DOB Equity, a Netherlands-based private equity fund focusing on East Africa, in a recent release, has announced the appointment of Karen Serem Waithaka as its new Chief Executive Officer. 

Karen takes over from Co-CEOs Saskia van der Mast and Hayo Afman, who both recently stepped down after 28 years of service between them.

With over 15 years of experience in financial services, Karen’s appointment promises to bring extensive expertise in Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Corporate Finance. She holds a Master’s Degree in Finance with a focus on Funds Management from the University of New South Wales and a BSc in Actuarial Science from Curtin University of Technology.

Before joining DOB Equity, Karen’s previous roles included serving as Chief Investment Officer at Catalyst Fund, where she led investment processes for pre-seed start-ups. She has also held significant positions at Global Partnerships, TBL Mirror Fund, and Spark Fund. 

In her new role, Karen is expected to lead DOB Equity’s mission to support local entrepreneurship, particularly in the food & agriculture, water, and energy sectors across East Africa. 

Her appointment comes as the fund navigates challenges in its portfolio, including losses from local startup investments in Kenya.

Karen expressed her enthusiasm for the role: “I am excited and honoured to join DOB Equity as CEO. The fund’s vision of investing in sustainable, bold, and impactful ventures resonates deeply with my personal and professional experiences.”

Francis Quint, Chairwoman of the Board at DOB Equity, shared her optimism about the appointment: “We are pleased to welcome Karen Serem Waithaka to DOB Equity. Her impressive track record in early-stage investing and her commitment to societal impact aligns perfectly with our mission. We are confident that under her leadership, DOB Equity will continue to support resilient and impactful businesses.”

Karen Serem Waithaka’s leadership is expected to bring an exciting new chapter for DOB Equity as the fund strengthens its efforts to drive change and support impactful enterprises in East Africa.