MEET THE TEAM | 2024 UN System Innovation Springboard Programme

2024 UN System Innovation Springboard Programme

Meet the team

Berin McKenzie

Biography

Learning Portfolio Manager - Head of Innovation

Berin has designed and lead blended training programmes for Afghanistan, Iraq, and South Sudan, as well as for diplomats from ASEAN, examining nuclear non-proliferation, and representatives from Pacific and Indian Ocean Small Island Developing States, focused on Disaster Risk Reduction. Before joining UNSSC, Berin acted as Senior Specialist at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Hiroshima Office, where he undertook full instructional design and quality assurance responsibilities for all face-to-face, e-learning, and blended training programmes. He has designed and delivered training in China, Japan, Jordan, Samoa, Singapore, South Sudan, Turkey, the UAE, and Uganda. Berin is fluent in Japanese and is also an Association for Talent Development (ATD) Accredited Master Trainer, and Master Instructional Designer, and has a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Berin McKenzie is the Learning Portfolio Manager for the UNSSC Innovation Portfolio. A New Zealand national, Berin brings over 15 years experience in instructional design, facilitation, and the monitoring and evaluation of learning impact, with a particular focus on countries emerging from conflict.

Goals/Objectives

• Berin has designed and developed the UN System Innovation Springboard Programme.

• He will faciliate, together with Liyaan Sataravala, Week 3: Creating an Enabling Environment.

Biography

Liyaan Sataravala

The Innovation Associate Fellowship is the ideal intersection of Liyaan's capacity building experience in the public sector as well her corporate background in Innovation. At the UNSSC Knowledge Center for Leadership and Management team (KCLM), she supports the facilitation of the Innovation Toolkit which provides UN agencies frameworks to not just do different things, but to do them differently. Furthermore, she aids the design and execution of the KCLM's Innovation Advisory Services, the Innovation Springboard Programme as well as the Executive Management Programme. Prior to UNSSC, Liyaan oversaw the financial, programmatic and legal aspects of Connecting Trust, a not-for-profit organisation in India, with a focus on capacity building as well as Peer Education and currently holds a Masters in Business Administration at IE Business School.

Innovation Associate

Liyaan Sataravala is the Innovation Associate for the UNSSC Innovation Portfolio. Liyaan brings experience in the public and private sector on innovation, as well as experiential learning programmes.

Goals/Objectives

• She will be your Moderator in the Forum Discussions;

• Liyaan will support the technical aspects of the Programme, from Zoom to the Executive Learning Lounge;

• She will work on your learning experience during the Programme.

Biography

Giulia Botta

Driven by a strong commitment to transformative change for positive impact, Giulia is deeply dedicated to exploring the positive socio-economic implications of innovation. As a member of the UNSSC Knowledge Center for Leadership and Management team (KCLM), she plays an integral role in facilitating the UN Innovation Toolkit. This toolkit serves as a dynamic framework for UN agencies, enabling them not only to undertake distinct initiatives but to approach them from an innovative perspective. Beyond this, Giulia contributes to the design and execution of KCLM's Innovation Advisory Services and the Innovation Springboard Programme. Prior to UNSSC, Giulia worked as Associate Programme Officer at the international Training Center of ILO, working in training design, development and project management in the field of Investments for Development and Sustainable Public Procurement. She is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Milan in Law and Sustainable Development, working on Sustainable Supply Chains and Responsible and Innovative Procurement Solutions

Innovation Individual Contractor

Giulia serves as an Innovation Individual Contractor with the UNSSC Innovation Portfolio. Giulia is expert in professional training support to the UN system and she is a Ph.D. candidate in Law and Sustainable Development, with deep interest in innovation.

Goals/Objectives

• Giulia will support the technical aspects of the Programme, from Zoom to the Executive Learning Lounge;

• She will work on your learning experience during the Programme.

Rosalia Armao

Biography

Rosalia Armao is a Programme Assistant in the Knowledge Centre for Leadership and Management at the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC). She is responsible for training logistic preparations, administrative coordination and relationships with participants and faculty. With a background in business and foreign languages, prior to working with UNSSC, Rosy worked in the private sector and in the tourism. She spent two years in Paris with a private company before moving back to Italy. She has over 10 years’ experience at UNSSC in the organization of e-learning and face-to-face learning events. Rosy is a national of Italy. She is fluent English, French and Spanish.

Programme Assistant

Rosalia Armao has delivered her expertise to the UNSSC Turin campus for over 10 years, providing administrative, coordination and eLearning support to the training activities and events.

Goals/Objectives

• Rosalia will provide administrative support to the 2023 UN System Innovation Springboard Programme;

• She will work on the coordination and logistics of the Programme.

We look forward to meeting you!

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