BlueOrchard Investments (Private Equity) Management
BlueOrchard Investments - Founder and CEO
BlueOrchard Finance S.A. - Co-Founder and Executive Director
Jean-Philippe de Schrevel founded BlueOrchard Investments and BlueOrchard Private Equity Fund, as well as Bamboo Finance and Oasis Fund at the end of 2007. He also co-founded BlueOrchard Finance in 2001 and is now a member of the Executive Committee of its Board. He had joined Dexia Asset Management in 2000 as the Dexia Micro-Credit Fund Manager. Prior to that, he successfully worked as Junior Team Economist in Romania for a EU PHARE* technical assistance program; Field Consultant in microfinance for a Belgian NGO in Tanzania and Guatemala; Associate with McKinsey & Co; Operations Director of a private microfinance foundation in Argentina; Consultant for the UNCTAD Microfinance Unit in Geneva. Jean-Philippe holds a MA in Economics from Université Notre-Dame de la Paix in Namur, Belgium, and a MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, USA. *EU technical assistance programme to Central and Eastern European Countries.
BlueOrchard Investments (Private Equity) Team
Christian leads the administrative and operational management of BlueOrchard Investments. Before joining BlueOrchard, he worked as Director Finance for PACT, a Munich based Semiconductor Company. Prior to that, Christian was Investment Manager at the Venture Capital Group Pari Capital. Over the last 10 years he was directly involved – both on the buy and sell side – in structuring and implementing a wide range of financing transactions from private placements to leveraged buy-outs. Previously Christian also worked for the international law firm Beiten Burkhardt in Munich with assignments in London and Buenos Aires. In 2003, he took a sabbatical to establish a non-profit organization promoting sustainable tourism structures in Central America. In the process he developed on-the-ground expertise in working with indigenous communities in Panama. Christian holds an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, a Master of International Law degree from Université Panthéon-Assas in Paris and is a fully qualified lawyer in Germany. He is fluent in English, French, German and Spanish.
XAVIER PIERLUCA - Chief Investment Officer
Before joining the BlueOrchard Private Equity Fund, Xavier worked for the Deutsche Bank Microfinance Funds where he was responsible for sourcing, structuring, and executing financing for microfinance institutions worldwide. He was centrally involved in structuring investment funds related to microfinance and socially motivated ventures in the United States and abroad. Prior to joining Deutsche Bank, Xavier worked for five years as a public and private sector management consultant for Deloitte Consulting and Ernst and Young Corporate Finance in the United States and in Europe. He specialized on operations, mergers and acquisitions, corporate valuations, and facilitation of access to financing for mid-cap companies. Xavier holds a Master degree in Economic and Social Development from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and a BsBA from Northeastern University.
SARAH DJARI - Senior Investment Manager
Before joining BlueOrchard in February 2008, Sarah founded in 2005 and headed the strategy team of the Centre For Microfinance in Chennai, India. She was hired by Nachiket Mor, the Executive Director of ICICI, to work with fast growing Indian MFIs in order to support them in the development and implementation of their growth strategy. In that context, she worked for 2 years with MFIs, training institutes / consultants, banks and equity investors to support the continued growth of those organizations. She also contributed in setting up Grameen Capital India to promote securitization and bond issuance on the mainstream capital markets and in setting up a microfinance incubator whose objective is to create 200 new MFIs by 2010.
Prior to that experience, Sarah worked with the American strategy consulting firm, Bain & Company for 5 years, advising clients on their growth strategy and operational improvement and performing due diligences and valuations for Private Equity funds. Sarah also volunteered in several development projects in France, Chad, India, Nepal and Mongolia. She holds a Masters of Science in Engineering from Centrale-Paris and a Masters of Science in Theoretical Physics from the Imperial College-London. She speaks French, English and Spanish.
ZINA SANYOURA - Senior Investment Manager
Zina joined Blue Orchard Investments in February 2010, after having spent a year working with the World Economic Forum on a project to develop a framework for corporate governance and corporate social responsibility for a group of leading Arab corporations. Prior to that, Zina worked with the Financial Markets division at the International Finance Corporation in Washington DC where she assumed lead roles in executing a range of debt and equity investment transactions in financial institutions in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa. At the IFC, she also focused on the microfinance sector, when she worked on establishing two global microfinance investment companies, and led multiple debt , equity, and quasi-equity investments in microfinance institutions mainly in North and Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to that, Zina worked in the corporate banking division of Banque Audi SAL, a leading commercial bank based out of Beirut, serving the Middle East. Zina holds an MBA from IMD in Lausanne, is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.
