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Lightrock employs a diverse team of more than 95 professionals – 40% of whom are female – from more than 14 different countries and across four continents with headquarters in London, combining extensive experience in impact investing, a strong track record in leadership, entrepreneurship and portfolio management, with extensive networks regionally and globally, and speaking more than 20 languages. Lightrock's Board of Directors is chaired by its Founder Prince Max von Liechtenstein, who initiated LGT’s impact investing activities in 2009, and is organized as a partnership led by Managing Partner and CEO Pål Erik Sjåtil.
Daria is a Partner and the CFO of Lightrock. Her fascination with people, love of learning, and desire to address society’s biggest problems motivates her interest in impact investing. Prior to joining Lightrock, Daria was the Director of Operations of McKinsey & Company Europe. In that role, she was crucial for driving the performance of all European offices and supporting innovation and inclusive leadership. Her prior experiences include being a CFO for EEMA and Eastern Europe and Director of Professional Development for Eastern Europe. Daria holds a Master’s in Strategy from the Norwegian School of Economics. Daria is a passionate traveller – she enjoys discovering new places and learning new languages. She is interested in impact topics like healthcare and circular economy and loves spending time with her three sons.
Clelia Bernard is an Executive Assistant and Office Manager. Clelia is driven by the opportunity to work with a creative, solution-oriented team with a positive global impact. Before joining Lightrock, she held Executive Assistant and Officer Manager roles within leading financial services and marketing firms. Clelia completed an Apprenticeship as a Retail Specialist with EFZ. Outside of work, Clelia finds joy in spending quality time with her family, exploring new destinations, immersing herself in music, and spending time in nature.
Sahib is an investor at Lightrock. He is passionate about defining innovative investment strategies, strengthening Lightrock’s corporate functions, and partnering with entrepreneurs on growth journeys. His previous experience includes supporting global banking clients on fintech topics at McKinsey & Company. Sahib has also worked on a political campaign, at a fast-moving consumer goods multinational, and at a risk intelligence firm. He holds an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and International Relations, Cum Laude, from Claremont McKenna College. He enjoys skiing, playing the drums, and reading biographies in his free time.
Kevin is a Partner at Lightrock. He believes the alignment of world-class, purpose-driven entrepreneurs and supportive capital is essential to creating the world we want to live in. He joined Lightrock after more than twenty years in technology, principally as an investor across growth and venture stages globally, but previously in CEO roles leading restructurings and turnarounds of three businesses, as an investment banker and as a consultant. Kevin holds a Bachelor’s in Japanese & Economics from Sheffield University, a Diploma in Aid Economics from Chuo University and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. He has been an FCA regulated individual since 1996. When not fulfilling various charity Trustee roles, Kevin can be found in the boxing ring or on a football field desperately trying to put off the day when his kids can best him at all sports.
Mareike is a Junior Legal Counsel at Lightrock. She is passionate about sustainability and is inspired by efforts to affect positive change on people’s lives and the environment. Prior to joining Lightrock, Mareike spent five years working at the Royal Bank of Canada in London, where she worked in a variety of business and legal roles. Mareike holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Durham, a Master of Laws from the University of Law and is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. In her free time, Mareike enjoys winter sports, sailing and spending time with her family and friends.
Delroy is a Senior IT Support Engineer at Lightrock. He is excited to join a growing company with a focus at the intersection of tech and impact. Before Lightrock, Delroy worked for over 20 years as a technical support engineer in the entertainment business at Ticketmaster/Livenation Entertainment. He enjoys DJing, spending time with his family and friends, and enhancing his web design techniques.
Nina is an investor at Lightrock. She is committed to building a sustainable future and strongly believes further capital is needed to scale ClimateTech solutions. Prior to joining Lightrock, Nina gained investment experience as an early-stage investor at Lakestar. Nina previously worked in the Corporate Development team at Glovo, an online food-delivery start-up acquired by Delivery Hero, helping the company raise more than $400m and complete several M&A deals. She started her career in Investment Banking in AZ Capital, where she spent more than 3 years working across Telecommunications, Retail, and Infrastructure. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from London Business School and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from ESADE Business School. Having grown up in Andorra, she is passionate about all kind of outdoor activities, from running, cycling, swimming, or skiing.
Kevin works in Investor Relations at Lightrock. He truly believes the private capital industry, through its relationships with entrepreneurs and LPs, is in the driving seat of tomorrow’s innovations and this journey can only be powered by a sustainable approach. Kevin joined Lightrock after working in the fundraising team of Goldman Sachs Asset management as an Associate, with a focus on alternative investments for French LPs. Before Goldman Sachs, he worked for Natixis Investment Managers as a Sales VIE on the Dutch market and at Allianz Global Investors as a credit product specialist intern. Kevin holds a Master’s in Management with a major in Finance from IÉSEG School of Management. In his free time, you can probably find him in a vinyl shop, in a new restaurant or discovering a new country with his friends and family.
Grace is a Fund Finance Analyst at Lightrock. She is passionate about integrating finance with a positive social and environmental change and has a keen interest in supporting impact-driven entrepreneurs, especially in the education sector. Prior to joining Lightrock, Grace spent over 2 and a half years in the PE sector working in the Fund Management team at Livingbridge EP LLP having joined as a graduate. Grace holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Durham and is an ACCA Chartered Accountant. In her free time, Grace enjoys travelling to new places, learning languages and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Martin is a Senior Advisor to Lightrock. He is passionate about the opportunities to improve health and wellbeing by leveraging the exciting wave of innovation across biology, technology, data/analytics, and design. Before joining Lightrock, Martin was a senior partner at McKinsey with over 30 years of experience in health. He led the global life sciences practice for seven years until 2021. Most recently, he co-founded and launched the McKinsey Health Institute - a not-for-profit initiative focussed on some of the most intractable health challenges. He completed his undergraduate degree at Oxford and his MBA at INSEAD. Martin enjoys travel (particularly to Asia), the arts(cinema and theatre especially), and reading, mostly biographies and history. He struggles at the foothills of fitness. All with his (very) long-term partner- Emer.
Joanna is an investor at Lightrock. She is passionate about discovering new technologies and supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses. Prior to joining Lightrock, Joanna was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company where she gained experience across a broad range of industries (banking, consumer, e-commerce, telecommunications, healthcare) and functions (strategy and corporate finance, operations, marketing, and sales) in Europe and the US. Joanna holds a Master’s in Strategic Management from HEC Paris and a Bachelor’s in Quantitative Methods in Economics and Information Systems from the Warsaw School of Economics. In her free time, she can be found running, biking, or exploring new countries and cuisines.
Tom works in Investor Relations at Lightrock. From the onset of Tom’s career, he has been passionate about driving positive social and climate impact. Tom believes climate change represents the most challenging issue of our time and is committed to playing a role in overcoming that issue. Prior to Lightrock, Tom worked in the fundraising team of Goldman Sachs Asset Management with a focus on private equity. Tom holds a M.Sc. in Climate Change, Management & Finance from Imperial College Business School, and a B.Sc. in Economics from University College London (UCL). Outside of work, Tom spends his time on the tennis court, practising meditation and mindfulness or watching informative docuseries.
Andrea is an investor at Lightrock. She is inspired by the evolution of human creativity and passionate about supporting innovation and access to technology to solve the world’s greatest challenges. Andrea spent most of her career in impact investing across investment stages, industries and geographies. She joined Lightrock from Morgan Stanley’s private equity impact investing team where she helped develop the firm’s 1GT climate growth equity strategy. Prior to that, Andrea started her career in investment banking at J.P. Morgan. She holds a B.Sc. in International Economics and Finance from Bocconi University.
