To become an ISFA Cohort Member, and take advantage of the programme benefits, Fund Managers are selected through a highly competitive, three phase selection process, first by the Accelerating Impact team, then an independent consultant, and finally by our Selection Committee.

To highlight the competitiveness of the programme, for the inaugural ISFA Cohort in 2025, we had 32 eligible applicants for the ICFA programme and selected only 4 high-impact, innovative fund managers to be part of the 2025 Cohort.

Selected fund managers receive access to financial support, trainings on a wide range of topics, an expert coaching, and many other benefits. To find out more, visit our dedicated ISFA programme website or watch our informational webinar recording.

Please note: The ISFA programme aligns with the selection process of its sister programme, the ICFA, by requiring additional documents at the Expression of Interest phase.

We’re delighted to announce that Femke Bos, Director of Impact Private Debt & Equity at Triodos Investment Management, has joined the 2025 ISFA Selection Committee.

With over two decades of experience in impact investing and development finance, Femke leads investments in financial inclusion, the energy transition, and the food transition across emerging markets and Europe. Her expertise in private debt and equity strategies is grounded in a deep commitment to using finance as a force for systemic change.

Femke's invaluable insights and expertise in impact investing contribute to identifying fund managers who can make a real difference in achieving global targets. Her leadership and dedication shape the course of ISFA's mission, ensuring that we support innovative solutions and emerging fund managers focused on creating positive societal impact.

Femke shares,“I am honored to join the ISFA Selection Committee in Luxembourg. I look forward to accelerating the work of fund managers dedicated to addressing societal challenges and delivering measurable positive impact for people and the planet.” 

 🎉We’re thrilled to have Femke Bos’s insight and leadership guiding the selection of fund managers who are shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future. 

We are delighted that David Walker has joined the ISFA - Selection Committee 2025!

David Walker is a seasoned impact investment professional who has dedicated three decades to pioneering fund development and deployment across diverse sectors. His extensive experience includes leadership positions at premier institutions: Deputy Head of Equity Fund Investments at the EIF, Head of Infrastructure Funds in the Climate Change and Environment Division of the EIB, and Director of Private Equity at BMO Global Asset Management. Throughout these roles, he consistently demonstrated expertise in structuring and managing complex investment mandates that deliver both financial returns and meaningful impact.

His expertise spans impact fund creation, infrastructure finance, venture capital, private equity investment, and cross-sector portfolio management. David's current influence extends through his advisory role with Asper Investment Management, Outrigger Impact, and WWF (Scotland), where he continues to shape the evolution of sustainable finance and environmental impact investing.

David shares, "Accelerating Impact has already made waves in impact finance—now 2025 marks a bold step into social finance with the first-ever ISFA cohort. It’s a real privilege to be part of this landmark year, backing a new generation of impact finance leaders looking to shape a fairer future." 

We're delighted that Petri Kuusisto has joined the ISFA – International Social Finance Accelerator Selection Committee for 2025! 

Petri Kuusisto is an investment leader with over three decades of executive experience managing large-scale global portfolios across Finland, the Baltics, and the Middle East. As CIO for a Sovereign Wealth Fund, he oversaw strategic investments and managed an innovative USD 6 billion sharia-compliant treasury. Most recently, he has focused on originating, developing, and financing large energy transition projects across Eastern Europe and Finland using sophisticated blended finance structures.

His expertise spans ESG/Impact investing, fund design and launch, capital raising, and innovative financing structures. As a serial entrepreneur for 18 years, Petri has successfully launched and exited two asset management companies while working across consulting, financial services, natural capital (timberland), and real assets. He designed, launched, and managed several funds including EM/Frontier Equity Funds (Luxembourg) and raised capital for these and other investment vehicles. His influence extends through his UN consulting work on social impact bonds and his role as co-founder of the Impact Innovation Institute, a for-benefit entity focused on research and advisory services.

Petri's passion for catalysing change of mindset within investments and finance perfectly aligns with ISFA's mission to scale social finance innovation. His upcoming article "Towards Sustainable Portfolio Theory" (to be presented at World Resource Hub in September 2025) demonstrates his thought leadership in defining the future of innovative investing and finance.

Petri states, "Great to see Luxembourg taking emerging social entrepreneurs into focus and hence helping this ecosystem to grow. I am humbled to serve on the selection committee." 

We are confident that Petri’s strategic insight, entrepreneurial leadership in ESG and blended‑finance investments will significantly reinforce ISFA’s mission to identify and nurture the most promising fund managers who share our commitment to social impact. 

We are thrilled to announce Lauren Burnhill as Chair of the ISFA - International Social Finance Accelerator Selection Committee!

Lauren Burnhill is an investment practitioner with over two decades of work in social and impact finance. She began her career with structuring the world's first 100% private commercial microfinance bank (BancoSol, Bolivia) at IDB Invest, followed by designing ProFund, the world's first microfinance investment vehicle (MIV) with a mission to invest in the transformation of non-profit organizations into sustainable microfinance institutions. After her time in project finance at Barclays Bank/BZW, Lauren joined Accion International as Chief Investment Officer, where transactions she led for the $10 million Gateway Equity generated more than $180 million+ enabling ACCION to build a financial powerhouse. She launched the first financial inclusion technology and infrastructure fund with only $5 million in capital, investments from which were later spun off for the launch of  Quona Capital, which now manages more than $700 million at the financial inclusion-technology nexus. She also created an innovation fund of funds investment vehicle for Accion, enabling the organization to take anchor investment roles in new financial inclusion and social impact funds in India, Africa, and Latin America.

In 2009, Lauren founded One Planet Ventures, with a flagship project structuring the Microbuild fund for Habitat for Humanity International, advising corporates, non-profits, and DFIs on social impact funds and sustainable finance. She sits on the Investment Committee of the Helenos Fund, a Pan-European impact private equity fund that invests primarily in financial institutions and fintechs serving micro and small businesses, particularly in rural areas and underserved sectors such as agriculture. She also sits on the Investment Committee of FSDAi's Nyala Facility, which invests in early-stage local capital funds in Africa with a gender lens focus.

Lauren's passion for social impact as well as climate adaptation and resilience for vulnerable market segments (women, SMEs, youth, indigenous populations) makes her an invaluable addition to the ISFA Selection Committee. As she emphasizes:

 "Climate resilience is critical for the survival of planet Earth and ICFA has been advancing climate finance for years. Unless you think we're doing that to save the cockroaches, we need to advance social resilience with equal urgency, which makes the ISFA a brilliant addition to the Accelerating Impact family. I am honored and excited to join the ISFA Selection Committee this year to help catalyze a more equitable and inclusive future."

Join us in celebrating Lauren Burnhill, whose leadership and expertise will guide the ISFA in identifying and empowering the next generation social impact fund managers.