Lise Birikundavyi

Lise Birikundavyi is a trailblazing finance specialist and the co-founder and managing partner of BKR Capital, Canada’s first institutionally-backed Black-led venture capital fund. With a background in hedge funds and a drive to fuse financial success with societal impact, Lise has dedicated her career to reshaping the investment landscape. Her extensive experience includes leading the Jacobs Foundation’s edtech impact investment strategy and mentoring high-potential startups in emerging markets. From funds of funds and venture capital to an interim CEO role in a tech startup, Lise’s expertise spans the entire investment spectrum, making her a powerful advocate for transformative, inclusive finance.

A CFA charterholder with a trilingual Bachelor of Business Administration from HEC Montreal and an MBA from the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, Lise’s global perspective is matched only by her commitment to lasting change. Fluent in French, English, and Spanish, and with conversational Mandarin, she combines her multilingual skills and impact-driven vision to foster innovative, diverse, and inclusive investments. Lise stands as a powerful force in finance, dedicated to creating wealth that uplifts communities and champions sustainable poverty alleviation.