A Climate Week Zurich Event
Catalytic Capital - Unlocking Climate Investments in Emerging Markets
During Climate Week Zurich, responsAbility, in collaboration with Convergence (Global Network for Blended Finance) will host and curate an investor-focused lunchtime session especially designed for family offices, foundations, wealth owners and impact-oriented allocators but open to all qualified investors.
The event offers a dedicated space for capital allocators and managers to explore together how catalytic capital can unlock scaled climate investment through innovative structures and funds.
The session will address the financing gaps that are still holding back meaningful allocation to climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience financing at scale in emerging markets, and will feature perspectives from practitioners who work at the intersection of blended finance, wealth stewardship, and impact investing, alongside experienced advisors who help shape innovative structures and dedicated fund strategies to deliver scalable climate solutions.
We are excited to have you join us in channeling climate capital where it matters most and where it delivers meaningful impact. For Professional Investors only.
This is a Climate Week Zurich event, held within a programme of 250+ sessions from 4-9 May 2026 focused on co‑creating and scaling climate solutions across sectors. Learn more about Climate Week Zurich: Climate Week Zurich | 4-9 May 2026
Event Details
Event Program
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 11:30 | Registration opens |
| 12:00 | Welcome note |
| 12:05 | Expert panel discussion and Q&A |
| 13:15 | Vegetarian networking lunch |
| 14:00 | End of program |
Meet the Speakers
Laurie Spengler
Non-executive director | CEO | Founder | Impact Investor
Laurie is an impact investment banker, board member and active contributor to the impact investing industry. She is CEO of Courageous Capital Advisors, LLC, a specialist impact investing advisory firm. Laurie is also a Founding Partner of Mondiale Impact, formed to support leaders responding to new governance realities and confronting transformative change. Laurie serves as a non-executive director of SIFEM, the development finance institution of the Swiss Confederation, Lendable, a global fintech lender, BRAC Uganda Bank Limited and Delta40, a venture studio based in Nairobi. She is also an Impact Advisor to the private equity firm EQT. Laurie serves as a trustee of GSG Impact, is a member of the Advisory Council of the UK Impact Investing Institute and is a Senior Fellow and Advisory Council member of Casei3. Laurie is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Laurie has a JD from Harvard University and an undergraduate degree from Stanford University.
Christian Brändli
Head Private Sector Development, SECO
Sustainable economic development. Sustainable finance. Impact investing. Emerging markets. Loves strategy and practicality.
Anna-Liisa Goggs
Regional President EMEA, CREO SYNDICATE
Anna-Liisa Goggs joined CREO in January 2020 as Regional President, EMEA. As a successful entrepreneur dedicated to supporting impact businesses she is passionate about leveraging networks and partnerships to help scale climate solutions and broaden climate finance. Prior to joining CREO, Anna-Liisa developed and managed a flourishing results-focused curriculum and investor matching programme for over 250 social enterprises in the Middle East involved in health, climate and education sectors, among others. Alongside this, Anna-Liisa is a highly experienced corporate lawyer, accomplished in corporate finance transactions, M&A activity and IPOs. She has also supported several large family businesses as in-house counsel and helped a UAE family-owned conglomerate set up a foundation and develop ESG investment strategies. Anna-Liisa holds an MBA and BA Law with French. She is based in London.
Regina Vasarais
Manager, Training And Engagement, CONVERGENCE
Regina serves as a Manager for both the Training and Member Engagement teams. She is responsible for fostering partnerships with Europe-based members and partners, as well as designing and delivering trainings and networking events for members and stakeholders in blended finance. Prior to Convergence, Regina was a policy advisor at GIZ, the German agency for technical development cooperation, where she advised the German government on innovative finance for water and sanitation, and on pro-poor subsidy reforms. Prior to GIZ, Regina was a consultant at the World Bank Group in Washington, DC. She holds a master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC, and a Bachelor’s in Chinese Studies from the University of Wuerzburg in Germany.
Nadia Nikolova
Chief Executive Officer, RESPONSABILITY
Chief Executive Officer, Member of the Executive Management as of 1 September 2025. Over a decade of experience in private credit, infrastructure finance, and impact investing. Former Head of Direct Lending at Allianz Global Investors, managing EUR 11 billion in AUM across Europe and Asia. Successfully built and scaled blended finance and impact credit strategies, raising over EUR 4.5 billion. MSc in International Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics.