Meet
Our Team
Ariya Team
Dr Herta von Stiegel
Founder & Executive Chair
Herta founded Ariya Capital in 2008 to focus on Africa’s potential for sustainable venture and private equity investments. With 25 years in international finance, she has a proven track record in structured finance, leading transactions exceeding $10 billion. Previously, she was Managing Director at AIG Financial Products, building a European finance division, and held senior roles at Citibank and JP Morgan in London and New York.
Hans von Stiegel
Finance and Administration
Hans von Stiegel brings over 25 years of expertise in finance, risk management, and IT. A trained accountant and former banker, he held senior roles at Citibank and Manufacturers Hannover, specializing in risk management and financial systems. Hans has served as Financial Controller for automotive supply firms and is a director of Ariya Capital Kenya. He holds an MBA from London Business School and a B.Sc. from Andrews University, Michigan.
Brett Levick
Chief Investment Officer
Brett started at KPMG before spending 12 years at Nedbank, specializing in investment banking, project finance structuring, capital raising, and M&A. He played a key role in launching Nedbank’s international funding desk in London, gaining expertise in multi-jurisdictional capital structures. As Head of Project Finance at HSBC, he oversaw $12B+ in deals across energy, mining, and infrastructure.
Supriya Bhandari
Executive Counsel and Compliance
Supriya, a qualified Solicitor for over 30 years, has extensive commercial experience in Africa, most recently as Executive Counsel with GE Africa, supporting renewable energy projects. With over 25 years working in Johannesburg and Nairobi as a legal leader in blue-chip companies, she has deep expertise in cross-border M&A and high-impact projects. She previously held senior legal roles in London and Amsterdam, providing strategic legal support for major international transactions.
Board of Directors
Dr Herta von Stiegel
Board Member
Herta founded Ariya Capital in 2008 to focus on Africa’s potential for sustainable venture and private equity investments. With 25 years in international finance, she has a proven track record in structured finance, leading transactions exceeding $10 billion. Previously, she was Managing Director at AIG Financial Products, building a European finance division, and held senior roles at Citibank and JP Morgan in London and New York.
Jenny Fletcher
Jenny Fletcher brings over 25 years of experience in the power sector and international finance, driving successful projects in Africa, Europe, America, and Asia. She led the development of East Africa’s first utility-scale wind farm and numerous solar, wind, and gas initiatives. Named “Outstanding Woman in Power” in 2015, Jenny has managed $300M budgets across 32 countries and holds an MSc from LSE. She is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Board Member
Jo Gorrod
Board Member
Jo Gorrod has over 20 years of experience in financial services, specializing in managing complex structures for high-net-worth international families. She has extensive expertise with UK residents, non-domiciled individuals, and high-value property structures. A member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries since 1999, Jo holds an honors degree in English from the University of Manchester and was shortlisted for Woman of the Year in the 2018 Citywealth Magic Circle Awards.
Advisory Board
Michael Farrow
Advisory Board Member
Michael Farrow is an experienced director with a background in trust company management, real estate, and clean energy. He co-founded a Jersey-regulated trust company, successfully sold in 2016, and now serves as a director for UK and Irish-listed companies. Previously, he managed a complex international family office and held over 30 directorships globally. Michael holds an MSc in Corporate Governance and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries & Administrators.
Bernd Schanzenbacher
Advisory Board Member
Bernd Schanzenbacher is an agronomist and leader in sustainability and socially responsible investments with over 20 years of experience in financial markets, business practices, and international public policy. As Global Co-Head of Credit Suisse’s Environmental Business Group, he drove cleantech and natural resource strategies, including securing the Masdar Clean Tech Fund mandate. A contributor to the IPCC’s Third Assessment Report, Bernd holds a Master’s and PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Hohenheim.
Paolo Pietrogrande
Advisory Board Member
Paolo Pietrogrande is Managing Partner at Netplan Management Consulting, specializing in corporate restructuring and repositioning for large organizations. He serves on multiple boards, including MAPs Group, Società Gasdotti Italia, and Edera Impresa Sociale, where he is Chairman. A chemical engineer with a doctorate from the University of Rome, Paolo has held CEO roles at companies such as Enel Green Power and Element Power Solar. He began his career as a process engineer in California in 1981.