Hamid Asseffar
head of EMEA Sustainable & Impact Investing
Invesco
Hamid Asseffar is head of EMEA Sustainable & Impact Investing, leading climate finance initiatives at Invesco, conceptualizing listed and blended finance innovative impact solutions and overseeing business development with DFIs and IFIs globally. Prior to this role, Asseffar was head of Asset Managers, ETFs & Indexed Strategies, UK and helped launch many key and innovative products for Invesco’s EMEA ETF business that helped drive its growth. He brings his expertise and experience in raising capital, building strategic partnerships, designing, and implementing strategies. He joined from Amundi in London, he also worked for Credit Suisse in London and Société Générale Gestion and Amundi in Paris. Asseffar graduated from EDHEC Business School and holds the CFA ESG certificate and he is Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) with a diploma from the Society of Technical Analysts (STA).
head of EMEA Sustainable & Impact Investing
Invesco
Hamid Asseffar is head of EMEA Sustainable & Impact Investing, leading climate finance initiatives at Invesco, conceptualizing listed and blended finance innovative impact solutions and overseeing business development with DFIs and IFIs globally. Prior to this role, Asseffar was head of Asset Managers, ETFs & Indexed Strategies, UK and helped launch many key and innovative products for Invesco’s EMEA ETF business that helped drive its growth. He brings his expertise and experience in raising capital, building strategic partnerships, designing, and implementing strategies. He joined from Amundi in London, he also worked for Credit Suisse in London and Société Générale Gestion and Amundi in Paris. Asseffar graduated from EDHEC Business School and holds the CFA ESG certificate and he is Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) with a diploma from the Society of Technical Analysts (STA).
Erik Jan van Bergen
Managing director, asset management & treasury
VGZ
Erik heads the investment team at VGZ, a leading not-for-profit healthcare insurance cooperative servicing approximately 4 million Dutch members. VGZ’s investment portfolio has dual financial and sustainability objectives. These include amongst others a 10% allocation to impact investments by the end of 2025 and an active ownership stance with a particular focus on the public and private healthcare market space directly relevant to VGZ members. Erik joined VGZ in 2020, having worked previously at AXA Investment Managers, as a fiduciary manager to Dutch pension funds, ACTIAM, as its chief investment officer), Citigroup, in various alternative credit roles, and ING Investment Management, in several fixed Income roles. Erik holds a master’s degrees Econometrics obtained at Tilburg University in 1991.
Managing director, asset management & treasury
VGZ
Erik heads the investment team at VGZ, a leading not-for-profit healthcare insurance cooperative servicing approximately 4 million Dutch members. VGZ’s investment portfolio has dual financial and sustainability objectives. These include amongst others a 10% allocation to impact investments by the end of 2025 and an active ownership stance with a particular focus on the public and private healthcare market space directly relevant to VGZ members. Erik joined VGZ in 2020, having worked previously at AXA Investment Managers, as a fiduciary manager to Dutch pension funds, ACTIAM, as its chief investment officer), Citigroup, in various alternative credit roles, and ING Investment Management, in several fixed Income roles. Erik holds a master’s degrees Econometrics obtained at Tilburg University in 1991.
Jana Bour
Head of Policy and EU Partnerships
Impact Europe
Jana Bour is the Head of Policy and EU Partnerships at Impact Europe. With more than 10 years of experience in EU policy making, she joined Impact Europe from EPRA, the European Public Real Estate Association, where she led work on policy strategies regarding the EU Green Deal and its Sustainable Finance agenda. In her earlier career, Jana gathered political experience in the European Parliament after which she moved to the private sector representing and advocating for the interests of private property owners (UIPI) and then to BDO, the fifth largest network of public accounting, tax and advisory firms in the world.
Head of Policy and EU Partnerships
Impact Europe
Jana Bour is the Head of Policy and EU Partnerships at Impact Europe. With more than 10 years of experience in EU policy making, she joined Impact Europe from EPRA, the European Public Real Estate Association, where she led work on policy strategies regarding the EU Green Deal and its Sustainable Finance agenda. In her earlier career, Jana gathered political experience in the European Parliament after which she moved to the private sector representing and advocating for the interests of private property owners (UIPI) and then to BDO, the fifth largest network of public accounting, tax and advisory firms in the world.
