Our Team at
Turner International Group
At Turner International Group, our team is comprised of accomplished professionals who bring diverse expertise and a wealth of experience from their independent careers. We view each other as leaders, not just team members, fostering an environment where collaboration and innovation thrive.
Operating with a flat organisational structure allows us to maintain open communication and agility, with vision and direction guided by our CEO. While titles are a part of our business landscape, our core philosophy emphasises that every team member is equally valued, and the client always comes first.
We are committed to creating a supportive and empowering atmosphere that encourages collaboration and individuality. Each team member contributes their unique strengths to our collective success, reinforcing our belief that strong leadership is essential in helping our clients achieve their business goals.
We are more than just colleagues; we are a united force dedicated to delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions that drive our clients forward. Together, we are poised to make a meaningful impact in the world of corporate finance.
Keith Turner
CEO and President
Keith is an international investment and merchant banker with over 40 years experience working in Scotland, New York, London, Miami, the Far East and Western Canada. He has created and managed loan and equity portfolios in the billions of dollars and has structured and closed several hundred management buyouts and growth financings. He has worked with several of North America’s premier real estate developers and major league sports teams. Keith has played a major role in the development of a cryptocurrency and blockchain organisation, as well as founding an innovative media aggregator. He has been nominated 4 times for Entrepreneur Of The Year in Western Canada. Keith is a family-man with five adult children and one granddaughter. He is an avid long-distance runner and walker, both for recreational and charitable endeavours.
Charlie Fisher
SVP Business Development
Jonathan Norris
Managing Director
After earning his MBA, Jonathan spent 25 years building expertise in commercial and merchant banking and private credit. He held key roles in investment and management teams of top private credit funds, including Third Eye Capital, recognized as Best Credit Fund Manager by HedgeWeek USA, and Fiera Private Debt. Jonathan has participated in numerous financing projects across various platforms, covering the full capital structure, from senior and junior capital to high-yield special situations. He emphasizes return on investment and capital preservation, handling business development, due diligence, underwriting, and investment management, including restructuring. Jonathan enjoys working closely with entrepreneurs to uncover opportunities often overlooked by traditional investors. Over the past 15 years, he and Keith (CEO of TIG) have partnered on multiple projects. Residing near Toronto, Jonathan is a father of two, passionate about DIY projects, and coaches local minor league ice hockey teams.
Melanie Valois
Executive Assistant and Director of Philanthropy
Melanie has a professional and familial background in the not-for-profit sector related to education, family services, grassroots organising, and providing resources to vulnerable populations. Her experience has allowed her to identify various gaps that exist within a diverse range of communities. These qualifications plus her heightened relational and organisational skills make her perfectly suited to be executive assistant to Senior Management, and more importantly, Director of Philanthropy. Melanie’s passion for travel and the outdoors has led her to walk over 1000 kms throughout Spain and Portugal and to volunteer regularly at a regenerative farm while remaining a passionate leader and contributor at TIG.
Shanayne Atkins
Administrator and Operations Coordinator
Shanayne holds a degree in Business Administration and a diploma in International Business Management. With experience in corporate insurance, as well as roles at a national airline and high-end athletic brand, she brings a balanced approach to the dynamic world of finance as TIG’s Administrator and Operations Coordinator. Having lived and travelled in Europe, Shanayne has developed a keen understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives, which enhances her ability to navigate complex business environments. At TIG, Shanayne is dedicated to supporting the team and ensuring smooth operations. Her love for camping and hiking trips reflects her appreciation for exploration and adaptability—qualities that are essential in the ever-changing landscape of finance.
Kaehler Sterr
Founding Shareholder and Advisor
“There is beauty in our ability to positively impact each other’s lives, which is why I place emphasis on the importance of building lasting connections and meaningful relationships that become extended family – and family is everything to me..” – Shanayne Atkins
Global Collaborative Partners
Sanjay Baskaran
Sanjay has 25+ years of experience in fintechs, payments, and e-commerce working for Amazon, Visa, and HSBC. He is now a tech & info services advisor/OP to one of the leading private equity companies Advent working on deal flow, diligence, and value creation plans. His focus is on innovative & transformative business models to drive exponential growth using strategy & tech such as AI, ML, blockchain & others. Prior to PE, Sanjay was CEO & turned around One Technologies where he grew the business and orchestrated digital transformation. As President of TaxAct and officer of publicly traded Blucora, he grew annualized revenues 34% over two years by deploying a customer-centric, digitally transformative strategy. As GM of a multi billion dollar P&L Amazon Cards he led the launch of the Amazon Prime Card & initiated the Amazon Business card. These programs were industry leading in the deal economics and use of ML & AI to drive new customer & portfolio growth 5x peers. His other roles include head of analytics at Visa N. America and leadership positions in marketing at HSBC. Sanjay sits on the Board of the Broad College of Business Michigan State University. He has been a mentor at Harvard Innovation Labs for 3 years to multiple student founders. Sanjay and his wife Linda together support philanthropic efforts in education & homelessness. They love travel, collecting art and supporting emerging artists.
Gary Lovelace
Gary is a seasoned entrepreneur with an MBA and over 40 years of business ownership experience across a diverse range of industries, including high-tech construction site surveillance, clean-burn fuel additives, and a chain of fitness and wellness centers that have served more than 30,000 individuals and employed over 340 people. With a prolific history in real estate, he has developed shopping centres and apartments, land development projects, and condominium conversions, totalling over 750 units. Additionally, his business endeavors have taken him offshore to operate an international investment company as part of a conglomerate of global investors.
Now, he leverages this expertise to advise and consult with aspiring and successful business owners. Gary also founded a nonprofit foundation 30 years ago, focusing on addressing humanitarian, social, and spiritual needs around the globe. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, family, and friends, golfing, cycling, and enjoying Arizona’s year-round outdoor lifestyle.
Will Meier
Will is an accomplished leader, strategist, and mentor with over four decades of experience in driving innovation and managing complex engineering projects. With a Mechanical Engineering degree and a Master’s in Leadership Coaching, he combines technical expertise with visionary leadership. As Project Discipline Manager at Pratt & Whitney, he develops teams and leads aerospace initiatives while fostering operational excellence. Through Awakening Destiny Global, Will coaches CEOs, entrepreneurs, and change-makers, helping them unlock their potential and create transformative impact. Will is also the author of Leaders for Life, offering practical leadership principles to inspire success. Known for his intuitive insights and effective communication, he advises leaders across industries and develops businesses, creating breakthrough results in team-building and sustainable innovation. Passionate about collaboration, he champions solutions that empower leaders to shape organizations and communities. Outside of work, he values time with his wife, Donna, and their family, sharing a commitment to faith, creativity, and integrity and leaving a legacy in a changing world.
Lee Sanders
Lee Sanders owns Firethorn Financial Group, LLC, specializing in business planning and consulting for businesses of all sizes. He began his career at Merrill Lynch in Little Rock, managing $258 million in client assets. After the Great Recession, he founded a financial planning practice focusing on small to mid-sized businesses, addressing challenges like valuation, exit planning, and growth strategies while also offering Fractional CFO services. Lee earned an MBA in Corporate Finance from Auburn University and later founded Firethorn Financial Group, which became a General Agency for Guardian Life Insurance. He then transitioned to an independent practice to better serve clients. Lee holds several professional designations, including FINRA Series 7, 63, 65, 66, 24, SEC registration as an IAR, and Chartered Financial Consultant. He also serves on the Board of the March of Dimes Arkansas Chapter. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Central Arkansas.