OUR SPEAKERS
Marjut is Chief Executive at the EIF since January 2023. She previously held the post of Secretary General at the EIB and before that was Deputy Chief Executive at the EIF. She has also held roles at DG ECFIN at the European Commission, having started her career as a loan officer and internal auditor at Dresdner Bank in Germany.
MARJUT FALKSTEDT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE AT THE EIF
Ainara holds a degree in Law with a specialisation in legal and economic law from the University of Deusto, an MBA in business management and administration, and expertise in business competitiveness and regional development.
Her professional journey began as a strategy consultant at LKS Consultores (1997-2002). She served as the general director of the Azaro Foundation in 2022 and 2015, concurrently managing the Lea Artibai Development Agency. Between 2007 and 2010, she taught economics and business strategy at the University of Deusto’s Faculty of Business Humanities.
In 2015, she assumed the role of General Director at Beaz, and since 2019, she has been the Provincial Deputy of the Department for Economic Promotion.
AINARA BASURKO URKIRI, PROVINCIAL DEPUTY OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR ECONOMIC PROMOTION
Mario joined the European Commission in 1994 and held various senior positions. Since June 2020, he is the Director General of DG REFORM, in charge for the technical support to Structural Reform. Previously, he served as Director for “horizontal policies” in the Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union Directorate General.
Prior to that, he was Director of the “Financial system surveillance and crisis management” Directorate and, from 2011 to 2016, Director of the “Regulation and prudential supervision of financial institutions”. Previously, he was Head of the “Banking and Financial Conglomerates” Unit, of the Financial Markets Infrastructure Unit, a member of the Group of Policy Advisers of the EU Commission President, and a member of the Cabinet of the Competition Commissioner.
Alongside his current work, he is active in research and teaching. He is currently Visiting Professor at Bocconi University (Milan) and at Solvay Business School (Brussels) and has been teaching in several universities in Europe and Latin America.
MARIO NAVA, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF DG EMPL AT THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Benjamin is associate professor in entrepreneurial finance and impact investing at Audencia Business School. He heads the “Finance for Innovation” chair he co-created in 2018 with public and private partners. He carries out numerous research and teaching projects with public institutions (ADEME, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Pays-de-la-Loire Region), associations (WWF), private investors (Fonds B), public investors (European Investment Fund, Bpifrance), entrepreneurs and think-tanks (Impact Tank, Institut de l'Entreprise, Fondapol, etc.).
He also works a lot of Social & Environmental Impact Bonds, and contributes to the understanding and use of this financial tool across Europe.
Benjamin will also chair the IMPACT INVESTING DAYS 20205 in Nantes (April 2-3 2025).
PROFESSOR BENJAMIN LE PENDEVEN, HEAD OF THE "FINANCE FOR INNOVATION" CHAIR AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT AUDENCIA
As a founding General Partner at Norrsken VC, Europe's premier impact investor, David leverages 25+ years of entrepreneurship, investing and leadership experience. His extensive expertise is a cornerstone in guiding Norrsken VC's portfolio companies to scale their businesses effectively.
Beyond Norrsken VC, David has championed some of Sweden's most prominent brands as an angel investor and/or board member, including Acne Studios, Matsmart, Budbee, GeoGuessr and Mentimeter.
DAVID FRYKMAN, GENERAL PARTNER AT NORRSKEN VC
Johannes is one of Europe’s pioneering impact venture capital firms managing €200M across four funds. A lifelong entrepreneur, Johannes has founded companies in FinTech, Real Estate, and Asset Management. Since 2006, he has devoted all of his entrepreneurial energy to driving positive impact for people and the planet.
After selling his stake in PANDA Investment Management, the fund partner of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Johannes launched Ananda to fulfil his vision for the European impact finance ecosystem. In 2014, he was recognized as a ‘Young Global Leader’ by the World Economic Forum. He also helped set up REAL School, a not-for-profit institution inspiring the next generation to dream big and build a better world—the kind of school he always wished he could attend.
