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Our People

Discover the passionate individuals at iGravity who are committed to creating innovative financial solutions that make a real impact

Meet the Team

Patrick Elmer

Founder and CEO

Patrick has more than 25 years of experience working in the intersection of finance and global development, previously at BlueOrchard, Credit Suisse and SECO before founding iGravity.

Frederic Berney

Co-Head Investments

Frederic was the CRO of BlueOrchard, CRO of Harcourt (Hedge Fund boutique) and headed risk functions within investment banking at Credit Suisse and Sanwa. Frederic is a dedicated advocate of best practice in corporate governance for investment funds.

Lucas Tschan

Head of Advisory

Lucas has over 15 years of experience in the financial sector. Prior to joining iGravity, he assumed several positions at responsAbility Investments, covering Micro- and SME-finance and buy-side deals.

Eugenia Martini Donati

Head of Finance, Operations and Risk

Eugenia is an investment and finance specialist with 15 years of experience in the asset management industry. Before iGravity, she worked as an associate director at Alpha Leonis Partners providing financial advisory to foundations and endowments.

Elizabeth West

Co-Head Investments

Elizabeth is an investment specialist with strong emerging market experience in private debt, private equity, and SME investment, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Meet the Team

Patrick Elmer

Founder and CEO

Patrick has more than 15 years of experience working in the intersection of finance and global development, previously at BlueOrchard, Credit Suisse and SECO before founding iGravity.

Lucas Tschan

Head of Advisory

Lucas has over 15 years of experience in the financial sector. Prior to joining iGravity, he assumed several positions at responsAbility Investments, covering Micro- and SME-finance and buy-side deals.

Elizabeth West

Co-Head Investments

Elizabeth is an investment specialist with strong emerging market experience in private debt, private equity, and SME investment, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Frederic Berney

Co-Head Investments

Frederic was the CRO of BlueOrchard, CRO of Harcourt (Hedge Fund boutique) and headed risk functions within investment banking at Credit Suisse and Sanwa. Frederic is a dedicated advocate of best practice in corporate governance for investment funds.

Eugenia Martini Donati

Head of Finance, Operations and Risk

Eugenia is an investment and finance specialist with 15 years of experience in the asset management industry. Before iGravity, she worked as an associate director at Alpha Leonis Partners providing financial advisory to foundations and endowments.

Investments

Itamar Ahrenbeck

Investment Manager

Itamar is an investment specialist with strong experience in SME investments, notably in the agriculture, energy and financial inclusion sectors. Previously, he co-founded a financial advisory boutique for Startups and SME’s in Latin America.

Priscilla Busulwa

Senior Legal Associate and Head of Uganda

Priscilla is an impact investment lawyer with 7 years of experience in corporate & commercial law. Priscilla previously worked at 2 Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 Tier 1 law firms and an IFLR-ranked boutique law firm in Kampala leading the impact finance department.

Douglas Nsubuga

Investment Associate

Douglas is an impact investment professional with a background experience in deal sourcing, origination and financial analysis in both early-stage and growth ecosystems. He has worked with an early-stage tech and origination platforms (ESOs) investor prior to joining iGravity. He also trained as an investment analyst where he supported NGOs and DFIs in structuring Ag-SME trade finance facilities, valuations and research.

Sheila Ayesiga

Legal Fellow

Sheila is a polished advocate with 6+ years of in-house legal experience in banking, agribusiness, and renewable energy. She holds an LL.M and specializes in legal compliance, commercial contracts, and strategic advisory for impact-focused transactions.

Pilar Cristobal

Senior Investment Associate

Pilar is an impact finance expert with 13 years’ experience in innovative finance, private equity, and venture capital, primarily in Latin America. She has worked as an investment officer, including at IFC, and as an advisor, supporting impact investors and enterprises to scale their impact.

Karim Sawaya

Investment Associate

Karim Sawaya is an investment analyst with a diverse background in business administration, financial analysis, and research focusing on key trends including fintech and ESG.

Tania Wacuka

Monitoring Associate

Tania is a finance professional specializing in portfolio management and financial analysis, with experience in investment banking and development finance. She previously worked as a portfolio officer with a DFI managing the debt portfolio in Anglophone Africa. Passionate about innovative financial solutions, she is dedicated to driving sustainable development and delivering lasting impact.

Fredrick Oloo

Senior Investment Associate

Fredrick has 7 years of experience in SME financing and alternative assets. At Grassroots Business Fund, he facilitated debt financing, and at ADAPTA Management, he supported climate adaptation for smallholder farmers in Kenya. He also has real estate investment experience from Salaam Investment Bank. Fredrick holds a First-Class Degree in Commerce (Finance and Accounting) from Strathmore University and is completing his final ACCA paper.