Richard is an investor at Lightrock. Having worked alongside daring entrepreneurs, he is passionate about partnering with founders that build mission-driven companies taking bold steps in solving societal and environmental problems. He believes that our generation will be defined by the actions we take to combat climate change and inequality. Prior to joining Lightrock, Richard worked in the Corporate Strategy & Development team at TIER Mobility raising more than $300m in funding and scaling the business to a unicorn valuation. He started his career in Technology Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley in London. Richard holds a Master’s in Management from London Business School and a Bachelor’s in International Business from the University of Vienna. He is passionate about modern & contemporary art, vintage wristwatches, and enjoys a good game of padel or golf.
Peter is the General Counsel of Lightrock. As a New Zealander, he is passionate about the natural environment and Lightrock’s focus on sustainability. He previously worked as a private equity consultant in New Zealand. Prior to that, Peter worked for an investment manager in Singapore and as General Counsel at Aureos Capital in England, having spent his earlier career in private practice. Peter studied law at the University of Otago, New Zealand and is admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. In his spare time, he enjoys the mental relaxation of swimming, history, and architecture. Having hung up his competitive triathlete shoes years ago, Peter aspires to a Masters’ competitive event.
Renee is a Strategy Analyst at Lightrock. She believes that impact investment can encourage the entire investment industry to adopt more sustainable and impactful practices. With a background spanning the finance, consumer, and internet industries in Asia, she brings diverse experiences to her role at Lightrock. Renee spent most of her career as a corporate strategist, driving improvements across various functions and conducting research and analysis to inform decision making. She holds a Master’s in Finance and Private Equity from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of Cambridge. In her free time, Renee finds joy in practicing yoga, riding the waves while surfing, and giving back to the community through volunteering.
Gen is an investor at Lightrock. He believes that technological innovation is paramount to solving our societal and environmental problems equitably, and is passionate about supporting the entrepreneurs and teams working towards this. Prior to joining Lightrock, Gen was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Entrepreneur First, a leading global tech incubator. He started his career in investment banking at Centerview Partners, covering a broad range of sectors (including Consumer, Industrials, TMT and Healthcare) before leaving to pursue a Masters in Computer Science at Imperial College London. He also holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford. In his free time, Gen can be found cooking and trying new foods with his friends, and enjoys exploring culture and nature through travel and photography.
Andrew is the Group Financial Controller – Financial and Tax at Lightrock. He is excited to be part of a growing business that backs entrepreneurs developing market-based solutions to global challenges. Andrew joined Lightrock from J O Hambro Capital Management, with prior experience at CBRE Global Investors and Macquarie Group. He is an ICAEW qualified accountant. In his free time, Andrew enjoys all sports and spending time with his family.
Umur is a Partner at Lightrock. He believes that investing in purpose-driven businesses, partnering with outstanding entrepreneurs, and advancing disruptive technologies will solve global challenges and create long-term alpha. Umur has more than 20 years of direct private equity experience. Previously, he worked for Capital Group with a focus on direct private equity investments. Prior to that, Umur spent a decade with CCMP Capital (fka J.P. Morgan Partners) focusing on growth equity and buyout investments across Europe. He started his career in the M&A group of Salomon Brothers in New York and London. Umur holds a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from Macalester College, MN, USA. He enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his friends and family.
Luuk is an Investment Professional at Lightrock. As a long-term and engaged shareholder he strives to have a meaningful impact on ensuring global health and well-being and tackling climate change. Before joining Lightrock, Luuk was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Van Lanschot Kempen, where he successfully grew and managed the listed global small-cap strategy. He holds a master’s in finance from VU Amsterdam and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder. Luuk enjoys playing tennis and padel in his free time and is keen to try new restaurants in Amsterdam. He is an avid reader and has an ever-increasing vinyl collection.
Chris is a Partner at Lightrock. Before joining Lightrock, Chris was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Van Lanschot Kempen, where he successfully grew and managed the listed global small-cap strategy. Before that, Chris gained experience in private equity and sell-side equity research. Chris believes that companies can only sustainably create value over the long term when taking good care of all stakeholders. Chris loves spending time with his friends and family, and enjoys being in nature. At times, he tries to play the drums.
Martin is an investor at Lightrock and gets thrilled about partnering with entrepreneurs tackling sustainability challenges through innovation and technology. Before joining Lightrock, he led corporate development and M&A efforts at Typeform, a fast-growing SaaS scale-up. Martin previously gained more than five years of investment experience as a private equity investor at Inflexion Private Equity and as a growth equity investor at HPE Growth. He holds a Master’s in Finance & Investments and Bachelor’s in International Business Administration from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. Having studied and worked in six different countries, chances are you’ll find Martin on the road in his spare time, probably somewhere close to the sea or a stadium.
Lewis is responsible for portfolio monitoring and analysis at Lightrock. He is passionate about working with companies tackling global challenges and building a more sustainable future. Prior to Lightrock, Lewis worked at IHS Markit as a project manager, delivering data-driven portfolio management solutions to private equity clients across EMEA. Lewis holds an MSc in Accounting and Finance from London School of Economics and a BSc in Economics from the University of East Anglia. In his free time, he enjoys live music, keeping fit on the tennis court and spending time with friends and family.
Jessica is an Executive Assistant at Lightrock. She is inspired by the opportunity to work alongside a team that provides sustainable solutions and positive impact. She enjoys being a part of an environment that offers new challenges and diversity whilst maintaining a close-knit family feel. Prior to Lightrock, Jessica has provided support across various industries including recruitment, agriculture, construction and legal software. Before relocating to London, Jessica was living in Australia where she completed her education and gained most of her experience. With her European heritage being Croatian and Hungarian, Jessica is passionate about travel, food, music, fitness and art. She enjoys spending time with her friends and has a soft spot for animals, especially dogs.
Estella is an investor at Lightrock. She believes in the leading role of capital and innovation in creating a more sustainable and equitable way of living and is passionate about supporting impact-driven entrepreneurs. Before joining Lightrock, Estella was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, advising industrial and financial services clients on corporate strategy and portfolio management as well as supporting the growth of McKinsey's European Sustainability Practice. Prior to that, she worked for a boutique sustainable energy infrastructure investment manager in Switzerland. Estella holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Management from Bocconi University and the CEMS Master's in International Management from University of St. Gallen and Bocconi University. Estella is a passionate yogi and tango dancer and enjoys hiking and snowboarding in the Swiss Alps with friends and family.
Fil is a Strategy Associate at Lightrock. Fil is excited about the potential of entrepreneurship to generate social good, in Europe and across the globe. Fil joined Lightrock after leading the Ventures team at PUBLIC, a London-based GovTech venture builder and consultancy. Previously he founded a think tank in Greece and researched Sino-European trade and investment as a Fox Fellow in Berlin. He holds an M.A. from Tsinghua University, where he was a Schwarzman Scholar, and a B.A. from Yale University. In his free time, Fil studies Chinese, practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and subscribes to more email newsletters than he can keep up with.
