We welcome new team members
This month, two colleagues have joined NDF to strengthen our Portfolio Management.
Jutta Martens
Jutta joins NDF as Program Manager for EEP Africa. Previously, she coordinated peacebuilding work across Sub-Saharan Africa at Finn Church Aid, working with the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers. Jutta first encountered EEP Africa while working as Senior Consultant at KPMG. She holds master’s degrees from Aalto University School of Economics and the Helsinki University's Faculty of Theology, and is currently pursuing a PhD at Tampere University Peace Research Institute. Originally from Finland, she speaks Finnish and English fluently, with intermediate skills in French and Swedish.
"My career path is now taking me from peacebuilding to clean energy financing, but the bigger mission remains surprisingly familiar: working for a more sustainable future. I've learned that peace, climate, and development are deeply interconnected, and addressing today's challenges requires fresh ideas, inclusivity, strong partnerships, and local ownership. I can't wait to learn from and work alongside the expert team and the excellent project developers in a region that is close to my heart," she says.
Jatin Yadav
Jatin takes up the position of Climate Innovation Challenge Fund Manager. He brings over 10 years of experience designing and implementing challenge funds and has held leadership and advisory roles across USAID, Sida, and NDF-funded initiatives. His expertise spans challenge fund design, innovative finance, business scaling, gender integration, and stakeholder engagement. With an MBA in Social Entrepreneurship from Nottingham University Business School, Jatin began his career as a computer engineer in the technology sector.
"Joining NDF is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a unique organization that combines catalytic finance, innovation, and strong partnerships to address climate challenges. I look forward to contributing my experience while learning from the exceptional colleagues who have shaped NDF's impact. Collaboration and co-creation are central to my approach, and I look forward to working closely with NDF's team and partners to further our shared impact," Jatin says.