Professional and socially engaged - two terms that best describe our team. We are a diverse team with experience in business, banking, consulting, and working in the non-profit sector. Our joint experience allows us to be a social enterprise that puts impact first while still pursuing a sustainable and profitable business model. Please allow us to introduce ourselves!
Team
The core Lendahand team working every day to enable you to invest in equal opportunities across emerging markets
Jan Metten van der Meer
Senior Software EngineerJan Metten brings many years of experience in software development to Lendahand, 8 of which he worked in the USA. He enjoys nature; especially watching and photographing birds. You can find him doing this while hiking or kayaking.
Willianne van der Weijde
Legal and Compliance OfficerWillianne is as native and local to Rotterdam as can be. As a part of our Legal Team, she works towards her goal to create equal opportunities and inclusion in the impact sector. Before joining Lendahand, Willianne worked at People’s Pension - a micro pension company in Ghana - and SNAP Solutions, where she introduced a savings product to coffee farmers in Rwanda. She loves structure and having everything under control, all of which is possible provided there is coffee.
Felipe Tarmann
ControllerFelipe keeps our finances in check. He dives into the numbers, runs analyses, and keeps a close eye on our financial performance. By turning numbers into clear insights, he helps the team stay on track and make well-informed decisions.
Lynn Hamerlinck
Content Marketing SpecialistMeet Lynn, our joyful Content Marketing Specialist. Hailing from Belgium, she uses her journalism skills and language knowledge to create content that inspires and informs our investors about Lendahand. In case you can’t reach her, she’s probably on the water somewhere.
Daniël van Maanen
Managing DirectorDaniel is Managing Director at Lendahand, where he is responsible for shaping and executing the company’s overall strategy, together with Bauke. He also oversees the finance department and leads the investment team, responsible for sourcing and managing Lendahand’s portfolio of investee companies. His background ranges from Portfolio Manager at APG Asset Management to CFO of Aircrete Europe, an international technology company in the construction sector.
Lorisa Canillas
Investment ManagerLorisa is a finance professional who swapped a banking career for a life of volunteering and impact. She has over two decades of international experience in financial sector development, impact investing, financial inclusion and humanitarian response. Born in the Philippines and rooted in Sierra Leone, she has worked across Africa and Asia Pacific, supporting financial institutions to effectively deliver financial services.
Charles Te
Investment ManagerMeet Charles, an adventurous Frenchie who’s always on the move. With a skateboard as his preferred mode of transportation, Charles constantly seeks new experiences and makes an impact wherever he lands. Charles brings valuable impact investing experience from his time at the Netri Foundation to the team. Get ready to be inspired by his zest for life!
Luminita Marin
Senior Legal CounselLuminita is our Legal Counsel, Lendahand's in-house lawyer. She brings extensive experience from the financial and banking sector, including previous roles at Oikocredit. At Lendahand, she oversees every legal aspect of our investments — from reviewing and approving loan proposals to drafting and reviewing loan agreements — ensuring everything is legally sound and compliant. When she's not reviewing contracts, Luminita is sharpening her Japanese knives (literally) and perfecting her next home-cooked masterpiece.
Fynn Henn
Investment AnalystMeet Fynn, an economist with a passion for impact and a hard time staying in one place. Born in Germany, raised partly in Rwanda, the US, and South Korea, he's always felt at home wherever he lands. After studying Economics at the University of St. Gallen and picking up certificates in Sustainability Management and ESG & Sustainable Finance along the way, he found his way to exactly the kind of finance he cares about. At Lendahand, he digs into country analyses and microfinance institution assessments to find new potential projects for the crowd.
Yvette Hogenelst
Crowd & Campaign MarketerThrough a degree in Communication and Media, a master’s in Middle Eastern Studies, and plenty of experience abroad, Yvette eventually settled in Rotterdam, at Lendahand. Yvette tells the Lendahand story in all kinds of ways. From impact reports to project texts, podcast briefings and email marketing, she makes sure you know what it is ultimately all about: contributing to equal opportunities for entrepreneurs around the world. At the lunch table, she is just as happy to continue the conversation about politics, feminism and women’s health.
