Heikki Cantell
Secretary General and General Counsel; Chair of the Board of Directors
Nordic Investment Bank; Finnfund
Heikki Cantell is the General Counsel and Secretary General of the Nordic Investment Bank, a role he’s held since 2007. He also heads the Bank’s legal department. Previously, he was General Counsel at the Council of Europe Development Bank (1995–2007) and earlier led the Paris branch of the law firm Heikki Haapaniemi. He also served as legal counsel for the Finnish Cultural Foundation. He is a PRIME panel member, ICC-nominated arbitrator, and since February 2025, chair of the Finnfund Board of Directors. He lectures and publishes widely in Finland and France.
Secretary General and General Counsel; Chair of the Board of Directors
Nordic Investment Bank; Finnfund
Heikki Cantell is the General Counsel and Secretary General of the Nordic Investment Bank, a role he’s held since 2007. He also heads the Bank’s legal department. Previously, he was General Counsel at the Council of Europe Development Bank (1995–2007) and earlier led the Paris branch of the law firm Heikki Haapaniemi. He also served as legal counsel for the Finnish Cultural Foundation. He is a PRIME panel member, ICC-nominated arbitrator, and since February 2025, chair of the Finnfund Board of Directors. He lectures and publishes widely in Finland and France.
Jacqueline van den Ende
Co-Founder and CEO
Carbon Equity
Jacqueline van den Ende is co-founder and CEO of Carbon Equity, a European climate venture capital and private equity fund investing platform. Carbon Equity was founded with the mission to unlock private capital at scale to power breakthrough climate technologies whilst enabling more equitable ownership through democratised access to venture capital and private equity fund investments.
Jacqueline has an extensive background as a private equity investor, venture capital partner and serial entrepreneur. Prior to founding Carbon Equity she was a partner at Peak, a Saas focused European VC fund and a private equity investor at HAL Investments. She spent the other half of her career to date building companies, including De Kleine Consultant, Rocket Internet backed online real estate marketplace Lamudi in South East Asia and Ant Financial backed Fintech scale up TrueMoney.
Jacqueline received an MSc in International Economics and Business from the Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Co-Founder and CEO
Carbon Equity
Jacqueline van den Ende is co-founder and CEO of Carbon Equity, a European climate venture capital and private equity fund investing platform. Carbon Equity was founded with the mission to unlock private capital at scale to power breakthrough climate technologies whilst enabling more equitable ownership through democratised access to venture capital and private equity fund investments.
Jacqueline has an extensive background as a private equity investor, venture capital partner and serial entrepreneur. Prior to founding Carbon Equity she was a partner at Peak, a Saas focused European VC fund and a private equity investor at HAL Investments. She spent the other half of her career to date building companies, including De Kleine Consultant, Rocket Internet backed online real estate marketplace Lamudi in South East Asia and Ant Financial backed Fintech scale up TrueMoney.
Jacqueline received an MSc in International Economics and Business from the Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Piet Klop
Head of Responsible Investment
PGGM
Piet Klop is currently Director of Strategic Relations at PGGM, overseeing its 3D research partnerships. In his previous role he led PGGM’s Responsible Investment team driving ESG integration, running its active ownership programme and expanding its sustainable development investments, including the measurement of real-world impact.
Before joining PGGM Investments in 2011, Piet was a senior fellow at the World Resources Institute in Washington DC and held senior positions at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the private sector. As water resources expert he worked at the World Bank and United Nations. Piet holds MSc in Water Resources Management (Wageningen University, 1989) and another one in Applied Environmental Economics (University of London, 1999).
Head of Responsible Investment
PGGM
Piet Klop is currently Director of Strategic Relations at PGGM, overseeing its 3D research partnerships. In his previous role he led PGGM’s Responsible Investment team driving ESG integration, running its active ownership programme and expanding its sustainable development investments, including the measurement of real-world impact.
Before joining PGGM Investments in 2011, Piet was a senior fellow at the World Resources Institute in Washington DC and held senior positions at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the private sector. As water resources expert he worked at the World Bank and United Nations. Piet holds MSc in Water Resources Management (Wageningen University, 1989) and another one in Applied Environmental Economics (University of London, 1999).
Shahzad Memon
Portfolio Manager - Responsible Investments (Fixed Income)
APG Asset Management
Shahzad (Shaz) Memon is a Senior Portfolio Manager - Responsible Investments within APG’s fixed income asset class. His focus is on leading APG’s Alternative Credits (private debt) and Dutch mortgages portfolio from a responsible investment (ESG and impact) angle.
Prior to joining APG, Shahzad worked at FMO-Dutch Development Bank in the impact measurement and management department for more than four years where he was involved in impact fund transactions (due diligence, underwriting, engagements, reporting) for FMO’s private equity portfolio.