Martina Akello

Monitoring Associate

Martina is a Monitoring Associate at iGravity with extensive experience in East Africa. She has 6 years of expertise supporting SMEs in sectors like agriculture and clean energy. Recently, she led a project in Uganda's Horticulture sector to enhance trade and access to finance. Previously, she worked as a management consultant, helping businesses improve efficiency and secure funding. Martina holds a background in IT and Finance.

Brenda Miiro

Investment Associate

Brenda is an impact investment professional with nearly 5 years of experience in deal sourcing, financial analysis, and portfolio management across East and Southern Africa. Previously, she worked as an Investment Analyst at a top private equity firm in Uganda, helping Agri-SMEs develop strategies and secure growth capital. Brenda is dedicated to fostering sustainable growth and positive social impact.

Investments

Itamar Ahrenbeck

Investment Manager

Itamar is an investment specialist with strong experience in SME investments, notably in the agriculture, energy and financial inclusion sectors. Previously, he co-founded a financial advisory boutique for Startups and SME’s in Latin America.

Pilar Cristobal

Senior Investment Associate

Pilar is an impact finance expert with 13 years’ experience in innovative finance, private equity, and venture capital, primarily in Latin America. She has worked as an investment officer, including at IFC, and as an advisor, supporting impact investors and enterprises to scale their impact.

Fredrick Oloo

Senior Investment Associate

Fredrick has 7 years of experience in SME financing and alternative assets. At Grassroots Business Fund, he facilitated debt financing, and at ADAPTA Management, he supported climate adaptation for smallholder farmers in Kenya. He also has real estate investment experience from Salaam Investment Bank. Fredrick holds a First-Class Degree in Commerce (Finance and Accounting) from Strathmore University and is completing his final ACCA paper.

Priscilla Busulwa

Senior Legal Associate and Head of Uganda

Priscilla is an impact investment lawyer with 7 years of experience in corporate & commercial law. Priscilla previously worked at 2 Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 Tier 1 law firms and an IFLR-ranked boutique law firm in Kampala leading the impact finance department.

Karim Sawaya

Investment Associate

Karim Sawaya is an investment analyst with a diverse background in business administration, financial analysis, and research focusing on key trends including fintech and ESG.

Martina Akello

Monitoring Associate

Martina is a Monitoring Associate at iGravity with extensive experience in East Africa. She has 6 years of expertise supporting SMEs in sectors like agriculture and clean energy. Recently, she led a project in Uganda's Horticulture sector to enhance trade and access to finance. Previously, she worked as a management consultant, helping businesses improve efficiency and secure funding. Martina holds a background in IT and Finance.

Douglas Nsubuga

Investment Associate

Douglas is an impact investment professional with a background experience in deal sourcing, origination and financial analysis in both early-stage and growth ecosystems. He has worked with an early-stage tech and origination platforms (ESOs) investor prior to joining iGravity. He also trained as an investment analyst where he supported NGOs and DFIs in structuring Ag-SME trade finance facilities, valuations and research.

Tania Wacuka

Monitoring Associate

Tania is a finance professional specializing in portfolio management and financial analysis, with experience in investment banking and development finance. She previously worked as a portfolio officer with a DFI managing the debt portfolio in Anglophone Africa. Passionate about innovative financial solutions, she is dedicated to driving sustainable development and delivering lasting impact.

Brenda Miiro

Investment Associate

Brenda is an impact investment professional with nearly 5 years of experience in deal sourcing, financial analysis, and portfolio management across East and Southern Africa. Previously, she worked as an Investment Analyst at a top private equity firm in Uganda, helping Agri-SMEs develop strategies and secure growth capital. Brenda is dedicated to fostering sustainable growth and positive social impact.

Sheila Ayesiga

Legal Fellow

Sheila is a polished advocate with 6+ years of in-house legal experience in banking, agribusiness, and renewable energy. She holds an LL.M and specializes in legal compliance, commercial contracts, and strategic advisory for impact-focused transactions.

Advisory

Morgane Loisel

Advisory Manager

Morgane has 8 years of experience in the financial industry where she has held positions as financial analyst, consultant and project manager. In her last position at Credit Suisse, she worked on the development of a sustainable financing offer for corporate clients. She is a Certified Expert in Microfinance.

Camiel Boukhaf

Advisory Associate

Camiel is an Associate with a solid background in research and consulting. Prior to iGravity, he worked at Instiglio, focusing on program design in the development sector to enhance service delivery by linking funding to impact. He has significant experience in bridging scientific evidence with development interventions in areas like conflict, food security, education, and social cohesion.

