CLEAN AIR FUND - Key Persons
Aakriti primarily supports the India Portfolio with strategy, program development & management and stakeholder management. She also supports the development of the Ghana Portfolio.
Job Titles:
- Senior Analyst - Breathe Cities
Adebayo provides grant and project management support across the international Breathe Cities team, including leading the design, management, monitoring and evaluation of philanthropic grants and contracts.
Job Titles:
- Head of European Union and Member States
Agata leads strategy and programme development for the EU Portfolio (Poland, Bulgaria and EU).
Agata has over 15 years' experience of working on climate, energy and air pollution issues across Europe, the United States and Africa. At demosEUROPA think tank, she was specializing in energy and climate policy as well as innovative technology solutions and helping drive the European Union sustainability agenda. Later, she joined Shell - an international energy company - to support new energy initiatives in Eastern Europe.
After her departure from Poland, she has stayed on the trajectory to leverage sustainable ecosystems and enable societal change. This led her to the United States, where she commercialized Skyven's clean energy business, with first projects in California and the US Northeast. Over the last 5 years, she has been involved in sustainable energy, sustainable food and sustainable finance projects in Africa. She is also proud to be a mentor at MIT Enterprise Forum CEE, VC4Africa and Co-Creation Hub Nigeria.
Job Titles:
- Recruitment and HR Manager - Breathe Cities
Anita is responsible for the global recruitment and management of people and culture at Breathe Cities.
Anita comes with a decade of experience in HR across a diverse range of industries, including NGOs, market research, and telecommunications. Her expertise in talent management and global HR best practices equips her to design impactful HR initiatives for attracting, retaining, and developing top talent.
Anita holds an MBA in International Trade from Anhalt University of Applied Science, Germany, a bachelor's degree in Sociology from University of Ghana, currently pursuing certification as a Senior Professional in HR International (SPHRi) and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of HR Practitioners in Ghana.
Why Anita works for Clean Air Fund
Job Titles:
- Interim Project Manager - Super Pollutants
Anna oversees the growth of the Super Pollutants portfolio, including programme development, project management, inputting to strategy, and more.
Prior to joining the Clean Air Fund, Anna worked at the British Lung Foundation, where she was the lead fundraiser for all air quality projects. She has diverse experience in the charity sector having previously worked at an education charity supporting disadvantaged students in the United States.
Anna holds a master's degree in Comparative and International Education from the University of Oxford and an undergraduate degree in history and English from the University of Pennsylvania in her hometown of Philadelphia.
Why Anna works for Clean Air Fund:
Aparna supports the Executive Director of Programmes and internal communications and staff engagement within the organisation.
Arindam pursued a PhD in Environmental Science from Bose Institute, University of Kolkata, India. He works on measuring and modeling Short-Lived Climate Forcer in different atmospheric environments over India. Following his PhD, Arindam worked for a civil society organisation where he directly planned and implement climate adaptation and mitigation projects in India, Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Arindam worked as a scientist in École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) where he worked with Indian municipalities on clean air actions. Besides research, Arindam has also co-founded a climate communication platform in Bengali, his native language.
Why Arindam works for Clean Air Fund
Arundhati primarily supports the development and management of Clean Air Fund's India portfolio, as well as stakeholder management
Job Titles:
- Breathe Cities MEL Manager
Job Titles:
- Senior Specialist - Data and Breathe Global
Cheran delivers strategic and operational support across both our data and Breathe Global teams, as well as other core work areas.
Job Titles:
- Head of Private Sector Engagement
Clare is responsible for all global private sector partnerships and efforts to reduce corporate air pollution.
Clare is passionate about mission-driven partnerships with a particular interest in environmental justice. She spent the first part of her career in renewable energy - working with the private sector to effect change, including influencing greener UK energy policy and coordinating a cross-border offshore wind industry alliance.
