Jeanette Kruse appointed new Director of PMU
It has now been confirmed that Jeanette Kruse, 55, has been appointed as the new Director of the aid organization, PMU. She succeeds Niclas Lindgren and will take up her position on 10 August.
Jeanette Kruse brings extensive experience in international development cooperation and leadership, both within government and the civil society sector. She is currently working at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs but also has a strong and long-standing background within PMU.
PMU is the aid organization of The Pentecostal Alliance of Independent Churches, and the recruitment of the new Director has been led by Pelle Hörnmark, Superintendent of the denomination, in consultation with the national Board. Following a lengthy recruitment process involving interviews and discussions with several candidates, the choice has now fallen on Jeanette Kruse.
“We are very pleased that Jeanette has accepted the position as director for PMU. She has a deep understanding of both PMU and development issues, and combines solid expertise with strong commitment. We are confident that Jeanette will be an excellent fit for the role and for the wider PMU team. She is goal-oriented, analytical and structured, while also being warm, relationship-building and clearly driven by a sense of calling,” says Pelle Hörnmark.
Extensive and Broad Experience in Aid and Finance
Jeanette Kruse has many years of experience in finance, governance, leadership and international development cooperation. Over the past three years, she has worked with budget and governance issues at the Department for International Development Cooperation at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, where she was responsible for the budget process for Sweden’s international development assistance. Prior to that, she served as a financial controller responsible for the Ministry’s allocations to multilateral organizations and development banks.
Jeanette has previously worked at PMU for a total of nine years. For six of those years, she led the organization’s finance team and was a member of the PMU management team. She has also served as a field-based controller for PMU in Tanzania for three years and has worked at Save the Children Sweden. Before entering the development sector, she spent several years in the private sector and the banking industry.
“Being asked to become Director of PMU is a great vote of confidence, and I am both happy and grateful. It feels exciting and inspiring to return to PMU in this context. PMU combines strong professionalism with a clear Christian value base and deep roots within the Pentecostal movement, built on long-standing relationships and great trust around the world. That combination is extremely valuable in development cooperation,” says Jeanette Kruse.
Strong Engagement in Church Life
Jeanette and her family are members of Skärgårdskyrkan, a Pentecostal church in Värmdö municipality, where they have long been actively involved, including in the church’s mission and aid work. Jeanette has also seen first-hand the added value of congregations’ second-hand activities—particularly in relation to sustainability, local social initiatives and international development efforts.
After several years within state-funded development cooperation, Jeanette now looks forward to working closer to grassroots initiatives and the people receiving support.
“I carry a deep commitment to combat poverty and stand with people living in vulnerability. A Bible verse that has inspired me for a long time is Matthew 25:40, where Jesus says ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ I relate this verse to children and adults whose voices are not heard and whose basic rights are violated. I see PMU’s guiding principle Together as key here—where PMU can build even stronger ties with congregations in Sweden and globally. In this way, we can mobilize greater commitment and resources to make a real difference together with local churches and partners. I truly believe in the great potential of the Church as an agent of change,” says Jeanette Kruse.
“A Leader with Energy and Strong Roots”
Vice Chair of the Board Camilla Moberg, who participated in the recruitment process, highlights Jeanette’s combination of energy, experience and hands-on field work.
“Jeanette also has a strong drive and deep roots in local church life. This creates excellent conditions for even stronger collaboration between Pingst’s shared initiatives, such as PMU, and local congregations,” says Camilla Moberg.
Current Director Hands Over
PMU’s current Director, Niclas Lindgren, has worked within the organization for more than 27 years and has served as Director for 17 of those. From September 2026, he will take a two-year leave of absence for an overseas assignment together with his wife and will therefore step down from the role of Director.
“PMU is in a very exciting phase, with development taking place across multiple areas. Jeanette’s broad experience, combined with her deep roots in the church movement and her strong understanding of PMU’s work, gives her excellent conditions to lead the organization forward. I truly look forward to following PMU’s continued development under her leadership,” says Niclas Lindgren.
PHOTOGRAPHER: ERIK CRONBERG
