Our Team

Derek Kessen
​Managing Partner

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Sharon Macharia
Investment Associate

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Jansen Hein
Partner

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Ida Mwangi
Portfolio Associate

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Jonathan Thiessen
Partner

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DeeDee Wilson
Director

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Brittany Nelson
Associate

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Cole Fritz
Investor Relations

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2020

Founded in a pandemic as a learning organization

39

Countries represented in our body of work

22

Investments across five continents

16

Industries we've worked in...and counting.

Our Core Principles

Our three Core Principles guide our work, relationships, and decision-making on a daily basis and are deeply interwoven into our methodologies and embedded within our products and services. It is not enough to post these here on a website and forget they exist.

Love Our
​Neighbor

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Our character and comportment displays the fruit of God's love.

PURPOSE & CALLING

We long to work alongside God and help others do the same.

SHALOM

We desire goodness, wholeness, and justice for all people

Challenge
​Convention

LEARNING ORGANIZATION

We learn humbly and leverage insights to build courageously.

REDEMPTIVE IMAGINATION

We reframe, rather than repeat, conventional ways of doing things.

ONGOING RESTORATION

We show up in new ways as God restores the world around us.

Have
​Fun

DELIGHT IN COMMUNITY

We delight in God-given relationships and community.

ADVENTURE-SEEKING

We see adventure not as a frivolous pursuit, but as a key to discovery.

KEEP IT LIGHT

We don't take ourselves too seriously, especially in failure.

Why name a company after the Heron?

01 

THEY THRIVE EVERYWHERE
Different species of herons are found on every continent on earth except antarctica. They are a broad species that have adapted to many different climates and regions, being able to thrive in multiple contexts.

02 

THEY PRIORITIZE DIVERSE COMMUNITY
​During mating season, herons often live in diverse colonies among a variety of other species. Outside of this season, they can exist for periods on their own, balancing both togetherness and isolated stillness.

03 

THEY HAVE STRONG VISION
​They are known for very strong vision and can effectively navigate and hunt during both day and night conditions.

04 

THEY HAVE NEAR UNIVERSAL SYMBOLISM
​From the Ancient Egyptians to African and Asian cultures, the Heron symbolizes patience, grace, stability, and adaptability. It is also recognized as a messenger in the struggle between good and evil.

​Get In Touch

We work on the things that matter to you most. We want a shot to help you with your biggest opportunity.

HERON CHICAGO | 626 W Jackson Blvd

HERON NAIROBI | Rainbow Tower, Westlands