Clare joins the Clean Air Fund from INGO Plan International UK, where she led a team responsible for delivering award-winning corporate partnerships including AstraZeneca, Standard Chartered, and Costa.
Job Titles:
- Country Lead - Ghana
- Head of Ghana
Desmond is leading Clean Air Fund's projects in Ghana.
Desmond brings 21 years of experience in business sustainability-related projects in private sector, manufacturing, academia, forestry, mining, agro-business, and commercial entities across Europe, USA, and Africa.
Prior to joining Clean Air Fund, Desmond was the Programme Manager for African Cities for Clean Air (AC4CA) initiative of C40 Climate Leadership Group. Prior to that he was the C40 City Advisor and Chief Resilience and Sustainability Advisor to the Mayor of the City of Accra at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly. He coordinated city programmes aimed at ensuring sustainable city development in areas pertaining to air quality, waste management, climate change, road safety, disaster planning and management, with a charge to integrate management structures for enhancing urban resilience.
Desmond holds an MS (Environmental Protection & Safety Management) from St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia USA, an MSc (Energy and Sustainable Development) from De Montfort University, Leicester UK, and a Bachelors with Honours from the University of Ghana. He holds other post-graduate certificates in multiple areas.
Why Desmond works for Clean Air Fund:
Job Titles:
- Chest and Lung Surgeon, Founder of Health Care Without Harm
Electra supports the UK Portfolio and other core work areas, including project and grant management.
Job Titles:
- Architect
- Coordinator of "SOfiaGREEN" at the Sofia Development Association
- Local Consultant - Bulgaria
Elitsa is working as a local consultant for Clean Air Fund in Bulgaria, responsible for the contact with the Municipality.
Elitsa is responsible for drafting project concept notes, communicating with local and international grantees and overseeing project implementation.
Elitsa is also the Coordinator of "SOfiaGREEN" at the Sofia Development Association, which aims to streamline municipal policies related to smart and sustainable mobility, air quality and waste management. The work on the Sofia Green Project is tightly linked to finding smart solutions to existing problems of the city by working closely and including the citizen, private sector, NGO's and academia.
Prior to joining the SOfia Green, Elitsa Panayotova worked as the CEO and founder of Sofia Tech Park - the first Science and Technology Park in Bulgaria.
Elitsa is an architect and urban planner, who's portfolio includes some of the most innovative real estate projects in Bulgaria. She has also worked in investment management and consultancy for various city and urban development projects.
Job Titles:
- Breathe Cities Portfolio Manager, Ghana
Elvis leads the delivery of the Breathe Cities project for a city in Ghana, from strategy development to scoping and granting partners, ensuring strong partners management and monitoring and reporting progress.
Over the last decade, Elvis has worked in the environmental sector in Ghana with experience in air quality and noise monitoring, air dispersion modelling and geographic information system analysis. Elvis also carried out consultancy work for a variety of clients, including USAID, WHO, Eni Ghana Limited and various players in the mining, and energy sector in West Africa.
Elvis has a PhD in Transport Geography from the University of Ghana, where he researched accessibility and equity to healthcare and education in Accra. He also has a master's in environmental science from University of Hohenheim in Germany and a certified agronomist with a master's in agriculture from University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Why Elvis works for Clean Air Fund?
Over the years, I have experienced at first hand the increasing levels of air pollution and the negative health impact it can have on the environment and human health in West Africa. My role at Clean Air Fund allows me to make a positive impact through engaging stakeholders for actions and initiatives that can reduce air pollution levels, protect human health and contribute to reducing predicted climate impacts.
Gaia provides support to two directors in the Senior Leadership team, ensuring the directors and their teams work efficiently and effectively and that team projects are facilitated to run smoothly.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Programme Director
Gillian is responsible for programme design, execution, monitoring and development.
Gillian draws on over 30 years' experience in international development, working in a succession of advisory and managerial positions for the UK Government, the United Nations, and two global charities.
