About

Brooks Preston is Managing Director of Impact Solutions at Macquarie Asset Management, focusing on emerging markets, infrastructure, sustainability, and corporate development. Joining Macquarie in 2018, he led the firm’s commitment to global net zero by 2040 and developed sustainability investment strategies like the Green Energy Transition Solutions fund. Previously, Brooks was VP and Head of Investment Funds at the US Development Finance Corporation, co-managing partner at Virgin Green Fund Emerging Markets, and a principal at Wolfensohn & Company. At BP PLC, he held senior roles in business development and M&A. He also served as chief of staff at the USDA and the Senate Committee on Agriculture. Brooks holds an MBA from Stanford and a BA from Dartmouth.

Cathy Goddard is the CEO and founder of FyreFem Fund Managers, a women-owned South African firm established in 2017. FyreFem mobilizes capital in private equity and venture capital, incubates high-impact fund managers, and provides consulting services. The firm, leveraging its FSCA license, is supported by USAID Southern Africa Mobilizing Investment. Cathy serves on investment committees for funds including Savant Technology and Alpha Code. She is an LP in the climate-tech fund Satgana. Passionate about equitable capital allocation to diverse fund managers, Cathy contributes to the 2XChallenge and mentors African fund managers. She was a SAVCA board member for eight years and holds certifications in Business Rescue Analysis, Impact Measurement and Management, and a Competent Boards designation. She is a member of the Turnaround Management Association and WomenOnBoards UK.

Gerhard Pries is the founder and leader of the Sarona team, overseeing all aspects of the business, today and into the future. He believes passionately that thoughtful and caring private business must lead the development of vibrant and healthy economies that deliver prosperity for all. As a visionary impact investing leader for over 25 years, Gerhard has been a founder and/or director of MicroVest Capital Management, MEDA Investments Inc, Grand Challenges Canada and ImpactAssets, among others. He began his career in the mid-market advisory practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers, with formative experiences in international development finance. Today, Gerhard is a sought-after speaker and advisor, addressing topics of economic growth and development, and private-public collaboration to build healthy new economies.

Gita Sjahrir-Wright is head of investments at BNI Ventures in Jakarta, Indonesia. Prior to this, she was the CEO of R Fitness, a boutique fitness company offering holistic mental and physical health classes, manager at MAP active, founder and CEO of Guide Prep. She holds several governance roles including commissioner of PT Energi Mega Persada TBK and commissioner of PT Pan Brothers TBK and Group. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina, an MBA from the Wharton School, and a BA in political science from the University of Chicago.

Jeremy Cleaver is an independent development finance consultant, engaged with clients such as EMIIF, the Asian Development Bank and an African venture capital fund, focusing on investing, private sector development, MSME finance and financing growth issues in emerging markets. Between 2011 and 2020, Jeremy was a Director of CDC’s Africa funds business. During his time at CDC, he was responsible for fund relationships across Africa in multiple sectors. Between 2018 and 2020, Jeremy was Head of CDC’s Johannesburg office, where he was responsible for managing both the office and CDC’s relationships with UK government and other stakeholders. Prior to joining CDC, Jeremy worked for the Asian Development Bank in Sydney as a private sector development specialist. Prior to that he worked in investment banking for Macquarie Bank and Goldman Sachs. In the first half of his career, Jeremy lived and worked in China and Hong Kong. Jeremy holds a BSFS from Georgetown University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Kylie Charlton co-founded Australian Impact Investments in 2014 and has nearly 20 years of experience in capital markets, impact investment, and philanthropy. She co-founded Unitus Capital, is a Venture Partner of Giant Leap Fund I, Advisor to Giant Leap Fund II, and the inaugural Investment Committee Chair of the Australian Government-supported Emerging Markets Impact Investment Fund. Kylie also serves on the Responsible Investment Committee of Betashares and the advisory board of the Impact Investment Summit Asia Pacific. Recognized as one of AFR’s 100 Women of Influence and for Outstanding Achievement by the Australian Impact Investment Awards, Kylie transitioned from a successful 11-year commercial and investment banking career. She holds an MBA from Oxford, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from FINSIA, and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canberra.

Serge LeVert-Chiasson is managing partner and CEO at Sarona and leads the Sarona team, overseeing all business aspects and the compliance program as Chief Compliance Officer. He believes in the role of private businesses in fostering healthy economies. Before joining Sarona in 2009, Serge was VP of MEDA Investments, worked at Export Development Canada and Crédit Lyonnais, and founded Agro Capital Management. He serves on advisory committees, corporate boards, and was the founding chair of the Canada Forum for Impact Investment and Development. Serge holds an MSc in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics, an International MBA from the Schulich School of Business, and is a CFA charter holder.