Read about Blanca Montejo

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

I joined the UN convinced of the potential to use my (then only legal) skills to support the Organization in achieving its mission. Joining the UN was an honor.

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

My favorite initiative was the transformation of the research tools on the work of the Security Council that we use for the preparation of our annual publication, the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council, from flat EXCEL sheets into visually appealing new tools available online for Member States and the public at large. This is the outcome of the collective push of an incredibly dedicated and talented group of people, the Charter Research Branch of the Security Council Affairs Division.

We have also pursued other challenging technology initiatives such as the Interactive Handbook on Working Methods, the Peace and Security Datahub database on Security Council Vetoes or the most recent Climate and Security Dashboard. On top of it all, we have worked for more than 5 years in creating a MongoDB-powered alternative to the old IBM Lotus Notes database in support of the Security Council Affairs Division and are collaborating with our amazing IMU colleagues in creating AI powered tools in support of our work.

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

My advice for women interested in pursuing a future in the field of technology is to "just do it" with the clear conviction that technology will be at the center of the human experience and only those with technology experience and expertise will be able to shape and lead that future.