Hanna Line Jakobsen, Director of Business Development at UNICEF Denmark and former President of the Danish Red Cross, will head up the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s social and humanitarian activities and will thus be responsible for delivering the Foundation’s new strategy in this area.
The Foundation plans to significantly increase its support for social and humanitarian initiatives in the coming years. The Foundation wants contribute to improving the quality of life and the opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people through education, developing general competencies and health initiatives.
“I have worked on initiatives for disadvantaged children and young people for more than 20 years, and I am very motivated to find solutions that provide them with both a good childhood and a good start in their adult life. I am therefore excited to be leading the Foundation’s new strategy in the social and humanitarian area and thereby to contribute to creating real improvements in the opportunities for children and young people,” says Hanna Line Jakobsen.
Hanna Line Jakobsen’s current position is Director of Business Development and member of the executive management of UNICEF Denmark, where she has been responsible, among other things, for developing partnerships and collaborations with companies, foundations and major private donors.
Previously, she was President of the Danish Red Cross, with overall responsibility for the strategy at the aid organization. She has also worked as a project manager at the Obel Family Foundation in the social and health area.
“Birgitte Nauntofte, CEO, Novo Nordisk Foundation, says: ”Having Hanna Line Jakobsen join the Foundation will benefit us enormously. Her insight, knowledge and experience from the social and humanitarian sector and her infectious commitment will strengthen the Foundation significantly as we increase our support within the social and humanitarian area in the coming years.”
Hanna Line Jakobsen’s title will be Head of Social, Humanitarian and Development Aid. She will start in the new position on 1 December.
About Hanna Line Jakobsen
Born in 1981 in Odder, Denmark
- 2017–2018: Director of Business Development, UNICEF Denmark
- 2014–2017: President (chair of the Governing Board), Danish Red Cross
- 2011–2017: Project Manager, Obel Family Foundation
- 2007–2011: Senior Consultant, Danish Association of Lawyers and Economists
- 2005–2009: Chair, Danish Red Cross Youth
Hanna Line Jakobsen has an MSc degree in administration from Roskilde University (2007) and a graduate degree in management (2009) from the Copenhagen University College of Engineering. She is currently completing an Executive MBA programme at Henley Business School
Further information
Christian Mostrup Scheel, Senior Press Officer, Novo Nordisk Foundation
phone: +45 3067 4805, [email protected]