Mariana Romero Escobar

Advisory Associate

Mariana is a Business Administrator with dual master’s degrees in Management and International Development. She has experience implementing payment-by-results mechanisms in Colombia, with a focus on employment and passionate about international development and impact investing in developing countries.

Luiana Temba

Advisory Manager and Head of Kenya

Luiana is an impact finance expert in financial inclusion and climate investing. Before iGravity, she implemented development programs on gender and entrepreneurship, later focusing on impact measurement for social enterprises with an intersectional approach. Her diverse experience, mainly in East Africa, includes roles with the United Nations, NGOs, and impact investors.

Luqman Hussein

Advisory Associate

Luqman is a data and behavioural scientist with 4+ years of experience working with enterprises, NGOs and development agencies to improve their end user and research outcomes. His experience spans in the agri-tech, financial inclusion, and Islamic finance sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.

Judy Mukiri

Advisory Associate

Judy is an impact investment professional with experience in SME investments particularly in the agriculture and renewable energy sectors. She previously worked as an investment analyst where she supported with deal origination, performed investment and financial analysis, structured deals and supported in research assignment.

Michael Kiema

Senior Advisory Associate

Michael is an International Development Consulting professional with a diverse background in Innovative Finance, Systems Strengthening, and Performance Management. He has worked as an advisor and delivery partner, supporting public and private actors across Africa to design and deploy results-oriented strategies to scale their impact.

Anastacia Ngunjiri

Advisory Associate

Anastacia is a professional with a diverse background in international development. She has previously worked with NGOs, governments, and private sector on projects related to child protection, education, inclusion and telecommunications in Africa, Europe, and Asia. She holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from Sciences Po, Paris, and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from USIU- Africa.

Christine Monthe

Advisory Fellow

Christine is an impact investment professional with experience in structuring and executing financial vehicles across agriculture, renewable energy, and financial inclusion. With a background in blended finance and SME investments, she specializes in fund design, investment analysis, and impact-driven financial solutions for emerging markets.

Advisory

Morgane Loisel

Advisory Manager

Morgane has 8 years of experience in the financial industry where she has held positions as financial analyst, consultant and project manager. In her last position at Credit Suisse, she worked on the development of a sustainable financing offer for corporate clients. She is a Certified Expert in Microfinance.

Luiana Temba

Advisory Manager and Head of Kenya

Luiana is an impact finance expert in financial inclusion and climate investing. Before iGravity, she implemented development programs on gender and entrepreneurship, later focusing on impact measurement for social enterprises with an intersectional approach. Her diverse experience, mainly in East Africa, includes roles with the United Nations, NGOs, and impact investors.

Michael Kiema

Senior Advisory Associate

Michael is an International Development Consulting professional with a diverse background in Innovative Finance, Systems Strengthening, and Performance Management. He has worked as an advisor and delivery partner, supporting public and private actors across Africa to design and deploy results-oriented strategies to scale their impact.

Camiel Boukhaf

Advisory Associate

Camiel is an Associate with a solid background in research and consulting. Prior to iGravity, he worked at Instiglio, focusing on program design in the development sector to enhance service delivery by linking funding to impact. He has significant experience in bridging scientific evidence with development interventions in areas like conflict, food security, education, and social cohesion.

Luqman Hussein

Advisory Associate

Luqman is a data and behavioural scientist with 4+ years of experience working with enterprises, NGOs and development agencies to improve their end user and research outcomes. His experience spans in the agri-tech, financial inclusion, and Islamic finance sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.

Anastacia Ngunjiri

Advisory Associate

Anastacia is a professional with a diverse background in international development. She has previously worked with NGOs, governments, and private sector on projects related to child protection, education, inclusion and telecommunications in Africa, Europe, and Asia. She holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from Sciences Po, Paris, and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from USIU- Africa.

Mariana Romero Escobar

Advisory Associate

Mariana is a Business Administrator with dual master’s degrees in Management and International Development. She has experience implementing payment-by-results mechanisms in Colombia, with a focus on employment and passionate about international development and impact investing in developing countries.

Judy Mukiri

Advisory Associate

Judy is an impact investment professional with experience in SME investments particularly in the agriculture and renewable energy sectors. She previously worked as an investment analyst where she supported with deal origination, performed investment and financial analysis, structured deals and supported in research assignment.