Alasdair works in Marketing & Communications at Lightrock. He believes that technological advances, powered by responsible capital, will play a critical role in overcoming humanity's greatest challenges. Prior to joining Lightrock, Alasdair worked as a senior strategic communications consultant at a top City agency primarily advising leading private equity and venture capital firms on their communications strategies, reputation management, and engagement with media. Before this, he held roles at a City-based investor relations consultancy and a financial compliance start-up. Alasdair has a BA in Jurisprudence from St John's College, University of Oxford. He loves food, wine, whiskey and regular travel (both to his native Scotland and further afield), especially if enjoyed with family and friends.
India is an HR Assistant at Lightrock. India is motivated by working for a company that is striving for change, particularly surrounding mental health, education and hunger. Prior to working at Lightrock, India worked as a HR Administrator at the British Museum, and previously worked as an Associate Teacher at a primary school. India studied Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Bristol and is currently studying towards her CIPD. In her free time, India enjoys swimming, travelling and reading.
Mehdi is a director at Lightrock. Since his first impact investing experience in 2010, he has been a firm believer in the role business and technology can play to solve humanity's most pressing problems (climate change in particular).Before joining Lightrock, Mehdi built the growth and sustainability functions at a mission-driven scale-up. Prior to this, he started his career at McKinsey & Company before joining the Private Equity team at CDC Group, another pioneer impact investor. He holds a Master’s in Management from Essec Business School. Mehdi is an outdoor lover and spends a lot of his free time running, hiking or cycling. He also enjoys reading, listening to music, trying new restaurants and spending time with friends and family.
James is a Financial Accountant at Lightrock. He is a motivated to work in a growing team and for an organisation with responsible goals, as well as having a natural interest in many scientific and technological topics. Prior to Lightrock, James started his career in audit before moving to in-house finance at London Stock Exchange Group. He holds a master’s degree in chemistry from Loughborough University, as well completing his ACA and being a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. When not buried in spreadsheets, James enjoys playing and watching sports, travelling and cooking.
Doug is Counsel at Lightrock. Working with early-stage companies throughout their life cycle that are setting out to improve the world, motivates him in his work. Prior to joining Lightrock, Doug worked in the M&A and Emerging Companies and Venture Capital teams of Baker McKenzie and Wilson Sonsini. Doug studied law in Scotland at the University of Aberdeen and is admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales and as a New York Attorney. In his spare time, he can be found barbecuing or exploring the local countryside, beaches and pubs with his labradors.
Verena is the Chief People Officer at Lightrock. She spent more than 18 years at McKinsey & Company in various roles, including as a client serving professional focusing on financial institutions and the healthcare sector, in Professional Development and Learning, as the Head of Risk and Development for the EEMA region and most recently as McKinsey’s first Global Leader of Compliance. Verena also worked as an Attorney specializing in M&A and capital markets for nearly 5 years at Wolf Theiss and as Judicial Clerk in Court. Verena holds an LL.M. from the University of Chicago Law School, an MA and PHD from the University of Vienna Law School and has been admitted to the New York and Austrian Bar.
Nigel is a Principal at Lightrock. He believes that the creation of positive impact and commercial value are deeply intertwined and wants Lightrock to be the leading resource for founders who care passionately about both. Before joining Lightrock, Nigel co-founded a company that scaled consumer and healthcare services businesses. Prior to this, he focused on global growth equity investments at the IFC, having started his career working in investment banking at Moelis & Company in New York. Nigel holds a BA in Political Science from Harvard University. Outside of work, he can be found open water swimming, watching any type of sport, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and dog.
Nina is responsible for Legal Structuring at Lightrock. Her passion for organic food, sustainable fashion, and being a mother triggered her desire to combine financial investments with purpose, preserve the world’s beauty, and improve lives. Prior to joining Lightrock, Nina has worked with law, buy, and sell side firms in London, Frankfurt, and New York with a focus on the development of investment products and financial transactions. Nina received a doctor of laws from the University of Konstanz in Germany and holds a Master's in European Business Law from Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen in the Netherlands. Nina is inspired by contemporary arts and enjoys winter sports, tennis, yoga and laughing with her family and friends.
Alex is the Group Financial Controller, Fund Accounting at Lightrock. He joined Lightrock as he strongly believes that impact investing helps build a sustainable and fairer world in an efficient way. He is particularly interested in companies using big data techniques to address key macroeconomic issues. Alex has previously worked in finance roles, including at Helios Investment Partners, Foresight Group, and PwC. He holds an honours degree in Economics from SOAS, University of London, and is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Outside of work, Alex enjoys sports such as football, cycling and rock climbing and studying global history.
Marc is the Head of Impact at Lightrock. He holds a deep conviction that finance should be a force for good and used as a powerful tool for improving the state of society and the environment. He has spent most of his career managing impact strategies in the financial industry, joining Lightrock from a related role as Impact and Operations Manager with LGT Venture Philanthropy. Before his time at LGT, he was a lecturer on Sustainability and Stakeholder Management at the University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration Zurich. Marc earned his Doctorate from the University of Southern Queensland and holds a Master’s in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Zurich. In his free time, Marc can be found adventuring in the Swiss Alps on skis, in hiking boots, or with a fly-fishing rod in his hands.
Srinidhi is a Controller at Lightrock. As a person who loves a dynamic environment, is intrigued by interesting conversations and is curious about numbers, she finds this role to be an apt combination and is eager to contribute to scaling businesses that create an impact. Prior to joining Lightrock, she worked with Grant Thornton as Senior Manager and managed projects across India, Singapore, the UK, Nepal, and Australia. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary from India. She spent most of her career in financial consulting (EY and GT), with a brief stint in FMCG (Unilever and ITC). Srinidhi recently completed her MBA with NUS Singapore and is also a graduate from Shri Ram College of Commerce - SRCC, Delhi. She enjoys all genres of music and is trained in Indian classical vocal and veena - an ancient Indian string instrument.
Aletia is the Chief of Staff at Lightrock. As the world continually faces societal and environmental challenges, she is proud to be part of a strong team with a common vision in the journey to do good. Aletia joined Lightrock at 2018, after spending six years in the energy trading sector as a commercial shipping analyst. Prior to that, her experience focused on human resources & recruiting, spanning tech, corporate law, and wealth management, at Partners Capital LLP, Vitol, and Skadden Arps. Aletia holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Business Administration from the University of Wales. As a South African based in London for the past 17 years, she is a keen traveller and enjoys learning about new cultures, she is an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for high-altitude trekking, long distance running, in addition to yoga, cooking, and an appreciation of fine wine. She is also a history buff!
Ashna is a Controller at Lightrock. She is inspired by the opportunity to work with a team spanning four geographies, over 13 countries, and more than 20 languages. Prior to joining Lightrock, Ashna worked at KPMG London for six years where she dealt with a broad range of private equity and venture capital clients, with focus on investment valuation. Ashna is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and holds a BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from Warwick Business School. She never starts her day without watching an episode of Friends over breakfast and enjoys travelling, live music and weekly HIIT classes.
Mark is the Chief Compliance Officer of Lightrock. He has always been passionate about ensuring future generations have a prosperous future, and believes that profit and purpose go hand in hand. Mark is a skilled compliance officer and MLRO with vast global experience. Prior to joining Lightrock, Mark was the Senior Compliance Manager at LeapFrog Investments, an emerging markets impact investor. Mark has also worked as Vice President at Goldman Sachs International, Compliance Officer at Investec plc and started his compliance career as a financial crime investigator at the Financial Conduct Authority. Mark holds an LLB and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Applied Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa and was admitted as an Attorney in South Africa. In his free time, he enjoys good food, live music, playing sports, and spending time with his wife and 3 kids.