Céline Claudon
Chief Commercial Officer
IWC (BNP Paribas Asset Management)
Céline Claudon joined IWC in 2005 and is today working with IWC’s commercial strategy and the promotion of natural capital investments. Prior to this role, Céline spent 18 years identifying and evaluating timberland investment managers as well as selecting fund, secondary, co-investment, and separate account investment opportunities on behalf of IWC’s institutional clients, representing a total natural capital portfolio of over USD 5 billion. Céline is member of IWC’s Executive Committee, Sustainability Committee, and Business Development Committee. Céline holds an MBA from the University of Northern Iowa, USA, and a Master in Finance from the University of Paris-Saclay, France. Prior to joining IWC, Céline worked for the Investors Relations department of RCI Banque and as an Attaché to the Financial Counselor of the French Embassy in Denmark.
Chief Commercial Officer
IWC (BNP Paribas Asset Management)
Céline Claudon joined IWC in 2005 and is today working with IWC’s commercial strategy and the promotion of natural capital investments. Prior to this role, Céline spent 18 years identifying and evaluating timberland investment managers as well as selecting fund, secondary, co-investment, and separate account investment opportunities on behalf of IWC’s institutional clients, representing a total natural capital portfolio of over USD 5 billion. Céline is member of IWC’s Executive Committee, Sustainability Committee, and Business Development Committee. Céline holds an MBA from the University of Northern Iowa, USA, and a Master in Finance from the University of Paris-Saclay, France. Prior to joining IWC, Céline worked for the Investors Relations department of RCI Banque and as an Attaché to the Financial Counselor of the French Embassy in Denmark.
Jacqueline Duiker
Senior manager
VBDO
Jacqueline Duiker has served as a senior manager at VBDO since 2014, developing the direction of progress in embedding risks, opportunities and impacts of climate change, human rights and biodiversity in financial decision making. She focuses on approaches of investors and companies that drive real change and acts in public/private multi-stakeholder initiatives to further sustainable finance.
She founded Future Value Matters in 2009 to further independent thought leadership on sustainable value creation within a private and a public sector context.
Jacqueline has served as a member of the Supervisory Board of organizations such as Stichting Taal naar Keuze, and the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark. She is a financial economist and registered controller by training and has work experience in management consulting and financial services.
Senior manager
VBDO
Jacqueline Duiker has served as a senior manager at VBDO since 2014, developing the direction of progress in embedding risks, opportunities and impacts of climate change, human rights and biodiversity in financial decision making. She focuses on approaches of investors and companies that drive real change and acts in public/private multi-stakeholder initiatives to further sustainable finance.
She founded Future Value Matters in 2009 to further independent thought leadership on sustainable value creation within a private and a public sector context.
Jacqueline has served as a member of the Supervisory Board of organizations such as Stichting Taal naar Keuze, and the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark. She is a financial economist and registered controller by training and has work experience in management consulting and financial services.
Vicky van Heck
Impact Investing Advisor
Achmea Investment Management
Vicky van Heck has been with Achmea Investment Management since January 2021 as an Advisor on Responsible and Impact Investing. Vicky is responsible for supporting pension funds in formulating and implementing their impact policies. She also focuses on the development and execution of impact due diligence, monitoring, and reporting. Vicky has over 13 years of experience in the financial sector, initially as a strategic consultant at PwC and later at VBDO. At VBDO, she conducted various studies on impact investing by pension funds and collaborated with WNF (World Wildlife Fund) and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) to enable investments in nature. Vicky completed her studies in Economics and Law at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Impact Investing Advisor
Achmea Investment Management
Vicky van Heck has been with Achmea Investment Management since January 2021 as an Advisor on Responsible and Impact Investing. Vicky is responsible for supporting pension funds in formulating and implementing their impact policies. She also focuses on the development and execution of impact due diligence, monitoring, and reporting. Vicky has over 13 years of experience in the financial sector, initially as a strategic consultant at PwC and later at VBDO. At VBDO, she conducted various studies on impact investing by pension funds and collaborated with WNF (World Wildlife Fund) and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) to enable investments in nature. Vicky completed her studies in Economics and Law at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Anita de Horde
Co-founding Executive Director
FfB Foundation
Anita de Horde is the Co-founding Executive Director of FfB Foundation. With over two decades of sustainability experience, she leads efforts to mobilise financial institutions to reverse nature loss. Prior to the Foundation, Anita worked for banks and insurers, an asset manager and an impact investor. Throughout her career, she has been a driving force behind initiatives aimed at addressing climate change that lead to commitments and collaboration within the finance sector and with the public sector. Anita started her career in public policy and green politics, working in both the European Parliament and the Dutch Parliament.
