Novo Nordisk Foundation

Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen was appointed as CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation in March 2021.

Novo Nordisk

Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen joined Novo Nordisk in 1991 as Head of Growth Hormone Research. In 1994, he was appointed Senior Vice President of Diabetes R&D, and in November 2000 he became Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. In this capacity, he was responsible for global drug and device research, CMC and global development, medical affairs, regulatory and safety within Novo Nordisk. During this tenure, he oversaw the development and approval of more than 20 medicinal products.

Other positions and management duties

Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen is currently a member of the board of BB Biotech AG. He has been chairman of the board of the University of Copenhagen as well as President of the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences, and served on the editorial boards of several international, peer-reviewed journals. In addition to this, he has been Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen since 2000.

Education

1991: DSc (Veterinary Science), the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark)

1989: PhD, the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark

1986: DVM, the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen

Contact

PA Heidi Toft
[email protected]
+45 3079 0250

Overall responsible for the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s development and implementation of research and development programmes within health and global health.

• To honor the legacy of the Foundation in cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) research and care for people living with diabetes
• To foster significant advances and equity in the prevention and management of CMDs, infectious diseases and other key health outcomes through basic research, clinical research, innovation, implementation as well as health economics and policy analysis
• To advance the Foundation’s engagement with international partners working within global health
• To improve nutritional health, food security and local food systems in LMICs and humanitarian settings
• To support the building of NNF as a world-leading philanthropic organization

Joined the Foundation in 2022.

Contact
Senior PA to CSO, Trine Barenkopf
[email protected]
+45 2888 1991

Overall responsible for the establishment and allocation of Novo Nordisk Foundation’s grants and activities within natural sciences, technical sciences, and interdisciplinary research, including the areas of quantum and data science. The activities include:

• Strategic initiatives such as the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Quantum Computing Programme (NQCP), Quantum Foundry Copenhagen, DCAI, and the Challenge programmes within natural and technical sciences.
• Competitive grants, such as the NERD Programme, Project Grants, the recruitment programmes RECRUIT and Start Packages, as well as the foundation’s open competition programmes within interdisciplinary research, data science, and infrastructure.
• Collaboration with stakeholders in the national and international research landscape, including international universities and companies.

Joined the Foundation in 2019.

As Chief Portfolio Officer, Søren Nedergaard plays a central role in ensuring that the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Strategy 2030 is effectively translated into action through the Foundation’s portfolio management. His task is to bridge strategic ambition with operational execution, ensuring that all portfolio activities are aligned with long-term goals.

A key part of his mandate is to lead the transformation of the Foundation into a truly project-centric organisation. This involves embedding project thinking into the core of how the Foundation operates—shaping structures, processes and culture to support project-based planning, execution and evaluation.

Søren is also responsible for driving the Foundation’s internationalisation efforts. He oversees the implementation of the global strategy, working to expand NNF’s presence and partnerships internationally, and ensuring that the Foundation’s global activities are coherent and strategically aligned.

In parallel, he is tasked with fostering a strong and unified organisational culture across all geographies. This means supporting the development of a shared identity and values that bind the global NNF community together, regardless of location.

Finally, Søren is committed to advancing excellence in Education and Outreach within Denmark, while also promoting international collaboration in education. His work supports the development of high-quality educational initiatives that not only serve national priorities but also contribute to global knowledge exchange and capacity building.

Overall responsible for Finance, Grant Management, Corporate IT, Building Investments and Digital & Business Excellence at the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

• State-authorised public accountant
• Member of the steering committee for the Head Quarters and Subsidiary project, as well as board member of Cellerator, NNF Kenya and NNF India

Trine Haastrup has more than 18 years of experience in auditing and advising large Danish and multinational clients. For the past 5+ years, Trine has held leadership positions within finance at Novo Nordisk and Vestas Wind Systems, working closely with Executive Management and the Audit Committee, with responsibility for financial and sustainability reporting, strategy execution, compliance and support for complex acquisitions.

Joined the Foundation in 2025.

Contact:
Senior PA to CFO Maia McCarthy
[email protected]
+45 2573 2204

Overall responsible for Legal, IP, Governance, and Risk & Compliance at the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

• Additionally, Board Secretary and responsible for the Board Secretariat in both the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Novo Holdings A/S.
• Lawyer.
• Serves on the board of Danish Centre for AI Innovation A/S, Quantum Foundry P/S, and NIVI Development P/S.

Joined the Foundation in 2023.

Contact PA
Senior PA Susan Nielsen
[email protected]
+45 5354 5607

Head of Corporate Affairs in the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Novo Holdings.

