The Impact Scholarship is a joint initiative of the CAIA Association and the BAI NextGen Council, aimed at strengthening diversity in the alternative investment industry and supporting future leaders in their careers. This initiative creates pathways into the alternative investments industry in Europe through individual mentoring, practical training, and targeted networking. This marks the second year of the program, building on the success of our inaugural cohort featured in PB Magazin. More information about last year’s program can be found in this article, and we will start releasing testimonials from last year’s mentees via our CAIA EMEA LinkedIn page soon.
Program Goals
The alternative investment industry remains homogenous, particularly in leadership—despite the proven benefits of diversity. The Impact Scholarship Program by BAI NextGen & CAIA aims to change that by supporting talented women, easing their entry into the field, and guiding their careers. While diversity spans many dimensions—gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and more—this program begins with a focus on women, with future initiatives to expand inclusivity further. By fostering diverse talent, we’re not just creating equal opportunities; we’re shaping a more innovative and dynamic industry.
Program Components
The scholarship includes three central elements:
- Mentoring & Career Coaching:
Over six months, participants will receive one-on-one mentorship, hands-on support, and insights from experienced industry professionals. - CAIA.nxt™ Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate:
Participants will complete this globally renowned online course that teaches the Fundamentals of the Alternative Investments sector to create a solid knowledge base. - Technical Webinars:
Three webinars on the topics of Private Debt, Private Equity, and Infrastructure will be provided, and led by experts from the NextGen network and the CAIA Association who will share current trends and practical insights.
Program Mentors
Priscilla Schnepper, CAIA, CFA: With more than 12 years’ experience, and at the EIF since 2016, Priscilla works as Investment Manager in European private credit funds – focused on investment with attractive risk adjusted return and impact. This includes support of strategic sectors, such as climate transition, innovation, digitalization and industrial resilience, as well as development of the private credit ecosystem. Priscilla is a CFA and CAIA charter holder with previous experience including at EY and Rothschild.
Dr. Mailin Badurina: Mailin is Investor Relations Manager at Ambienta and is based in London. Ambienta is a European environmental sustainability investor across private equity, public markets and private credit. The firm manages approximately €4.0bn in assets, with a focus on investing in private and public companies driven by environmental megatrends and whose products or services improve Resource Efficiency or Pollution Control.
Prior to joining Ambienta, she spent over 3 years in the Investor Relations Team at Pemberton, a European Private Credit manager. Based in London her responsibilities include marketing, reporting and investor servicing across various direct lending strategies. On the fundraising side she successfully supported the processes for the flagship Mid-Market Direct Lending strategy and the Strategic Credit Opportunities strategy.
Previously she worked at Bankhaus Lampe for over 6 years, focusing on sales and client support in asset management and private markets solutions for institutional investors in Germany. She began her career in Corporate Banking at Commerzbank in Düsseldorf.
Dr. Mailin Badurina holds a PhD in Economics from the Steinbeis University in Berlin and a Master of Science in Finance & Accounting from the University Duisburg-Essen, Mercator School of Management.
Sarah Lehr: Based in Munich, Sarah was with AssetMetrix since 2021. As Co-Head of Business Development she was responsible for new business and existing client relationships in the DACH region, France & Benelux. She has a wealth of leadership experience in managing change and building high performing sales teams.
Sarah started her career in Fixed Income sales at DZ Bank and spent 8 years thereafter at Fitch Solutions managing an international sales team covering the DACH, Nordics, CEE & CIS region. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from The Hague University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands) and ESCE (France).
Deborah Eggler, CAIA: Deborah is a Managing Director and part of the Client Solutions EMEA team, based in Zurich. In this role, she focuses on building partnerships with the leading banks, wealth managers and family offices across Southern Europe and the Middle East. Since joining iCapital in 2021, she has been instrumental in expanding the firm's presence and fostering strategic relationships in the regions.
Prior to joining iCapital, Deborah was part of StepStone’s Private Debt Business Development team for the Swiss market. Before joining StepStone, she was with Lombard Odier Private Banking on the Strategic Business Development team. Earlier in her career, she was a client associate for Private Markets investments at Neuberger Berman (Switzerland) GmbH and Credit Suisse AG.
Deborah holds a master’s in accounting and finance and a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of St. Gallen. She is also a CAIA charter holder.
