Hanna Stenbacka Köhler

I decided to pursue a career in the UN because I am passionate about sustainable development, gender equality, and human rights. As a Swedish-Filipina who grew up in places such as Cairo, Egypt, I spent much of my free time engaged in community service, advocating for access to education for vulnerable groups; while increasingly curious about the root causes of inequality. With a Master’s degree in Economics majoring in Econometrics, and a Bachelor’s in Political Science, I wanted to dedicate my career to driving meaningful change. The UN’s mission and values resonate deeply with me, which is why it became clear that this is where I want to invest my energy and commitment.

At UNDCO, I am part of the DCO Digital Solutions Lab - a pivotal space where I have brought forward challenges as a problem owner, and shaped
AI and digital solutions. AI has unlocked new possibilities to explore data. I lead the analysis of 125 Cooperation Framework Joint Work Plans (JWPs), spanning the entire UN footprint, to examine both quantitative and qualitative data across thematic areas. I have collaborated with Resident Coordinator Offices, including Pakistan, to review Country Analyses and Cooperation Frameworks through an SDG acceleration lens, developing an AI-driven rubric grounded in systems-thinking. My contributions include developing AI agents that support the identification of strong indicators for Cooperation Framework statements. Every experiment I have engaged in has been made possible by the team in the Digital Solutions Lab - and by those beyond it - who continue to inspire me every day #Shoutout to you all!