Accelerating Impact is an independent non-profit initiative with the mission to empower the impact finance leaders of tomorrow and mobilize capital toward sustainable development.
Introduction
ACCELERATING IMPACT was founded in 2018 as an independent non-profit initiative in the form of a public-private partnership between the Luxembourg State and private entities of the Luxembourg financial sector (Arendt & Medernach, Deloitte, Elvinger Hoss, EY, Innpact, Investing for Development, KPMG, LuxFLAG, Opportunity Financial Services, PwC, TIIME, and 4Climate). We collaborate with the European Investment Bank and Spuerkeess.
Our programmes include the International Climate Finance Accelerator (www.icfa.lu) and the International Social Finance Accelerator (www.isfa.lu), which seek to develop the impact finance leaders of tomorrow. Through these programmes, we offer technical and financial support to impact investment managers in their start-up phase.
Our Partners
Our Team
Accelerating Impact is managed by a dedicated, passionate team with a diverse background in finance and the fund industry, across the impact investing spectrum. Each programme has a dedicated team.
Stephan Peters is the CEO of Accelerating Impact, which powers the International Climate Finance Accelerator (www.icfa.lu) and the International Social Finance Accelerator (www.isfa.lu). Through these programmes, he assists emerging impact fund managers in structuring their vehicles, developing investment and impact strategies, securing financing, and building effective teams.
Stephan is also a board member of the Luxembourg Impact Investing Advisory Board, the national platform for impact investing with a mission to inspire, guide, influence, and mobilize the Luxembourg financial sector to contribute to the well-being of people and the planet.
Previously, Stephan founded and led SANZARU, advising fund managers, corporates, and governments on sustainability, diversity, and impact. Before that, Stephan accumulated experience in private equity, corporate finance and strategy consulting across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia with blue-chip names like Oliver Wyman, Credit Suisse, and FTI Delta.
Stephan earned an MBA from INSEAD and a MSc from Delft University of Technology. Stephan is also a CFA Charterholder.
Marjolaine is the Finance Manager at Accelerating Impact, the entity powering the ICFA Programme, the ISFA Programme, and the Impact Finance Forum. Marjolaine leads the finance function across accounting, financial planning, audit, and various administrative work streams, supporting the CEO and Programme Directors. Her responsibilities include overseeing expenses, maintaining accurate accounting records, and supporting financial reporting, payroll, and governance activities.
Previously, Marjolaine spent over 18 years in accounting and finance, overseeing finance and human resources functions across multiple sectors where she has developed expertise in accounting control, budgeting, variance analysis, and payroll management. Marjolaine is skilled in adapting to new systems and optimizing processes.
Camille is a Marketing & Communication Associate at Accelerating Impact, the entity powering the ICFA Programme, the ISFA Programme, and the Impact Finance Forum. In her role, Camille supports the refining of the marketing strategy, campaigns and event planning as well as communication as a whole to drive the organization’s growth and enhance its impact.
Previously, Camille has worked for more than six years in the financial inclusion sector at the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP). Camille holds a Communication Degree from IHECS (Institut des hautes études des communications sociales) in Brussels where she specialized in Public Relations.
Laurence is the Programme Director at the International Social Finance Accelerator (ISFA) and brings more than 20 years’ experience to the team, with 5 years’ experience in managing Luxembourg’s premier acceleration programme for start-ups, and over 15 years in the banking and fund management industry.
Giulia is a Programme Analyst at the International Social Finance Accelerator (ISFA).
Giulia recently graduated with a dual Master’s degree in Economics and International Management from Università di Torino (Italy) and Université Jean Moulin III (France). Giulia initially joined the ICFA, but with the launch of our new programme, Giulia steps into the role of Programme Analyst, supporting Laurence Hulin on the ISFA programme, where she contributes to management and cohort support, bringing strong analytical and organizational skills.
Morgana is Senior Programme Manager at the International Climate Finance Accelerator. Before joining Accelerating Impact, she spent ten years as an impact finance consultant, supporting the strategic design and implementation of impact funds, refining impact management frameworks, and supporting funds in their ongoing management and operations. She has been an active member of the Luxembourg sustainable finance ecosystem since 2013.
Morgana holds a Masters in International and European Politics from the University of Edinburgh with a focus on development finance and public policy. She also holds qualifications in Climate and Renewable Energy Finance and Agriculture Finance from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Impact Finance in Africa from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, and Impact Finance Innovations from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Jekabs is an Associate at the International Climate Finance Accelerator (ICFA) Luxembourg where he assists aspiring climate fund managers in launching their funds and building out their network across the globe. Jekabs holds a Masters in Finance and Economics, specialising in Sustainable Finance at the University of Luxembourg and a Bachelor's Degree in Risk Management and Insurance, from the prestigious Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick.
Jekabs plays a key role in managing the training programme and selection process of the ICFA, co-coordinating with local and international stakeholders, identifying new partners and fund managers, representing the organisation at national and international conferences, supporting marketing and administration, and organising the annual Impact Finance Forum hosted by Accelerating Impact.
Since 2018, the ICFA has supported 39 first time climate impact fund managers that have raised over 450m USD, with a goal of USD 4.3b in PE, PD, and VC, across several sectors such as agriculture, clean cooking, climate tech, energy generation, energy efficiency, forestry, nature based solutions, and more.
Our Board
As Advisor for Sustainable Finance at the Luxembourg Ministry of Finance, Alyssa covers national and international sustainable finance initiatives and projects Luxembourg set up or is participating in.