JOHANNES WEBER, MANAGING PARTNER AND CO-FOUNDER AT ANANDA IMPACT VENTURES
Inès is an impact investment professional with more than 20 years of experience in impact investing, M&A, due diligence and valuations. She worked as Sourcing and Investment Manager at the impact fund Inventures Investment Partners. Previously, she lived in California where she gained extensive experience in business valuation working with early-stage companies.
She started her career at Deloitte Corporate Finance and was involved in acquisition processes, valuations and financial due diligence assignments of private and public companies.
She co-founded the Belgian chapter of Level20 promoting diversity within the Private Equity industry and was board observer at Solifin, a Belgian impact network. She also served as mentor and jury member seats in several start-up awards.
She holds a Business Master’s degree from the Louvain School of Management and got certified as Accredited Valuation Analyst (AVA) in California. In 2021, she gained a certification from the Circular Economy Masterclass (designed by Ellen McArthur Foundation) at Exeter's University.
INÈS MERTENS, IMPACT INVESTING MARKET DEVELOPMENT LEAD AT IMPACT EUROPE
Johannes is responsible for the impact investing portfolio of the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt as well as programs and initiatives in the field of impact investing/mission investing – something he had advanced already at the Eberhard von Kuenheim Foundation and the Bertelsmann Foundation. From 2021 to 2023 he was managing director of the German National Initiative for Impact Investing (German NAB to the GSG), a platform to foster the Impact Investing approach in Germany, by creating awareness, knowledge, alliances and networks as well as favourable framing conditions.
Before joining the foundation sector, he gained experience as a researcher in international relations at an interdisciplinary research cluster and in the public administration.
JOHANNES P. WEBER, PROGRAMME MANAGER AT BMW FOUNDATION HERBERT QUANDT
Uli oversees investments in technology transfer, venture capital, private equity, private credit, impact investing, and infrastructure funds.
He previously led the development of the Social Impact Accelerator, the first pan-European impact investing fund-of-funds. From 2010 to 2012, he researched impact investing with IESE University of Navarra and the Family Office Circle Foundation. Uli is a visiting professor at IESE, an angel investor in life sciences, and served as a trustee for the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment.
He sits on the boards of several asset management companies and family offices, regularly publishes on venture capital and impact investing, and holds a master’s degree in business and finance from the University of Graz.
ULI GRABENWARTER, DIRECTOR OF EQUITY INVESTMENTS AT THE EIF
Leslie is a Partner and director of Impact at Astanor, an agrifood tech impact investor. She joined the firm in 2019 with the mission to set up the firm’s impact management approach. Leslie plays a pivotal role in driving positive change and promoting sustainability within the organization and its portfolio companies.
Through her role at Astanor, she continues to forge a path towards a more sustainable future, where business success goes hand in hand with positive environmental and social outcomes. Prior to joining Astanor, Leslie spent 13 years in the asset management industry within both the private and public sector.
LESLIE KAPIN, PARTNER AND DIRECTOR OF IMPACT AT ASTANOR
Patrick is a founder and Managing Partner of ETF Partners. He represents the firm on the Boards of Open Cosmos, Wirepas, Zeelo and Tomorrow. Patrick has worked in venture capital since 1985, when he joined 3i.
He was instrumental in founding 3i's venture capital practice, and later became the founding Managing Director of its Silicon Valley operation. Before this he was a research engineer for GEC and technical consultant for Marconi Space Systems.
Patrick was a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Invest Europe from 2007 to 2010, during which time he also chaired the Venture Capital Committee.
PATRICK SHEEHAN, FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER AT ETF PARTNERS
Karen works with companies and investors on sustainability and impact strategies. She bridges the private, public and academic sectors, working on sustainable finance, venture capital, impact investment and impact measurement. In addition to leading work in these areas at the OECD, she co-led the launch of the Impact Management Platform, which aims to provide coherence on sustainability standards for companies and investors.
