Elke Karskens - Experienced Marketing Executive and Angel Investor

Professional Overview

Elke Karskens is a seasoned marketing executive with over 15 years of experience driving international growth and digital transformation across the tech and fintech industries. As the Chief Marketing Officer at Finom, she is responsible for spearheading the company's global marketing strategy, brand positioning, and customer acquisition initiatives. Additionally, Elke is an active angel investor, backing early-stage startups through her role at Aletta Angels.

Experience Summary

Current Roles

Chief Marketing Officer, Finom (2025-01-01 to Present)

• Oversees all aspects of Finom's marketing, including strategic planning, campaign execution, and performance optimization

• Leads a team of marketing professionals to deliver integrated, data-driven campaigns that drive customer acquisition and brand awareness

• Collaborates closely with the product and engineering teams to ensure a seamless user experience and alignment between marketing and product initiatives

Angel Investor, Aletta Angels (2020-01-01 to Present)

• Identifies and evaluates promising early-stage startups for potential investment

• Provides strategic guidance and mentorship to portfolio companies, leveraging her extensive industry expertise

Career Progression

Senior Country Director Benelux & Nordics, Coinbase (2023-11-01 to 2025-01-01)

• Spearheaded the company's expansion into new European markets, overseeing all aspects of operations, marketing, and stakeholder management

• Played a key role in driving rapid user growth and establishing Coinbase as a leading cryptocurrency exchange in the region

Senior Marketing Director EMEA & Country Director UK, Coinbase (2022-01-01 to 2023-11-01)

• Developed and executed marketing strategies to support Coinbase's EMEA-wide growth initiatives, with a focus on the UK market

• Implemented innovative digital marketing campaigns that significantly increased brand awareness and customer acquisition

Director of Partnerships, Facebook (2020-01-01 to 2022-01-01)

• Forged strategic partnerships with leading brands and publishers to drive revenue growth and strengthen Facebook's ecosystem

Academic Background

Elke holds a Master's degree in Marketing and Communications from the University of Amsterdam, where she graduated with honors.

Areas of Expertise

• Digital marketing and campaign management

• Brand strategy and positioning

• Customer acquisition and growth hacking

• International market expansion and operations

• Fintech and cryptocurrency industry expertise

• Venture capital and angel investing

Professional Impact

• Spearheaded the successful launch of Coinbase's operations in the Benelux and Nordic regions, driving rapid user growth and establishing the company as a market leader

• Developed and executed targeted marketing campaigns that increased Facebook's brand visibility and revenue in key EMEA markets

• Leverages her extensive industry knowledge and network to provide strategic guidance and mentorship to early-stage startups in her role as an angel investor

Conclusion

Elke Karskens is a seasoned marketing executive with a proven track record of driving international growth and digital transformation in the tech and fintech industries. As the Chief Marketing Officer at Finom, she is poised to lead the company's global marketing efforts, leveraging her expertise to further enhance the brand's positioning and customer acquisition. Additionally, her role as an active angel investor allows her to support the next generation of innovative startups, contributing to the broader industry ecosystem.