Nina hjortlund

Nina Hjortlund is an experienced executive leader specialising in the design and delivery of sustainable, community-led development initiatives across Tanzania. As Founding Director and CEO of Australia for Cedar Tanzania, she leads the strategic development and implementation of integrated programmes that improve healthcare access, strengthen education systems, and create economic opportunities in rural communities.

With over 15 years of professional and lived experience in Tanzania, Nina brings a rare combination of on-the-ground insight, cultural fluency, and operational leadership. She has successfully led multidisciplinary teams across regions, managing complex projects that require alignment between community priorities, government stakeholders, and international partners. Her work is grounded in participatory development principles, ensuring long-term sustainability and measurable impact.

Nina’s professional background includes direct experience within the mining and exploration sector in Tanzania, where she held administrative and operational roles supporting HR, occupational health and safety, compliance, logistics, and internal audits. This experience provides her with a strong understanding of mining site operations, regulatory environments, workforce structures, and the practical realities of working in remote and resource-driven contexts.

Through her leadership at Cedar Tanzania and Australia for Cedar Tanzania, Nina has overseen the development of initiatives spanning healthcare infrastructure, mobile medical outreach services, gender empowerment programmes, and livelihood creation through entrepreneurship. She has a proven ability to design and deliver programmes that align with corporate ESG objectives while responding meaningfully to local community needs.

In addition to her executive leadership, Nina has founded and led social enterprise initiatives supporting artisan networks and women’s economic participation, further strengthening her expertise in sustainable income generation and inclusive economic development.

Having lived and worked across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and now based in Australia, Nina is highly experienced in navigating cross-cultural environments and leading teams across geographies, time zones, and sectors. She is fluent in Danish, English, and Swahili, with additional language proficiency in Arabic, enabling effective communication and stakeholder engagement at all levels.

Nina is recognised for her ability to bridge the gap between corporate strategy and community impact. She works closely with private sector partners, particularly within the resources industry, to design and implement responsible, practical, and high-impact CSR and ESG initiatives that strengthen social licence to operate and deliver long-term value for both communities and business.

Nina is also the owner and director of Swahili Sensation, a social enterprise supporting East African artisans and makers.