Geeta Sankappanavar is a highly respected figure in the investment and oil & gas industries, celebrated for her achievements and exceptional leadership skills. As the founder and CEO of Akira Impact, an investment firm dedicated to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Geeta has demonstrated her unwavering commitment to responsible investing and creating a positive impact on the world. Prior to this, she co-founded and served as president of Grafton Asset Management, an energy investment firm worth approximately $1 billion based in Calgary, Alberta.

Geeta's illustrious career began as a consultant with McKinsey and Company, based in New York. She holds a degree from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has held several senior positions at notable firms such as New Vernon Capital. She also served as Vice President and Head of Strategic Global Outsourcing for Cambridge Solutions, a leading cross-border financial services outsourcing firm in the US-Asia corridor, and was a founding partner at Marincorp Solutions and IRI. Geeta has received numerous accolades for her outstanding leadership, including being named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women for five consecutive years, among other prestigious honors.

In addition to her remarkable career, Geeta is actively involved in several non-profit organizations. She serves as Chair of the Board of Governors for the University of Calgary and is a board member of UNICEF Canada, the Palix Foundation, and Axis Connects, where she works towards advancing diversity in Calgary's business community. She also serves on the Calgary Foundation Investment Committee and has previously served as a board member for OCIF, a $100 million investment fund that supports transformative investments as catalysts for economic growth and diversification. In addition to her non-profit work, Geeta holds prominent positions on the board of several companies, including Green Impact Partners, Daytona Power Co., Northbase Finance, and Pipestone Energy Corp.

Over the years, Geeta has gained recognition for her visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing gender equality, diversity, and philanthropy. In acknowledgment of her remarkable contributions, Geeta is set to receive the Women's Executive of the Year Award at the Canada Energy Capital Assembly and Dinner in 2023. As a pioneer for female leaders in the investment industry, Geeta is setting the standard for a more inclusive and equitable future. Her dedication to promoting sustainable development goals and creating positive social impact is exemplary, and serves as a model for other leaders to follow.

Geeta's leadership in driving innovation and energy transition with a focus on positive change in the world is truly exceptional, and she has been a driving force behind the success of many firms, including Akira Impact. Her numerous achievements and outstanding record have made her an inspiration to many, and she continues to demonstrate her unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world.

Akira Impact

Akira is a Calgary-based essential assets investment firm that sources, structures and manages investments in the clean energy & infrastructure sectors. Akira’s principals have raised and deployed over $3 billion of capital across North American energy and infrastructure. In deploying capital, Akira leverages strong relationships and formal partnerships to provide proprietary investment opportunities to investor clients. Akira’s integrated teaming approach leverages professionals with a broad range of skillsets, education and backgrounds to appropriately underwrite and mitigate risks.

Akira takes a purposeful approach to investing capital and is a signatory to the United Nations-supported Principles of Responsible Investing – visit their website at akiraimpact.com to find out more!