New members of our Emerging Markets team

19-09-2011 | Taco Lens, David Harleman, Ellen Willems and Rachel Soubhan join our Emerging Markets team.

Taco Lens, Investment Officer

Taco Lens joined the microfinance investment team at Triodos Bank in mid-September 2011. As an investment officer he is responsible for the microfinance portfolio in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Taco has broad experience in investing, business development and emerging markets, reinforced by on-the-ground experience gained during a two-year stay in Romania for a retail banking organisation with a strong focus on lending. His last assignment was with ABN AMRO where he focused on identifying and selecting investment proposals, particularly in the area of impact investing.

David Harleman, Investment Officer

David Harleman joined the microfinance investment team at Triodos Bank in July 2011 as investment officer for Latin America. Prior to joining Triodos, David gained financial sector experience at Fortis and ABN AMRO where he worked on various projects for both banks’ sustainability departments. David holds a Master’s degree in International Business from the University of Groningen, a Master’s degree in International Relations from Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia and he completed a Master’s degree in Microfinance at Solvay Business School in Brussels. He gained microfinance field experience through a field study at RADIM, Argentina’s microfinance network.

Ellen Willems, Portfolio Analyst

Ellen Willems joined our team in April 2011. As a portfolio analyst she is responsible for the development and implementation of tools that support a sustainable social and financial performance of our investment portfolio. After receiving her Master’s degree in Economics, Ellen lived and travelled extensively in North and South America. Prior to moving to the Netherlands and joining Triodos Bank, she was based in Ecuador where she worked as a Kiva Fellow at various MFIs.

Rachel Soebhan, Loan Administrator

Rachel Soebhan joined our team as a loan administrator at the end of March 2011. As such, her main responsibility is for the loan administration for the Triodos Sustainable Trade Fund. Rachel received her Bachelor of Economics degree in 2009. During and immediately after her studies she travelled extensively and did voluntary work in Costa Rica, Cambodia and Argentina.