Read about Pooja Munshi

What brought you to a career in technology at the United Nations?

After working for the private sector and start up world for almost a decade, I knew I wanted to apply learnings into a sector that needed it most. Being passionate about the environment was a huge driver.

What has been your favorite technology project or initiative at the United Nations and why? What was your contribution?

UNEP IMEO's Methane Alert & Response System. Enabled by a AI model that pulls in data from a dozen satellites and ground data, our team geospatial analysts detect and attribute methane plumes in oil and gas, coal and waste, and hand over to programme managers who notify governments and companies for immediate action. This is funded in part by Google.org and I manage this donor and associated work.

What advice would you give women interested in pursuing a field in technology?

Data and technology is now almost ubiquitous. The percentage of women and girls in data and technology have been historically low but there is absolutely no reason why that should be the case in a world where data and technology is everywhere. We need to change the trend and be a leading voice in shaping the narrative.