Aurion

IMPACT INVESTMENTS AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISES

Yvette Verleisdonk is a highly esteemed partner at Aurion Law, widely recognized for her unparalleled expertise in social enterprises, impact investing, and innovative financing structures. With over 30 years of experience advising Belgian and international clients, she is known for delivering strategic, forward-looking advice in areas ranging from investments, financing, restructuring, governance, and M&A to impact investors, social entreprises and impact funds.

Yvette has particular expertise in innovative impact finance instruments, including social impact bonds, blended and impact-linked finance. She is also at the forefront of advising on novel governance structures such as steward ownership, helping mission-driven organizations align their financial models and governance with their social objectives.

Her practice is distinguished by a deep understanding of both the social and regular economy, guiding clients across sectors in navigating complex transactions, investments, and corporate reorganizations. Since 2015, Yvette has been instrumental in developing the social entrepreneurship and impact investing practice in Belgium.

Clients consistently praise Yvette for her dedication, responsiveness, and ability to balance legal precision with a clear strategic vision. The Legal 500 recognises her as a Leading Individual in the not-for-profit category, highlighting client feedback describing her as “a very dedicated professional with a passion for the social sector and impact investing” and commending her “outstanding legal skills” and “broad perspective.”

Yvette’s career spans leadership roles at several international law firms, where she led finance practices in New York, Rotterdam, and Brussels. She is also a director in multiple Belgian and international organizations, reflecting her deep engagement in the sectors she advises.

In addition to her legal practice, Yvette regularly publishes and speaks on topics such as legal due diligence, women-friendly HR policies, and social impact bonds. She is a co-founder of Women in Law and Leadership (WILL), an initiative supporting the careers of women in law firms.

Yvette holds master’s degrees in law (University of Leiden, cum laude), French language and literature (Catholic University of Nijmegen), and an LL.M. in International Business and Trade Law (Fordham University, magna cum laude). She is a member of the Brussels Bar and previously of the Rotterdam and New York Bars.

Dutch, English, French