Equipo

Since joining the Fund in 2019, Kurbiel is responsible for leading this flagship development fund at the UN, currently capitalized to US$ 275 million, to accelerate SDGs achievement in the global south.  She leads the Fund’s inter-agency engagement across multilateral and international organizations, whilst developing new, innovative partnerships with the private sector, from global asset managers and financial institutions to foundations and family offices. A passionate human rights advocate, she has cultivated and managed partnerships with key business entities, civil society organizations and philanthropies, always focused on the most vulnerable.  

Kurbiel brings over 22 years of experience, having served across the UN system, including in Somalia, South Sudan, Mozambique and Kenya. Her skills include public policy and legislative reform, strategic communications and advocacy and innovative financing solutions. Lisa received her Juris Doctor from Saint John’s University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from Niagara University.  She and her husband reside in NYC and are the proud parents of their two amazing teenagers. 

Heew Kim is the Reporting & Evaluation Specialist in charge of M&E and result data analysis/reporting at the Joint SDG Fund. Before joining the Joint Fund, he served as corporate RBM specialist at UNCDF leading design of its Strategic Framework and investment impact measurements as well as managing corporate monitoring and reporting to the UNDP Executive Board. Prior to this, Heew worked as programme specialist at UNDP Egypt leading the Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Livelihoods portfolio and also serving as country resilience focal point for the joint UN response to the Syrian refugee crisis. Heew also worked with the Korean National Commission for UNESCO managing an Asia-Pacific regional ODA fund for education development, as a political and economic risk analyst with a UK-based risk assessment firm in London, and as an intelligence officer with the South Korean military, including a tour in Iraq with the multi-national peacebuilding force in Erbil. Heew has master’s degrees in International Affairs from the London School of Economics (LSE), UK and from Peking University, China, and an undergraduate degree from Korea University.

Nenad (Ned) Rava has 20+ years of professional experience in Strategic Development focusing on Systemic Design, Strategic Foresight, Social Innovation, Policy and Institutional Change, Learning, Leadership and Stakeholder Dialogue. He has facilitated complex systems change on 60+ initiatives led by, amongst others, the UN, the World Bank, and the EU. Ned works on coherence and integration across “silos” and has contributed to: Business Innovation (Platforms, Incubators, Labs, SMEs, Social Enterprises), Social Policy (Education, Healthcare, Social Protection), Public Administration Reform and Decentralization, Local Economic and Community Development, International and Regional Cooperation, and Democratic Governance.

Ned has a BSC in Management, an MA and PhD in Comparative Politics, and a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation. He has produced 50+ strategic publications and designed and delivered over 100 training and educational programs.  Amongst others, Ned published a book “Platforms Everywhere: Transforming Organizations by Integrating Ecosystems in Business Design” and on chapter on Systemic Policy Design in the “Handbook of Systems Sciences”.

Elizabeth works for the United Nations Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund as the Head of Communications where she advocates and promotes the Sustainable Development Goals. She is the focal point in communications for all global joint programmes as well as, external communications for the Fund. Before joining the Fund, she served as UNICEF Kenya's Communications Specialist in Advocacy and Partnerships, focused on health, education, and child protection. Previously, worked with UNICEF USA National Committee in events fundraising, and prior with UNHCR in emergency response during the refugee migration crisis in Greece.   

Sébastien serves as a Programme Specialist, contributing to the governance of the Joint SDG Fund, providing programmatic assistance to Resident Coordinators through the Integrated Policy and Capacity Building funding track, and fostering strategic coherence among the Fund, the Development Coordination Office (DCO) and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General.

Sébastien has over 8 years of international experience within public, multilateral, private and non-profit sectors. Before joining the Joint SDG Fund, he contributed to the Resident Coordinator system by working with the DCO Regional Liaison Office for Africa in New York, involving missions to Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as with the Resident Coordinator Office in North Macedonia. Before joining the UN, Sébastien worked in consulting for international clients, in economic affairs at the Swiss Embassy in Vietnam and with a non-governmental organization in Switzerland. Sébastien holds a BSc in Economics and a MSc in Management. He is native in French, and fluent in English.

Beth Waweru is an experienced investment and development specialist with a strong track record in mobilizing capital for social impact, particularly in climate change, education, and environmental sustainability. At the UN Joint SDG Fund, she leverages private sector insights to drive innovative financing solutions and strategic partnerships that catalyze investments in Africa’s renewable energy sector. 