• Responsible for internal and external communication activities
• Responsible for stakeholder relations of the Foundation and Novo Holdings
• Responsible for public affairs in the Foundation and Novo Holdings

Joined the Foundation in 2016.

Overall responsible for the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s development and implementation of research and development programmes within health and global health.

• To honor the legacy of the Foundation in cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) research and care for people living with diabetes
• To foster significant advances and equity in the prevention and management of CMDs, infectious diseases and other key health outcomes through basic research, clinical research, innovation, implementation as well as health economics and policy analysis
• To advance the Foundation’s engagement with international partners working within global health
• To improve nutritional health, food security and local food systems in LMICs and humanitarian settings
• To support the building of NNF as a world-leading philanthropic organization

Joined the Foundation in 2022.

Contact
Senior PA to CSO, Trine Barenkopf
[email protected]
+45 2888 1991

Head of the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Biomedicine Programme Area.

Supports the development and implementation of new strategic initiatives and research programmes within fundamental biomedical research, including cardiometabolic diseases and regenerative medicine.

Employed in the foundation since 2024.

Contact
[email protected]

Contact PA
Susanne Louise Petersen
[email protected]
+45 2069 5948

Responsible for Novo Nordisk Foundation’s grants and initiatives within clinical medicine and nutrition research and development, with a focus on cardiometabolic diseases. Our key activities include:

• Driving strategic initiatives that advance research, innovation, implementation, and education—both nationally and globally—within our focus area, including:
  • Research into disease mechanisms, prevention, management, and treatment
  • Research supporting sustainable and equitable health systems and care delivery
• Providing strategic grants through open competition to support high-quality clinical and translational research
• Fostering collaboration with national and international stakeholders across academia, industry, and  key organizations

Contact
[email protected]
+45 20 97 90 16

Contact PA
PA & Team Coordinator Eva Mechlenburg
[email protected]
+45 41 72 79 42

Cardiologist and clinical researcher. Overall responsible for the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Cardiovascular Medicine department (part of Medical Science) and activities that relate to cardiovascular disease.

• Responsible for large initiatives focusing on cardiovascular disease, including epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions
• Responsible for contacts with external collaborations and stakeholdes such as professional organisations and research groups that are active in the cardiovascular field

Joined the foundation in December 2022.

Contact PA
PA & Team Coordinator Susanne Louise Petersen
[email protected]
+45 2069 5948

Head of the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Infectious Diseases Programme area.

• Support the development and implementation of new strategic initiatives and research programs within Infectious Diseases.
• Develop partnerships and contribute to the global visibility and impact of the foundation’s activities within Infectious Diseases.

Joined the Foundation in 2022.

Contact PA
Anette Egknud
[email protected]
+45 2073 9501

Overall responsible for Novo Nordisk Foundation’s portfolios on health promotion, disease prevention and health equity, as well as health systems and economics in Denmark, the Nordics and EU.

Responsible for developing and managing the Foundation’s global health portfolio including Partnership for Education of Health Professionals (PEP).

Joined the foundation in 2016.

Contact
[email protected]
+45 3067 4856

Contact PA
PA & Team Coordinator Eva Mechlenburg
[email protected]
+45 41 72 79 42

Overall responsible for the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s engagement with humanitarian partners working within the health sector and/or food systems transformation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and in acute emergency situations.

• Responsible for strategic initiatives and partnerships focused at creating positive humanitarian and development outcomes for vulnerable populations in LMICs.
• Responsible for partnership and grantmaking via open humanitarian calls and acute responses.
• Contact with partners and stakeholders in the above areas.

Joined the foundation in 2024.

Contact PA
Anette Egknud
[email protected]
+45 2073 9501

Overall responsible for the establishment and allocation of Novo Nordisk Foundation’s grants and activities within natural sciences, technical sciences, and interdisciplinary research, including the areas of quantum and data science. The activities include:

• Strategic initiatives such as the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Quantum Computing Programme (NQCP), Quantum Foundry Copenhagen, DCAI, and the Challenge programmes within natural and technical sciences.
• Competitive grants, such as the NERD Programme, Project Grants, the recruitment programmes RECRUIT and Start Packages, as well as the foundation’s open competition programmes within interdisciplinary research, data science, and infrastructure.
• Collaboration with stakeholders in the national and international research landscape, including international universities and companies.

Joined the Foundation in 2019.

Responsible for the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s activities within technical sciences including research infrastructure, technology, and data science.

