When you think of climate finance, numbers and spreadsheets might come to mind. But at Nexus for Development, it’s the people behind the work who make the difference. Meet a handful of our team driving finance to climate enterprises across key markets in Asia.
Laura Alsenas, Executive Director leads a small and agile team who have been on the ground in Southeast Asia, unlocking carbon and debt finance for 15 years: “Our mission is simple but powerful, ensuring climate finance reaches the enterprises that create real impact for communities too often left behind.”
On the carbon finance side, Michael Papi, Head of Carbon Finance, Dr. Sovanna Mean, Carbon Finance Project Manager, Silke Neugebohrn, Carbon Portfolio Manager, and carbon finance’s extended team, work hand-in-hand with local enterprises on technical services, project development and sales. Michael says, “We make sure the projects we fund aren’t just good on paper, they meet all of the technical standards, but they drive huge impact in the communities where they are based”. Sovanna adds, “Seeing funds flow into initiatives that empower people and local communities in the region is what keeps me motivated every day.”
Theary Khut, Head of Finance, our longest-serving staff member, with almost 10 years with the international non-profit: “I’ve seen how careful financial management and a deep understanding of our partners on the ground can make every dollar count and drive meaningful climate impact,” she says.
Building these projects is no small task. Chanvibol Meng, Carbon Technical Services Manager, explains: “Our goal is to design projects that reduce emissions while strengthening community resilience.”
Together, these six faces represent just some of the team who are working to bridge global capital with local climate solutions that create lasting change.