Susan Forester
Strategic advisor at C-suite/Board level
Strategic advisor at C-suite/Board level
Susan acts as a strategic advisor at C-suite/Board level with an emphasis on sustainable investment across a range of sectors (energy/renewables, healthcare, finance/insurance.) This senior advisory work is principally focused on early-stage investment funds and new business ventures in Africa. Recent work has had a strong climate finance focus, with an emphasis on carbon markets and nature-based solutions.
Over the years, Susan has demonstrated leadership in the areas of stakeholder management, fund-raising, fund structuring, impact strategy and operational implementation/project management, while leveraging an extensive network within the development finance community. Previously employed by the CDC Group (now BII, British International Investment), she has also managed projects for KfW/UK FCDO, as well as collaborating with a range of impact investors including Blue Orchard, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Mastercard Foundation, VisionFund and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI.)
Examples of projects successfully completed include establishing the Natural Disaster Fund, originating a catalytic investment strategy for CDC Group, designing a fund structure for the UNDP, as well as executing an impact investment strategy for a Kenya-based company and writing a gender inclusivity policy for Lion’s Head Global Partners. In addition to extensive work in the development finance sector, Susan spent 10 years with major global investment banks (Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers.) She holds advanced degrees in finance and economics, most recently from SOAS, University of London.
Susan acts as a strategic advisor at C-suite/Board level with an emphasis on sustainable investment across a range of sectors (energy/renewables, healthcare, finance/insurance.) This senior advisory work is principally focused on early-stage investment funds and new business ventures in Africa. Recent work has had a strong climate finance focus, with an emphasis on carbon markets and nature-based solutions.
Over the years, Susan has demonstrated leadership in the areas of stakeholder management, fund-raising, fund structuring, impact strategy and operational implementation/project management, while leveraging an extensive network within the development finance community. Previously employed by the CDC Group (now BII, British International Investment), she has also managed projects for KfW/UK FCDO, as well as collaborating with a range of impact investors including Blue Orchard, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Mastercard Foundation, VisionFund and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI.)
Examples of projects successfully completed include establishing the Natural Disaster Fund, originating a catalytic investment strategy for CDC Group, designing a fund structure for the UNDP, as well as executing an impact investment strategy for a Kenya-based company and writing a gender inclusivity policy for Lion’s Head Global Partners. In addition to extensive work in the development finance sector, Susan spent 10 years with major global investment banks (Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers.) She holds advanced degrees in finance and economics, most recently from SOAS, University of London.
