Meet the Class of 2021: Jillian D. (MSF’21)

Jillian D. (MSF’21)
Hometown: Hamilton, Montana

What are your post-graduate plans?

My goal is to continue to support catalytic green investments and other innovative environmental finance as part of my work with the American Forest Foundation (AFF). I’m currently leading a first of its kind issuance to harness philanthropy, public guarantees, and capital markets through an innovative green bond, enabling smaller U.S. family forest owners access to voluntary carbon markets at scale.

What is your favorite memory or proudest moment from your time at Georgetown?

Empowering vulnerable, informal reclaimers of recyclable materials in South Africa under our global consulting assignment alongside my amazing Georgetown team.

What is one of the most important lessons you’ve learned while at Georgetown?

Never let the fear of failure stop you from learning and challenging yourself. The MSF team of teaching assistants and instructors sincerely want students to succeed and are there to go the extra mile with you.

Is there a particular person that helped shape your Georgetown experience into what it is today?

I greatly appreciated Professor Ammerman’s dedication and many late-night office hours in our first-year of the program. Even through the pandemic and having a new baby, he joined us in the trenches with unwavering support and guidance. We’ll also never forget his trademark use of for Microsoft Paint to help us visualize finance concepts.

What was your favorite class?

Ironically, Econometrics — the very class I thought I would like the least!

What are you most looking forward to as an alumna?

Applying what I’ve learned at MSF to do some cool deals, and continuing to network with other alums passionate about the growing field of sustainable finance.

Anything else you’d like to share about your story?

For 10 years I supported climate economics, finance, and strategy work for the Government of Rwanda. I was fortunate to be a part of the design, operationalization, and management of Rwanda’s first ever Environment and Climate Change Fund (FONERWA). I joined the MSF program in part because I knew this and other funds and projects like it need to access capital markets to achieve impact at scale, beyond public donor funds typically relied on.