Welcoming Marina Pannekeet as Our New Board Chair

Sistema.bio is entering an exciting new chapter with the appointment of Marina Pannekeet as our new Independent Board Chair. Officially assuming the role in January 2026, Marina succeeds Dr. Joyce Cacho, whose leadership since 2022 helped guide Sistema.bio through a period of consolidation and meaningful growth.

For Marina, joining Sistema.bio feels like a natural continuation of a career shaped by purpose. With more than two decades of experience across renewable energy, infrastructure, and impact investing in emerging markets, she has long believed that access to energy and finance can unlock opportunity, and that mobilizing impact capital is a powerful force for the well-being of family farmers and our planet.

Marina began her career in finance and feasibility studies across multiple industries and consultancy firms, but quickly realized she wanted to work where she could truly create and make a difference. That conviction led her to FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, where she built deep expertise in impact investing. At FMO, Marina helped lead energy investments across Africa, managing a €500 million portfolio of telecommunications, renewable energy, and bioenergy projects, including hydropower, wind, and solar for emerging markets.

It was also during her time at FMO that Marina was first introduced to Sistema.bio by a member of her team. After closely engaging and studying our company’s model and mission, she and her colleagues supported the decision for FMO to fund in Sistema.bio.

In recent years, Marina’s focus has expanded toward the intersection of philanthropy, climate action, and impact investing. At IKEA Foundation, she supported strategies to mobilize capital for sustainable energy transitions. She has also served as Chair of the Investment Committee for ElectriFI and Water Unite, helping guide energy-access investments with strong environmental and social governance.

“Having followed Sistema.bio’s progress, I feel deeply aligned with its purpose,” Marina shared. “I’ve seen first hand the value of its solutions and the impact they create for farmers, communities, and the climate. I’m excited to work closely with the board and leadership team as the company enters its next phase of growth.”
Marina has also expressed her admiration for Sistema.bio’s culture and professionalism. She highlights the shared values she has observed across the organization as a key strength.

“The common denominator I see, after speaking with several team members, is a deep, internalized passion for farmers and a genuine belief in the work being done,” she said. “This isn’t about personal gain: it’s about serving farmers and, ultimately, creating a better world. It’s remarkable to see such cohesion and authenticity across different regions and cultures.”

Known for a leadership style that balances results with relationships, Marina describes herself as highly strategic and outcome-oriented, while firmly believing that strong performance is built through trust, connection, and people. Her coaching approach focuses on bringing out the best in teams, and she sees Sistema.bio’s culture as a powerful foundation for collaboration across geographies.

Outside of work, Marina enjoys running, skiing, and practicing yin yoga whenever she can. She values time with friends and family—and, as she proudly notes, she truly enjoys being a board member.
As Sistema.bio looks ahead, Marina’s arrival signals continuity in our mission paired with a fresh perspective at the board level, reinforcing our commitment to supporting farmers, strengthening climate resilience, expanding access to sustainable energy solutions, and abating carbon emissions worldwide.

Finally, on behalf of all our teams, I want to extend our deepest thanks to Dr. Joyce Cacho for her leadership, mentorship, guidance, and unwavering support over the past three years. We are grateful for her contributions and excited to see what comes next in her journey.