Global Impact Investing Network: 2024 Impact Forum .

Chemonics is proud to be a flagship sponsor of the leading impact investing conference.

Chemonics was thrilled to join more than 1,600 of the world’s leading impact investors in Amsterdam for the Global Impact Investment Network 2024 Impact Forum. Over the course of two days, we engaged in thought-provoking conversations around lessons learned, best practices, and new opportunities to unleash the power of private capital to drive sustainable, positive impact globally.

Investing in Just Energy Transitions: A Need for Urgent Action and Bold, Inclusive Measures

October 23, 2024 ǀ 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. CET
RAI Complex, Amsterdam

As the urgency to address the climate crisis intensifies and the demand for energy accelerates, the need for a fundamental shift in the way capital is allocated to meet this dual challenge has never been more crucial. Mitigating climate change requires significant funding, strong commitment from both the public and private sectors, and active participation from local communities. Join us for a dynamic discussion with investors and innovators leading the transition to net-zero emissions in the energy sector. By unlocking private capital at scale and fostering strategic collaboration for a just energy transition, we can navigate the evolving landscape of climate change more sustainably.

Speakers: 

Matthew Mendis, Managing Director, Energy Practice, Chemonics

Matthew S. Mendis is the managing director of Chemonics’ energy practice. He is a clean energy, environment, and finance expert with more than 35 years of experience in more than 45 countries. Matthew spent 10 years at the World Bank, where he pioneered innovative financing mechanisms for small-scale energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. Subsequently, he founded and grew Alternative Energy Development, Inc., which later merged with the International Resources Group (IRG/Engility). Matthew served as a senior consultant and program manager for the Asian Development Bank on their Asia Least-Cost Greenhouse Gas Abatement Strategy Program and as president and managing director for C-Quest Capital, a carbon finance and clean energy investment group, managing investments in clean energy globally.  Subsequently, he was senior vice president for Nexant’s government services business unit. He also was previously the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the U.K.-based charity, Energy4Impact, and currently is a member of the Board of Advisors of Sunwealth LLC, a clean energy investment fund. 

Vanessa Holcomb Mann, Vice President, Office of Catalytic Investments, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

Vanessa Holcomb Mann is the acting vice president of the Office of Catalytic Investments at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, where she oversees a portfolio of innovative investments that provide flexible, risk-tolerant capital to close challenging capital gaps in climate, financial inclusion, health, and agriculture. An experienced global development and finance professional, Vanessa has led design and implementation of several flagship U.S. Government initiatives to mobilize private capital and drive impact. Previously, she co-led the design and establishment of the INVEST Initiative — USAID’s flagship blended finance program. Vanessa also supported the design, launch, and implementation of Power Africa and served as a foreign affairs officer within the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Commercial and Business Affairs. In addition to her public sector work, she has experience in private equity and at a multi-family office where she supported the management of three funds. Vanessa holds a B.A. in International Politics and Economics from Middlebury College and a Master of Public Policy from Duke University. 

Sarah Djari, Manager of Clean Energy Generation & Access, Green Climate Fund

Sarah Djari has 20 years of experience in international private equity, strategy consulting, and development finance. She currently leads investment in clean energy generation and access in the private sector division of the Green Climate Fund. Sarah started her career with Bain & Company, where she specialized in manufacturing operational efficiency, telecommunications, and private equity. While working with ICICI, Bamboo Capital Partners, and responsAbility Investments, she deployed and managed financial inclusion, agriculture and climate finance portfolios in emerging markets. Sarah was vice president at Gender Lens Initiative Switzerland and is an external Investment Committee member of the UN Sanitation and Hygiene Fund. She holds a master in astrophysics another in engineering. 