Ashish (Ash) is a Partner at Lightrock. His experiences in founding and building businesses inspire him to work side-by-side with mission-driven entrepreneurs. He joined Lightrock after founding and scaling an ecommerce business and investing in primary and secondary opportunities across Venture and Growth funds at Partech Ventures, TempoCap and Episode1. Some of Ashish’s previous investments include Depop (acquired by Etsy), Onfido, Talentsoft (acquired by Cegid), Attest, Digital Surgery (acquired by Medtronic). Ashish started his career as a consultant. He holds a double Masters in Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA and a Diplôme d'Ingénieur from CentraleSupélec, France. In his free time, Ash can be found exploring new cultures through his travels, tending to his bonsai collection, and spending time with family.
Marta is an investor at Lightrock. She considers the shift in consumer preferences towards sustainability a sign of a more responsible future. A financial investor by training, Marta spent her career mostly in corporate finance and impact investing. She joined Lightrock from Citigroup’s Consumer, Retail and Healthcare banking team. Her financial experience is complimented by stints in consulting with an early-stage start-up in Kenya. Marta holds a Master’s and a Bachelor’s in Economics from University College London. She will not say no to a fitness challenge, geeks out on art and design, and appreciates a modern consumer brand.
Waseem is the Head of Information Technology at Lightrock. He believes that thoughtfully harnessed technology can drive positive, sustainable change in all areas. Having lived in London and New York City, Waseem’s previous experiences include scaling new technologies at Ticketmaster and spinning out private equity firm CCMP Capital Advisor’s technology from JP Morgan Chase. He has also worked as an independent consultant delivering cyber security, cloud, and SaaS systems to companies within the financial sector. Along with his passion for technology, Waseem loves cooking, discovering new places, and any chance to have a good laugh.
Mark is a Junior Assistant at Lightrock. Mark is a believer that our impact on the planet is a growing issue, but one that can be resolved together with innovative investing strategies. Prior to Lightrock, Mark worked in the motor industry assisting at BMW and delivering the company's customer service standards. He holds a BA in Multimedia Journalism from London Southbank University, in his free time he enjoys staying active, socializing and reading literature.
As the Managing Partner and CEO of Lightrock, Pål Erik enjoys the bandwidth of his role from working with deal teams, entrepreneurs and portfolio companies as well as chairing Lightrock Investment Committees, to liaising with investors and the broader PE/VC-ecosystem as well as building out the Lightrock platform. A believer in sustainable capitalism, he finds the intersection of growth, tech, and impact exciting and is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs in scaling impact. Prior to joining Lightrock, Pål Erik was the Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company in Europe, a Senior Partner at the firm, and a member of McKinsey’s Shareholders’ Council. He advised companies across the TMT, PE, and Automotive sectors. Before McKinsey, he served as an officer in the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Pål Erik holds a Master’s in Industrial Economics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. He enjoys all types of sports, reading about history, and spending time with friends and family.
Katharina is the Head of Investor Relations at Lightrock. She is fascinated by the leverage capital, markets, innovation, and entrepreneurs can have in solving global challenges. She has also held positions at LGT Group in sustainable and impact investing. Before joining LGT, she was a project leader at Bain & Company, focused on financial services, private equity, and social impact. In 2009, Katharina received a PhD for her dissertation on entrepreneurship. She holds a Master’s in International Business Administration from the University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Katharina loves spending time with her family in the mountains or on the water, alternates between high-intensity training and a yoga mat, and never has enough time to read.
Tessa is an Operations and Account Manager at Lightrock. She is passionate about driving positive change in the world for a better future. Before joining Lightrock, Tessa worked over 6 years at Van Lanschot Kempen in different roles, including a client servicing role focusing on large institutional clients. Tessa holds a master's degree in Finance & Investments from the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Tessa loves spending time with her family and friends. Her other passion is exploring the world through travel and cuisine.
Chris is a Partner at Lightrock. He is a former entrepreneur turned investor having founded, scaled, and exited a hospitality-focused technology company. Prior to joining Lightrock, he was at the leading venture capital firm Northzone, where he invested in technology-enabled scale-ups, including European unicorns Personio, Forto, Einride, Tier Mobility, and Flink. Through his work with such businesses, he witnessed first-hand the power of founding teams that place sustainability at the heart of their enterprise. His support for such founders continues at Lightrock, where he led the investments in Distribusion, Alasco, and Katana. His focus areas are climate-tech, software as a service (SaaS), the future of work, property-tech, mobility and logistics, as well as food-tech. He holds an MBA from London Business School and Diplom-Kaufmann from the EBS, Wiesbaden, Germany. In his free time, he loves cycling, kitesurfing, and spending time with his family.
Oliver is an investor as Lightrock. He has spent the majority of his career at bp, both in the London energy trading business and in bp's electrification, mobility and low carbon unit where he worked, and led, initiatives contributing to bp’s energy transition strategy and investments. Oliver holds a degree in Industrial Economics from the University of Nottingham and is an ICAS qualified Chartered Accountant. In his free time, Oli enjoys spending time with family and friends, you might also find him learning to kitesurf or refreshing his Spanish.
Caroline is on the Impact & ESG team at Lightrock. She is passionate about supporting impact-driven entrepreneurs and believes in the importance of capital as acritical force to drive innovation and sustainable development. Caroline joined Lightrock from iGravity, an impact investment boutique in Zurich. Prior to that she was a research associate at the Centre for Sustainable Finance & Private Wealth of the University of Zurich. She also worked for a global accelerator supporting sustainable start-ups in the water space. Caroline holds a Master's in International Relations and Economics from the University of St.Gallen. She is an avid podcast listener, enjoys good food and exploring new places and cultures.
Florian is a Partner and the COO of Lightrock. He believes in the purpose of investments that address global inequalities and conserve the planet’s resources and is passionate about working with entrepreneurs. Prior to joining Lightrock, Florian was with Bamboo Capital Partners, an emerging markets private equity impact investor, where he led the establishment of the firm’s global investment platform from Geneva. He previously worked for a venture capital group in the technology space in Europe and built the Indian operations for a German supply chain specialist. Florian holds a Master of Public Policy from the London School of Economics, where he also earned his undergraduate degree. He enjoys all kinds of outdoor sports, modern art, and spending time with his family and friends.
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Michiel is a Principal at Lightrock. Before joining Lightrock, Michiel was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Van Lanschot Kempen, where he managed the listed European and Dutch small-cap strategies for 15 years. Michiel holds a master’s degree in Financial Economics from the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Through long term active ownership Michiel believes that he can have a meaningful impact on strategy, sustainability and governance with public companies. In his spare time Michiel spends his time with his family and can also be found outside running, cycling or playing padel.
Maarten is a Partner at Lightrock. Before joining Lightrock, Maarten was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Van Lanschot Kempen, where he successfully grew and managed the listed global small-cap strategy. Maarten spent his career mostly as a buy-side portfolio manager, specializing in technology and consumer stocks. Maarten’s motivation to work at Lightrock is his fundamental belief the world requires a different mindset to tackle major issues like climate change and biodiversity loss. Maarten loves spending time with his family and friends. He enjoys playing tennis, coaching his son’s football team and as a real Dutchman, cycling to the office.