Hanna Schutter
Investor Engagement ManagerMeet Hanna, a relationship builder at heart with a passion for impact-driven entrepreneurship. After founding her own social enterprise, she joined Lendahand to continue building meaningful connections. Hanna studied Sustainable Business & Innovation in Utrecht, where she developed a strong interest in how finance can be used as a force for good. As Investor Engagement Manager, she keeps Lendahand’s network of investors informed, involved, and inspired!
Lera Ilginisova
Investments Operations OfficerMeet Lera, an avid traveller who enjoys exploring new countries, meeting people, and creating precious memories. Her life travel itinerary starts in St. Petersburg, Russia, from where she moved to the United States for almost a decade. After spending 2 years in Nairobi, Kenya, you can now find her playing fetch with her dog Cena in Dutch parks. Lera streamlines the Investment team processes by bringing experience in operations, project management, and data analytics to the table.
Diosa Taylor
Software EngineerDiosa has seen quite a bit of our planet. She was raised in Dubai, spent 1.5 years teaching in China, and then backpacked South America before settling in Amsterdam. By day, she is a software developer at Lendahand with a knack for art and maths. Outside of coding, she’s a rock climbing enthusiast, tackling both outdoor and indoor walls. Living in the flat Netherlands won’t stop her from reaching new heights, one climb at a time!
Bauke Buikstra
Managing DirectorBauke has been working on digital consumer platforms throughout his whole career. Now he leads Lendahand together with Daniel, and is responsible for everything that concerns our investors: our online platform, the technology stack that keeps it up and running, the paid marketing we do and all communication to our investors. Together with his team he attracts new investors and ensures they have the best possible experience at Lendahand.
Manan Modi
Investment ManagerAs a kid, Manan was dedicated to becoming a professional tennis player. That was until he discovered that being an Investment Manager at Lendahand also was an option. So, after spending some time in Georgia (the country), the Indian Manan came to the Netherlands to delight the team with his good humor.
Simon Koning
Marketing & Investor SupportSimon supports the Lendahand team part-time with marketing and customer service. He also studies at Erasmus University.
Supervisory Board
Experienced finance professionals who monitor and advise the managing directors to safeguard the long-term development of Lendahand
Anne Gram
ChairAnne Gram joined Lendahand’s Supervisory Board in March 2026 as its independent chair. With more than 30 years of experience in the international financial sector, including at major pension funds and asset managers, she brings extensive expertise in sustainable investing, governance, and advisory roles. Anne also serves as Chair of the Supervisory Board of ASN Impact Investors and as a board member of the Danish pension fund ATP.
Ruud Nijs
Independent MemberRuud Nijs has been a member of Lendahand's Supervisory Board since December 2025, where he oversees IT Risk & Compliance. Besides his role in Lendahand’s Supervisory Board, he is Founding Partner at Catalise Energy, where he focuses on risk management within the battery energy storage sector. He is also Founding Partner and former CEO of GIGA Storage, which focuses on large-scale energy storage. Previously, he held positions at ABN AMRO and Rabobank, where he became acquainted with microfinancing.
Tom Desmond
Representative of Velocity Capital Fintech VenturesTom Desmond has been a member of Lendahand's Supervisory Board since October 2020. He represents Velocity Capital Fintech Ventures, where he is a partner, investing in various fintech companies. Tom is also a member of Lendahand's Audit Committee. Prior to Velocity, Tom was a Co-founder at TradeKing, an online broker acquired by Ally Financial. Also, he had senior roles at various venture capital firms and investment banks.
Jorg van Gent
Representative of ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact FundJorg van Gent has been a member of Lendahand's Supervisory Board since July 2026, representing the ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact Fund. He is also a member of Lendahand's Audit Committee. Jorg is Director Corporate Investments at ABN AMRO and has over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, M&A advisory, and structured investments. He has an extensive track record in complex transactions, financial restructuring, and equity investments, with extensive expertise in capital structures, credit risk, and financial markets. In addition, Jorg has broad experience in governance, regulatory frameworks, and prudent risk oversight, gained through board-level involvement and senior roles within a regulated financial institution.
