Elisabeth Mansfeld
I have always been fascinated by how societies can transform when different perspectives and resources come together. Growing up in Germany, I studied in Milan, worked in China and Mexico, and later led programs across Europe, Africa, and Latin America — experiences that taught me to navigate complexity, listen carefully, and connect the dots across cultures and sectors.
For over 15 years I have worked at the intersection of business, policy, and impact. At Deutsche Bank Asset Management, I helped restructure sales and product strategies across 14 markets. At the Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft, I built and managed the €1.5m “Cities” program, forging partnerships with LSE Cities, UNECA, AfDB, and GIZ, and shaping dialogues on urban resilience, infrastructure finance, and innovation.
In recent years, I have focused on business development, growth strategies, and ecosystem building — from mentoring start-ups through Encourage Ventures to moderating high-level panels and advising organizations on transformation and market positioning. My approach remains the same: uncover blind spots, turn vision into pragmatic strategies, and bring people together to act.
Certified in sustainable finance, microfinance, foresight, and systemic coaching, I thrive in multicultural environments and believe that bridging private capital, public policy, and community leadership is one of the most powerful ways to drive growth and systemic change.