About us

Let’s do good. Better!

Who we are

It all started with a simple idea in 2011: Let’s build a development consultancy firm where the only priority is to help those in need. Profit, image and politics are all secondary.

Today, MzN International operates as a social enterprise, helping NGOs and international organisations in 50 + countries around the world do good – better – and making business operations, models and strategies more sustainable. We are guided by a strict ethical code and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking.

A social enterprise

We operate as a financially sustainable enterprise. All the work we do generates a surplus with which we finance investments in continuous improvement and research.

Our ethical code

We are committed to strict ethical guidelines, including the Red Cross Code of Conduct and other international standards. We refuse to work with organisations that undermine these standards and values.

Challenging conventional thinking

We think outside the box, continue to challenge assumptions and invest in research and innovation. In 2014, we worked with the University of Bristol to develop a new concept of beneficiary-led aid. In 2015, we worked on the co-developed Humanitarian Impact Bonds to help close the gap in funding for humanitarian assistance worldwide.

A bit different

Because we are a professional services and development consultancy firm operating as a social enterprise, we do things a bit differently. Instead of a lengthy set of rules for our employees, we promote autonomy and self-responsibility. This keeps internal red tape to a minimum. In fact, our employee guidelines fit on just one page.

We operate digitally

We work digitally. Our digital infrastructure allows us to work flexibly, asynchronously and to hire the best, most diversified talent, regardless of where they are located.

Since 2018, we operate at 100% carbon negative

Like every year, in 2023, we calculated our carbon footprint and are planting trees through The Generation Forest cooperative to double offset our carbon emissions.

Our team

Christian Meyer zu Natrup

Managing Director

Hande Akpinar

Consultant

Smriti Mishra

Analyst

Ellie Kiely

Innovation & Thought Leadership Content Creator

Juliette Ball

Digital Services

Nicole Jennings

Training Coordinator

Christian Meyer zu Natrup

Managing Director

Christian is the founder and managing director of MzN International. Christian is a governance reform and organisational change expert, specialising in digital transformation and making non-profit organisations financially sustainable. At MzN International, he leads our consulting and training work across 20 countries. Christian holds a postgraduate degree in international relations and is a qualified chartered accountant with more than 10 years of experience working in emerging economies and fragile contexts. He continues with research in areas relating to development and aid. In 2015, together with Dr. Adrian Flint from the University of Bristol, Christian developed the concept of beneficiary-led aid.

Email

chris@mzninternational.com

Hande Akpinar

Consultant

Hande is a Consultant with MzN specialising on organizational development and fundraising. She has more than 15 years of experience working with public and private organizations. In addition to practical experience with international donors, she is highly familiar with the tools and mechanisms of project management. With extensive knowledge of the international development sector, Hande is passionate about sharing her knowledge and skills. Hande holds a BA on Politics and Sociology, an MA on Humanitarian and Development Practices and an MA on EU Relations. Currently based in Berlin, she speaks fluent Turkish and English and possesses intermediate German skills.

Email

hande@mzninternational.com

Smriti Mishra

Analyst

Smriti is working as an analyst at MzN and she has interest in the areas of international development, NGO work, and cross-cultural understanding. Her combination of academic knowledge and hands-on experience equips her with the tools to make a meaningful impact on vulnerable communities around the world. Smriti has a Masters's degree in International Relations and Area Studies that provides her with a solid foundation to understand the geopolitical dynamics and cultural nuances of various regions. She is pursuing another Master in European Masters in Global Studies which equips her with the knowledge of the national, regional, and international organizations. Smriti's experience working with NGOs in rural areas of India and Indonesia demonstrates her commitment to grassroots-level work and her ability to address the unique challenges faced by these communities. Smriti is passionate about projects that focus on poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, and empowerment in rural areas across Asia, (especially South Asia) and Africa.

Email

smriti@mzninternational.com

Ellie Kiely

Innovation & Thought Leadership Content Creator

Ellie is our Thought Leadership Specialist. Focused on the power of storytelling, she turns technical expertise into engaging narratives and multimedia experiences. Her mission is to create content that continues positioning MzN as the go-to expert in the future of nonprofit organizations, impact investing, and ESG. Ellie holds a Master’s degree in International Management, and another in Brand Marketing and Management. She is from Ireland and is passionate about social justice and climate change.

Email

ellie@mzninternational.com

Juliette Ball

Digital Services

Juliette is focused on MzN's digital marketing. She has over 15+ years of experience in the ever-changing digital world. Juliette's passion is to showcase the work being done at MzN through the website, social media channels and various digital advertising campaigns.  Graphic elements are your window to the world.Passionate about anything ocean and for the planet, Juliette lives to make the planet a cleaner and better place.Juliette is currently based in Cape Town.

Email

julz@mzninternational.com

Nicole Jennings

Training Coordinator

Nicole is the Training Coordinator for MzN International and is responsible for the operations of the in-person Training Courses. Nicole has a diverse educational background, holding a Post Graduate Diploma in Sport Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with Honors. She has more than 13 years working in education and training across many different sectors.

As a seasoned Project and Operations Manager, she has worked with international clients and led dynamic project teams. With a proven track record, she has also managed projects for NGOs, showcasing adaptability across diverse sectors. Nicole is passionate about education, training and development. Based in Cape Town, she also enjoys all things outdoors and spending lots of time in nature.

Email

nicole@mzninternational.com

We are carbon negative

Since 2018, we operate at 100% carbon negative. 

Like every year, in 2023, we calculated our carbon footprint and are planting trees through The Generation Forest cooperative to double offset our carbon emissions.

Join our team

We are a multinational team of project managers and implementers, thematic and regional experts, business operators and analysts with experience in delivering complex projects for our clients worldwide.

We are carbon negative

Doing good can be done better.

In order to become a negative emissions organisation, we calculated our operational carbon footprint in 2019 and are planting trees through The Generation Forest cooperative to twice offset our carbon emissions.

Join our team

We are a multinational team of project managers and implementers, thematic and regional experts, business operators and analysts with experience in delivering complex projects for our clients worldwide.