Investment Committee
The final decision-making body for all investment approvals that ensures Lendahand operates according to its credit policy
Eelco Mol
Independent MemberEelco Mol is an Independent Member of Lendahand's Investment Committee, since November 2020. Eelco works as Senior Consultant in Financial Inclusion & Impact Investing. He is also an Independent Board Member of Sofipa, a microfinance institution in Mexico; and chair of the Board at Banco Popular HN, a microfinance institution in Honduras. Next to this Eelco chairs the credit committee of EMF, a Swiss impact fund for financial inclusion, and is part of the credit committee of Spark+, a fund for clean cooking initiatives in Africa. Eelco brings a wealth of expertise in investment management in emerging markets, microfinance, agri-finance, and development economics. He previously worked at Triple Jump and Oxfam Novib for over 20 years.
Daniël van Maanen
Managing DirectorDaniel is Managing Director at Lendahand, where he is responsible for shaping and executing the company’s overall strategy, together with Bauke. He also oversees the finance department and leads the investment team, responsible for sourcing and managing Lendahand’s portfolio of investee companies. His background ranges from Portfolio Manager at APG Asset Management to CFO of Aircrete Europe, an international technology company in the construction sector.
Bauke Buikstra
Managing DirectorBauke has been working on digital consumer platforms throughout his whole career. Now he leads Lendahand together with Daniel, and is responsible for everything that concerns our investors: our online platform, the technology stack that keeps it up and running, the paid marketing we do and all communication to our investors. Together with his team he attracts new investors and ensures they have the best possible experience at Lendahand.
Partners
A range of organisations that we work with, including shareholders and investment partners
FairCapital
Investment PartnerFairCapital is a Swiss-based financial intermediary specialized in providing loans and lending solutions to the organic and fairtrade sector. Fair Capital puts forward projects on Lendahand and provides a guarantee to protect investors if a borrower cannot repay. With this guarantee, FairCapital reduces the risk of investing in crowdfunding projects focused on sustainable and fair trade agriculture.
CEI Africa
Investment PartnerCEI Africa is a fund focused on increasing access to clean energy in Sub-Saharan Africa. It works with Lendahand by providing financing to companies in the off-grid energy sector, enabling investors through Lendahand to contribute to financing more sustainable energy businesses.
ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact Fund
ShareholderThe ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact Fund (SIF) has been a shareholder of Lendahand since 2022. SIF is one of the largest private impact funds in the Netherlands, investing directly in companies that have a positive impact on the environment, climate or society.
B Corp
Impact CertificationLendahand has been a certified B Corp (Benefit Corporation) since 2016. This means that Lendahand meets rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, transparency and responsible business practices. This way, Lendahand commits to both positive social impact and financial returns, contributing to an economy that serves people and the planet.
Atradius
Investment PartnerAtradius DSB supports export financing on behalf of the Dutch government by covering political and commercial risks. In collaboration with Lendahand and Carabus, Atradius DSB provides a guarantee on specific Carabus projects, significantly reducing the risk for Lendahand investors by protecting their investment and expected interest in the event of default.
Velocity Capital Fintech Ventures
ShareholderVelocity Capital Fintech Ventures has been a shareholder of Lendahand since 2019. Velocity is a Dutch venture capital firm that invests in fintech companies.
ACTED
ShareholderACTED has been a shareholder of Lendahand since 2022. ACTED (Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development) is an international humanitarian NGO headquartered in Paris, France. It provides emergency assistance and supports long-term development in countries affected by poverty, conflict and disasters.
INCO
ShareholderINCO Ventures is a French impact investment firm that manages funds investing in companies and organisations addressing social and environmental challenges. It focuses on supporting businesses that contribute to a more inclusive, sustainable and environmentally friendly economy.
Agents for Impact
Investment PartnerAgents for Impact is an impact investing company based in Frankfurt, Germany, focused on increasing impact investments in emerging markets. Agents for Impact supports Lendahand as an external investment expert in identifying, assessing and onboarding suitable microfinance institutions, helping Lendahand expand its impact investment portfolio.
NAB Impact Investing
Impact Investing NetworkLendahand has been a member of the Netherlands Advisory Board on Impact Investing, since 2021. The NAB is an independent, non-profit member based organisation that aims to accelerate the growth and improve the effectiveness of the impact investing market.
Energy for Impact
Investment PartnerEnergy 4 Impact is Mercy Corps’ market systems programme for clean energy access. It supports Lendahand with knowledge and expertise on financing clean energy businesses and has worked with Lendahand in research and initiatives focused on crowdfunding for energy access.