Christophe Kempkes, Donnie Maclurcan, Gillian Marcelle, Elise Talgorn, and Sebastian Wolf Siebzehnrübl
Christophe Kempkes and Sebastian Wolf Siebzehnrübl reimagine mergers and acquisitions (M&A) with Donnie MacLuran, Gillian Marcelle, and Elise Talgorn. More than a mere combination of assets, they consider whether M&A is an opportunity to integrate deeper, systemic awareness and shared purpose. Drawing from Lao Tzu’s wisdom—”The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness”—Christophe and Sebastian see potential in M&A as a way to transcend traditional frameworks of power and dominance to foster meaningful, soulful connections between organisations and their members.
This session encourages participants to envision M&A not just as a path to growth and market dominance but as a delicate dance where cultures, values, and visions intertwine. Too often, traditional M&A processes flatten the richness of individual entities into transactional exchanges. What if, instead, M&A became a unifying story—a shared narrative that honours personal diversity to transform it into a systemic force? As Muriel Rukeyser stated, “The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.” With this in mind, Christophe and Sebastian create a playful, reflective space where participants can explore how individual values and strengths within organisations can weave together into a rich tapestry of collective wisdom. Could a narrative approach to M&A invite us to see merging organisations as an evolving journey of collective stories that creates opportunities for individuals to contribute, honour diversity and adapt to new challenges as they arise?
M&A, despite being a popular strategy for growth, is fraught with complexity, with nearly 70% of transactions failing to achieve their objectives. This session, grounded in systemic design and the principles of impact investing, addresses the core question: What if we’ve been approaching M&A all wrong? Instead of focusing on merging assets, may the real opportunity be in merging personal stories and human wisdom?
We invite a playful spirit of inquiry and embark on a journey sparked by this clear but vast inquisitive question, engaging in iterative cycles of exploration. Varied interactions between panellists and the audience—fostering active listening, participation, and individual and collective reflection—embody the idea of “living a question” (Rilke, 1913). The expert panellists share their perspectives and, through the power of collective resonance, reshape the question designed to inspire dialogue beyond this session. Instead of seeking fixed answers, Christophe and Sebastian aim to create fertile ground for playful co-reflection and co-creation. Where questions bloom, and minds grow slow, answers are not told or simply taught but insights earned and deeply caught.
The discussion delves into perspectives from investment and venture managers, exploring how M&A objectives, processes, and dynamics influence success or failure. By slowing down and engaging in deep listening, participants explore how systemic thinking—emphasising long-term sustainability, human capital development, and stakeholder interests—can transform M&A into a journey of transformation rather than a sheer transaction. The facilitators propose that a systemic approach to M&A, grounded in impact investing, could foster more responsible and ethical strategies.
M&A Panel
Donnie Maclurcan advocates for building a thriving society within ecological limits. A post-growth economist, he specializes in developing purpose-driven businesses and regenerative economic systems.
Gillian Marcelle is the Founder and CEO of Resilience Capital Ventures. She is a senior leader in economic development and international business with a track record of attracting investment to emerging markets. Gillian specializes in M&A, capital raising, and investment attraction, with global experience across public-private partnerships. Gillian’s full bio.
Elise Talgorn has expertise in sustainable innovation, design, and art. She advocates for a holistic approach to address socio-environmental challenges. Through humour and emotion, she drives impactful storytelling to foster empathy and inspire transformation.
Organisers
Christophe and Sebastian seek to redefine M&A as a collaborative process that amplifies shared intentions, weaves a unifying narrative, and builds more vital, more resilient organisations rooted in collective consciousness and sustainable growth.
Christophe Kempkes is the founder of Fingerspitzen Kollektiv, a Belgian agency dedicated to systemic change and transformative action. With a background in finance and banking, he serves as a facilitator for social evolution, emphasizing trust and integrity. Christophe advocates for human modesty and innovation through curiosity, promoting growth by challenging conventional solutions. He believes that relationships, not individuals, are the key to driving cultural and organizational transformation. LinkedIn
Sebastian Wolf Siebzehnrübl, founder of The Likehearted, is a seasoned systemic strategy consultant with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in empowering individuals and organizations to discover their impact, bridging the gap between powerlessness and participation. With expertise in systemic design, digital transformation, and human-centred research, Sebastian addresses complex global challenges. He also serves as a Community Curator for the International Federation for Systems Research, bringing clarity to complexity through innovative, transformative practices. LinkedIn
Gillian Marcelle, PhD leads Resilience Capital Ventures LLC (RCV), a boutique capital advisory practice specializing in blended finance. Dr Marcelle developed the Triple B Framework to improve flows and allocation of capital in its multiple forms; this provides a platform for engaging in the finance and investment world, where her contributions and perspectives on diversity, inclusion, accountability and alignment with the SDGs are becoming influential. Most recently, she was recognized by earning inclusion in the fourth annual Forbes Fifty Over Fifty: Investment list.
Her decades long track record includes attracting investment and structuring deals. Her sectors of focus are telecoms, fintech, renewable energy, regenerative agriculture and health systems. Her specialty is the design and implementation of blended finance strategies that involve partnerships, ecosystem strengthening and architectures to facilitate transformational change. Dr Marcelle includes among her clients and partners: The Bahamas; Open Society Foundations; MPC Energy Solutions, PolicyLink, Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT), AfricaBio and the Clinton Foundation. She serves on the Advisory Board of New Majority Capital and has guided numerous ventures in the role of Senior Advisor. She is also an LP in Outside Ventures.
Prior to founding RCV, she was the Executive Director the UVI RTPark and previously held staff roles development finance with the International Finance Corporation, equity capital markets at JP Morgan Chase and M&A with British Telecom. Her earlier Board roles include serving as non-Executive Director with South African fintech Tafari Capital and on the UN ICT Task Force. Her academic career includes teaching and research as a tenured Associate Professor at Wits Business School in Johannesburg, South Africa and teaching at the University of East London and City University in London, England. She is a published research scholar and maintains active academic networks; in the US, with MIT and Penn State; in Europe with SPRU, University of Sussex; across the African continent and in the Caribbean.
Gillian Marcelle also been actively involved in international public service including senior appointments with the United Nations; World Economic Forum, Global Future Council on SynBio; and the Values Commission, a project of the Capitals Coalition.
Her educational background includes earning degrees in Economics from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Kiel Institute of World Economics, Germany; an MBA with a specialization in high technology management from the George Washington University and a doctorate in innovation policy from the Science and Technology Policy Research Unit, SPRU, University of Sussex. She is a graduate of the Bishop Anstey High School, an all-girls Anglican School in Trinidad and Tobago.
Dr. Gillian Marcelle
CEO, Resilience Capital Ventures LLC
– Boutique capital advisory firm headquartered in Washington, DC –
www.ResilienceCapitalVentures.com
linkedin.com/in/gillianmarcelle