Before joining the Ministry of Finance, Alyssa advised public sector decision-makers on sustainable finance and digitalization matters. Prior to that, Alyssa gained experience in the private sector, mainly in Frankfurt (Germany). At Accenture, she worked with clients on environmental and social sustainability matters (including sustainable finance), as well as thought leadership. There, she also developed a special interest of how new technologies can be leveraged for sustainability. Before that, she worked as an ESG Analyst (covering Financial services and Industrials & Equipment) at the ESG rating firm Sustainalytics, now part of Morningstar.
Alyssa holds an MA in Human Rights, with foci on International Security and Corporate Social Responsibility, from Columbia University (New York, USA), as well as a double BA in International Studies and Geography from Miami University (Ohio, USA). She is based in Luxembourg.
Arnaud Gillin is Partner and co-founder of Innpact. He is leading the fund setup services including feasibility analysis, definition of investment strategies, market studies, financial modelling and operational and legal implementation. With over 25 funding structures designed, Arnaud has developed a strong expertise in the structuring of impact investment funds which account today for more than USD 6bn invested in sectors such as microfinance, climate change, energy efficiency, education, housing, agriculture and social entrepreneurship. Arnaud has 17 years of experience in the financial services sector. Prior to Innpact, he worked as a consultant in financial services and investment funds with Accenture and as risk manager and project manager at Banque de Luxembourg. He holds a MSc. in Management from the Louvain School of Management in Belgium and Master in Microfinance from the Solvay Business School, Brussels.
Denise Voss is a Non-Executive Director of investment funds and has worked in the financial industry in Luxembourg since 1990, including 25 years with Franklin Templeton, where she was a Conducting Officer and member of the board of the Luxembourg management company. She obtained a BA in psychology from Tufts University, as well as a MSc in accountancy from Bentley University. Ms Voss is currently Chair of LuxFLAG, an independent agency created in Luxembourg in 2006 to support the financing of sustainable development. She is also Chairwoman of the EFAMA Investor Education Platform, was Chairwoman of ALFI from 2015-2019, a member of the ALFI board of directors from 2007-2019 and is currently a member of the ALFI Strategic Board.
Noel Fessey is an independent director based in Luxembourg. In his financial services career he has been a chief executive, chairman and member of the executive committees and boards of regulated financial services operations companies, fund management companies, and open-ended and closed-ended investment funds in Luxembourg, Bermuda, England, Guernsey, Ireland, and Italy.
Noel was CEO of European Fund Administration from 2017 to 2022, where he led the strategic review and transaction through which it became a member of the Universal-Investment Group. He worked for Schroders from 2000 to 2017 in several roles in London and Luxembourg, including CEO of Schroders Luxembourg from 2003 to 2016 and Global Head of Fund Services. Noel originally joined Schroders as Group Head of IT Security following a 14-year military career.
Noel was a member of ALFI's board of directors from 2005 to 2016 and ALFI’s Strategic Board from 2019 to June 2023.
In Memoriam
The whole ICFA team has the great sadness to inform you that our dear colleague Corinne Molitor passed away on Sunday 9 August. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.
Corinne had an experience of more than 25 years in the financial sector, in particular related to corporate and institutional clients as well as investment funds. Being passionate about impact finance, she co-developed numerous initiatives to promote the sector. She co-chaired the ALFI Responsible investing committee and sat on the Board of several impact funds, inclusive finance associations as well as the ICFA - International Climate Finance Accelerator Luxembourg.
Corinne held a Master in Business management and a Bachelor in Law from Universités de Strasbourg, France as well as a Certificate in Corporate Governance from INSEAD, Singapore.
Corinne was in charge of managing the ICFA programme, marketing, business development, IT and facilities.
She loved playing the piano, travelling and jogging.
Corinne had an experience of more than 25 years in the financial sector, in particular related to corporate and institutional clients as well as investment funds. Being passionate about impact finance, she co-developed numerous initiatives to promote the sector. She co-chaired the ALFI Responsible investing committee and sat on the Board of several impact funds, inclusive finance associations as well as the ICFA - International Climate Finance Accelerator Luxembourg.
Corinne held a Master in Business management and a Bachelor in Law from Universités de Strasbourg, France as well as a Certificate in Corporate Governance from INSEAD, Singapore.
Corinne was in charge of managing the ICFA programme, marketing, business development, IT and facilities.
She loved playing the piano, travelling and jogging.
The ICFA team has the great sadness to inform you that our colleague Sachin Vankalas passed away on 15th July 2021. Our thoughts are with his family.
Sachin Vankalas was the general manager of LuxFLAG and was a member of the ICFA Board since its launch in 2018. He was an active contributor to the development and realization of the programme. Sachin was universally recognized for his expertise and pioneering leadership in responsible investment. He was a passionate advocator of sustainable finance and the importance of guiding the transformation of the financial market in that direction. Sachin leaves behind a young family, friends, and colleagues, to whom we extend our deepest condolences. He will be sorely missed.
Sachin Vankalas was the general manager of LuxFLAG and was a member of the ICFA Board since its launch in 2018. He was an active contributor to the development and realization of the programme. Sachin was universally recognized for his expertise and pioneering leadership in responsible investment. He was a passionate advocator of sustainable finance and the importance of guiding the transformation of the financial market in that direction. Sachin leaves behind a young family, friends, and colleagues, to whom we extend our deepest condolences. He will be sorely missed.