Full Name
Kookai Chaimahawong
Job Title
ESG Partner
Company
UpperStage.Capital
Speaker Bio
Kookai is an ESG Partner at UpperStage.capital, an impact-focused private equity firm targeted at companies in the Canadian lower-middle market, driving sustainability and climate resilience in our communities. UpperStage works to generate returns through our core principles: selecting companies for growth and sustainability impact, operating with hands-on management supported by a proprietary ESG toolkit, and leveraging our network to scale companies to international markets.

In her role, Kookai sets the fund’s strategic direction on its Impact and ESG strategies. She’s responsible for ensuring that investment opportunities meet the firm’s impact criteria and that ESG factors are incorporated in investment decisions to determine risks and opportunities that lead to value creation and growth. She works closely with UpperStage portfolio companies as its ESG officer to educate, strategize and set annual targets to improve its ESG performance.

Kookai’s career has included launching an award-winning technology start-up to disrupt corporate social responsibility 'CSR,' forming SDG partnerships at the United Nations, and integrating an impact lens to invest in breakthrough technologies at a hard-tech Venture Capital fund. Kookai holds an MBA from the University of British Columbia, a degree in communications, and has achieved the CFA institute Certificate in ESG Investing. She’s a Co-Chair of the Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum and an Advisor to the Canadian Women in VC.
Kookai Chaimahawong