Cornelius is a Strategic Partner at Lightrock. He is also an impact investor, investing in and serving on the boards of startups and later-stage companies with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals and sustainable business models. Prior to serving as an impact investor, he was a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he advised financial institutions, energy companies, public-sector organizations, and other clients on growth strategies and large-scale transformations. Cornelius holds a PhD in Retail Banking from EBS University and an MBA from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management. He enjoys travelling, cooking, swimming and above all spending time with his wife and his two 11 and 13 year old children.
Olivia is a Personal Assistant to the Investment Team at Lightrock. She enjoys working in a fast-growing company with an entrepreneurial spirit and being part of a close-knit team. Olivia has worked in a variety of EA roles at other financial companies such as Budweiser Brewing Group and Helios Investment Partners. She holds a BSc degree in Business Administration from the University of Bath. In her free time, Olivia enjoys running, cooking, and spending time with friends and family, including her two cats!
Shalini is a Company Secretary at Lightrock. Shalini is motivated by the opportunity to represent a growth-stage investor and to work with ambitious startups solving global challenges. Before joining Lightrock, Shalini worked as a Practicing Company Secretary with chartered accountancy firms. Before that, she was a Company Secretary for Istar Skill Development Private Limited, a start-up that specialised in intelligent sales and marketing technology. Shalini is a qualified Company Secretary from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and a commerce graduate. In her leisure time, Shalini likes baking cookies and exploring various cuisines.
Kushal is a Partner and CFO of Lightrock India. He is passionate about working with companies in their formative phase and helps with strategic and financial planning, process implementation, performance management and risk management. Kushal’s previous engagements include Financial Controller at Zovi.com and significant stints at ITC and PWC. He is a meritorious Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and a graduate in Commerce from St. Xavier's College. Kushal is passionate about wildlife and photography and does not miss a chance to escape to the jungles!
Suchita is a General Counsel at Lightrock India. She advises Lightrock on legal and regulatory matters. Suchita has previously worked with Argus Partners and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, in diverse practice areas such as private equity, capital markets, technology and data privacy, and corporate governance. Suchita is a graduate of National Law School of India University, Bangalore, and has a Masters in Law from Columbia Law School, New York.
Saleem is a Partner at Lightrock. He is passionate about enabling entrepreneurs to succeed through a combination of support and collaborative challenge. Prior to working with sector teams on evaluating and underwriting new investments and value creation at Lightrock, he founded and ran healthcare and education businesses in the UK, including Cambian Group Plc, which was listed on the London Stock Exchange. Saleem qualified with an honour’s degree in Pathology and Basic Medical Sciences from the University of London. In his spare time, he runs, cycles, swims and enjoys travel.
Mirella is an Executive Assistant at Lightrock. Mirella is motivated by Lightrock’s business concept to address global issues impacting our future. Prior to joining Lightrock, Mirella has worked across several industries, including oil and gas, hospitality, information technology, port authority and healthcare. Mirella’s work has also taken her from India to Hong Kong to Oman, allowing her to grow her knowledge of different cultures. Mirella studied Business Management at the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune. In Mirella’s spare time, she enjoys reading, travelling, nature walks, cooking and spending time with friends and family.
Meghana is an Executive Assistant at Lightrock. She is a happy-go-lucky and positive person, and has the natural ability to add life to any gathering. A multi-lingual, cross-fit enthusiast & a passionate runner, she is a strong-willed woman who knows just how to get the job at hand done. She originally began as a Pastry Chef and ran her own patisserie before eventually joining the hospitality industry. A recent opportunity allowed her to make an hitherto unimagined move into the world of venture capital and finance.
Neil is a Legal Associate at Lightrock India. He advises Lightrock on legal and regulatory matters and his experience of advising as well as working at new-age start-ups drives him to work closely with impact and mission-driven businesses and entrepreneurs. Neil has previously worked with Dunzo Digital and law firms such as Khaitan & Co amongst others, where he worked on diverse practice areas such as private equity, acquisitions, sports and gaming laws, data privacy, corporate governance. Neil is a graduate from ILS Law College, Pune. Neil is passionate about sports and in his spare time he can be found playing and coaching football, cycling, reading and travelling.
Arnab is an investor at Lightrock. The cross-section of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, technology, and finance and being from a business family drew him into impact investing. Prior to joining Lightrock, Arnab was on the Fixed Income & Currencies desk at Deutsche Bank, where he worked across Asian markets to provide risk management derivative solutions. Arnab holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, where he was also the President of the Economics Society. He savors his solitude and free time with David Fincher’s crime thrillers, fleeting between the Bengali soul that Jhumpa Lahiri evokes, or digging into economic history.
Ashish is a Principal at Lightrock and leads investments in the financial services / fintech and sustainable energy in India. Prior to Lightrock, Ashish worked with SEAF, a Washington DC based impact fund, where he led global investment initiatives and was involved in Qatar SME equity fund. He also consulted with Capricorn incubated company, Automatiks and led the engineering and operations for Agni Energy, a bio-energy company. He began his career with Bayer Crop Science’s Indian subsidiary as a Manager of Projects. Ashish has filed one patent and three provisional patents in the bio-power space. Ashish is a Bachelor of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. He currently serves on the boards of Varthana, Smartcoin and Amp Energy.
Manmath is an investor at Lightrock. His career spans diverse areas including public policy, financial services and consulting. Most recently, he spent two years as an operator, building India’s fastest growing Fintech companies. Through these experiences, Manmath has developed deep affinity for co-creating novel ideas that have the potential to create meaningful and outsized impact.
Manmath has an MBA from ISB, cleared three levels of the CFA Program and has a BSC. Economics, Finance from Singapore Management University. He is a fitness enthusiast, a budding golfer and enjoys live electronic music.
Veni is an investor at Lightrock. She is inspired by the opportunity to work across food and agriculture, consumer value chains, and logistics. Prior to joining Lightrock, she served as a Management Consultant with McKinsey & Company. While at McKinsey, Veni worked on projects across financial services, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, chemicals, and building materials, helping clients with growth strategies and business build out. She is a graduate in Commerce (Hons) from Hansraj College, University of Delhi. Veni is a trained Indian classical dancer who enjoys art, food, and writing.
Aditi is an Associate at Lightrock working across Deep Tech, SaaS and Media sectors. Prior to this she worked as part of the MD's Office team at MSD Pharmaceuticals driving key strategic and operations projects. She started her career as a Management Consultant with EY Parthenon delivering strategy projects across EdTech, Higher Education and Continuous Learning Segments. She graduated with a Bachelors and Masters of Technology Degree from IIT Kharagpur. In her free time, she enjoys watching Marvel movies and Boston Dynamics videos, dancing and trying out multi-cuisine food.
Pravishka is an investor at Lightrock. She has always been motivated to solve real-world problems through entrepreneurial action. Prior to joining Lightrock, Pravishka worked as an Investment Banker with J.P. Morgan &Chase, where she worked in the Diversified Industrials and Transportation team for clients across Southeast Asia. Pravishka is a graduate in Economics (Hons)from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi. While at college, she co-founded two social entrepreneurial ventures in the climate action vertical. She is a trained debater and thoroughly enjoys speaking with people. In her free time, she loves to cook, play a hand of poker, and travel.
Kamal is a growth function fellow at Lightrock. Kamal believes that money can be viewed as a tool to solve important societal problems, improving lives. A structural engineer by training, Kamal spent most of his career in New York City working as a forensic structural engineer, helping clients navigate litigation and rehabilitate pre-war buildings. Kamal has a master’s in civil engineering from Columbia University and a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Anna University. He enjoys adventurous treks, loves learning about different cultures and trying out different cuisines.