VERA MAKAROV - Investment Manager
Prior to joining BlueOrchard Investments, Vera worked at IGNIA, a Mexican venture capital fund investing in businesses at the base of the pyramid. She evaluated new investment opportunities and advised entrepreneurs on product design, pricing, channels and reaching commercial scale. Vera also created and implemented IGNIA’s social and environmental monitoring and reporting system. Before transitioning to social investing, Vera worked at Sankaty Advisors, the fixed income affiliate of Bain Capital. In addition to helping launch Sankaty’s European operations, Vera actively managed a portfolio of $2 billion and was responsible for 20 new debt, mezzanine, and equity investments ranging from $25-100 million in size. Vera holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MPhil in Art History from the University of Cambridge, and a BA in Social Studies from Harvard University. She is a trustee emeritus of the Harbus Foundation, a board member of the Cambridge Community Art Center, and an investor in New Profit, an American venture philanthropy organization. She is fluent in Russian, Spanish, and English, and is rapidly learning French.
KEITH ALLMAN - Investment Manager
Prior to joining BlueOrchard Investments, Keith was the Director of Analytics and Modeling at Pearl Street Capital Group, where he focused on private equity fund of funds, capital relief transactions, and venture debt funds. He also founded Enstruct, which serviced clients worldwide in capital markets and equity valuation, distressed valuation, and quantitative-based training. His analytical training originated at Citigroup where he modeled structured products for their conduits and eventually emerging market transactions for their Principal Finance group. He has published three books on quantitative finance related topics including: Modeling Structured Finance Cash Flows in Excel: A Step by Step Guide, Reverse Engineering Deals on Wall Street: A Step by Step Guide, and Corporate Valuation Modeling: A Step by Step Guide . His introduction to social entrepreneurship came as a volunteer for Relief International in the Middle East . He holds bachelor degrees from UCLA in Political Science and Psychology and a Master’s of international affairs degree from Columbia University .
ELVIRA ESPEJO – Investment Associate
Elvira joined Blue Orchard Investments in October 2010. Prior to that, Elvira worked at Goldman Sachs where she invested for their Principal Strategies Group (GSPS), a proprietary multi-strategy investment fund with a focus on equity investments. At GSPS she was responsible for valuing European large-cap enterprises in order to implement equity long short, relative value or event driven strategies. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Elvira worked at Credit Suisse HOLT where she learned and implemented their unique performance measurements and valuation frameworks including CFROI®. She also worked for the Mergers and Acquisitions department of Deloitte Corporate Finance and for a Fund of Hedge Funds, Altex Partners. Elvira holds bachelor degrees in International Business with a concentration in Finance and Insurance from the University of Pontificia Comillas (ICADE) and Northeastern University. She also holds a Diploma on violin soloist studies from the Professional Conservatory of Music GNESIN. She is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Russian.
HEIDE JIMENEZ DAVILA - Head of Sales and Investor Relations
joined BlueOrchard from Lombard Odier Asset Management (Switzerland) SA, where she was Head of Sales Suisse romande since March 2010. During her more than 13 years with Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie, she served as Fixed Income Portfolio Manager in London and Zurich and Client Relationship Manager for institutional clients in Geneva. Her previous positions include five years in pension fund consulting with Complementa Investment-Controlling AG and internships with Deutsche Bank and UBS. Heide studied economics and finance at the University of St. Gall. She is a board member of Groupe sida Genève.
Ximena joined BlueOrchard in October 2010 as Business Development Manager. She seeks to strengthen our efforts to assess, report on and improve our social performance management. Prior to joining BlueOrchard Investments, Ximena worked at the Global Fund to fight HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria designing public private partnerships to improve grant implementation. Before that, Ximena worked for 8 years at CASIN a Swiss Foundation where she designed and managed executive education programs for social entrepreneurs and public and private sector leaders. Ximena has significant experience in building platforms to uncover investment opportunities. While at CASIN, she launched the Geneva Private Capital Symposium, a broad based initiative to examine commercial opportunities in underserved markets (microfinance and small and medium enterprise finance). Ximena holds an MBA from the University of Geneva, an MA in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International Studies (Geneva) and an MA in Economics from the Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia). She is also a certified social accountability auditor (SA8000). Ximena speaks Spanish, English, French, and German.
DAVID MACDOUGALL - Director of Risk Management
David MacDougall has 25 years professional experience in the world of finance. He worked 20 years with Ambac, a financial guarantor, his first ten years as a relationship manager and the second ten as a risk manager. He was ultimately responsible for a USD 200 billion portfolio. His experience in microfinance includes consultant positions at Deutsche Bank where he worked on several bond offerings. He also worked closely with ASA in Bangladesh to establish the ASA Foundation in the USA. David holds a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College (Ohio, USA), a master’s degree from New York University Wagner’s School of Public Service in financial management, and an advanced professional certificate in management of financial institutions from New York University’s Stern School of Business. He was a Peace Corps volunteer on the island of Negros in the Philippines. David MacDougall joined BlueOrchard early 2009.
