About us

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.

Since 2019, Jana has been working as an assistant to the management at MzN International, also providing team and business assistance.

Toni-Ann is a Consultant with MzN specialising in organisational & strategy development, monitoring, evaluation & learning, research, data science and project management. She has more than 7 years of experience working with public and private organisations across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. She has worked with international donors such as the UNDP, USAID, PAHO, UNICEF, IADB, GIZ among others and is familiar with the inner workings of several of these organisations. Toni-Ann is passionate about incorporating new technological developments in development work and actualising these for positive, sustainable advancement globally. She has a BSc in International Relations and Spanish as well as a MA in International Relations with Development. Based near Stuttgart, Toni-Ann speaks fluent English and Jamaican Patois along with intermediate Spanish and elementary German.

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.

Betigül Onay Özman is a seasoned civil society professional with extensive experience in CSR (corporate social responsibility) and NGO management. For more than six years, she served as a Senior Program Manager at a foundation in Istanbul, in addition to her role on the foundation’s management board. During this period, she designed and managed significant CSR projects in collaboration with international NGOs such as UN Women, UNDP, and FAO, as well as private sector companies and public authorities. Betigül also managed social projects supported by international organizations, including the Swedish Embassy and the European Union.In her 15 years of experience, she has held various roles, including a variety of communication tasks such as producing communication materials and co-authoring white papers and analytical reports. Betigül was also responsible for managing partnerships and stakeholder relationships.Her accomplishments in civil society work and communications have been recognized with several awards, including the 2021 Golden Spider Best Web Design Award, the 2018 Felis Award for Best Ad Campaign, and the 2012 Grand Prize Golden Compass Award for the Life Plus Youth Program.She holds two master’s degrees, one in economics and another in management. Based in Berlin, she speaks fluent Turkish and English and has intermediate proficiency in German.

Nicole is the Training Manager 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.

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.

Kathryn is MZN International’s USAID Funding Specialist with a focus on fundraising strategy, lead sourcing, project/ product development, blended finance, and social innovation. She is an Edward S. Mason Fellow in Public Policy and Management and completed her Master in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School. Previously managing USAID grant portfolios for Chemonics and DAI, Kathryn has since applied her deep expertise on institutional grantmaking to enhance capacities of non-profits and mission-driven enterprises, significantly expanding their reach and impact. At MzN International, Kathryn empowers local organizations to secure and manage USAID grants effectively.

With over 15 years of experience navigating the dynamic digital landscape, Juliette leads MzN's digital marketing efforts. She is passionate about bringing MzN's impactful work to the forefront through the website, social media, and targeted digital advertising campaigns. Her expertise in creating compelling graphic elements allows her to craft visual stories that resonate globally.A dedicated advocate for the oceans and the environment, Juliette is driven by her commitment to making the planet cleaner and more sustainable.Juliette is based in Cape Town.

Swati is a talent partner at MzN International with expertise in talent acquisition and talent management. With over 10 years of experience across management and IT consulting industries, she has been influential in acquiring, retaining and engaging the workforce. Her passion of dealing with people has built a vibrant culture and having a sharp business acumen has helped organizations navigate and pivot through different phases.

Jonathan is the Thought Leadership Coordinator at MzN International, with over three years of experience leading teams in performance marketing, business development, SaaS growth, and content marketing. He has successfully scaled businesses through strategic, data-driven marketing initiatives.Jon has held key roles in AI, Web3, and international trade, including positions at Relayto (USA), Openfabric AI (Romania), and Grobiz (East Africa & India). He also contributed to a 25% revenue increase at W.A.C. Rwanda. Recognised for his leadership, he was nominated for the 2022 Top Under 30 C.E.O. Award (East Africa) and named 2022 Data & Research Professional of the Year by M.A.E. Market (UK).Passionate about social impact, Jon mentors at TechStars Global - Africa and Rwanda ICT Innovation Center. He is proficient in a wide array of marketing and CRM tools like SEO-SEMrush, Clay.com, Apollo, Pipedrive, Hubspot, Salesforce, and AI/ML Chatbot training.