Co-founding Executive Director
FfB Foundation
Anita de Horde is the Co-founding Executive Director of FfB Foundation. With over two decades of sustainability experience, she leads efforts to mobilise financial institutions to reverse nature loss. Prior to the Foundation, Anita worked for banks and insurers, an asset manager and an impact investor. Throughout her career, she has been a driving force behind initiatives aimed at addressing climate change that lead to commitments and collaboration within the finance sector and with the public sector. Anita started her career in public policy and green politics, working in both the European Parliament and the Dutch Parliament.
Richard Jacobs
Co-head Private Markets
Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management
Richard Jacobs is co-head of the private markets investment team and is also portfolio manager of the Kempen SDG Farmland Fund. Richard grew up as a farmer's son and therefore has extensive knowledge of agriculture. Richard has been working at Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management since 2017.
Co-head Private Markets
Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management
Richard Jacobs is co-head of the private markets investment team and is also portfolio manager of the Kempen SDG Farmland Fund. Richard grew up as a farmer's son and therefore has extensive knowledge of agriculture. Richard has been working at Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management since 2017.
Piet Klop
Head of Responsible Investment
PGGM
Piet Klop is Head of Responsible Investment at PGGM. Klop is responsible for the ESG integration, active ownership as well as the mitigation of negative impact and measurement of positive impact by the investment portfolio. Before joining PGGM he worked for the World Resources Institute 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. He holds master’s degrees in Water Resources Management, from Wageningen University, 1989, and Applied Environmental Economics from the University of London, 1999.
Head of Responsible Investment
PGGM
Piet Klop is Head of Responsible Investment at PGGM. Klop is responsible for the ESG integration, active ownership as well as the mitigation of negative impact and measurement of positive impact by the investment portfolio. Before joining PGGM he worked for the World Resources Institute 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. He holds master’s degrees in Water Resources Management, from Wageningen University, 1989, and Applied Environmental Economics from the University of London, 1999.
Sarah de Lagarde
Global Head of Corporate Affairs
Janus Henderson
Sarah de Lagarde is Global Head of Corporate Affairs at Janus Henderson Investors. With a career spanning over two decades in financial industry communications, Sarah has developed her expertise through roles at prominent asset management firms, including Janus Henderson, JP Morgan, BMO, BNY Mellon, and Schroders. She has an academic foundation in international business, with a master’s degree from ESCP Business School, and a postgraduate qualification in digital marketing communication from Cornell University.
In 2022 Sarah experienced a significant personal challenge when an accident on the London Underground led to her becoming a double amputee. This event marked a pivotal moment in her life, requiring her to adapt to new circumstances. Despite this adversity, she has continued to engage in her professional and public speaking activities, leveraging her personal story to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Sarah utilises advanced prosthetic technology, including an AI-powered bionic arm, which aids her in her day-to-day activities and work commitments.
Global Head of Corporate Affairs
Janus Henderson
Sarah de Lagarde is Global Head of Corporate Affairs at Janus Henderson Investors. With a career spanning over two decades in financial industry communications, Sarah has developed her expertise through roles at prominent asset management firms, including Janus Henderson, JP Morgan, BMO, BNY Mellon, and Schroders. She has an academic foundation in international business, with a master’s degree from ESCP Business School, and a postgraduate qualification in digital marketing communication from Cornell University.
In 2022 Sarah experienced a significant personal challenge when an accident on the London Underground led to her becoming a double amputee. This event marked a pivotal moment in her life, requiring her to adapt to new circumstances. Despite this adversity, she has continued to engage in her professional and public speaking activities, leveraging her personal story to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Sarah utilises advanced prosthetic technology, including an AI-powered bionic arm, which aids her in her day-to-day activities and work commitments.
Bert-Arjan Millenaar
Founder and CEO
NLC Health Ventures
Bert-Arjan Millenaar is the founder and CEO of NLC Health Ventures. As the healthcare system continues to face mounting pressures, innovation is needed more than ever. However, due to market complexities, regulatory barriers, and industry fragmentation, 95% of healthtech inventions never reach patients. Motivated by a mission to find, build, and scale transformative health innovations that address these challenges, Millenaar founded NLC with a partner group experienced in healthcare industry entrepreneurship. He brings over eighteen years of experience in business development and growth strategies at KPN and Scarlet, and as a partner of DTG, advising management boards of companies such as Euronext, Toyota, eBay and Amsterdam RAI on strategy.
