OUR PEOPLE
Expertise and experience in the green industrial revolution, emerging markets, financial analysis, company development, all embedded in sound economic and geopolitical analysis
Opportunities arise in the new green industrial revolution. WAM and its portfolio companies have a unique advantage, given our skills and our organization.
- The green industrial revolution is here – its turning point has arrived. WAM has been in this field for nearly two decades and now benefits from established contacts which have delivered a great Pipeline.
- Emerging markets is where much of the growth will take place. Disruptive technologies mean that even mature markets can sometimes be seen as emerging markets. At WAM, we have a unique experience of emerging markets as well as valuable political contacts.
- Financial analysis, the structuring of deals and creating financial value are the backbones of WAM.
- The key is to understand the situation of portfolio companies; together with local management we aim to utilize opportunities and create profitable growth. WAM has its own expertise in this regard as well as a network of industry experts.
- The world changes. WAM has an in-house economist and a geopolitical expert who identify global trends, direct us and our portfolio companies into profitable ventures and help to identify solutions when trouble hits
WAM Managing Directors
Marina Shestakova
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Finance
- 19 years of experience in investment management
- Risk manager for private and listed investments
- Certified Financial Analyst®
- Certified Alternative Investment Analyst®
- MA in Economics, BA in applied math with honors, Moscow State University
Jochen Wermuth
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Business Development
- 20 years of investment experience,
- Founded WAM, oversaw $1bn of investments
- First solar power investment in 2000
- Previously Director at Deutsche Bank, EU & World Bank-financed economic advisor
- MA in Economics, BA Mathematics from Brown University
- D.Phil. qualifying exams, Oxford University
GGF2 investment team
Polina Burnos
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Structuring
- 17 years of private equity and venture capital experience in the EU, Switzerland, and Eastern Europe
- 14 year investment experience in resource and energy efficiency sector
- Successful fundraising, fund formation and structuring of the Green Gateway Fund
- Diploma in Finance egregia cum laude, President’s scholarship
- Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation
Dr. Hans Friedrich von Ploetz
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Governmental & International Relations
- Member of the supervisory council of the Baltic International Bank
- Former member of the supervisory council of DEG and Robert Bosch GmbH
- Former Ambassador to the UK and NATO
- Doctor of Law, Marburg University
GGF2 venture partners
Dr. Claas Helmke
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Technology
- 18 years of management and industry experience
- CEO and director of several early and growth stage companies, annual revenues > €30m
- Strong background in MENA region
- First solar power investment in 2000
- Ph.D. from Newcastle, UK, Dipl.-Ing. from Trier, Germany
Benjamin Wilkening
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- Senior executive with over 25 years’ experience in venture capital, private equity, strategy consulting and startup acceleration
- 20 years’ experience as Board Director. Managing Director/Senior Partner in VC/PE funds with track record in fundraising and full investment cycle from deal sourcing to exit. Business angel. McKinsey alumnus. Institute of Directors (IoD) Certified Director with distinction
- Tri-lingual with native fluency in German, English and Russian
Eric Fondecave
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- 25+ years’ hands-on experience in MidCaps Corporate Finance, M&A, Private Equity, Leverage & Project finance structuring
- Senior Banker
- Director Leverage Finance (BPCE)
- M&A VP (Banque Worms)
- Investment committee member in Regional Growth fund
- Proven track record in deals execution, teams building and in-house venture projects
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-fondecave-058738176/
GGF2 advisory board members
Ted Shell
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United State / Vice-chairman
- Managing Director at Associated Partners LP, a US PE firm
- Former General Partner at Apax Partners
Paul Morris
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Switzerland
- Set up CVC arm of Dow Chemical Europe and ran it from 1996-2012
- Invested in over 35 direct deals and took 15 fund LP positions
- Independent advisor to large corporations who are setting up new CVC units
John M Newsam
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- Award-winning materials scientist (formerly ExxonMobil, UC Santa Barbara, Corning)
- Consultant to Fortune500, materials & biotech companies
- 15 years venture group experience
- Serial entrepreneur (8 companies, 4 exits)
Dr Dieter Wermuth
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Economist Partner
- Co-founder of Wermuth Asset Management
- Previously a member of the portfolio allocation committee at Citibank AG, Chief Fixed Income Strategist at West LB and Chief European Economist at Tokai Bank / UFJ in Frankfurt and London, Scientific Staff to the German Council of Economic Experts
WAM Management Team
Norah Kirimi
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Head of Operations
- 5 years as Tax consultant at Deloitte
- 2 years as Founder and Projects Manager at EAGLE Youth Mentorship Program
- Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance
- Master of Arts in International and Development Economics
Lisa Boeck
On maternity leave
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Office Manager & Executive Assistant
- 10 years’ work experience in administrative tasks
- first contact person for all organizational matters of the company
- supports the Executive management in day-to-day business
Ksenia Kureneva
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Head of Middle & Back Office
- 12 years’ work experience at administrative support and 5 years at finance
- Diploma in Finance, Administration and Archivist
- responsible for dealing with data entry, content moderation, office services, financial services, settlements, clearances, record maintenance and compliance with legal requirements
Michael Hyuk Choi
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Legal Counsel, Partner
- Legal Counsel, Partner 13 years of investment and legal experience
- Oversaw structuring, legal and compliance issues for previous five WAM Funds
- Registered lawyer at German bar association
- Educated at Freiburg and Mainz Universities
Natalja Press
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Head of Operations
- 15 years’ work experience at the Bundeswehr University
- Diploma in Business Administration
- Key person for financial, organizational and HR topics, planning and monitoring of day-to-day running of business
Lisa Boeck
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Office Manager & Executive Assistant
- 10 years’ work experience in administrative tasks
- first contact person for all organizational matters of the company
- supports the Executive management in day-to-day business
Ksenia Kureneva
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Head of Middle & Back Office
- 12 years’ work experience at administrative support and 5 years at finance
- Diploma in Finance, Administration and Archivist
- responsible for dealing with data entry, content moderation, office services, financial services, settlements, clearances, record maintenance and compliance with legal requirements
Michael Hyuk Choi
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Legal Counsel, Partner
- Legal Counsel, Partner 13 years of investment and legal experience
- Oversaw structuring, legal and compliance issues for previous five WAM Funds
- Registered lawyer at German bar association
- Educated at Freiburg and Mainz Universities