Charisma is an associate at Lightrock, working across Supply Chain, Agriculture and SMB Tech. Charisma is a thesis driven investor and believes that platforms that can consolidate and digitize fragmented supply chains can drive more long-term value, with the potential to fundamentally change the sectors they operate in. She started her career as an associate with Citibank working in the Credit Risk division. She graduated with Honours in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Her interests include rock climbing, hiking, karaoke and brunch.
Umesh is a Compliance Officer at Lightrock India. He advises Lightrock on legal and regulatory matters. He is inspired by the opportunity of working with growth-stage investor with impact-driven investment approach. Prior to Lightrock, Umesh was a Company Secretary & Compliance Officer at Lendingkart, an Indian Fintech startup in MSME space, wherein he spent 7 years working in areas such as private equity, capital markets, acquisition, corporate governance, compliance, legal and regulatory matters, and managed board and investor relations. Umesh is a Company Secretary from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and holds bachelor’s degree in both commerce and law. He is also curious for learning about investment and finance. In his free time, Umesh enjoys playing sports such as cricket, ping pong and tennis.
Pranav is an ESG and Impact Associate at Lightrock. The opportunity of working with companies that leverage technology to find impactful and sustainable solutions motivates him in his work at Lightrock. Prior to joining Lightrock, he worked with a law firm in the corporate and M&A, technology and data privacy areas of practice. He holds a Bachelors' Degree in Law from the National University of Advanced Legal Studies, India. He enjoys aviation and music, and can spend hours on flight simulators in his free time.
Radha is an Operations and Compliance Manager at Lightrock. She is passionate about leveraging talent and technology to create a positive change. Prior to joining Lightrock, she worked with Zovi.com as a Manager, Administration responsible for overall office management working closely with the operations and procurement team. Radha has also worked as Executive - Finance & Admin at AAyuja Technologies. She is a Science graduate from Bangalore University and has a diploma in Business Management. Radha enjoys travelling, trekking, and gardening.
Tejasvi is an investor at Lightrock. She is passionate about global health, drawing on over a decade of experience across delivery, pharmaceuticals, medtech, and policy to serve as a Fellow with the Lancet Commission on Reimagining Healthcare for India. Prior to joining Lightrock, Tejasvi led the CEO’s office at Medanta Hospitals, managing projects across strategy, operations, and new hospital launch. Before that, she was a manager at Bain & Company, advising Indian and global healthcare clients on product strategy, business models, and experience design. Tejasvi has a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Bangalore and a Bachelor in Commerce from Stella Maris, Madras University.
Vaidhehi is a Partner at Lightrock. She is passionate about the role of capital and business in creating positive change. She joined the Lightrock platform through its merger with Aspada, a pioneering impact investment manager in India. Previously, she served as an energy consultant to refining and petrochemical projects in the Americas and Africa. Prior to that, she worked as one of the first few women in refinery operations in Indian Oil Corporation. She has a Masters in International Affairs from SIPA, Columbia University and a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli.
Aarushi Sahu is a Growth Investor at Lightrock. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a lawyer in the energy and infrastructure division of AZB Partners in Mumbai, primarily undertaking M&A, ESG, and private equity-related work. Before that, she held roles as a legal consultant, Alpha Wave Global LP, and as a research fellow at the Columbia Centre of Sustainable Investment, Columbia University. Aarushi holds a dual-degree, with a Bachelor's in Business Administration and Law from Symbiosis Law School, Pune. Outside of work, she enjoys trekking, diving, tennis, surfing, and running.
Puja is a Finance Director at Lightrock. She believes that impact investing plays a key role in striking a balance between environmental, social, and financial returns. On the professional front, Puja is a veteran of corporate tax and regulatory matters across industry verticals. Prior to joining Lightrock, she worked with professional services firms like Deloitte, EY, and AF Ferguson. In her previous role as a Director at EY, Puja focused on the financial services sector and served as a critical advisor in multiple “Unicorn” journeys. She is a Chartered Accountant and a Commerce graduate. In her free time, Puja enjoys tending to her garden, reading history, and exploring diverse cultures.
Kartik is a Partner, Head of India and Chief Strategy Officer at Lightrock. Kartik joined the Lightrock platform through its merger with Aspada, a pioneering impact investment manager in India, where he was the founder and managing partner. Aspada managed two funds in the impact space that were funded by Soros, Omidyar Network, and Google. Prior to his entrepreneurial journey in the impact investment space, Kartik worked with Lightspeed Venture Partners, where he was part of the founding India team, and with McKinsey and Company as a management consultant. He is an engineering graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. Kartik is an avid tennis player and golfer, a design-phile, and a trained musician.
Kavya is a Principal at Lightrock focusing on technology and media sectors. Her career has been shaped by her desire to use her skills in a civically and socially responsible way. She believes that, in this information era, her skills are best used in helping build responsible tech that will shape peoples’ information consumption habits. She comes to Lightrock with experience in engineering, product management and editorial roles in technology and media companies including Microsoft, Vox Media, Hearken and the Washington Post. She was a Knight-Mozilla Open News Fellow in 2015 and is a founding member of Bad Idea Factory, a company which describes itself as a collective of chaotic creatives using technology to make people thinking face emoji. During her stint in media, she was fortunate to have contributed to projects that won prestigious awards in journalism including Pulitzer and Peabody prizes. She has a B. Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from NIT, Trichy and a MS in Journalism from Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University. She loves traveling, photography and writing and often tries to combine all three whenever possible.
Divya is a Principal at Lightrock. A believer in systems-thinking, she is passionate about the transformative power of scalable, evidence-led business models to lift generations out of poverty. Prior to joining Lightrock, Divya led the Human Capital functions at New Globe Education, an education platform for systems transformation in Africa, and K12 Techno Services, a school chains network serving middle-income India. Before her transition to impact, Divya was a derivatives lawyer at Linklaters LLP in London. An Erasmus Mundus Scholar, Divya holds a Master's in Law & Economics and graduated from the National Law School of India University. She is a history buff and enjoys singing Indian classical music and running.
Daniel is a Finance Manager at Lightrock. He enjoys impact investing due to his drive and motivation for tackling new challenges. Daniel has spent most of his career in business controlling, administration, and finance. He joined Lightrock from BRF, a food company focused on fast moving consumer goods. During his time with BRF, he worked in Brazil, South Africa, and Russia. Daniel holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Universidade Guarulhos. Outside of work, he enjoys travelling overseas, spending time with friends and family, and supporting Flamengo, his favorite football club.
Rafael is an investor at Lightrock. Passionate about private equity and venture capital and searching for ways to generate a positive impact on society, he believes that his current role balances his personal and professional interests. Prior to joining Lightrock, he worked at Bank of America’s investment banking division on deals in the utilities, financial services and oil & gas sectors. Rafael is completing his last year of Business Administration at Fundação Getúlio Vargas in São Paulo. In his free time, he enjoys watching football and experiencing new cultures through food and travel.
Johanna is an investor at Lightrock. She believes that return on investment and social, economic and environmental impact need to work hand in hand to ensure we all have a bright and profitable future. Prior to joining Lightrock, Johanna worked for 4 years at Venture Founders, where she worked in both deal execution and portfolio monitoring of more than 30 companies. Johanna holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Business Administration from Hult International Business School in London.