Gillian started out in life as an economist at DFID and the World Bank, but quickly specialised in health economics. She then moved to UNAIDS and UN Women where she focused on building programmes to empower women in the fight against HIV. More recently, Gillian has worked in conservation and urban development - focusing primarily on fundraising and grant making. She is a big picture thinker with strong analytic and strategic skills, and a passionate desire to achieve results.
Why Gillian works for Clean Air Fund:
Job Titles:
- Matrix and Development Manager
Gloria is responsible for the development and implementation of our learning and development strategy and the time allocation of employees.
Gloria brings 20 years of work experience in the space of learning and development, process re-engineering and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL). She has spent the last 8 years building systems for grassroots organisations in India, playing a pivotal role in creating a ground breaking programme to mitigate climate change that empowers rural women and communities. She is passionate about inclusion and equity and wants to contribute to creating a more equal world free from discrimination.
Gloria has a Bachelors in Social Work and Black Belt certification in Six Sigma.
Why Gloria works for Clean Air Fund
Job Titles:
- Member of the Trustees - Board
- Partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
Gunjan is an independent trustee on Clean Air Fund's Board.
Gunjan Shah is a Partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and serves on the Management Committee of the firm. She regularly advises large corporates and private equity funds on domestic and cross-border public and private merger and acquisition transactions. Gunjan is a fellow of the Aspen Global Network- Kamalnayan Bajaj fellowship. She has been recognised as one of India's top 40 business leaders under the age of 40 by the Economic Times - Spencer Stuart Survey, 2014.
Gunjan holds a Bachelor's degree in law from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore, and B.C.L from the University of Oxford. She specialises in general corporate, mergers and acquisition, private equity, corporate restructuring, debt restructuring and securities and takeover regulation in India.
Being a resident of New Delhi, India, Gunjan has experienced air pollution up and close. She is excited about the work that is being undertaken by the Clean Air Fund in promoting the protection and improvement of the environment and is delighted to be a part of the team at the Clean Air Fund.
Job Titles:
- Senior Communications Officer
Hester supports Clean Air Fund's communications and engagement with key audiences. From leading social media activities to coordinating events, she is responsible for growing our audiences and fostering deeper engagement.
Job Titles:
- Finance and Operations Lead - Breathe Cities
Ibiye manages and supports the delivery of Breathe Cities finances and operations, including support to grantees and ensuring financial effectiveness and efficiency across the initiative.
Imogen has over 15 years' experience of working on environment and health issues with a strong focus on strategy and communications. Prior to joining CAF Imogen ran a sustainability and communications consultancy providing strategic support to clients including the World Health Organization, the Global Climate and Health Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Why Imogen works for Clean Air Fund:
Irini develops and maintains partnerships with a range of stakeholders to help scale Clean Air Fund's new and existing programmes.
Irini has a background in international development and has worked for global NGOs for over 10 years. Prior to joining the Clean Air Fund, she was a Research Manager in the Climate and Health team at Wellcome where she focused on capacity building for a global climate and health community. She has also worked in the International Operations and Partnerships team at Wellcome, supporting significant research funding into Africa and Asia, managing a refugee education project with the Varkey Foundation in Ghana, and helping to secure philanthropic and government funding while in the fundraising team at the Carbon Disclosure Project.
Irini completed an MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies at the London School of Economics, and a bachelors in History at the University of Warwick.
Why Irini works for Clean Air Fund
Air pollution affects all aspects of our lives - our physical and mental health. The Clean Air Fund is a catalyst for change, and I am pleased to be part of an organisation that drives forward equitable solutions for clean air - from the local to the global.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Interim HR Director
Jacquie is responsible for leading and implementing the wider global people strategy.
Jacquie has several years of experience across organisations of varying sizes in both the public and private sectors. With substantial experience across all key areas of HR strategy and operations, particularly in startups and expanding businesses with a focus on development, teams and culture.
