Our Team
Ava van der Meer
Investment Manager
"Most of us forget that from the beginning of our life we are approaching death. Life is absurd. But you can fill it with ideas. You can fill it with enthusiasm, you can fill it with joy." — Nimsdai Purja
![](https://elementalexcelerator.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ava-headshot-BW.jpg)
Ava is an Investment Manager at Elemental Excelerator with experience across climate tech, gender equity, and inclusive economies. She is passionate about the power of capital markets to drive impact at scale, and her personal investment philosophy is deeply rooted in engaging impacted communities, redesigning systems, and implementing robust impact measurement mechanisms.
Prior to Elemental Excelerator
Ava led large-scale strategic projects for clients across industries and sectors as a consultant. More recently, Ava received her MBA with a Certificate in Sustainable Finance from Berkeley Haas, served as an EDF Climate Corps Fellow at Williams-Sonoma, Inc., and independently consulted for several impact investors ranging from venture capital funds to community development financial institutions.
Outside of the office
Ava enjoys human-powered adventures in nature, volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate with foster youths, and struggling through the New York Times crossword with her partner. She’s always on the lookout for new trail and/or book recommendations, as well as accountability partners for her artistic endeavors!