She currently serves on the Pictet Group Impact and Sustainability Advisory Board, the Columbia Threadneedle UK Social Bond Fund Social Advisory Group, and the World YMCA Impact Investing Advisory Council. Earlier she chaired the Supervisory Board of the Impact-Linked Finance Fund. In 2022, she was selected by the Sorenson Impact Institute as a Global Impact Leader. She is an Affiliate Faculty member at London Business School where and holds a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and Management from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
KAREN WILSON, FOUNDER OF GV PARTNERS
Francois Duriat is a policy officer at the European Commission's DG Employment, where he focuses on integrating social objectives into sustainable finance and EU financial instruments, including the policy aspects of impact investing.
From 2019 to 2023, he was Director of Development at an NGO supporting young jobseekers with refugee and migrant backgrounds. He continues to be involved through advisory roles in various initiatives that promote equal opportunity for disadvantaged youth and children.
Earlier in his career, Francois worked primarily at the European Commission's DG Trade as a senior case handler in anti-dumping proceedings involving non-EU countries, as well as in corporate finance.
FRANCOIS DAURIAT, POLICY OFFICER - DG EMPLOYMENT AT THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Seasoned EIF employee since 2008, Silvia held multiple roles in the organisation, mainly in business development teams. If you ask colleagues, they will probably associate Silvia with microfinance, impact investing and gender-smart financing projects. Silvia is leading a team of professionals working on arts, culture and media, cohesion policies, capital market union instruments, human capital and social innovation. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Management of Arts, Culture and Communication from Bocconi University in Milano and studies in international management at the Copenhagen Business School.
SILVIA MANCA, HEAD OF SOCIAL IMPACT PROGRAMMES AT THE EIF
Combining the experience gained in the private sector, at the European Commission (EC), at the European Investment Fund (EIF) and at the European Investment Bank (EIB), Bruno cumulates more than 30 years of direct involvement in financial instruments focusing on SMEs, access to finance, innovation, venture capital and private equity, debt and guarantee products, microfinance and social impact investing as well as in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building services.
Under InvestEU Advisory Hub, Bruno is managing the deployment of several advisory initiatives, inter alia, the Social Inclusive Finance Technical Assistance (SIFTA), the Gender Finance Lab, the Impact Investing Capacity Building programme and the Social Outcomes Contracting platform. In the framework of fi-compass, Bruno is leading the team managing a unique advisory platform on financial instruments implemented under shared management funds.
BRUNO ROBINO, DEPUTY HEAD OF FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY ADVISORY DIVISION AT THE EIB
Lara Viada is the Investment Director at CREAS and she is passionate about Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing. She believes that organisations with sustainable business models can solve pressing social and environmental issues in a sustainable way. Lara started her career in finance and marketing at L'Oreal but after 4 years she had the clear goal to shift to a more purpose-led line of work and decided to pursue a masters in international development and economics in Johns Hopkins University.
Since then and for the last 8 years, she has been working in impact investing, first at the Overseas Private Corporation (OPIC) in DC, then for Grassroots Business Fund in Latin America and later for Vivergi and then Creas in Spain. During this period she also worked directly with social enterprises and accelerators and did consulting work for organizations like UNDP, the World Bank or Intermon Oxfam. She actively supports the development and consolidation of the thriving Spanish Impact Investment Sector.
LARA VIADA, INVESTMENT DIRECTOR AT CREAS
María Ángeles is the co-founder of Open Value Foundation, a non-profit with a hybrid model between traditional philanthropy and private capital investment. She is also the creative mind behind Global Social Impact, an Impact Investment Funds Manager designed to offer a more efficient and impactful way to support the most disadvantaged.
She is a strong promoter of the impact ecosystem in Spain, being part of the management team of the Spanish National Advisory Board (NAB) for Impact Investment. María Ángeles is passionate about her work, and enjoys helping others in a context of mutual trust and collaboration. She is driven by the conviction that there are alternative and complementary ways to solve the problems affecting Humanity, and therefore her motto is: "We believe that everyone can achieve their full potential; we just have to open doors of opportunity".
