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A Career Shaped by Curiosity, Not Planning
Satu's career path illustrates an important truth: meaningful careers often emerge from following genuine interests rather than rigid planning. At 22, she accepted an opportunity with the Finnish Red Cross to work in a youth development program in Ethiopia, spending a year in a small town working with surrounding villages.
That experience became foundational. She witnessed both the incredible knowledge within those communities and the solvable challenges they faced. "Ever since, I've always kind of thought back to that time and those people that I worked with," she reflects. "This is what I'm working for."
Her career evolved through interest and opportunity. After joining the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she headed Finland's bilateral program in Tanzania from 2004-2008, giving her a fundamental understanding of how aid works and how to collaborate with multilateral and bilateral partners. Her tenure at the World Bank Board gained her a different perspective on development finance that ultimately led her to IFAD, and, currently, the NDF.
NDF's Distinctive Approach in Climate Finance
Since NDF received its climate mandate in 2009, the field has transformed dramatically. What was once an emerging area with basic unanswered questions - What counts as climate finance? How does it translate into sectors - is now established, encompassing far more private sector engagement and innovative financial instruments.
What makes NDF unique? It's about finding the right niche and focusing on genuine additionality. NDF positions itself as a complementary player, filling specific gaps rather than competing with larger institutions. The fund focuses on three priority areas: private sector climate solutions, water and climate resilience, and green industrial transitions.
The emphasis is on catalytic action, using limited resources to unlock larger flows of finance. This might mean taking first-loss positions that make projects viable for other investors, providing technical assistance for bankable projects, or supporting innovations that can be scaled by others. Partnership is central, working extensively with multilateral development banks, bilateral institutions, and private sector actors to create conditions for much larger investments to flow into climate action.
What It Takes to Build a Career in Climate Finance
For those considering careers in this space, Satu offers several insights:
Embrace learning opportunities outside your job description. She volunteered to represent the Nordic Baltic constituency at international meetings during her World Bank tenure. Though not officially part of her role, this gave her visibility, helped her build a network, and provided deep learning. Sometimes being "a little bit out of your depth" creates the best learning opportunities.
Build genuine expertise in specific areas. The field has become increasingly specialized. Whether it's financial instruments, sector-specific technical knowledge, or regional expertise, depth matters. Understanding both climate and development dimensions is essential.
Don't underestimate communication skills. Building partnerships, negotiating complex deals, and translating technical concepts for diverse audiences requires clear communication and relationship-building abilities.
Stay curious and open to opportunities. Satu's career illustrates how following genuine interests and being ready to grasp different opportunities can lead to unexpected and fulfilling paths.
Working at a Nordic Institution
For those considering opportunities at NDF, the work culture is distinctive. The Nordic approach means low hierarchy and direct communication. Everyone is expected to voice their opinions and take ownership, coming up with solutions rather than being told exactly what to do step-by-step.
With a small team of 32 people (the administrative services are provided by the co-located Nordic Investment Bank), everyone genuinely counts. You're not just one person among hundreds, you're the person taking specific things forward. NDF is co-located with the Nordic Investment Bank and Nefco, creating a Nordic cluster with shared activities and a supportive international community.
The Bigger Picture
From that formative year in Ethiopia to leading an international climate finance institution, Satu's career has been anchored by a commitment to addressing solvable challenges and making a genuine difference. Organizations like NDF play a specific role in the climate finance ecosystem; not trying to do everything, but focusing on where they can add value through catalytic investments, innovative approaches, and strategic partnerships.
For those building careers in this space, the message is both practical and encouraging. You don't need to have everything planned out. Follow your genuine interests, build real expertise, embrace opportunities to learn, and stay focused on the communities and challenges you're ultimately working to serve.