Elke Maas appointed CEO and Wouter Sleegers appointed CFRO of the Rabo Impact Foundation

The Supervisory Board of the Rabo Impact Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Elke Maas as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Wouter Sleegers as Chief Financial & Risk Officer (CFRO), effective 1 September 2026. Together, they will form the Foundation's executive leadership team and guide the organisation into its next phase of growth and impact.

Building on strong foundations

The appointments mark an important milestone in the development of the Rabo Impact Foundation. Since its establishment, the Rabo Impact Foundation has grown from an ambitious vision into a fully operational organisation with a clear mission, governance structure, investment approach and a growing portfolio of impact initiatives.

The Supervisory Board would like to express its sincere appreciation to Lizette Wolters, who served as interim CEO, and Pieter van Ierschot, who served as interim CFRO. As the Foundation's founding leadership team, they played a pivotal role in establishing the organisation and laying the foundations for its future success. Their dedication, expertise and entrepreneurial spirit have been instrumental in transforming the Foundation from concept to reality.
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A leadership team for the next phase

Elke Maas

Elke brings nearly 20 years of experience at the intersection of finance, strategy and societal impact. Her experience in sustainable transitions, organisational transformation, partnership building and mobilising capital for change, positions her well to lead the next phase of growth and impact of the Rabo Impact Foundation. As CEO, she will lead the Foundation's strategy and development, strengthen its ecosystem of partners and investors, and further expand its societal impact.

Wouter Sleegers

Wouter brings more than 20 years of experience in finance, risk, sustainability and business transformation. His broad international experience across business, governance and organisational development, combined with a strong track record in building new activities and operating models, positions him well to help shape the next phase of the Rabo Impact Foundation's development. As CFRO, he will lead the Foundation's finance, risk and operations functions and ensure a strong operating model that supports the Foundation's growth and impact ambitions.

The Rabo Impact Foundation has moved from start-up phase to a fully established organisation with a clear mission and a growing portfolio. We are delighted that Elke Maas and Wouter Sleegers will now take on the leadership of the Foundation. Their complementary backgrounds and shared commitment to societal impact will help strengthen our ability to support entrepreneurs and initiatives working on the transitions that matter most for people, climate and nature. On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would also like to thank Lizette Wolters and Pieter van Ierschot for their outstanding contribution in establishing the Foundation and positioning it for the future. Jan van Nieuwenhuizen, Chair of the Rabo Impact Foundation Supervisory Board

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