Founder and CEO
NLC Health Ventures
Bert-Arjan Millenaar is the founder and CEO of NLC Health Ventures. As the healthcare system continues to face mounting pressures, innovation is needed more than ever. However, due to market complexities, regulatory barriers, and industry fragmentation, 95% of healthtech inventions never reach patients. Motivated by a mission to find, build, and scale transformative health innovations that address these challenges, Millenaar founded NLC with a partner group experienced in healthcare industry entrepreneurship. He brings over eighteen years of experience in business development and growth strategies at KPN and Scarlet, and as a partner of DTG, advising management boards of companies such as Euronext, Toyota, eBay and Amsterdam RAI on strategy.
Lorenzo Schinelli
Impact & ESG Analyst
AXA IM Equity
Lorenzo is an Impact & ESG Analyst at AXA IM. He works closely with AXA IM Equity Portfolio Managers on their investment universe and stock selection processes for a variety of impact investment strategies. He specializes in healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications. Additionally, Lorenzo participates in AXA IM’s collaboration with the Access to Medicine Foundation.
Lorenzo began his career at AXA IM in 2021 after completing a Master's Degree in Quantitative Finance & Asset Management at Bocconi University in Italy. He also holds a CFA Certificate in ESG Investing.
Impact & ESG Analyst
AXA IM Equity
Lorenzo is an Impact & ESG Analyst at AXA IM. He works closely with AXA IM Equity Portfolio Managers on their investment universe and stock selection processes for a variety of impact investment strategies. He specializes in healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications. Additionally, Lorenzo participates in AXA IM’s collaboration with the Access to Medicine Foundation.
Lorenzo began his career at AXA IM in 2021 after completing a Master's Degree in Quantitative Finance & Asset Management at Bocconi University in Italy. He also holds a CFA Certificate in ESG Investing.
Steven Serneels
Steven Serneels is a serial entrepreneur and impact investor, co-founding S&V Management Consultants and Impact Finance Belgium. He has served as chair of Impact Europe and CEO of Impact Europe. Steven chairs Kampani, a social impact investment fund, and sits on multiple boards and investment committees. He co-founded Iristick and is involved in various initiatives in impact investing and democratic innovation.
Steven Serneels is a serial entrepreneur and impact investor, co-founding S&V Management Consultants and Impact Finance Belgium. He has served as chair of Impact Europe and CEO of Impact Europe. Steven chairs Kampani, a social impact investment fund, and sits on multiple boards and investment committees. He co-founded Iristick and is involved in various initiatives in impact investing and democratic innovation.
Reinout van Tuyll van Serooskerken
Investment Strategist
Achmea Investment Management
Reinout has been with Achmea IM since 2018. His focus is on quantitative analysis, Wtp (Wet toekomst pensioen), climate change, and ESG strategies. Before joining Achmea IM, Reinout worked at Towers Watson (now Willis Towers Watson) as an ALM consultant and at Blue Sky Group as an Investment Strategist. He is a CFA and CAIA charterholder and studied Theoretical Physics and Mathematics at Utrecht University.
Investment Strategist
Achmea Investment Management
Reinout has been with Achmea IM since 2018. His focus is on quantitative analysis, Wtp (Wet toekomst pensioen), climate change, and ESG strategies. Before joining Achmea IM, Reinout worked at Towers Watson (now Willis Towers Watson) as an ALM consultant and at Blue Sky Group as an Investment Strategist. He is a CFA and CAIA charterholder and studied Theoretical Physics and Mathematics at Utrecht University.
Wim Vandenhoeck
Senior Portfolio Manager
Invesco
Wim Vandenhoeck serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager on the Invesco Oppenheimer Emerging Markets Local Debt and International Bond strategies, principally conducting interest rate and foreign currency analysis in emerging markets. Vandenhoeck joined Invesco when the firm combined with OppenheimerFunds in 2019. Prior to joining OppenheimerFunds in 2015, he was a partner at APQ Partners LLP, an emerging markets investment advisor based out of London. Prior to APQ, he was an asset manager at GLG Partners LP in London, where he focused on emerging market fixed income strategies. Before GLG, he was a partner at Six Seasons Global Asset Management LLC, Aravali Partners LLC, and Havell Capital Management LLC, all in New York, mainly managing fixed income macro strategies, often with a focus on emerging markets. Earlier in his career, he held positions at Bank Brussels Lambert and Paribas Bank. Vandenhoeck earned a BA degree from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and an MBA from Cornell University.