She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development with a Masters Degree in Strategic Human Resource Management from Nottingham Trent University.
Outside of work, Jacquie is a keen parkrunner. Organised by volunteers in over 21 countries, parkrun is a free weekly 5km which combines the benefit of physical activity outdoors with the mental health benefits of community.
Why Jacquie works for Clean Air Fund?
I am passionate about supporting individuals and organisations that combine purpose and business. The opportunity to work within a growing global organisation that is making a difference in the world we live and with colleagues whose commitment is energising.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Jane founded and leads the organisation.
Before setting up the organisation Jane worked as Head of Climate and Energy Science in the UK Government, where she was responsible for the UK greenhouse gas inventory and a £45m science programme. Previously, as Head of Energy and Environment at the National Physical Laboratory she managed a team of 150 scientists working in air quality, greenhouse gas measurement and renewable energy.
Jane has a background in social enterprise and management consulting and a first-class degree in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge.
Jane has spoken at Davos and the UN General Assembly. She has been interviewed about air pollution and the movement for clean air by the New York Times, BBC, Times Radio and for numerous podcasts. In January 2021, Jane delivered a Letter to the 21st Century on BBC Radio 4.
In 2020, Jane was profiled as one of WIRED's changemakers of tomorrow. She was named as a ‘Young Global Leader' of the World Economic Forum, as one of the ‘40 under 40 European Young Leaders' by Friends of Europe and was previously a UK Social Entrepreneur of the year.
Jane is also a trustee of Parkinson's UK and a keen triathlete.
Why Jane founded Clean Air Fund:
Jenaina provides support to philanthropic initiatives, strategic partnerships, campaigns and advocacy efforts.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Trustees - Board
- CEO of GIB Asset Management
Katherine is the Chair of Clean Air Fund's Board.
Katherine Garrett-Cox is CEO of GIB Asset Management, a sustainability-focused investment firm. Prior to joining GIB AM, Katherine was Chief Executive and Chief Investment Officer of Alliance Trust PLC and served as a member of the UK Prime Minister's Business Advisory Group and the Scottish Business Board. Outside of her work at GIB AM, Katherine is the Chair of the Clean Air Fund, Chair of CDP Worldwide, Chair of Gousto, and sits on the Advisory Board of The Valuable 500. Katherine is a Member of the UK Society of Investment Professionals, CFA Institute.
Katherine was nominated a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum in 2006 and was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours List for her services to charity and to the asset management industry.
Job Titles:
- Breathe Cities Communications Manager
Lauren leads on designing, managing and establishing global level communications activities for Breathe Cities.
Lauren has spent over a decade working in journalism, strategic communications and climate change in South Africa, Qatar and the UK. Prior to joining the Clean Air Fund, she led digital for WWF's global climate and energy division and overall communications for its climate business programme, and managed the digital presence of environmental non-profit and multilingual media outlet China Dialogue. She holds a master's degree in media from the University of Cape Town and a bachelors in journalism.
Why Lauren works for Clean Air Fund
Leah oversees all internal and external finance operations, including support to our grant programmes and ensuring financial effectiveness and efficiency across the organisation.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager - Breathe Cities
Lucile oversees the growth of Breathe Cities, including project management, inputting to strategy, developing new processes and more.
Lucile has worked on international development programmes since 2011, spending four years living and working in West and Central Africa, and then working from London to support programmes around the world. She worked for several NGOs, including Save the Children, ACTED and the Start Network, and led a grant-making mechanism for the French government to support locally led actions in Cote d'Ivoire. Over the last few years, Lucile specialised on public health programmes, supporting initiatives to tackle childhood illnesses including childhood pneumonia.
Her background is in development Economics, and she studied Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Luke supports the financial management of the organisation.