Guilherme is an investor at Lightrock. He views impact investing as a robust way of contributing to a fairer world. Having started his career at a small M&A boutique, Guilherme spent his early days in private equity with Patria Investimentos, the largest Private Equity firm in LatAm, working primarily with agribusiness. Guilherme holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Fundação Getulio Vargas. Outside of commercial hours, he can be found running on the streets.
Laura is an intern at Lightrock. She looks forward to intellectually challenging opportunities and the possibility of working with companies aiming to make a positive impact on both planet and society. Laura joined Lightrock after her internship experience at J.P. Morgan covering high growth and tech-related clients in Latin America. She is currently studying Business at the Universidade de São Paulo. Quality time with family and friends, exploring new cultures and listening to good music are essential for her.
Paula is the Operations Director at Lightrock LatAm. Her experiences in Fund Management and Fund Structuring in the PE&VC industry led her to become increasingly excited about tech and impact investments. Prior to joining Lightrock, Paula was the Risk and Compliance Director at Redpoint Eventures and Operations Coordinator at Patria Investments. Paula holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics from Insper and a Master’s in Financial Economics from Maastricht University. She enjoys reading, travelling, and spending time with family, friends and her pets.
Ahmad is a Principal at Lightrock. He is driven by the conviction that a conscious, responsible, and innovative private sector is indispensable for solving the world’s most urgent challenges. Prior to joining Lightrock, he contributed to more than $200 million of structured credit investments at a Dubai-based mezzanine finance fund. Prior to that, he assisted in managing over $1 billion of on-balance sheet investments at Waha Capital in Abu Dhabi. Ahmad holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting from the American University of Beirut. He spends his free time walking around neighbourhoods to discover hidden-gem restaurants and food stands.
Rodolfo is an investor at Lightrock. He is thrilled to support entrepreneurs building genuine solutions to structural challenges in emerging and developed markets. Prior to joining Lightrock, Rodolfo worked on healthcare and energy opportunities in the buy-out sector and digital marketplaces and mobility platforms as a venture capitalist at Monashees. He holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Insper. In his free time, Rodolfo can be found on the tennis court improving his top spin, listening to good music, and spending time with friends and family.
Liz is an investor at Lightrock. She sees the private equity industry as a key enabler in developing a more sustainable, innovative and prosperous world. Prior to joining Lightrock, Liz worked for three years at Patria Investments, a leading LatAm PE firm, where she was focused on the development of new investment theses in Cybersecurity and Healthcare. Liz holds a Civil Engineering degree from Escola Politécnica da USP. Outside of work, you can find her exercising, hanging out with friends and family or watching ballet performances (she was a professional dancer in her youth).
Estêvão is an investor at Lightrock. He is enthusiastic about positively impacting society by investing in solutions to global challenges and sustainability issues. Prior to joining Lightrock, Estêvão worked for four years at Patria Investimentos, a leading LatAm PE firm, as part of the investment and origination team. At Patria, he also contributed to the fundraising of a $2.7 billion LatAm-focused PE fund. Estêvão holds a Materials Engineering degree from Universidade Federal de São Carlos. He enjoys going out with friends and family, playing tennis, and watching good movies.
Marcelo is the Investor Relations Coordinator at Lightrock LatAm. He believes that working and investing in social, economic, and environmental impact is the key to drive the world to a more peaceful and better place with profitability and responsibility. Prior to joining Lightrock, Marcelo worked for 4 years at Raízen where he worked in both the FP&A and Investor Relations departments, helping the company go through its successful IPO in Brazil. Marcelo holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Universidade Estadual Paulista – Unesp. He enjoys reading, playing sports, and spending time with friends and family.
Marcos is a Partner and Head of Latin America at Lightrock. He strongly believes that technology and innovation are key drivers to solving society’s most pressing problems. Prior to joining Lightrock in 2016, Marcos was a Founding Partner of Bratus Capital, an independent asset manager of alternative investment funds. He has over 20 years of experience investing in Latin America, has participated in more than 25 investments, and serves on the Board of over 15 companies, including CargoX, Creditas, and Konfio. Marcos holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and an MBA from Columbia Business School. He enjoys traveling and is a big sports enthusiast.
Diego is an investor at Lightrock. He believes that the combination of sustainable capitalism and technology has the potential to significantly improve lives, expand access to goods and services, and drive greater efficiency. Before joining Lightrock, Diego worked as a consultant at Bain & Company, primarily in the consumer goods and financial services industries. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, a Master’s degree in management engineering from Politecnico di Milano, and a Bachelor’s in civil engineering from the University of São Paulo. In his free time, Diego loves to play tennis, go for a run, study chess or be with his family and friends.
Daniel is an investor at Lightrock. He is passionate about helping businesses scale and leveraging technology to raise living standards for people across the globe. Prior to joining Lightrock, Daniel worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs, management consulting at Roland Berger, and impact investing for an organization in Cambodia. Daniel holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s in Business from Fundação Getúlio Vargas. Outside of the office, you can find him playing music with friends or running in the park.
Gustavo is a Partner at Lightrock. Investing capital with meaningful purpose, that is crucial to disrupt old-fashioned business models, is what really motivates him in the Growth Equity investment space. Gustavo joined Lightrock after working as Director at Aqua Capital, and as Investment Professional at Patria Investimentos and Bratus Capital, investing in minority and controlling positions, with exposure to the Retail, Supply Chain, Technology, Logistics, Energy and Food & Agri sectors. He also worked as CFO and COO of different invested portfolio companies where he invested. Gustavo holds an Electrical Engineering degree from Universidade de São Paulo-USP. He swam professionally in his youth and still loves competitive open-water swimming.
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Pedro is an investor at Lightrock. He is passionate about leveraging finance and technology to generate positive impact in the society. Prior to joining Lightrock, Pedro worked for two years at Aqua Capital, a leading LatAm PE firm, participating in different investment theses within the agribusiness sector. Pedro holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Insper. In his free time, Pedro enjoys reading good books, trekking, and seeking new experiences.
Gozie is a Principal at Lightrock. Gozie is passionate about putting long term sustainable private capital to work in critical sectors in Africa. Gozie joined Lightrock after a long career at British International Investment (formerly CDC Group plc), where he built a long track record of fund investments as well as direct equity and debt transactions. Prior to BII, Gozie worked at CSL (London)where he was a consultant to their Equity Research & Trading team, and at Corbett Keeling (London) as an M&A professional. Prior to that, he worked in the M&A teams in Paris and London at BNP Paribas. He started his career at KPMG (Lagos).
Gozie is a CFA charterholder, holds an MBA from the Manchester Business School, studied corporate finance at London Business School, and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Lagos.
In his free time(when his children allow him), Gozie reads, plays a lot of chess, and watches sports (his playing days are long behind him).
Yemi is an investor at Lightrock. He is excited by the opportunity to identify and help scale businesses that create economic and societal impact. Yemi began his career as the Business Development Officer of DataSine; a psychology-tech start-up that aimed to help businesses better understand and communicate with their customers. He has also worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company; where he advised clients across multiple sectors including financial services, telecommunications, consumer goods, agriculture, and energy. Prior to joining Lightrock, Yemi worked at CrossBoundary’s Innovation Lab where he co-led the design, implementation and scaling of initiatives designed to improve the economic viability of mini-grids across Africa. Yemi holds an MEng in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Business Management from London Business School. He enjoys reading, travelling, and playing or watching football.
