Simone Dettling
Banking Team Lead (Simone is currently on maternity leave and Puleng Ndjwili-Potele replaces Simone as Interim Team Lead)

Simone leads the Banking Team of the UN Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), a global partnership between the UN and more than 200 banks, investors and insurers. As such she manages leadership initiatives with banks from over 60 countries around climate-aligned, sustainable finance. Formerly, Simone managed the German Government’s Emerging Markets Dialogue on Green Finance, under which she and her team worked with financial institutions from G20 Emerging Markets and Europe to integrate environmental costs into financial decision making and product development. As expert on green finance at the German International Cooperation (GIZ), she furthermore advised projects in emerging economies worldwide on renewable energy and energy efficiency financing, incorporation of natural capital considerations in financial decision making, as well as innovative approaches for green economic development. Simone holds an MA in International Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. and during her career has lived and worked in various developing countries, such as Bangladesh, Lebanon, Syria and Malawi. Before joining UNEP FI she completed a half-year cycling trip from Germany to Iran.

Puleng Tumelo Ndjwili-Potele
Interim Banking Team Lead

Puleng is the Interim Banking Team Lead at UNEP FI. She was involved in developing the Principles for Responsible Banking, and currently leads the team that works closely with Signatory Banks and various stakeholders to support and drive implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking, focusing on impact and driving alignment of bank portfolios with sustainable development objectives.
She started her career as a commercial law attorney. She left practice to work in the legal departments of Investec and then Standard Bank. She spent four years in Standard Bank’s corporate and investment banking department, working on property development transactions. Thereafter, she moved to Standard Bank’s Regulatory Advocacy team, where she worked with a broad range of stakeholders on policy issues, engaging with policy makers and regulators on emerging policies and legislation, including financial technology.
Puleng has obtained a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, and Masters degree in Public Policy from Wits University. She is passionate about sustainable development, and working towards achieving the objectives of the SDGs in order to realise an equitable and sustainable future for all.

tumelo.ndjwili-potele@un.org

Sura Abdulhalim
Sustainable Banking Program Manager

Sura worked for the World food program for more than 2 years as a Budget and finance officer supporting many projects and operations within the WFP Supply chain.  She created and reviewed limited projects budget, and monitored ongoing projects performance against budget, ensuring adherence to guidance and policies while providing financial analysis and advising to optimize resources.

She holds MSC in Development Economics and international cooperation from Rome University and BA in Economics from Damascus University.

sura.abdulhalim@un.org

Alice Anders
Climate Commitment & Banking Team

Alice supports banks in setting their climate targets across the Principles for Responsible Banking and the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). She is developing the climate capacity building programme and supporting recruitment to the NZBA.

Before joining UNEP FI, Alice worked with the International Fund for Agricultural development and the Biocyclic Vegan Standard, a certification for organic, stock-free farming. She holds a BA from the University of Cambridge and an MSc from the London School of Economics in Environmental Policy.

alice.anders@un.org

Karine Bueno
Sustainable Banking Expert & PRB Implementation Programme Manager

Recognized as the 2021 UN Global Compact SDG Pioneer for Sustainable Finance and Development and as the 2020 Brazilian UN Global Compact SDG Pioneer.

Experienced sustainability professional leading ESG Business and Philanthropic initiatives with 20 years of experience within the private sector and NGOs. Karine Bueno joined the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) to lead the feedback and review process for signatory banks of the UN Principles for Responsible Banking (UN PRB) supporting the advancement of the principles´ implementation in the banking system.

Karine is the former Head of Sustainability at Santander Brasil where she led the integration of ESG within the business including the expansion of the Sustainable Finance portfolio, the excellence of Santander´s own ESG performance and the growth of social and volunteering initiatives.

She is also a former Director of the Sustainability Committee at FEBRABAN – Brazilian Federation of Banks and a former Board Member of UN Global Compact and CEBDS – the Brazilian Chapter of World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Her educational background includes certifications on Strategies for Sustainable Business (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Early Childhood Development (Harvard University), Specialization in Social Projects (USP – FIA / CEATS), Administration for NGOs (Getulio Vargas Foundation), Human Resources Management (Getulio Vargas Foundation) and a Bachelor’s degree of Psychology (Mackenzie Presbyterian University).

karine.siqueirabueno@un.org

Laura Diaz
PRB Implementation Support Coordinator

Laura supports banks in driving results on financial health and inclusion through ambitious target setting across the Principles of Responsible Banking. She is supporting banks in their efforts for the financial health and inclusion collective commitment as well as supporting on Social Issues and Resource Efficiency/Circular Economy matters.

Before joining UNEP-FI, she was the Financial Education Lead at Bancolombia Group where she lead the financial wellbeing strategy group-wide and financial education efforts in Colombia.

She previously held the position of Advisor to the Secretary of Education of Bogotá, Colombia supporting the management of international cooperation and relations with the private sector. Laura holds a Master of International Business specialized in Project Management from Hult International Business School in Boston, and a degree in International Business specialized in Finance and International Relations from Universidad EAFIT.”

