Our Team

Jeroen Ketting

Jeroen Ketting is Founder and Managing Director of Lighthouse. He has been living in Russia for over 15 years giving him fluency in the Russian language and a thorough understanding of the Russian business culture. Jeroen has founded and operated numerous businesses in Russia and has assisted in the establishment of more than 20 Western-Russian business ventures. Jeroen's extensive experience in the Russian market is backed by a strong track record in strategic business advisory. He is an expert negotiator and mediator in the Russian-Western context and is a regular speaker at international events and seminars related to Russia. He frequently contributes to Russia related international publications. Presentations and articles

Elena Kabko

Elena Kabko is the Financial Director of Lighthouse and is responsible for all financial and administrative matters within Lighthouse. Elena has over 12 years of professional experience and has been working at Lighthouse for the last 7 years. Elena has a degree in English Linguistics from the Moscow Pedagogical University and a degree in Financial Management from the Finance Academy of the Government of the Russian Federation. She is an expert in administrative, legal and fiscal issues. Elena was involved in a large number of projects concerning the establishment of Representative Offices and legal entities for foreign companies in Russia. Furthermore, she is an expert in drawing up commercial contracts and employment contracts, working out commercial schemes and arranging work licenses and work permits for non-Russian employees.

Birgit von Oehsen

Birgit von Oehsen is a Partner at Lighthouse with 17 years of professional experience in Russia. Birgit's degree in Russian & French Linguistics from the University in Heidelberg, Germany, was followed by a degree as Master of Business Administration from the Open University, England. Before joining Lighthouse, Birgit worked as Deputy Representative in the Russian office of the German company Preussag AG (now TUI AG) and focused on exploration of natural resources and construction of industrial plants. Birgit has extensive experience in providing companies with assistance in market entry or enlargement of activities on Russian-speaking markets.

Vincent Duynhouwer

Vincent Duynhouwer holds a Master degree in Modern History (hons.) from the University of Leiden, the Netherlands, as well as a Master degree in International Political Economy (hons.) from the University of Warwick, England. During his time at Lighthouse, Vincent has acquired extensive experience in managing projects in a wide range of sectors. Vincent has expert knowledge of the Russian energy sector through his involvement in a large number of projects in this sector and his academic background.

Geert Groenewegen

Geert Groenewegen has been living and working in Russia for over 10 years. He worked as a sales and marketing manager with a large trading company and Philips establishing and expanding their business in Russia. Geert has extensive experience in providing companies with marketing and sales support during market entry and expansion of activities on Russian-speaking markets.    

Olga Porfiryeva

Olga Porfiryeva graduated from the Mari State Pedagogical University with a degree in English and French Linguistics. During her time at Lighthouse, Olga has assisted many clients active in the consumer, textile and industrial sectors with establishing or expanding their presence on the Russian market. Furthermore, Olga was part of the project team for the project which introduced a mobile energy audit and environmental measurement unit in Russia. In 2008, Olga participated in the Presidential program organized by the EVD (the Agency for International Business and Cooperation, which is part of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs) and did her internship at a Dutch textile company.

Anne Marie Spaargaren

Anne Marie Spaargaren graduated from Leiden University, The Netherlands in the economic specialisation of Russian Studies. She has built up fifteen years of professional experience in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Although Anne Marie is a generalist country expert with fluent Russian, she can best be described as an investment specialist in Russia. Besides, she is an experienced and enthusiastic business developer for the private sector. In former positions, Anne Marie coordinated investment projects for the Dutch Agency for International Business and Cooperation (EVD) and development projects for the European Commission, the World Bank and USAID. Anne Marie is within Lighthouse responsible for business development in The Netherlands and Germany.

Daria Galkova

Daria Galkova holds a Master's degree in Economic Geography from Lomonosov State University in Moscow and is currently completing her Postgraduate degree. Prior to joining Lighthouse, Daria worked as an analyst of Russian regional development and as an analyst of public finances and reform of budgetary relations. Daria is involved in a number of projects in the Russian agribusiness sector

Anastasia Nazarenko

Anastasia Nazarenko holds a Master's degree in Economics (hons.) from the Moscow State University and is currently completing her Postgraduate degree in Entrepreneurship. Anastasia also teaches Economics of Innovation at the Economic Department of the Moscow State University. During her time at Lighthouse, Anastasia has assisted clients active in a wide range of sectors ranging from consumer goods to industrial production with establishing or expanding their presence on the Russian market.

Nynke Nijkamp

Nynke Nijkamp holds a MSc. degree in Business Administration specialization Marketing & Management from Groningen University, the Netherlands. She started her professional career as product manager on life insurances with AXA Insurances. After that Nynke worked as Trade Marketing Manager Benelux at Kodak. Before joining Lighthouse, Nynke worked at Zwitserleven, first as Marketing Manager with a focus on the Small & Medium Enterprises Segment. Afterwards she was a Manager within the Customer Services department. Nynke has extensive knowledge of marketing, project management of process improvements and management. At Lighthouse, Nynke focuses on marketing, CRM and organization development.