MARÍA ÁNGELES LEÓN LÓPEZ, IMPACT INVESTMENT FUNDS MANAGER AT GSIF
Pablo has been founder and director of Q-Energy and Vela Energy, CIO of FRV in the US and member of the executive committee of Fotowatio. Along with more than 20 years in renewable energy investing and financing. Pablo is recurrent speaker in a number of renewable energy and impact investing events, he is advisor, director and board member in several companies.
He holds a double degree in Law and Business Administration from U.P. Comillas (ICADE E-3) and an MBA from the Haas School (U.C. Berkeley) as Rotary Foundation Goodwill Ambassadorial Scholar.
PABLO VALENCIA, MANAGING PARTNER AT Q-IMPACT
Alberto joined Adara Ventures in 2023 and has deep experience in the digital energy space, previously leading the Innovation and Digital Portfolio at Siemens Energy. He leads Adara’s latest investment strategy focused on technologies that enable the energy transition.
Before joining Adara, Alberto worked in global roles with P&L responsibility and managed teams across EMEA and other regions. He also successfully managed digital ventures at Siemens Energy and General Electric and was a pioneer in combining AI & physics models and bringing them to market with success.
ALBERTO ECHEVERRI, MANAGING PARTNER AT ADARA ENERGY TRANSITION FUND
Jaime has been in the venture capital investment team of EIF for close to ten years, currently in the capacity of Senior Investment Manager. Jaime is focused on investing in impact investing funds, social outcome contracts and in impact accelerators across Europe. Jaime started working at EIF in 2009 and before joining the venture capital team, he first acted as legal counsel and later followed the implementation of EIF’s debt products, with a focus on microfinance programs.
Prior to joining EIF, Jaime was Associate at the Iberian law firm Cuatrecasas where he advised on local and international mergers, acquisitions and equity capital markets transactions. Jaime has experience in private equity, venture capital and impact investing from different angles of the business cycle having worked as a legal counsel, asset and investment manager.
He holds a degree in Law (JD) from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, a Master’s degree in Business Counselling from IE Business School and a Master’s degree in International Law from Georgetown University.
EIF JAIME VERA COLONJE, SENIOR INVESTMENT MANAGER AT THE EIF
Miki has a background as a sustainability expert, consultant, startup operator, and impact investor. Her professional experience ranges from small startups and nonprofits to big multinational corporations and VCs, including Allianz, BMW Group, BCG, and UnternehmerTUM, UVC Partners, and AENU.
To bridge tech-VC investing and impact entrepreneurship, Miki developed and launched RESPOND, today the impact accelerator of the BMW Foundation. During her time as Managing Director of the startup accelerator programs at UnternehmerTUM, she also co-created the Sustainability Playbooks with the sustainability consultancy akzente and UVC Partners.
Today, in addition to managing Aurum Impact, Miki sits on the Board of the BDI Initiative Circular Economy, is a member of the advisory board of BÜFA, a medium-sized chemical company, and supports the entrepreneurship center UnternehmerTUM as a Sustainability Advisor.
MIKI YOKOYAMA, MANAGING DIRECTOR AND PARTNER AT AURUM IMPACT
Maha Keramane joined BNP Paribas in 2006 as a Risk officer, after two brief international experiences, Microfinance at the WorldBank and Export finance in Brazil, and a four-year auditing experience at Deloitte. She is head of Social Business & Microfinance from 2012, created dedicated framework and strategy for Social Enterprises; designed and structured the very first French SIB for Adie (job reintegration in rural areas).
In 2020, she launched with the EIF a dedicated fund to invest in Impact Bonds in the EU. She is the appointed Head of BNP Paribas’ Positive Impact Business Accelerator in 2021, and also coordinates the impact investing strategy and implementation within the Group.
MAHA KERAMANE, HEAD OF THE POSITIVE IMPACT BUSINESS ACCELERATOR (PIBA) AT BNP PARIBAS
Antje plays a pivotal role in advancing global sustainability. She is responsible for developing and implementing FERI’s comprehensive sustainability strategy. Her office acts as a central hub for sustainable investment solutions, providing strategic advice to investors and ensuring the implementation of sustainable investment strategies.