Laura is passionate about financial wellbeing, specially in underserved communities, as she believes everyone should be able to access financial services, financial advisory, and financial education to improve their quality of life; elements in which financial institutions can have a direct positive impact.

laura.diazzea@un.org

Johanna Dichtl
Sustainability Expert & PRB Implementation Support Manager, UNEP FI

Johanna supports banks in implementing the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), such as analyzing impact and target setting in the identified areas of most significant impact, and in meeting their commitments as signatories. Prior to joining UNEP FI, she used to be in charge of ESG integration as a CSR manager at a cooperative bank, and has several years of experience in sustainability management in both banking and insurance.

Johanna studied Economic Geography at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich/Germany and Lund University/Sweden, and holds a PhD in Sustainable Finance.

johanna.dichtl@un.org

Zoe Pye
Sustainable Banking & Principles for Responsible Banking Review Expert

Experienced finance professional with over 15 years’ experience working for reputable financial institutions in risk management, regulation and climate change. Zoe Pye joined the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) to support the implementation of the UN Principles for Responsible Banking (UN PRB) in the banking system, through work on the feedback and review process for signatory banks.

Zoe is the former lead of the Climate Specialisation within International Banks Supervision at the Bank of England. Where she contributed to and led components of cross-Bank climate supervisory strategy, as well as supervising a global systemically important bank (G-SIB).

Prior to joining the Bank of England, Zoe worked in OTC derivatives, managing global teams covering APAC, EMEA and the US at J.P. Morgan and Northern Trust.

Her educational background includes Chartered Global Management Accountant (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), Certified Financial Risk Manager (Global Association of Risk Professionals), Sustainability and Climate Risk Certificate (Global Association of Risk Professionals), Master of Business Administration – Accounting (University of South Australia) and a Bachelor of Social Science (University of Adelaide).

zoe.pye@un.org

Oualid Rokneddine
Banking Governance & Membership

Oualid joined the PRB team in February 2019. He supports the PRB governance bodies (PRB Board & Civil Society Advisory Body), the onboarding process for new PRB Signatories, and the new PRB program on Biodiversity & Nature.

Prior to this, he worked on SDG financing & impact investing in emerging markets at the U.N. Development Program (UNDP) office in Geneva. He holds an MSc in development economics and a BSc in economics from HEC Lausanne.

oualid.rokneddine@un.org

Ana Sena
Sustainable Banking & Principles for Responsible Banking Review Expert

Ana joined UNEP FI in 2022 to support the implementation of the UN Principles for Responsible Banking through work on the feedback and review process for signatory banks.

Experienced finance professional with over 10 years experience in Financial Advisory Consulting,
Corporate & Investment Banking Strategy and Sustainable Finance, Ana has held various roles in
Deloitte and Santander CIB in Portugal, UK and Spain. She has also worked pro-bono on different
projects and NGOs related to Microfinance and Small business development in East Timor, Southeast Asia.

Ana holds a Postgrad in Sustainable Business (University of Cambridge – Institute for Sustainability Leadership) and Bachelor and Masters of Strategy & Business Administration (Catolica Lisbon School).

Maria Eugenia Sosa Taborda
Latin America and Caribbean Network Coordinator

Maria Eugenia Sosa Taborda is Latin America and Caribbean Network Coordinator for UNEP-Financial Initiative. She has more than 15 years’ experience with the dissemination and consolidation of corporate social responsibility strategy in large companies, sustainable finance and developing innovative projects with positive impacts. She worked for 11 years in the financial sector with different subjects: Financial Education and Social, Entrepreneurship and Environmental Risks and Opportunities, working directly with different Business Units: Investments, Credit and Insurance. Maria Eugenia is graduated in business administration at PUCCAMP and she is currently studying a Masters at USP (São Paulo University) with a focus on social impact.

maria.sosataborda@un.org

Arielle Wat
Junior Communications Consultant, Banking & Nature

Arielle joined the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) to plan and deliver communications activities and campaigns for banking- and nature-related initiatives. Bringing in over 3 years of professional experience from international organisations such as the World Economic Forum, the International Olympic Committee and various U.N. entities, she now supports a full range of communications services from strategy planning, content creation to social media management. Since joining, she has made significant contributions to major launches, such as the 2-year campaign of the Principles for Responsible Banking, launch of the Collective Progress Report and the Collective Commitment to Financial Health and Inclusion.

Arielle graduated from Sciences Po Paris with a Master in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, and studied European Studies and Art History at The University of Hong Kong and the University of Zurich during her undergraduate years.

arielle.wat@un.org

Cara Wilson
Communications Lead, Banking & Nature

Cara Wilson joined UNEP FI in 2020 as the Communications Lead for Banking and Nature. During her tenure, she has overseen communications for some of UNEP FI’s flagship launches, including the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, the Alliance at COP 26 and the UNEP FI Leadership Council. Cara has almost 15 years’ experience in financial communications, joining UNEP FI from her previous role as Global Head of Communications for BNP Paribas Global Markets CIB. In her spare time, Cara is a qualified ski instructor, a published graphic designer and a language enthusiast, with five languages currently to her name.

cara.wilson@un.org