DCED Secretariat

Melina Heinrich-Fernandes joined the DCED Secretariat in May 2010, where she leads on research and evidence on all major private sector development approaches. She has a particular focus on private sector engagement and inclusive business, and authored several of the DCED’s thematic flagship papers. Melina has 10+ years of experience in economic development, including short term advisory roles with different organisations and field programmes. She studied Political Science, Development Economics and International Law at the University of Bonn, Germany, and the University of Geneva, Switzerland. Her Master’s thesis explored Post-Conflict PSD in Sierra Leone.

Mike Albu joined the DCED Secretariat in May 2018. He leads the work on inclusive market systems and runs the BEAM Exchange. BEAM supports knowledge exchange and learning about how to use the MSD approach to improve access to income, jobs, products and services for people living in poverty. Before DCED and the BEAM Exchange, Mike managed projects and consulted for PwC, Practical Action and other NGOs, specialising in issues of technological capabilities, micro-enterprise development, and economic recovery in humanitarian crises. He studied Engineering Design at the University of Warwick, and has a MSc in Technology Policy from the University of Sussex.

Nabanita Sen has been working in private sector development and results measurement for more than seven years. She has experience in applying the Standard in different countries in a wide mix of programmes including value chains and enterprise development, trade facilitation, enabling environment, financial inclusion, challenge funds. She is a DCED approved auditor.

Holger Grundel joined the Secretariat in October 2019 to support the DCED’s work on PSD in fragile and conflict-affected areas and private sector engagement.  Holger worked for many years as a DFID PSD adviser in the UK, China, the DRC, and Senegal. As one of the founding members of DFID’s private sector development cadre he was involved in a wide range of policy, programme, and cadre development initiatives. Until April 2017 he was DFID’s Global Lead for Extractive Industries before joining a Cambridge-based consultancy and social enterprise promoting greater responsibility in mineral supply chains as Managing Director.  Holger studied International Business at the Fachhochschule Dortmund, Germany, and the University of Plymouth, UK.  He also has a Master’s degree in International Development from Bath University, UK.

Ella Duffy joined the DCED Secretariat in August 2020. She is responsible for disseminating relevant information to members, in part through the newsletter and website, and supports the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Green Growth Working Groups. Ella holds an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge, and a BA in Geography from the University of Oxford. She has experience working at the UK’s Innovation Foundation, Nesta, as well as teaching abroad in Guyana.