In addition to his daily transactional and portfolio construction work with alternative credits and Dutch mortgages, Shahzad has also been actively involved in developing APG’s portfolio-wide impact strategy, underwriting framework, implementation and execution. He is a topic lead for APG’s impact framework within capital markets. He holds a Bachelor’s in Economics and Finance, a Master’s in Transport Management (Sustainable Supply Chains), and an Advanced Master in International Development.
Portfolio Manager - Responsible Investments (Fixed Income)
APG Asset Management
Shahzad (Shaz) Memon is a Senior Portfolio Manager - Responsible Investments within APG’s fixed income asset class. His focus is on leading APG’s Alternative Credits (private debt) and Dutch mortgages portfolio from a responsible investment (ESG and impact) angle.
Prior to joining APG, Shahzad worked at FMO-Dutch Development Bank in the impact measurement and management department for more than four years where he was involved in impact fund transactions (due diligence, underwriting, engagements, reporting) for FMO’s private equity portfolio.
In addition to his daily transactional and portfolio construction work with alternative credits and Dutch mortgages, Shahzad has also been actively involved in developing APG’s portfolio-wide impact strategy, underwriting framework, implementation and execution. He is a topic lead for APG’s impact framework within capital markets. He holds a Bachelor’s in Economics and Finance, a Master’s in Transport Management (Sustainable Supply Chains), and an Advanced Master in International Development.
Nick Moss
Head of Nature Based Solutions
Nuveen Natural Capital
Nick Moss is the Head of Nature Based Solutions for Nuveen Natural Capital. He is responsible for developing the Nature Based Solutions investment strategy across farmland, timberland and ecological restoration. Nick brings over 15 years’ experience in leading investment and technical advisory services across forestry, agriculture and climate finance. He has been the Managing Director of the AGRI3 fund, an initiative of Rabobank and UNEP, aiming to mobilize public and private investment into nature-based solutions across forest conservation and sustainable agriculture. He has previously held roles as an Investment Director in leading impact investor Mirova Natural Capital and consulting firm PwC. Nick holds an MBA from Imperial College London, an MSc from Oxford University in Environmental Policy and a BSc from York University in Environment, Economics and Ecology.
Head of Nature Based Solutions
Nuveen Natural Capital
Nick Moss is the Head of Nature Based Solutions for Nuveen Natural Capital. He is responsible for developing the Nature Based Solutions investment strategy across farmland, timberland and ecological restoration. Nick brings over 15 years’ experience in leading investment and technical advisory services across forestry, agriculture and climate finance. He has been the Managing Director of the AGRI3 fund, an initiative of Rabobank and UNEP, aiming to mobilize public and private investment into nature-based solutions across forest conservation and sustainable agriculture. He has previously held roles as an Investment Director in leading impact investor Mirova Natural Capital and consulting firm PwC. Nick holds an MBA from Imperial College London, an MSc from Oxford University in Environmental Policy and a BSc from York University in Environment, Economics and Ecology.
Rosie Rankin
Investment Specialist Director
Baillie Gifford
Rosie Rankin is a Director and has worked as an investment specialist on Positive Change (a global equity impact strategy) since its inception in 2017. Rankin joined Baillie Gifford in 2013. She previously worked at Martin Currie, Aberdeen Asset Management and Edinburgh Fund Managers. She graduated MA (Hons) in Politics and Economic & Social History from the University of Edinburgh in 1997. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investments.
Investment Specialist Director
Baillie Gifford
Rosie Rankin is a Director and has worked as an investment specialist on Positive Change (a global equity impact strategy) since its inception in 2017. Rankin joined Baillie Gifford in 2013. She previously worked at Martin Currie, Aberdeen Asset Management and Edinburgh Fund Managers. She graduated MA (Hons) in Politics and Economic & Social History from the University of Edinburgh in 1997. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investments.
Thede Rüst
Project Manager and Technical Lead, Sustainable Finance
UNDP
Thede Ruest is Programe Manager and Technical Lead Sustainable Finance at UNDP. He leads engagement with the European Commission on strategic partnerships, with a focus on green bonds and sustainable finance. He brings deep expertise in innovative financing mechanisms and policy advisory. He previously led the Emerging Markets Debt team at Nordea Asset Management and served on the European Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on scaling sustainable finance. He has also held roles with PRI, ING Investment Management and Acap Partners, and supported the South African government on economic policy. Ruest holds a Master’s in Business and Development Studies from Copenhagen Business School and degrees from the International Business School Groningen and the University of Macau.