Doreen is a Legal and Operations Associate at Lightrock. The opportunity to work with Lightrock draws on her motivation to enhance the rule of law in Africa, through sound legal advice and expertise. Before joining Lightrock, she worked with the leading full service corporate commercial law firm in the region with a focus on general corporate, mergers & acquisitions, anti-trust/competition, corporate governance, and intellectual property. She holds a LL.M in Corporate and Commercial Law from the University of Cape Town and is a duly admitted Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. Doreen is passionate about art, music, and is an advocate for gender equity.
Shakir is a Partner and Head of Africa at Lightrock. As one of the pioneer private equity investors in Africa, he is passionate about the role that private enterprise can play in catalysing positive outcomes. Before overseeing Lightrock’s capital deployment across Africa, he oversaw the Africa health and East African portfolios of Aureos Capital. Prior to that, he deployed funds in early-stage technology businesses in the US and Europe. Shakir holds a BSc and an MSc with distinction from the London School of Economics. Outside of work, he can be found touring the continent by motorcycle and on stage in Nairobi, entertaining people with his attempts at stand-up comedy.
Alex is an investor at Lightrock. He is passionate about working with entrepreneurs to build innovative and sustainable businesses that create opportunities for the community. Alex started his career at Goldman Sachs as a Senior Analyst focused on managing the market risk of multi-asset hedge funds. Before joining Lightrock, he worked as a Transaction Advisor at CrossBoundary Group, advising clients in East and West Africa on capital raises. He graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics & Management. In his free time, he can be found cycling around Nairobi, reading African fiction, or hiking.
Eugene is an Analyst at Lightrock. He is passionate about creating access to capital to drive impactful technological innovations with the potential to solve key problems in developing economies. Prior to joining Lightrock, Eugene worked as a management consultant supporting African businesses in developing strategies and improving their operations. Additionally, he worked as a sell-side financial advisor across African Private Equity and Venture Capital transactions. Eugene holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and is pursuing his CFA charter. When he's not working, Eugene enjoys spontaneous adventures, travelling and playing football with friends.
Kelechi is an Investor at Lightrock. As a former founder and operator of consumer technology companies in Africa, Kelechi is driven by the opportunity to identify and empower high impact companies and visionary founders with long-term capital. Prior to joining Lightrock, Kelechi founded Bongalow and Bamboo in order to make retail investment and wealth creation more accessible to African consumers, and held a position as a Special Assistant to Nigeria’s former Minister of Trade and Investments. Kelechi began his career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Jefferies after graduating from the University at Albany in the United States with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration .He is an American sports fanatic, an avid traveller, and a dad of one.
Ravi is a Partner at Lightrock. He is passionate about sustainable capitalism, having deployed meaningful capital in global growth markets for over two decades. Prior to joining Lightrock, Ravi was a Partner at T5 Capital Partners and Aureos Capital. Ravi holds an MBA from the University of Wales and has a BSc in Economics & Accounting from City University, London. Ravi enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, collecting African art, and reading about political history.
Arul is a Principal at Lightrock. Having worked across emerging markets, he is impressed by the power of business to create a sustainable impact. Arul joined Lightrock from African Leadership University, where he held multiple leadership roles scaling the venture to pan-African presence. Prior to that, he was with Olam International Ltd as part of their management programme with stints in Africa and the South Pacific. Arul holds an MBA from INSEAD. In his free time, he can be found on his motorbike, enjoying the outdoors, or reading about behavioural economics.
Nonnie is an Office Manager at Lightrock. She is a firm believer that impact investing has positively affected political, economic, and social development, making economies more robust whilst addressing issues of underdevelopment. Prior to joining Lightrock, Nonnie worked for a construction company in Nairobi managing projects and logistics. She has experience supporting teams in both the private and public sectors. Nonnie holds a BA International Relations from United States International University-Africa. Due to her love for nature and honey, you will find her either planting trees or building beehives.
Rodolfo "Rudi" Bogni is a Member of the Board at Lightrock. He moved on from an interest in philanthropy, as co-founder of one the largest banking foundations, to impact investing, while retaining a focus also on private equity. Most of his career was in banking, finally as CEO, Private Banking at UBS, retiring in 2000. Thereafter he has had NED responsibilities at LGT, Old Mutual, Waypoint and Moody’s in Europe, among others. He graduated in economics from Bocconi University in Milan in 1970 and is a member of the London Mathematical Society. He is a member of the Athenaeum in London and an unpaid columnist for Wilmott Magazine, the most expensive subscription magazine in the world, aimed at quants.
Ann Cairns is a Member of the Board at Lightrock. She is also the Executive Vice Chair of Mastercard. As a senior ambassador and executive leader, she brings inclusion, diversity and innovation to the forefront not just within Mastercard, but around the world, building new global partnerships with governments, businesses and NGOs. Prior to Mastercard, Ann held many senior leadership positions including heading the Financial Services Group with Alvarez & Marsal in London, a tenure as CEO of Transaction Banking at ABN-AMRO and 15 years in senior operational positions at Citigroup. She has a Pure Mathematics degree and honorary doctorate from Sheffield University, a M.Sc. with research into Medical Statistics and an Honorary Doctorate from Newcastle University.
Peter Nussbaum is a Member of the Board at Lightrock. He specializes in M&A and capital markets law, having been involved in numerous IPOs in Germany and the USA, such as United Internet and Sauer, amongst others. A former co-head of Freshfields’ global Private Equity Group and one of the founding partners of the Munich office of Milbank, he was one of the first lawyers in the German market to place a special focus on the private equity industry. Peter has also advised LGT Group and Lightrock on multiple transactions. After a long-standing collaboration with the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation, he currently heads the Administration of the Princely Assets. In addition to board seats at entities of the Princely Assets, he serves on the supervisory board of FOCAM, Frankfurt, a multi-family office which he co-founded. He holds a Masters degree from NYU School of Law and a Doctorate from Munich University. Together with his wife he is running their ecological farm in Upper Bavaria.
Vivian Riefberg is a Member of the Board at Lightrock. She is a global thought leader in the areas of healthcare and women’s leadership and has over three decades of experience and in-depth applied knowledge. She holds several Board positions, e.g. at Signify Health (SGFY-NYSE), K Health, John Hopkins Medicine, and is an advisory board member for the Smithsonian's American Women's History Museum, the National Education Equity Lab and the Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation. In 2020, she joined the faculty at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, as the David C. Walentas Jefferson Scholars Foundation Professorship Chair where she focuses on senior executive leadership and healthcare, strategy and entrepreneurship across private, public and non-profit sectors. Vivian also held a variety of senior leadership positions at McKinsey including leader of the Public Sector Practice for the Americas, and co-leader of the US Health Care practice. She also served on McKinsey & Company's global Board of Directors and on the Senior Partner Committee evaluating and developing global senior partners. Vivian earned an A.B. in history from Harvard-Radcliffe College and an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School.
Prince Max von Liechtenstein is the Founder and Chairman of Lightrock's Board and Chairman of LGT Group. He founded Lightrock as an expression of the Princely family’s entrepreneurial approach, long-term perspective, and commitment to sustainability. Prince Max is convinced that scalable commercial solutions to global challenges not only have a sustainable positive impact on society and the environment but also represent attractive investment opportunities. He has been the CEO of LGT since 2006. He started his professional career in the private equity industry where he worked from 1993 to 2005 for J.P. Morgan Partners and Industri Kapital, a leading private equity firm in the Nordics. He holds an undergraduate degree from the European Business School and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.
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