• Research grants in open competition within research infrastructure and data science programmes as well as research dissemination activities.
• Strategic initiatives within technical sciences and research infrastructure
• Information meetings on the Novo Nordisk Foundations’s programmes in open competition
• Contact with stakeholders within the areas above

Joined the foundation in 2023

Responsible for leading the activities in the Biotech area that covers biological solutions for agriculture, food systems and biomanufacturing.

• He has been Professor of Biomass and Bioenergy at Copenhagen University (~20 years).
• Claus Felby has a long academic and industrial career as researcher and professor. He has led large research programmes and is the inventor on several patents.
• His previous work spans fundamental research on enzymes and microorganisms, industrial process development and scaling, international advisory committees and environmental impact assessment.

Joined the Foundation in 2019.

Responsible for activities within the Novo Nordisk Foundation regarding innovation and entrepreneurship.

• Mikkel drives activities in innovation and entrepreneurship. His team is a critical bridge between scientific programme areas, incubators (e.g. BII) and the early commercial activities of Novo Seeds.
• Mikkel has a role in boosting the innovation and start-up ecosystem through diverse funding instruments (pre-seed investment)

Joined the Foundation in 2016.

Contact PA
PA & Team Coordinator Louise Hindenburg
[email protected]
+45 3142 6288

As Chief Portfolio Officer, Søren Nedergaard plays a central role in ensuring that the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Strategy 2030 is effectively translated into action through the Foundation’s portfolio management. His task is to bridge strategic ambition with operational execution, ensuring that all portfolio activities are aligned with long-term goals.

A key part of his mandate is to lead the transformation of the Foundation into a truly project-centric organisation. This involves embedding project thinking into the core of how the Foundation operates—shaping structures, processes and culture to support project-based planning, execution and evaluation.

Søren is also responsible for driving the Foundation’s internationalisation efforts. He oversees the implementation of the global strategy, working to expand NNF’s presence and partnerships internationally, and ensuring that the Foundation’s global activities are coherent and strategically aligned.

In parallel, he is tasked with fostering a strong and unified organisational culture across all geographies. This means supporting the development of a shared identity and values that bind the global NNF community together, regardless of location.

Finally, Søren is committed to advancing excellence in Education and Outreach within Denmark, while also promoting international collaboration in education. His work supports the development of high-quality educational initiatives that not only serve national priorities but also contribute to global knowledge exchange and capacity building.

Stine is responsible for the overall People & Organisation function at the Novo Nordisk Foundation. This includes Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partnering, HR Operations, Compensation, Rewards, and Learning and Development.

• Experienced leader, HR professional, consultant, facilitator, and coach specializing in global leadership, DEI, cultural transformations, and virtual global collaborations.
• Has led strategic HR agendas in organisational development, M&A’s, cultural transformations, globalisation, leadership development, L&D, talent acquisition, talent management, and more.
• Advisory member of The Diversity Council in the Confederation of Danish Industry since 2020.

Contact PA
PA & Team Coordinator Mia Hauge Linders
[email protected]
+45 2277 8550

Overall responsible for the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s distributions and activities within natural science education and outreach, within research in art and art history, and within social science research related to the green transition.

• Responsible for strategic initiatives and grants in open competition within education and science communication as well as art and art historical research
• Responsible for grants within interdisciplinary education and social sciences related to the green transition
• Contact with stakeholders within the above areas

Joined the foundation in 2015.

Contact PA
PA and Team Coordinator Malene Gildberg
[email protected]
+45 2213 9172

As Director of Impact, Projects & Portfolio, Louise Riisgaard is responsible for translating the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s ambitious Strategy 2030 into tangible action across the Foundation’s projects and portfolio. She operates at the intersection of strategic vision and operational execution, ensuring that every initiative contributes meaningfully to the Foundation’s long-term goals.

• A key part of her role is to strengthen the Foundation’s ability to think and act in a project-oriented way – from idea generation, planning and implementation to evaluation. This involves embedding project-based structures, processes and cultures that make the organisation more agile, focused, and impactful.
• Louise also leads efforts to measure and demonstrate impact, ensuring that the Foundation’s investments not only deliver on their stated ambitions but also create genuine and lasting change. She works closely with national and international partners to guarantee that initiatives are both relevant and ambitious.
• Finally, she is dedicated to fostering connections across projects and portfolios, aligning initiatives so they reinforce one another and ensuring that the Foundation’s overall effort is seen as a coherent and strategically unified whole.

