Exiled: Diana Auerswald, KFW IPEX Bank

Welcome to Exiled: Dealmakers on a Desert Island, a podcast where we ‘strand’ a guest on a remote island and ask them who from their professional past, present, and future they’d choose to be stranded with. After all, it’s people that make a profession.

Today’s guest is Diana Auerswald, Representative Office NYC - Energy at KfW IPEX Bank. Diana is inspired by people from all walks of life, from entrepreneurs to creative minds. Despite challenges, she remains optimistic about the US infrastructure market, and champions collaborating with partners who genuinely care about the projects they are working on.

From her past

Diana picked Jamie Alcock, her former Professor in Economics at the University of Queensland, Australia. She cites his early mentorship and support through her thesis project as critical for her future role at KfW IPEX Bank. 

From her present

Dian’s second choice is Oren Reich, Principal for Energy Infrastructure at Power Sustainable. Working together on complex transactions has strengthened their friendship as well as their work life, in the challenging but rewarding landscape of Canadian project finance.  

From her future

Diana is excited by the idea of working with large investment companies like Blackrock or The Carlyle Group, and would pick somebody from these entities to join her on the island. She also admires friends outside her sector who demonstrate entrepreneurial grit and creativity, such as a friend building sustainable surfboards in Portugal. For Diana, inspiration can come from anyone with a bold vision, regardless of their background.

Bonus round

For her final guest, Diana has chosen her son - an essential companion as she builds stability and community in Manhattan. 

Tune in next week, where we’ll be speaking with our next Exile. 

Interested in finding out more?