Project Manager and Technical Lead, Sustainable Finance
UNDP
Thede Ruest is Programe Manager and Technical Lead Sustainable Finance at UNDP. He leads engagement with the European Commission on strategic partnerships, with a focus on green bonds and sustainable finance. He brings deep expertise in innovative financing mechanisms and policy advisory. He previously led the Emerging Markets Debt team at Nordea Asset Management and served on the European Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on scaling sustainable finance. He has also held roles with PRI, ING Investment Management and Acap Partners, and supported the South African government on economic policy. Ruest holds a Master’s in Business and Development Studies from Copenhagen Business School and degrees from the International Business School Groningen and the University of Macau.
Niranjan Sirdeshpande
Global Head of Investments
M&G Catalyst Fund
Niranjan Sirdeshpande is the Global Head of Investments for the M&G Catalyst Fund and is based in London. The Catalyst Fund manages $6bn in committed capital and invests in world-leading technology and life-sciences companies that create a positive impact for society and our planet. Niranjan has successfully executed transactions in diverse sectors such as life-sciences, deep-tech, clean energy, enterprise SaaS, fintech/consumer credit, micro finance, aircraft leasing, and music royalties, among others. He also represents M&G on the board and investment committees of a number of portfolio companies.
Global Head of Investments
M&G Catalyst Fund
Niranjan Sirdeshpande is the Global Head of Investments for the M&G Catalyst Fund and is based in London. The Catalyst Fund manages $6bn in committed capital and invests in world-leading technology and life-sciences companies that create a positive impact for society and our planet. Niranjan has successfully executed transactions in diverse sectors such as life-sciences, deep-tech, clean energy, enterprise SaaS, fintech/consumer credit, micro finance, aircraft leasing, and music royalties, among others. He also represents M&G on the board and investment committees of a number of portfolio companies.
Maria Smith
Chief Impact Officer
British International Investment
Maria leads the assessment, measurement and management of BII’s development impact activity including key areas such as ESG, climate change, gender and inclusion. She has spent the last 15 years working in impact investing in emerging markets. She has a successful investment track record focused on financial services, having utilised various products including equity, debt, funds and grant capital. As Chief Impact Officer, Maria will represent the Impact Group at BII’s Investment Committees and Exco and provides leadership on how BII defines and realises its impact priorities. Prior to joining the impact investing sector, Maria worked at JPMorgan in both London and New York where she was responsible for creating investment solutions for asset management clients.
Chief Impact Officer
British International Investment
Maria leads the assessment, measurement and management of BII’s development impact activity including key areas such as ESG, climate change, gender and inclusion. She has spent the last 15 years working in impact investing in emerging markets. She has a successful investment track record focused on financial services, having utilised various products including equity, debt, funds and grant capital. As Chief Impact Officer, Maria will represent the Impact Group at BII’s Investment Committees and Exco and provides leadership on how BII defines and realises its impact priorities. Prior to joining the impact investing sector, Maria worked at JPMorgan in both London and New York where she was responsible for creating investment solutions for asset management clients.
Laure Wessemius-Chibrac
Managing Director
NAB - Netherlands Advisory Board on impact investing
Laure Wessemius-Chibrac is the CEO of the NAB, the branch organisation of impact investors in the Netherlands and has been the driving force behind its establishment. The initiative was launched in 2020 by various players of the Dutch financial sector with the goal to scale up impact investments and to create more cooperation within the Dutch impact investing sector. Before that she was Head of Investments at Cordaid, an international NGO and impact investor. Next to her role at the NAB she is Chair of the supervisory Board of REGMIFA, a regional investment fund for Sub-Saharan Africa and a member of the supervisory board at SNV Development Organisation.
Laure started her career as investment banker at BNP Paribas and ABN AMRO Rothschild in Paris and London and has been committed to shaping the impact investing ecosystem for years. She holds a Master’s degree in Management Grande Ecole from NEOMA Business School.
Managing Director
NAB - Netherlands Advisory Board on impact investing
Laure Wessemius-Chibrac is the CEO of the NAB, the branch organisation of impact investors in the Netherlands and has been the driving force behind its establishment. The initiative was launched in 2020 by various players of the Dutch financial sector with the goal to scale up impact investments and to create more cooperation within the Dutch impact investing sector. Before that she was Head of Investments at Cordaid, an international NGO and impact investor. Next to her role at the NAB she is Chair of the supervisory Board of REGMIFA, a regional investment fund for Sub-Saharan Africa and a member of the supervisory board at SNV Development Organisation.
Laure started her career as investment banker at BNP Paribas and ABN AMRO Rothschild in Paris and London and has been committed to shaping the impact investing ecosystem for years. She holds a Master’s degree in Management Grande Ecole from NEOMA Business School.