Victoria Miles, Founding Partner, Co-CEO & CIO, ImpactA Global

Victoria Miles is an expert in project and infrastructure finance, investment, and risk management with a focus on the delivery of innovative structured solutions for clients in emerging markets. Previously a managing director in JP Morgan’s London Emerging Markets trading and syndication teams, she has over 30 years of experience providing funding solutions for sovereigns, corporates, and banks. Victoria also performed portfolio management and senior risk advisory roles at JP Morgan, where she was recognized for her ability to identify early-stage systemic risk in emerging market financial sectors. Prior to joining JP Morgan, Victoria completed fixed income research at UBS, was an economist and banking supervisor at the Bank of England, and advised on funding partners for infrastructure projects at Delphos International. She is on the advisory boards of Exagon Impact, a Latin America private equity infrastructure fund, and Sureco and Partners, a sustainable finance advisor. Victoria holds degrees in Economics and Spanish from Durham University. 

Love Yadav, Founder & CEO, Sling Mobility

Love Yadav is the general partner of Lion Ventures, a Sri Lanka-based venture builder specializing in clean technology and digital transformation. He is also the founder and CEO of Sling Mobility, a USAID grantee providing full–spectrum electric vehicles. With more than 25 years of global investment banking and asset management experience, Love has held leadership roles in the financial services industry and is actively involved in the Islamic finance space in Malaysia and Sri Lanka, leading to the launch of Shariah-compliant India and China-India funds for global investors. He founded, directed, and served as an investment committee member for Emergent India Fund, one of the country’s largest investment equity funds, which, at its peak, invested more than one billion U.S. dollars into Indian listed space. Love is committed to making mobility-related technology more affordable and accessible.

Blended Finance Innovations and Practices Gallery Exhibition

October 24, 2024 ǀ 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. CET
Upper Lounge, RAI Complex, Amsterdam

Join us at the Blended Finance Innovations and Practices Gallery Exhibition to connect with us and other practitioners who have designed and scaled successful ground-breaking approaches.

Chemonics. through the flagship USAID-funded Climate Finance for Development Accelerator (CFDA), is proud to present the innovative blended finance structure of the Green Guarantee Company, the first privately run guarantee company devoted to catalyzing green bonds and loans. Visit the gallery to hear directly from the Green Guarantee Company about how they are mobilizing climate finance at scale for new climate mitigation and adaptation projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Speakers:

Christopher Breadholt, Chief Underwriting Officer, Development Guarantee GroupChristopher is the Chief Underwriting Officer at The Development Guarantee Group (DGG). As a CFA Institute Chartered Financial Analyst, he brings extensive experience assessing investment risks and opportunities across economic cycles. Christopher spearheaded Moody’s Ratings analytical activities in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDE) climate finance for infrastructure, positioning the agency as a thought leader in rated blended finance debt capital markets issuance. He led Moody’s ratings process for EMDE project finance deals in Turkey, Ukraine, Gabon, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda and Senegal, and helped strengthen the agency’s work in Asia and Latin America. Before Moody’s, Christopher worked for a renewable energy private equity company where he led deal valuation, project financing, and portfolio management. He began his career on the interest rate derivatives desk at JPMorgan Asset Management. Christopher holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Philosophy in international development from Oxford University.

Dany Khy, Global Practice Lead, Private Sector Engagement Practice, Chemonics

Dany Khy is an accomplished international development leader with over 24 years of experience in private sector engagement, blended finance, impact investing, and innovative public-private partnerships. She established the Private Sector Engagement Practice at Chemonics to serve as a leading innovator and center of excellence in incubating and scaling initiatives that mobilizes the private sector toward sustained development impact. She led the company’s first venture into impact investing and structured its first blended-finance platform. She also spearheads an innovative investment platform with corporate partners that will unlock capital for women fund managers in emerging markets. Prior to Chemonics, Dany led the economic division for Asia at USAID, overseeing the design and management of priority economic programs across Asia. Dany holds a master’s degree in international economics with a concentration in Southeast Asia from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a bachelor’s degree in American history with a focus on U.S. immigration and refugee policy from Brandeis University.