A student-mum’s journey from consulting to sustainable finance

Before coming to Cambridge, I worked as a management consultant for around 6 years. I analysed numbers, built strategies, attended boardroom discussions and advised clients. One of the major projects I led, a merger of palm-oil plantations, exposed me to the scale of land destruction in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Climate change was no longer something I read about in the news or reports. It was right in front of my eyes.

As a mother, I began to wonder, what kind of world will my daughter grow up in? The thought of handing her a damaged planet changed my perspective. It created a personal sense of urgency and responsibility. I wanted to apply the finance and strategy skills I had developed to something more meaningful, helping to protect the future.

Why MFin? Why Cambridge? Why the UK?

The UK is known as a leader in green finance, home to the world’s first dedicated green investment bank and consistently ranked first in the world for sustainable finance. When I discovered that Cambridge’s Master of Finance programme offered courses in sustainable finance under Professor Oğuzhan Karakaş and the circular economy under Professor Khaled Soufani, I knew it was the right path.

The MFin offered more than academic theory, it provided real-world insights. Guest speakers like Miguel Nogales, Founding Partner and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Generation Investment Management and Frédéric Samama, Head of Strategic Development at Sustainable S&P Global, shared inspiring perspectives. They spoke about how finance can drive real climate action and combined deep fundamental analysis with systemic thinking on sustainability. Their reflections made me want to explore what kind of approaches could work in Indonesia.

Building a plant-based community and climate finance internship

I believe that sustainability is not just about policies and pledges, but also about our daily life choices. together with 2 MBA students, Aeint and Anandita, I co-led the Plant-Based special interest group at Cambridge Judge Business School. We ran activities like a plant-based sushi-making workshop, showing how small everyday choices, like what we eat and how we consume, can add up to a more sustainable world.

I sharpened my practical experience as a Climate Finance Intern at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) where I led the research on the agriculture, forestry and land use (AFOLU) sector. Working under the guidance of Philippa Martinelli, Head of Climate Finance & Transition, was an inspiring opportunity to learn directly from a leader in the field. I also had an opportunity to work with Christopher Ramsey, Founding Partner of Pelican Ag, the UK first VC firm powering sustainable food system. I explored how catalytic capital could mobilise innovative solutions. I came to understand that finance isn’t just about numbers, it can be the engine driving transformation in sectors that are critical for climate resilience and sustainable development.

Balancing study and motherhood: thriving with a supportive community

Moving to Cambridge as a student, mother and wife was not easy. Thanks to the support of my husband, the care from the MFin team and friends, the warmth of Clare Hall and the Indonesian community, we were able to thrive. Living in a Clare Hall College family flat, joining College monthly family events and being surrounded by an inclusive community turned challenges into a shared adventure. It was a joy to see my daughter play with children from many different nationalities, growing up in a global environment.

Thanks to that support system, I had the chance to go further. Representing Cambridge and collaborating with business schools in the US (Duke Fuqua and UNC Kenan-Flagler), we won third place in the 2025 Think-Cell Global Business Challenge, against over 240 teams from 36 countries.

I also joined Diwali night celebrations, organised by the Cambridge India Business Forum Special Interest Group (SIG). I attended the first Cambridge Judge iftar, the evening meal that Muslims share to break our fast-during Ramadan and enjoyed more than 15 College lunches and dinners. I explored the beauty of the city from punting along the River Cam, visiting museums, College libraries, bookshops and the Botanic Garden. These experiences reflected how Cambridge embraces diverse traditions, making me feel welcomed and included as someone from a different country and culture. I believe that my learning experience was not just about finance, but also about cultures, friendships and our human connection with nature.

Looking ahead

This year has brought me closer to my purpose, helping Indonesia and the region find a sustainable path forward. Our transition will need more than money, it will need people who can connect strategy, finance and sustainability. That is how I hope to contribute.