Your Trusted Partner for Emerging Markets

Moritz Baldsiefer is responsible for fundraising and managing relationships with institutional clients. He has over 8 years of experience working with professional investors in the capital markets sector and across various asset classes. Prior to joining DEG Impact, he worked at Ampega Asset Management, where he most recently served as a team lead, advising and supporting international primary insurers on investment management and balance sheet strategy. Moritz is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Siegen.

Konstantin Böhm is a Senior Analyst at DEG Impact. He focuses primarily on alternative investments and technical assistance, while also supporting the fundraising team.

Sofia Grivet Brancot is an expert in environmental and social impact as well as program management. Before joining DEG Impact, she spent over ten years working at the United Nations, where she led initiatives in East Africa and at the global level. She holds a Master’s degree in Law with a specialization in Environmental Law from the University of Turin and the University of Paris Cité.

Oliver Braun is responsible for risk controlling and has many years of professional experience in risk management and actuarial science within the insurance and financial services sectors. Prior to joining DEG Impact, he was responsible for the calculation and analysis of stochastic company valuations and regulatory risk reporting at HDI AG and the Zurich Group Germany. Oliver is a qualified actuary (DAV) and holds a degree in mathematics from the University of Cologne.

Hermann Brincker has over 38 years of professional experience in international banking, including the last 15 years at DEG. Since March 2026, he has been working with DEG Impact—in line with DEG’s growth plans—on the development, implementation, and management of large loan portfolios generated by DEG and guaranteed by third parties. He holds a degree in economics from the University of Bonn.

Melis Demirel is responsible for the Global Innovative Investment Fund and brings nearly 10 years of professional experience in the banking sector. She previously served as a Relationship Manager for national and international corporate clients and worked in Sales & Process Management at Deutsche Bank AG. Melis holds a Master's degree from the FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management in Bonn, with a focus on Finance & Accounting.

Christine Gierens supports the Head of Governance & Regulatory Affairs and the management team. Prior to joining DEG Impact, she worked as a sales coordinator in the service industry. Christine completed a dual study program and holds a degree in Retail Management from the EUFH.

Jacques Graßmann is an analyst at DEG Impact. He holds a master's degree in Economic Policy Consulting from Ruhr University Bochum, with a specialization in Development Economics. In his role as a Senior Analyst, he focuses on alternative investments and technical assistance.

Thomas Klein brings over 20 years of experience in the financial sector, spanning both established markets and developing and emerging economies. Before co-founding DEG Impact, he was primarily responsible for private equity and mezzanine investments in Asia and Africa at DEG. Prior to that, he worked at CAM Private Equity and in the Transaction Services / M&A division at Deloitte. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Cologne.

Stefanie Klenke supports the management team at DEG Impact. Previously, she held various positions at DEG. She completed a commercial apprenticeship and later studied English at the University of Cologne and Washington University in St. Louis (USA).

Gerd Lückel has over 30 years of experience in the financial markets, with a particular focus on asset management for German institutional clients.
Before joining DEG Impact, he served as an executive at an investment management company in Hanover, where he was responsible for areas including portfolio management. Previously, he worked in investment consulting and strategic advisory for capital investors such as insurance companies, banks, pension funds, foundations, and religious institutions. He holds a degree as a Certified Banking Specialist (Dipl. Bankbetriebswirt BA).

Oliver Manheller is a Senior Analyst at DEG Impact. He holds a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Bonn, with a focus on environmental and development economics. In his role as an analyst, he works in the Alternative Investments division.

Roman Nolte heads the Regulatory Affairs department and brings many years of professional experience in the financial services sector. Prior to joining DEG Impact, he worked at the Deutsche Bundesbank, where he was responsible for the supervision of central financial market infrastructures, and at the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), where he oversaw anti-money laundering measures for securities trading firms and asset management companies. He holds an MBA with a focus on risk management, finance, and law.

Rena Pfannenschmidt is a venture capital expert and leads our impact investment initiatives. Most recently, she coordinated a wide range of fund investments across the African continent.

Before joining DEG Impact, Rena worked at HSBC Germany, where she supported institutional investors and asset managers. Rena is a Certified Private Equity Analyst (CPEA) and holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Finance from Maastricht University.

As an Investment Manager, Steffen Planert brings over five years of experience in private equity and M&A. Before joining DEG Impact, Steffen worked at DEG, where he supported numerous transactions and managed a diverse portfolio of funds and co-investments in Africa. He holds a Master’s degree in Accounting & Finance from the FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management in Essen.

Christian Sokola is responsible for currency management for the Global Impact Investment Facility and ImpactConnect. He brings over 20 years of professional experience, particularly in treasury consulting and relationship management for institutional, corporate, and mid-market clients within Commerzbank’s corporate banking division. He further developed his expertise in finance and sustainable investments during his time as Head of Finance and Controlling at the Fraunhofer Society and the Regional Church Office of the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland, where he continues to serve as an advisor on the sustainable alignment of capital investments. Christian earned his degree in Business Administration (VWA) from the Academy of Administration and Business in Koblenz.

Jens Sommer is responsible for the ImpactConnect program and brings over 10 years of professional experience in management consulting and development finance. Before joining DEG Impact, he spent more than six years in project management at DEG. Prior to that, he worked in the advisory division of PricewaterhouseCoopers on both domestic and international projects. He began his career with the German Development Service (DED) during an assignment in Nicaragua.
Jens Sommer studied business administration at the Bremen University of Applied Sciences and international management at the Euromed École de Management in Marseille.

Jaspreet Stamm coordinates the activities of the Global Impact Investment Facility and ImpactConnect, bringing over 20 years of relevant professional experience to the role. As Director of External Affairs at the Global Crop Diversity Trust, she was responsible for resource mobilization and strategic communications. Previously, she served as Fund Director at Finance in Motion, where she led the impact investment activities of the eco.business Fund for sub-Saharan Africa. She began her career at the Inter-American Development Bank, working in both private sector investment and syndications. She holds a master's degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Weronika Welter supports activities related to development programs—the Global Innovative Investment Fund and the ImpactConnect program—as well as mobilization structures. Previously, she worked in alternative investments in fund structuring and product management for institutional investors and asset managers at Universal Investment in Germany and Luxembourg. Weronika holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration – Corporate Development from the University of Cologne and is a CFA Sustainable Investment Certificate holder.

Lars Zimmermann is co-responsible for new business and portfolio management of fund and co-investments. Before joining DEG Impact, Lars worked for DEG, where he managed funds and co-investments in emerging markets with a focus on Africa. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the universities of Cologne and Copenhagen.