Christine Monthe

Advisory Fellow

Christine is an impact investment professional with experience in structuring and executing financial vehicles across agriculture, renewable energy, and financial inclusion. With a background in blended finance and SME investments, she specializes in fund design, investment analysis, and impact-driven financial solutions for emerging markets.

Impact Management & Measurement

Belén Martín

Head of Impact Management

Belén is an impact specialist with a strong background on impact measurement and management across banking, academia, start-up and family office. She translates impact objectives into actionable intervention and investment lenses and develops impact measurement and management frameworks and tools.

Mbithe Kiio

Impact Management Associate

Mbithe is a professional in impact measurement and management, skilled in leading complex social impact projects. She has expertise in financial inclusion, energy, anticipatory aid, and agriculture across sub-Saharan Africa. Mbithe excels at analysis and providing actionable insights, with experience in evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and project management.

Beatrice Ettorre

Impact Management Fellow

Beatrice is deeply committed to international development and passionate about impact investing. With experience as a data analyst at the United Nations, she brings analytical rigor to her role, using data-driven insights to shape and enhance impact management tools and frameworks.

Impact Management & Measurement

Belén Martín

Head of Impact Management

Belén is an impact specialist with a strong background on impact measurement and management across banking, academia, start-up and family office. She translates impact objectives into actionable intervention and investment lenses and develops impact measurement and management frameworks and tools.

Mbithe Kiio

Impact Management Associate

Mbithe is a professional in impact measurement and management, skilled in leading complex social impact projects. She has expertise in financial inclusion, energy, anticipatory aid, and agriculture across sub-Saharan Africa. Mbithe excels at analysis and providing actionable insights, with experience in evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and project management.

Beatrice Ettorre

Impact Management Fellow

Beatrice is deeply committed to international development and passionate about impact investing. With experience as a data analyst at the United Nations, she brings analytical rigor to her role, using data-driven insights to shape and enhance impact management tools and frameworks.

Central Functions

Alfredo De Canio

Senior Operations Associate

Alfredo is an Operations, Compliance and Risk Specialist with over 9 years of experience in the financial sector. Prior to joining iGravity, he assumed several positions across different departments at Old Church Capital LLP, a financial services boutique based in London.

Abraham Kiptanui

Communications Associate

Abraham blends communication strategy and storytelling across industries, including FMCG, real estate, and impact-driven finance. He transforms technical data into engaging narratives, spotlighting both investment strategies and the entrepreneurs creating sustainable change in alignment with global development goals.

Central Functions

Alfredo De Canio

Senior Operations Associate

Alfredo is an Operations, Compliance and Risk Specialist with over 9 years of experience in the financial sector. Prior to joining iGravity, he assumed several positions across different departments at Old Church Capital LLP, a financial services boutique based in London.

Abraham Kiptanui

Communications Associate

Abraham blends communication strategy and storytelling across industries, including FMCG, real estate, and impact-driven finance. He transforms technical data into engaging narratives, spotlighting both investment strategies and the entrepreneurs creating sustainable change in alignment with global development goals.

Board Members and Advisors

Andrew Bredenkamp

Board Member

Andrew Bredenkamp, a tech entrepreneur and AI pioneer, enriches our Board with his experience in AI for Good initiatives. As Acrolinx’s founder and former CEO, he champions social impact through tech, supporting ventures in Africa, India, and Europe.

Bernhard Hodler

Board Member

Bernhard is an investor and multiple BoD member. He has over 20 years of experience in financial services at Executive Board and BoD level including as the CEO of Julius Baer Group.

Heidi Foppa

Board Member

Heidi has held leadership roles in strategic business development and fundraising with global institutions like Sectoral, Triodos, Lombard Odier. Her dedication to thematic, impact-driven investing, along with her work as an angel investor and trained B-Corp leader, will drive iGravity's mission to channel financial resources for positive social impact.

Board Members and Advisors

Andrew Bredenkamp

Board Member

Andrew Bredenkamp, a tech entrepreneur and AI pioneer, enriches our Board with his experience in AI for Good initiatives. As Acrolinx’s founder and former CEO, he champions social impact through tech, supporting ventures in Africa, India, and Europe.

Bernhard Hodler

Board Member

Bernhard is an investor and multiple BoD member. He has over 20 years of experience in financial services at Executive Board and BoD level including as the CEO of Julius Baer Group.

Heidi Foppa

Board Member

Heidi has held leadership roles in strategic business development and fundraising with global institutions like Sectoral, Triodos, Lombard Odier. Her dedication to thematic, impact-driven investing, along with her work as an angel investor and trained B-Corp leader, will drive iGravity's mission to channel financial resources for positive social impact.