Ineke Keers joins AGRI3 Fund as Managing Director
Amsterdam, March 02 – The AGRI3 Fund announces the appointment of Ineke Keers as its new Managing Director. Ineke brings over 15 years of international experience in sustainable finance, carbon markets, business development, and scaling mission-driven organisations.
Ineke joins AGRI3 from Smallholder Agroforestry Finance (SAF), where she served as Director Investments. At SAF, she played a pivotal role in establishing an innovative blended finance facility, designed to support smallholder farmers in transitioning to agroforestry systems, integrating trees into existing crops to improve livelihoods and climate resilience. By leveraging the Voluntary Carbon Market as a repayment mechanism, the initiative aimed to unlock inclusive finance, strengthen farmers’ economic resilience, and contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation.
In her role, Ineke built and maintained strong relationships with leading development finance institutions and investors, developed processes for agroforestry loan financing tied to carbon markets, and established a new entity and team from the ground up.
Prior to SAF, Ineke was Head of Business Development at Acorn, where she oversaw the commercialisation of carbon removal credits to major corporates and laid the foundation for the blended finance structure that would later evolve into SAF. Earlier in her career, she held various strategic and commercial leadership roles at Rabobank in Utrecht and New York, including Head of Business Development for Markets North America. There, she led regulatory initiatives and implemented innovative digital compliance solutions across international sales teams.
Driving AGRI3’s Next Phase of Growth
As Managing Director, Ineke will focus on further strengthening AGRI3’s financial structuring capabilities, deepening partnerships with public and private financial institutions, and expanding the Fund’s impact across sustainable agri food systems.
I am excited to join AGRI3 at such a significant moment,” said Keers. “Sustainable agriculture is central to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security challenges. With my background in blended finance, I look forward to working with the AGRI3 team and partners worldwide to scale innovative financing solutions that deliver tangible impact for farmers and landscapes.
Board Members of the AGRI3 Fund Management Board, Bob Assenberg (FOUNT) and Joost Zuidberg (Cardano Development) welcomed the appointment, noting that Keers’ blend of financial expertise, partnership-building skills, and experience in growing mission-driven businesses positions her well to lead the Fund into its next phase.
About AGRI3 Fund
AGRI3 Fund, created by UNEP and Rabobank, along with partners IDH and FMO, aims to support the transition to sustainable agriculture. Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Global Environment Fund through Conservation International, AGRI3 Fund mobilises public and private capital globally. The Fund provides credit enhancement tools and technical assistance to projects that actively prevent deforestation, stimulate reforestation, and contribute to efficient sustainable value chains while reducing carbon emissions and improving rural livelihoods.
For more information, please contact:
Maria-Pia Kelly – m.kelly@agri3.com