OUR TEAM

Our team is highly qualified and dedicated with considerable experience in advisory work, structuring finance transactions and investing in private equity and debt instruments. We have collectively appraised and invested in over 40 projects from the advisory, lender and shareholder perspective. Our team’s collective experience mirrors the sectors which Pumapa Capital will target and includes a solid understanding of Emerging Markets.


Nick Mwai

NICK MWAI

Founder and CEO

For over 15 years, the world of investment banking has been my learning ground. But in 2018, a spark ignited a desire for change. I saw the incredible potential locked away in Africa’s markets; potential that remained inaccessible to many. It felt wrong. My journey in this field, including democratizing access to debt instruments for major corporations (managing over $400M), had shown me the power of financial inclusion. Now, my passion lies in bringing that same inclusivity to venture capital and private equity. I dream of a future where innovative, change-making startups, the lifeblood of progress, have a fair shot at the resources they need to thrive. It’s a big dream, and I know that I have much to learn, but the potential for positive impact is what fuels my fire.
Kara Klassen

KARA KLASSEN

Non-Executive

Kara has more than ten years of experience working in Canada, East and Southern Africa, South-East Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean, with a focus on impact programming. She is a skilled economic development practitioner with expertise in gender equality and social inclusion (GESI). She currently consults for a variety of international and local organizations in the areas of impact creation. Kara is a Director of Pumapa Portfolio Series 1, the platform established by Pumapa Capital focusing on private equity amongst other opportunities. She is also a Director of Living Walls Africa, a strategic development partner to Pumapa, that seeks to provide investors and developers with a suitable and sustainable avenue for real estate investment.
Alan Booth

ALAN BOOTH

Head of Development

Alan has worked in Financial Services for almost two decades working as an Operations lead in particular at multiple successful Fintech start-ups. He has helped build Operations teams in the UK and Canada focusing on operational efficiency and product solutions that provide teams with the tools to succeed. More recently Alan has been concentrating on understanding the innovation taking place in Blockchain technology and where the technology can be integrated with more traditional financial firms to the benefit of customers and companies alike.
Anne Zumm

ANNE ZUMM

Impact and Lead Generation

Anne is one of the newest members of our team. She found Pumapa through her interest in Impact Investing and is, after her initial Internship, continuing to work with Pumapa to help create a paradigm shift toward seeing finance as a force for good and bringing more societal value into the Investment sector. She is currently an enrolled student in Economics in Frankfurt, Germany. Anne is also a certified bank business management assistant and has already gained initial practical experience in Private Equity and Social Business. Although Anne is still at the beginning of her career, she is actively building up her network and is eager to be a part of Pumapa’s future growth.
Khalid Issa

KHALID ISSA

Legal and Compliance

Issa is a legal practitioner, certified to practice law in the Republic of Kenya and other commonwealth countries. Issa is an expert in banking, finance and regulatory compliance, having served and advised several organizations in the industry, including investments banks, commercial banks and microfinance institutions, for over seven years. He is currently a Founder and Partner of Khalid Issa & Associates Advocates LLP and sits on the board of various entities and legal service committees, both locally and regionally. Issa is also a Partner of Pumapa Portfolio Series 1, the platform established by Pumapa Capital focusing on private equity amongst other opportunities.