Rikke Johannessen is Director of Global Development at the Novo Nordisk Foundation, where she leads partnerships with governments, UN agencies, philanthropic actors, and civil society organizations. Her work focuses on advancing prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases, strengthening food security, and promoting healthy diets in low‑ and middle‑income countries. She also oversees the Foundation’s engagement in acute humanitarian response.

With more than 20 years of experience in humanitarian and development contexts, Rikke has held senior leadership and advisory roles across East Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. She has worked in and with crisis and post-crisis situations as manager of senior operational teams and as consultant for UN and civil society organisations supporting policy development, innovation, and strategy at regional or global levels.