Damian Smikle

Damian Smikle is the Managing Partner of Unlocked Holdings, where he leads investment
strategy and execution across value-add opportunities. His work spans market analysis,
organizational development, and capital formation, with a focus on building disciplined, scalable
investment processes.

In addition to real estate, Damian has extensive experience operating companies across
multiple industries, including logistics and consulting. He brings a builder’s mindset to
execution—developing teams, managing risk, and scaling operations.
Alongside his operating experience, Damian brings deep capital-markets expertise in his current
role as an equity swap trader, with strengths in risk management, trade structuring, and
execution supporting institutional portfolios.

Previously, Damian was a High Yield Associate Portfolio Manager at AllianceBernstein, working
on a team responsible for investing more than $65 billion in assets. Prior to that, he served as a
High Yield Associate Credit Analyst at Moody’s Investors Service, contributing to high-yield
transactions totaling more than $10 billion.

Damian is also a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship and investing. He holds a B.S. in
Finance from The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business. Mr. Smikle is an Army
Veteran where he served as an Air Defense Artillery Officer for the Ohio Army National Guard.