Senior Portfolio Manager
Invesco
Wim Vandenhoeck serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager on the Invesco Oppenheimer Emerging Markets Local Debt and International Bond strategies, principally conducting interest rate and foreign currency analysis in emerging markets. Vandenhoeck joined Invesco when the firm combined with OppenheimerFunds in 2019. Prior to joining OppenheimerFunds in 2015, he was a partner at APQ Partners LLP, an emerging markets investment advisor based out of London. Prior to APQ, he was an asset manager at GLG Partners LP in London, where he focused on emerging market fixed income strategies. Before GLG, he was a partner at Six Seasons Global Asset Management LLC, Aravali Partners LLC, and Havell Capital Management LLC, all in New York, mainly managing fixed income macro strategies, often with a focus on emerging markets. Earlier in his career, he held positions at Bank Brussels Lambert and Paribas Bank. Vandenhoeck earned a BA degree from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and an MBA from Cornell University.
Anna Vӓӓnӓnen
Head of Listed Impact
AXA IM Equity
Anna Vӓӓnӓnen is the Head of Listed Impact Equity and co-manages the AXA ACT People & Planet Equity, AXA WF ACT Clean Economy, AXA WF ACT Biodiversity strategies and AXA ACT WF Social Progress strategies together with Tom Atkinson, Ashley Keet and Anne Tolmunen.
Anna joined AXA IM in 2023 from Mirova, a leading impact boutique and affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, where she was the head of Mirova’s Global Environmental team for 4 years. Preceding that, Anna spent 9 years at Credit Suisse Asset Management in Zurich managing thematic equity strategies, and 6 years as a fund manager at FIM Asset Management and Tapiola Asset Management. She started her career in investment banking working as a sell side analyst at Salomon Brothers and Carnegie Investment Bank. Anna holds a Master of Social Science from the University of Helsinki, majoring in Economics.
Head of Listed Impact
AXA IM Equity
Anna Vӓӓnӓnen is the Head of Listed Impact Equity and co-manages the AXA ACT People & Planet Equity, AXA WF ACT Clean Economy, AXA WF ACT Biodiversity strategies and AXA ACT WF Social Progress strategies together with Tom Atkinson, Ashley Keet and Anne Tolmunen.
Anna joined AXA IM in 2023 from Mirova, a leading impact boutique and affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, where she was the head of Mirova’s Global Environmental team for 4 years. Preceding that, Anna spent 9 years at Credit Suisse Asset Management in Zurich managing thematic equity strategies, and 6 years as a fund manager at FIM Asset Management and Tapiola Asset Management. She started her career in investment banking working as a sell side analyst at Salomon Brothers and Carnegie Investment Bank. Anna holds a Master of Social Science from the University of Helsinki, majoring in Economics.
Laure Wessemius-Chibrac
Managing Director
NAB - Netherlands Advisory Board on impact investing
Laure is an investment professional with 25 years of experience in the financial sector, specialized in sustainability and impact. A former investment banker, she started working in 1995 at Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) in Equity Advisory, then joined ABN AMRO Rothschild in 2000, first in Paris where she structured equity transactions, and from 2001 in London where she directed marketing and syndication of equity and equity-linked transactions. Laure moved to The Netherlands in 2005 and worked as an independent consultant in strategy and financial advisory. In parallel, she remained involved in various impact initiatives as a volunteer. From 2013 to 2018, she was head of investments at Cordaid, an INGO based in The Netherlands, and led the transformation into a fully independent impact fund. Since 2018 she works as an impact advisor and non-executive director. Laure is Chairman of the Board of Directors and member of the audit committee of REGMIFA (Regional MSME investment fund in Sub-Saharan Africa) since May 2019. Laure established the Netherlands Advisory Board on impact investing (Stichting NAB) and is its Managing Director since 2020.
Managing Director
NAB - Netherlands Advisory Board on impact investing
Laure is an investment professional with 25 years of experience in the financial sector, specialized in sustainability and impact. A former investment banker, she started working in 1995 at Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) in Equity Advisory, then joined ABN AMRO Rothschild in 2000, first in Paris where she structured equity transactions, and from 2001 in London where she directed marketing and syndication of equity and equity-linked transactions. Laure moved to The Netherlands in 2005 and worked as an independent consultant in strategy and financial advisory. In parallel, she remained involved in various impact initiatives as a volunteer. From 2013 to 2018, she was head of investments at Cordaid, an INGO based in The Netherlands, and led the transformation into a fully independent impact fund. Since 2018 she works as an impact advisor and non-executive director. Laure is Chairman of the Board of Directors and member of the audit committee of REGMIFA (Regional MSME investment fund in Sub-Saharan Africa) since May 2019. Laure established the Netherlands Advisory Board on impact investing (Stichting NAB) and is its Managing Director since 2020.