Job Titles:
- Funder Relations Specialist
Lydia has several years of experience building impactful, mission-driven partnerships across the public, private and third sectors. Before joining Clean Air Fund, she worked at Apolitical, driving the growth of a global network of public servants and policymakers to facilitate policy innovation and knowledge-sharing. She began her career in the consulting sector as a policy analyst with the US Department of Defence, then leading large-scale IT change projects for corporates.
She holds a Master's in Public Administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a BA in Comparative Literature from Brown University.
Lydia ensures high levels of donor satisfaction by meeting the needs of funders for information, reporting, insights and coordination.
Job Titles:
- Founding Employee
- Head of Data
Matt leads the Data portfolio, shaping the programme strategy and engaging with international stakeholders.
Matt is a founding employee of the Clean Air Fund and brings 10 years' experience in tackling global climate change. He leads the Clean Air Fund's work to increase access to air quality data globally. Matt sits on the governing board of OpenAQ, a US-based NGO, and is a part-time freelance consultant providing strategic support to mission-driven organisations. Matt is a Fellow of the Aspen Institute's Rising Leaders Fellowship and holds a master's degree in climate science.
Why Matt works for Clean Air Fund:
Mayuri Ganatra is a seasoned dual qualified Barrister and Solicitor with over 20 years of legal working experience in the UK and Canada collectively. She has always been inspired to work in areas of the law that will make a difference on a wider level, ranging from domestic abuse to participating in actions against the Canadian government on behalf of the native America Indian bands.
Before joining Clean Air Fund, Mayuri worked with a company providing care and support to vulnerable adults managing mental health challenges. Prior to that, Mayuri owned, operated and managed her own general law practice in Canada. Outside of work, Mayuri has volunteered on the Board of Directors of a Canadian charity as well as volunteer at ground level with a number of organisations.
Why Mayuri works for Clean Air Fund
Job Titles:
- Digital Communications Manager
Michal oversees the development of Clean Air Fund's digital channels and content production.
Michal has over ten years' experience in communications and digital media across the international development and education sectors.
His previous roles include Communications Manager for Bond, the UK's foremost international NGO network, where he led on content strategy, brand and digital development. He was also Global Communications Manager at Brooke, where he managed strategic campaigns on sustainable development and global health. He trained as a journalist in South Africa and holds a Masters in Media and Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London.
Why Michal works for Clean Air Fund:
Michal is part of the EU Portfolio team and supports with stakeholder engagement, portfolio management and programme strategy.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Operations & Finance Director
Mike oversees financial management, people management, governance, legal and risk.
Mike has over 20 years of professional experience and for the past decade has held a range of senior management roles within the international development sector, most recently with Farm Africa, including spending time as head of Farm Africa's Regional Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mike has also been part of a sector wide working group, working with DFID on their budgeting and contracting mechanisms for NGOs.
Mike began his career as a chartered accountant with KPMG, and completed his degree in Management Science at Warwick University.
Why Mike works for Clean Air Fund:
As a father, I am acutely aware of the impact of air pollution on the development and health of children. Ensuring our organisation has the right operations and finance processes in place ultimately makes our work more impactful, and brings us closer to clean air.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Trustees - Board
- Partner
- Partner and Board Member at Aera VC
Milena is an independent trustee on Clean Air Fund's Board.
Milena is Partner and Board Member at Aera VC, a global venture capital firm investing in transformative technologies to reverse climate change and accelerate the world towards a sustainable future.
Milena has over 20 years of finance experience, spanning investment banking (M&A and IPO advisory), wealth management, venture capital investing and start-up advisory. She holds a MSc Degree in International Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics. She is co-chair of the Climate Solutions Committee at the Singapore Venture & Private Capital Association. She is also involved in several philanthropic initiatives and is on the Board of Gojo & Co, a financial inclusion group.
Milena brings a passion for the Clean Air Fund's mission to deliver clean air for all, and a strong belief that human and planetary health are inextricably linked.
Mugdha provides strategic and programmatic leadership to Clean Air Fund's operations in India.