Prior to joining the Fund, Beth served as Group Director of Strategic Human Capital at Equity Group Holdings, a leading financial services group operating in six East African countries. In this role, she played a key part in shaping the organization’s talent strategy, leadership development, and governance frameworks. Through Equity Group Foundation (the social impact arm), she also led high-impact initiatives, including an $80 million annual education portfolio that provided scholarships and leadership development programs for over 60,000 scholars. 

With a PhD in Geography focused on climate change and food security from Carleton University in Canada, a Master’s in Environmental Management from Yale University in the USA, and a background in BSc Chemistry from Kenya, Beth brings a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic leadership. Passionate about cross-sector collaboration, she has worked extensively with governments, development agencies, philanthropic organizations and private investors to unlock resources and technical support for projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Brazilian native, currently living in Paris where I recently graduated from my Master in Environmental Policy at SciencesPo. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and before coming to France I had the opportunity to work for the private sector in Brazil and for the Inter-American Development Bank in Barbados.  At the IDB I specially supported projects, across Latin American and the Caribbean, to leverage finance for MSMEs and low-income households to build resilience to climate change.  During my last work experience with the Institute for Climate Economics in Paris I managed research projects focused on the role of financial regulation in supporting the transition towards a low-carbon economy.

Rena supports the management of the seed funding portfolio of the joint programmes at the Joint SDG Fund. Prior to joining the Fund, she served as a policy analyst at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in France, where she led projects on responsible business conduct in agricultural supply chains and engagement with governments, businesses and civil society across Asia. Her previous experience also includes serving as a project formulation advisor for value chain and private sector development at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Senegal and as a consultant at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the United States where she promoted knowledge sharing on inclusive business models. Rena holds an MA in International Development and a BA in Economics.

Ece is a versatile Communications Specialist with a background in Economics, combining analytical thinking with creative problem-solving to deliver impactful communication solutions. Currently serving as a Communications Consultant for the United Nations Joint SDG Fund, she is responsible for strategic communication planning, content creation, and brand management. Ece crafts comprehensive communication strategies tailored to resonate with diverse audiences, drawing upon her experience in the United Nations System and The Boeing Company. Her well-rounded perspective enables her to navigate complex organizational structures and effectively promote sustainable development.

June Akhwale is a dedicated Monitoring and Reporting Officer at the Joint SDG Fund, actively contributing to the organization's mission of advancing sustainable development. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in economics to her role, ensuring effective oversight and reporting on projects that drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. June holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Financial Economics, a testament to her commitment to understanding the intricacies of financial systems and their intersection with sustainable development. Her academic background and professional experiences have equipped her with the skills necessary to ensure that the Joint SDG Fund's projects are not only aligned with the goals but are also financially sound and sustainable.

Jamaa Abdi Maalim is a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) specialist with over eight years of experience in international development and humanitarian sectors. As M&E Officer at the UN Joint SDG Fund, he enhances impact measurement, accountability, and data-driven decision-making to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He holds a master’s in economics and a bachelor’s in economics and statistics from the University of Nairobi, along with an M&E certification from Amref Health Africa. His previous roles include Regional M&E Officer at Mercy-USA, managing a $13M USAID-OFDA project, and MEARL Manager, overseeing UN-funded emergency response programs in nutrition, food security, and WASH.

At the UN Joint SDG Fund, Jamaa will contribute to Mid-Term Reviews and Evaluations, refining M&E frameworks, strengthening reporting, and fostering stakeholder collaboration. His expertise in results-based management and strategic evaluation drives transparency, learning, and sustainable development impact. 

Alexandra serves as a Youth Engagement Associate at the UN Joint SDG Fund, where she works on strengthening and raising the visibility of youth participation in programs. Her role focuses on ensuring that young people's voices are heard and considered in the development of strategic initiatives, promoting their visibility and influence in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She has over three years of experience in adolescent and youth development and participation, providing technical assistance to national and territorial entities and organizations to strengthen youth leadership and advocacy. She has served as a social professional and focal point for FAO at Corporación Opción Legal, supporting land formalization processes and training on tenure rights. She has also worked with UNICEF Colombia in the Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) Program, fostering life skills and promoting youth participation in various spaces. Additionally, she has designed innovative methodologies to enhance adolescent advocacy and has implemented tools such as "Semillas de Cambio" to empower organizations and youth platforms. Her approach combines social art with human rights advocacy, ensuring the meaningful participation of adolescents and young people.