Antje’s work extends beyond national borders, involving active collaboration with international institutions such as the United Nations and the European Commission. Under her leadership, FERI AG is committed to promoting sustainable investments that deliver both economic and social benefits. She and her team identify specific sustainability targets to maximise impact and develop customised investment strategies, driving significant change towards a more sustainable future.
ANTJE BIBER, HEAD OF SDG AT FERI AG
Silvia has over 25 years of experience in the energy sector, focusing on achieving tangible results. She graduated in Civil Engineering from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and in Materials Engineering from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid. She holds a master’s degree in Gas from Instituto Superior de la Energía (REPSOL-YPF) and a PDM from IESE.
She has attended leadership and digitalisation programmes at IMD Business School, MIT Sloan School, and the Aspen Institute, and completed the “From Executive to Board Member” programme at IESE in 2021.
Currently, Silvia is the Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at Redeia, a global operator of essential infrastructure, including Spain's electricity transmission and operation system and telecommunications networks in Spain and Latin America. She focuses on creating value through new technologies, innovative models, digitalisation, and promoting energy transition, sustainability, and efficiency.
She oversees ELEWIT, the technology platform of Grupo Red Eléctrica, which identifies and leverages innovations and trends aligned with the company’s long-term objectives. Additionally, Silvia is a member of the Board of Directors of HISPASAT, the Spanish satellite communications operator, and a member of the RIELCANO Scientific Council.
SILVIA BRUNO DE LA CRUZ, CHIEF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICER AT REDEIA
Adelaide heads the Climate, Environmental and Social Impact division at the European Investment Fund. Together with her team she is responsible for EIF’s equity strategy and venture capital fund of fund investment activities in the climate action, environmental sustainability and social impact markets. Prior to joining the EIF, she managed the Finaves seed capital funds supporting start-ups and entrepreneurs active in the digital technology, healthcare and cleantech sectors.
She previously worked with Mixtafrica an impact venture developing social and economic housing projects across North and Sub-Saharan Africa and began her early career at Clairfield an international corporate finance advisory firm where she specialised in the waste management, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from IESE Business School in Spain and a Master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from the University of Louvain in Belgium.
ADELAIDE CRACCO, HEAD OF CLIMATE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT DIVISION AT THE EIF
Cyril is the head of EIF’s social impact team, supervising the social impact equity strategy at the EIF, ranging from impact funds’ investments to acceleration and incubation program and social outcome contracts across Europe. EIF’s social impact team counts seven professionals. Cyril’s entire career within the EIF has been dedicated to impact related activities, starting with microfinance in 2008.
In this context, he was responsible for the implementation of the JASMINE program, an EU initiative aimed at boosting the institutional capacity of microfinance institutions in Europe. Prior to joining the EIF, Cyril gained unique field experience working with microfinance institutions in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Cyril is a visiting adjunct teacher on impact investing and sustainable finance at Audencia and EM Lyon and studied at Toulouse Institut d’Études Politiques where he received a Masters in Development Economics with a focus on poverty alleviation, local development and microfinance.
CYRIL GOUIFFES, HEAD OF SOCIAL IMPACT UNIT FOR EQUITY INVESTMENT AT THE EIF
Lukasz and Ulrika Larsson are a husband-and-wife creative team passionate about capturing and sharing stories that inform, inspire, and engage a global audience on our time's most pressing environmental issues. With a strong belief in the power of nonfiction storytelling, their award-winning images serve as a catalyst for change in how science and conservation are communicated by connecting science-curious with science-serious and bridging the gap between science and the general public.
They have collaborated on communication and outreach projects with the European Space Agency, the European Commission, and other European research institutions. Their work has been exhibited and published internationally.
LUKASZ AND ULRIKA LARSSON, PHOTOGRAPHERS AND FOUNDERS OF LWIMAGES