LISA SHERK - Head of Portfolio Analytics
Prior to working in the field of microfinance, Lisa spent 14 years working in investment management in emerging markets fixed income. Most recently, she was a managing director at the Atlantic Advisors, an independent fund advisory company in New York, and held previous positions at Wasserstein Perella Emerging Markets andthe Asset Management Group pf Swiss Bank Corporation (now UBS). Prior to joining BlueOrchard, she conducted various microfinance consulting assignments with Gray Ghost Microfinance LLC, MEDA, and Pro Mujer International. Lisa holds a MA in International Affairs from Columbia University and a BA in Economics and History from McGill University, Canada.
BLUEORCHARD - BOGOTA OFFICE
BERNHARD EIKENBERG - Director Latin America - Colombia
Bernhard joined BlueOrchard Investments in March 2009 after working for BlueOrchard Finance for over two years. At BlueOrchard Finance, he was in charge of expanding the lending operations in Central America and the Caribbean. He also oversaw the foreign exchange strategy and derivatives activities of the firm. Before entering the field of microfinance, Bernhard was an Associate at JP Morgan in London. He spent more than four years marketing interest rate derivatives and credit and currency products, advising funds on macro investment strategies and national treasuries on liability management. Subsequently, he held various positions with NGOs, most recently advising a microfinance institution in Morocco on strategies to manage foreign currency and interest rate exposure. Bernhard holds a BSc in Economics from the London School of Economics, UK, and a MA in Public Administration from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, USA. He speaks English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese.
ANA MARIA ARISTIZABAL - Investment Associate - Colombia
Prior to joining BlueOrchard, Ana Maria worked as a consultant for various intergovernmental organizations such as the IFC's Microfinance Division and the UNDP Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative, as well as collaborated in several market-based development projects in Latin America and Central Africa. Previously, Ana Maria worked as an Investment Banking Associate at Citi, where she structured and executed capital markets and structured finance transactions for clients in the public, infrastructure and energy sectors in Colombia. Prior to that, Ana Maria worked as a Credit Markets Analyst at ABN AMRO Colombia and as a Financial Analyst at the investment bank Latinvestco S.A. Ana Maria received her bachelor’s degree in Finance & International Relations from Externado University, and holds a Masters of Public Administration from Columbia University. Ana Maria speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
BLUEORCHARD - SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE
STEFAN FISCHER - Investment Manager
Stefan joined BlueOrchard in 2010 as an Investment Manager for Latin America. Prior to joining BlueOrchard, he was a Case Team Leader at Bain & Company for 5 years. At Bain, Stefan was a member of the Private Equity Group as well as the Financial Services Practice. He advised various Private Equity clients in the US and Europe on commercial due diligence, deal structure and portfolio work. As part of the Financial Services Team, he helped transform and turn around a regional retail bank in Germany and was involved in the post merger planning of an insurance company. Additionally, Stefan gained investment banking experience at JPMorgan in London, worked at the IFC in Morocco and spent time in the Credit Risk Management division of a Swiss bank.
Stefan holds an MBA with distinction from INSEAD and a B.A. specialized in Finance and Banking from the University of St.Gallen. Throughout his career, he has worked and lived in the US, Europe, Africa and Asia. He speaks English, German, Spanish, French and Portuguese. In his spare time, he likes kite surfing, running marathons, and skiing.
BlueOrchard Investments (Private Equity) Experts and Support
CHIARA VALSANGIACOMO
- Associate Communications & Marketing
Chiara joined BlueOrchard in February 2011 with 5 years' experience in events management and communications. After working for several cultural institutions, she joined the External Communications Department of Pictet & Cie, a Geneva based private bank, where she was involved in Event management and Sponsoring. Then she joined the News department of the Radio Télévision Suisse, the national French speaking Television located in Geneva. She has a Master in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and holds a Brevet Fédéral of Public Relations Specialist. She speaks French, English, Spanish, German and Italian.
ANDREA MINO - Back Office Executive
Andrea joined BlueOrchard in December 2008 as CEO's Executive Assistant for BlueOrchard Investments (Private Equity) and is now BackOffice Executive for the same company. Prior to join us she worked as an Executive Assistant for Procter and Gamble in Geneva. She also worked for two years in Xerox Europe Ltd (Dublin) with different roles in the financial team. Formerly, she was the administrative and financial head of a Private Courier in Buenos Aires for four years. Andrea speaks Spanish, French and English.
Amanda joined BlueOrchard in June 2010 as CEO's Executive Assistant for BlueOrchard Investments (Private Equity).
She worked 3 years for the social institution Hospice General in Geneva as Administrative Assistant. Prior to that, she worked two years in UBS Wealth Management International as Client Advisor Assistant within the Iberia department and one year in Credit Suisse for the Spanish desk. She speaks French, Spanish and English.