operator in London and Lisbon, with a renowned reputation in the fields of interior design. Now he designs, decorates, and manages the properties we develop for the final homeowners.

Pedro José Francisco was a university professor for 18 years in Architecture, Construction, Structures, and Design. Alongside his academic career, he has worked at several architecture firms, developing projects ranging from residential buildings and hotel construction to industrial and commercial complexes. He is licensed by the Ordem dos Arquitecto. His expertise in heritage sites, project management, and design qualify him as both an instructor and an inspector in these fields. 

André Prata is an architect with experience working with many renowned architects and engineering teams in Portugal. His background in acoustics led him to a wide range of projects, from residential to public venues. Along with a year spent studying and working in Austria, he developed valuable conceptual thinking skills and high standards of work. At Qualiv, André manages architectural projects and liaises with design, engineering, and construction teams.

Hugo is a Certified Accountant with over 15 years of experience in the most diverse and distinct business areas. After graduating in Accounting - Auditing at ISCAP, he joined an accounting office that dealt simultaneously with several sectors of business activity. Now Hugo works to ensure the precision and consistency in financial controls and accountancy at Qualiv.

As a Certified Accountant, Carlos worked for Conceito Norte in Porto in the areas of accounting, taxation, human resources, and treasury. Carlos joined Ryanair in 2012 as cabin services supervisor and, for several years, provided top guest service as a flight attendant based in Pisa, Mallorca, Porto, and Dublin. Carlos joined NH Porto Jardim as a front office agent providing professional as well as friendly customer service at all times. In 2020, Carlos was responsible for the accountancy of Caetano Motors. At Qualiv, Carlos works between the back office and front office, creating a smooth and enjoyable working environment for all.

Filipa is an Architect with a diverse background in the field. She graduated from FAUP and also studied in São Paulo, Brazil, where she volunteered on constructing houses in favelas. This experience gave her a unique perspective on community-driven and socially responsible design. Throughout her career, she has worked on various projects in renowned architecture offices, allowing her to develop a broad skill set in project design and management. As Project Architect at Qualiv, she collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the successful delivery of projects.