Kookai Chaimahawong

Kookai is an ESG Partner at UpperStage.capital, an impact-focused private equity firm providing growth capital for Canadian companies in the lower-middle market, driving sustainability and climate resilience in our communities. In her role, Kookai sets the fund’s strategic direction on its Impact and ESG strategies and is responsible for ensuring that investment opportunities meet the firm’s impact criteria and that ESG factors are incorporated in investment decisions and value creation toolkits across portfolio companies. She acts as the portfolio's first ESG Officer, helping them strategize and operationalize ESG to achieve long-term growth objectives.

Prior to joining UpperStage, Kookai’s career included launching an award-winning technology start-up that revolutionized fundraising in Thailand, forming SDG partnerships at the United Nations, and integrating an impact lens to invest in breakthrough technologies at a hard-tech Venture Capital fund. She holds an MBA from the University of British Columbia, a BA in communications management, and has achieved the CFA institute Certificate in ESG Investing. She currently serves as a Co-Chair of the Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum and an Advisory Committee Member of the Canadian Women in VC.