Contact
[email protected]
+45 2579 2876

Contact PA
PA & Team Coordinator Helle Kibsgaard
[email protected]
+45 4240 5567

Overall responsible for Finance, Grant Management, Corporate IT, Building Investments and Digital & Business Excellence at the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

• State-authorised public accountant
• Member of the steering committee for the Head Quarters and Subsidiary project, as well as board member of Cellerator, NNF Kenya and NNF India

Trine Haastrup has more than 18 years of experience in auditing and advising large Danish and multinational clients. For the past 5+ years, Trine has held leadership positions within finance at Novo Nordisk and Vestas Wind Systems, working closely with Executive Management and the Audit Committee, with responsibility for financial and sustainability reporting, strategy execution, compliance and support for complex acquisitions.

Joined the Foundation in 2025.

Contact:
Senior PA to CFO Maia McCarthy
[email protected]
+45 2573 2204

Responsible for the Corporate IT department at the Novo Nordisk Foundation as well as several subsidiaries.

Joined the Foundation in 2017.

Contact PA
PA & Team Coordinator Maria Olesen
[email protected]
+45 2092 3731

Overall responsible for digitalisation, AI and project management in the Novo Nordisk Foundation and head of the Digital & Business Excellence department.

• Strategic initiatives within digitalisation and AI
• Development and operation of NORMA, the foundation’s grant application and management system
• Project management in the foundation, through internal consulting services, tools, training, and processes
• Optimisation of processes and innovation through new technologies

Employed at the foundation since 2023.

Contact PA
PA & Team Coordinator Mia Vedel Meinfeldt
[email protected]
+45 9351 0838

Director of Grant Management, Finance & Operations
Overall responsible for the administration of grants and head of the Grant Management department.

• Precise and transparent administration of grant instruments throughout the entire application, assessment and approval process.
• Compliance with legislation and regulations, including financial reporting and compliance control.
• Support for grant holders and constructive dialogue with stakeholders regarding strategic initiatives.
• Optimisation and future-proofing of processes in accordance with the organisation’s strategic objectives.

Employed at the Foundation since 2025.

Contact PA
PA Maia McCarthy
mmc@novo.dk
+45 2573 2204

Overall responsible for financial management of funds for the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

The finance department’s responsibilities include:

• Financial oversight and management of granting activities
• Project portfolio planning
• Planning and analysis of operational costs and efficiency
• Partnering with programme areas to qualify funding of projects

Contact PA
PA Mia Vedel Meinfeldt
[email protected]
+45 9351 0838

Responsible for the foundation’s major building investments (e.g. Establishment of new headquarters for the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Steno Centres in Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, facilities for NCQP, NIVI, Cellerator).

In charge of various managerial and operational functions at the foundation.

• Member of the Board – SDCN and SDCA
• Chairman of the Board at the Property Fund LIFE

Joined the foundation in 2015.

Contact PA
PA & Team Coordinator Anni Nøhr
[email protected]
+45 2084 8880

Overall responsible for Legal, IP, Governance, and Risk & Compliance at the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

• Additionally, Board Secretary and responsible for the Board Secretariat in both the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Novo Holdings A/S.
• Lawyer.
• Serves on the board of Danish Centre for AI Innovation A/S, Quantum Foundry P/S, and NIVI Development P/S.

Joined the Foundation in 2023.

Contact PA
Senior PA Susan Nielsen
[email protected]
+45 5354 5607

Responsible for leading the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s team of lawyers and in close collaboration with the General Counsel responsible for the legal efforts and direction of the Novo Nordisk Foundaton.

Joined the Foundation in 2025.

Head of Corporate Affairs in the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Novo Holdings.

• Responsible for internal and external communication activities
• Responsible for stakeholder relations of the Foundation and Novo Holdings
• Responsible for public affairs in the Foundation and Novo Holdings

Joined the Foundation in 2016.

Responsible for supporting the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Novo Holdings with public affairs activities across program and investment areas.

• In charge of the public affairs team.
• The public affairs team covers activities in Denmark, the EU and globally. Currently, the team has presence in Copenhagen and Brussels.
• Contact with a broad range of stakeholders relevant to the portfolio of the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Novo Holdings.

Joined the foundation in 2016.

Responsible for the Foundation’s communication with the media, including coordinating requests for interviews with the Foundation’s spokespersons.

Responsible for developing news stories about the Foundation’s activities, including publications and films.

Joined the Foundation in 2012.

Responsible for the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s and Novo Holdings’ digital communication activities as well as online and offline design and branding.

• Responsible for the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s digital channels, including websites and social media.
• Responsible for Novo Holding’s digital channels, including websites and social media.
• Responsible for the overall online and offline design in the Novo Nordisk Fonden and Novo Holdings.
• Responsible for digital campaigns and branding of the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Novo Holdings as well as underlying activities and new projects.

Employed in the foundation since 2018.