Morgaine Conway-Grim, CAIA: Morgaine is the founder of Hawks & Doves, an education company designed to bring markets and the asset management industry to life in a sharp, engaging and relevant way. Hawks & Doves partners with financial institutions to provide markets and macro training to their junior teams. She founded Hawks & Doves in 2024 and
brings over a decade of experience in finance, primarily focused on investment advice and relationship management.
Morgaine had an unusual start in finance, taking a role as a receptionist at an investment firm to get a foot in the door. After putting her hand up for a different role within one week, three weeks later she was working in operations, and began to trade and transition to an investment focused role not long thereafter.
A few years later she was recruited into J.P. Morgan Private Bank as an investment advisor. At J.P. Morgan she was entrusted with providing investment advice to ultra
high net worth clients, where she discovered her passion for educating people about investing principles.
Prior to founding Hawks & Doves, Morgaine stepped into an institutional role as a Director at GQG Partners. There she worked closely with the Head of International Business on key institutional relationships. She was integral to the hiring and development of junior talent. As part of this she designed and ran an investing education programme for the firm's employees.
Morgaine gained a Bachelor of Arts in History at Royal Holloway, University of London, and is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA). She is on the Board for the Young Investors Society, a non-profit providing high quality financial literacy.
Tania Kutner: Tania joined Deerpath in 2021 and has 12 years of industry experience. She previously worked as an Associate Director at Aerius Associates, a London based placement agent. Prior to Aerius Associates, she worked at BNP Paribas in their Financing and Advisory team and began her career at Lloyds Banking Group, in the Leveraged Finance team. Ms. Kutner is a graduate of the University of Birmingham (B.Eng)
Christina Hub: Christina Hub spent several years as an Investment Manager focusing on illiquid investments in the insurance sector before moving to the GP-side. She previously worked at Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and, since 2025, has been working as a Relationship Manager in the Munich office of I Squared Capital where she is responsible for DACH and Eastern European investors. Christina holds a B. A. in Business Administration – Banking from DHBW Baden-Wuerttemberg, an M.Sc. in International Finance from HfWU Nürtingen-Geislingen, as well as a double degree from the University of Glasgow (M.Sc. in Financial Risk Management).
Suzana Mijucic: Suzana Mijucic is an Investment Manager at Bayerische Versorgungskammer (BVK), focusing on Private Equity and Infrastructure since 2021. She leads manager selection across global strategies and oversees the full investment lifecycle, including co-investments, portfolio monitoring, and mandate management. She also contributes to portfolio and investment strategy development, represents BVK on European and international advisory boards, and drives ESG integration within her team.
Previously, Suzana held investment and corporate finance roles at BMW Group, ProSiebenSat.1, and Armira. She holds a degree in Business Administration from LMU Munich and a Master’s in Management & Technology from TUM. She is actively involved in BVK’s women’s network and serves on the NextGen Council.
Information for Applicants
The Impact Scholarship Program by BAI NextGen & CAIA is aimed at Master's students and recent graduates who are pursuing a career in the alternative investment industry and have already gained initial practical experience. We are looking for motivated and talented candidates who want to develop their skills and learn from the best experts in the industry.
Applicant Requirements:
- Enrolled in or recently graduated from a Master's program at a university in Europe or abroad with the aim of integrating the European alternative investments industry.
- Initial practical experience in the field of alternative investments (e.g., through internships, working student positions, project work or students’ associations)
- Motivation to actively shape one's own career and benefit from the experience of a mentor. Interest in alternative asset classes such as Private Debt, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Infrastructure, etc.
- Willingness to write/film short video or text testimonials after completion of the program, to be shared on social media by the CAIA Association.
Application Documents:
- Resume (max. two pages), cover letter (max. two pages) in which the applicant describes her career goals and explains how the scholarship can support her on her path.
- Facultative: Proof of relevant internships or professional experience (e.g., work certificates, letters of recommendation)
Program Workflow:
- Application Phase (April 1, 2026 – April 30, 2026): Interested candidates can apply for the scholarship during this period.
- Selection of Participants (until the first week of May 2026): The program coordination team reviews the applications and selects suitable candidates.
- Program Start (Mid-May 2026): Kick-off meeting between mentors and mentees, as well as the start of the CAIA.nxt™ Fundamental of Alternative Investments Online course.
- Accompanying Webinars (May – October 2026): Implementation of the three topic-specific webinars. Program Conclusion (October 2026): Final networking event and certificate awarding.
For further information and questions, contact Céline Belina, Academic Relations Coordinator EMEA, CAIA Association at nextgen@caia.org or Sven Gralla, BAI NextGen Council.