Job Titles:
- Head of the Executive Director 's Office and Special Projects
Nick ensures the smooth-running of the Executive Director's office, assists with strategic planning, supports the Senior Leadership Team, and manages special projects.
Nidhi contributes to the delivery of Clean Air Fund's mission, through driving the design, management and impact assessment of a portfolio of grants in India.
Nina leads the Health portfolio, engaging with stakeholders in the field and shaping the programme strategy.
Job Titles:
- Senior Analyst, Breathe Cities
Niyati provides project and grant management support to the Breathe Cities initiative. Her role also involves designing, managing, monitoring, and evaluating philanthropic grants.
Job Titles:
- Portfolio Manager - South Africa
Nokuthula leads the delivery of the new Breathe Cities initiative for Johannesburg in South Africa.
Olivia supports our data team and other core work areas, including the design, management, monitoring and evaluation of philanthropic initiatives and programmes.
Job Titles:
- Expert Member of the National Clean Air Program, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
Rachels supports core work areas, including the design, management and delivery of philanthropic initiatives, strategic partnerships, campaigns and advocacy efforts.
Job Titles:
- Senior Executive Assistant and Support Manager
Rachel provides support for the Executive Director and the Senior Leadership Team, and aids the smooth running of the organisation.
Rhochell provides human resource operational support and advice to managers and staff in the UK and internationally to ensure legal compliance and best practice.
Job Titles:
- Senior Fellow
- Consultant - Public Health
Rob is a Senior Fellow providing public health input and advice to the Clean Air Fund.
Job Titles:
- Founder, Director and Trustee of the Ella Roberta Family Foundation
Job Titles:
- Private Sector Engagement Manager
Roshni manages key global private sector partnerships to achieve private sector emissions reduction.
Rosie leads the Clean Air Fund's global advocacy, working to get policy makers around the world to address the issue of air pollution.
Sammy is responsible for day-to-day management of the UK office and aiding the smooth running of the organisation.
Job Titles:
- Head of Private Sector Engagement ( Maternity Cover )
Sara is responsible for all global private sector partnerships and efforts to reduce corporate air pollution.
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Operations Manager
Satvir works with outsourced providers to ensure the smooth operation and full compliance of the two India entities.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships
Sean is responsible for resource mobilisation, building alliances to achieve clean air and effectively communicating the challenges and solutions to air pollution.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Executive Director of Programmes
Shirish oversees our expanding national and regional programmes.
Job Titles:
- Interim Portfolio Manager - Data
Shriram manages the Data Portfolio with strategy, programme development and management and stakeholder management.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Chief Impact Officer
Sietske is Clean Air Fund's Chief Impact Officer, overseeing how evidence can drive decisions, practice, and impact to create a future where everyone breaths clean air.
Stefanie supports the European Union and Member States Portfolio with strategy, programme development and management and stakeholder engagement.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer of IKEA Foundation
Sue is responsible for shaping and delivering our strategic communications.
Job Titles:
- Talent Acquisition and Onboarding Manager
Susie looks after recruitment and makes sure new starters are supported from interview through to induction.
Job Titles:
- Operations and Security Manager
Tim leads on the implementation of processes and practices across Breathe Cities.
Tom leads the Super Pollutants portfolio, engaging with stakeholders in the field, shaping the programme strategy and providing technical input across the organisation's work.
Job Titles:
- Head of Evidence and Learning
Tom supports the MEL team with a particular focus on the data, systems and processes needed to understand the progress we are making to bring clean air to all.
Tom is responsible for building partnerships with foundations to support Clean Air Fund's work across our geographies and thematic priorities.
Victoria supports the Ghana portfolio with strategy and programme and stakeholder management.
Vumile is responsible for providing strategic and programmatic leadership for Clean Air Fund's activities in South Africa.
Yasmine helps to develop, implement and evaluate health-related grants, across multiple teams and task managers in a matrix system.