We know that when individuals with varied perspectives unite around a common purpose, their collective strength becomes a catalyst for profound positive transformations in the world. Our team is vibrant and global, with an unwavering commitment to social impact and driving positive action.  

We also know that we can’t succeed by going alone. Museum for the United Nations – UN Live is being made possible thanks to an extraordinary collaborative effort from hundreds of people and organisations from all disciplines and every corner of the world. We are hugely grateful for all the care, curiosity and excitement that these people and partners share and bring to the project. 

UN Live staff

Head of Comms & Lead Curator

In a family of scientists and artists, I learned to appreciate the connections that bind everything—the beauty of patterns and occasional hidden insights revealed from a different perspective. The wooden sculpture in this photo was crafted by my late uncle, who consistently helped me discover the inherent beauty in this world.

  • Since 2019, Annesofie has led the curation of global programming at UN Live, developing projects in over 30 countries. Passionate about innovative cultural engagement, she has also led partnerships in museums and the arts sector, facilitating discussions and creating opportunities for cultural spaces to drive change. With a background in set design and fine arts, Annesofie's international career has involved cross-over projects between international development and socially engaged art. Before UN Live, she led a number of participatory art projects, working with displaced families in Gaza, female ex-combatants in the Central African Republic, and scientists and Inuit Hunters across the Circumpolar North.

    annesofie.norn@museumfortheun.org

Junior Associate for Programmes

In my hands I hold Robusta coffee beans. They represent Coorg, my ancestral home, and it’s coffee plantations where I spent my summer holidays. Though I never learnt much about growing coffee, I have developed a love for drinking it!

Dhriti Belliappa

  • Dhriti is from Bangalore where she has just started her career. She has an affinity for the environment and sustainability which is something she wants to set as constant for all her work in the future. She has a Bachelors Honours in Communication Studies from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore.​

    Before joining UN Live as a Junior Associate for Programmes, she worked as a facilitator at the Global We portal in Bangalore. She has also worked on multiple branding and marketing projects as a freelancer for different sectors. ​

    Outside of work, Dhriti is looking forward to life. She wants to travel and meet new people and try all the food there is to try across the world.

Chief Strategy Officer

When I asked my 8 year old son what object to bring he said: bring this picture of me to show that your family is the most important thing for you.

  • Emil, a founding member of Museum for the United Nations - UN Live in 2015, led the original building track, ran operations, and today he oversees UN Live’s programmes and strategic direction. Prior to UN Live, Emil co-founded Nordic Development Corporation (NDC), with the mission to enhance the Nordic Region’s social and economic sustainability through social impact investments and innovative financing models. Emil was also Manager at Dalberg Global Development Advisors with a focus on non-profit strategy, climate change, development of large-scale investment projects and innovative financing, as well as worked at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs focused on Foreign Direct Investments and public-private partnerships. Emil holds a Master’s degree in Global Governance and Ethics from University College London (UCL) and a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen.

    emil.schelde@museumfortheun.org

Partnerships Associate

I brought in a collection of cards, notes, poems, and letters that envelope love and friendship. In the search for new homes through travel, following intuitions and enthusiasms, these have accompanied and anchored me in comfort, reflection and shared memory. 

  • Emma holds a Bachelor's degree in Global Studies from the New School and a research Master's in Climate Change and Global Sustainability, conducting research projects across Iceland, Ecuador, and New Zealand – examining disciplines, ranging from environmental pedagogy to the future of our global food systems. Her work spans disciplines, exploring diverse pathways to address global challenges with accessibility and intentionality. Before UN Live, Emma worked at various impact-driven firms often focusing on community building, and campaign design and development, focused on environmental objectives and seeking to mobilise a large collective of diverse companies.

    emma.vos@museumfortheun.org

Programme Director for Sounds Right

These headphones represent my love for music, seeded playing air guitar to Oasis in my bedroom, then matured as a (distressingly) untalented drummer. Today I spend more time than ever listening to music as I work on Sounds Right, a global music movement to recognise the value of nature and inspire millions of fans to take action.

  • Gabriel is Global Programme Director for Sounds Right, a platform for global music artists to help nature fund its own conservation. He's spent the last decade designing products, platforms and strategies that serve low-income and marginalised communities, from an income-boosting soil test for Myanmar rice farmers to a strategy to accelerate global access to clean cooking solutions. Previously, he served as Creative Lead for Dalberg Design (Africa) and Head of Agricultural Product for Apollo Agriculture (Kenya). Gabriel has a B.A. in Politics, Philosophy & Economics, a M.A. in Conflict, Security & Development, and has completed the INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Program. In 2015 he received a Churchill Fellowship to undertake research on social mobility projects in Beirut, Cape Town and Marrakesh.

    gabriel.smales@museumfortheun.org

Global Programme Manager

My object is a beaded bracelet bearing my young son’s Ewe (a Ghanian tribe) name, Kofi – meaning Friday-born. He found it in a market in Accra, and it symbolises our heritage, ancestry and the importance of tradition being passed down to future generations.

  • Jade, the Global Programme Manager at UN Live since January 2023, brings over 15 years of experience delivering global programs focused on inclusivity, creativity, and human engagement. Her recent role involved leading the Events Curation work for the High-Level Climate Champions, enhancing ambition and engaging non-state actors in achieving the Paris Agreement goals. With a decade of experience at Leaders' Quest, Jade designed and delivered immersive leadership programs worldwide, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable world. Based in London, Jade is a passionate traveller and foodie, adding a dynamic perspective to her global contributions.

    jade.phillips@museumfortheun.org

Chief Executive Officer

In many cultures the apple has a symbolic meaning. To me it represents beauty, home, hope, and strength. My grandparents lived in a small apple orchard, and I grew up with all kinds of apples and apple dishes. I just love the smell.

  • Katja Iversen, an award-winning leader, executive adviser, author, and global advocate, boasts a background leading in civil society and the United Nations, and training Fortune 500 executives in cross-cultural leadership. Having lived, worked, or travelled in close to 100 countries, Katja has been a driving force for global change, advising world leaders, private sector executives, and institutions such as the G7, Clinton Global Initiative, World Economic Forum, MIT Solve Challenge, Kings College, Global Goals World Cup, and Women Political Leaders. Awarded as Dane of the Year and Woman of the Decade, she also holds an honorary doctorate for her work connecting people across cultures.

    katja.iversen@museumfortheun.org

Communications Associate

I have always been very enthusiastic about the visual aspect of light, and how it has the ability to shape an atmosphere. For me, candles are a beautiful symbol of making each moment a little bit more special.  

  • Oda is a Designer and Marketing professional with an MA in Design Communication from Ravensbourne University and a BA in Business Management from Westminster University, both in London. Specialising in Visual Storytelling, she utilised mediums like photography and graphic design during her MA to convey themes centred around climate change and human behaviour, drawing inspiration from nature. Her final MA project focused on nature connectivity, exploring the impact of a fast-paced life on the human-nature relationship.

    Prior to UN Live she worked as a marketing coordinator for a leading tech start-up in Oslo, Norway, where her main responsibilities included branding, copywriting, and design.

    oda.lind@museumfortheun.org

Programme Director and Head of India

These healing crystals reflect the connection and balance of the mind, body and soul. They are a symbol of my spiritual journey and work as a therapist. As a lover of wisdom and truth, I've held the belief that one of the greatest ingredients for positive change lies in each one of us striving to be the best versions of ourselves. We are not separate. We are one. Everything is interconnected.

  • Sakshi, an international development professional with 16 years of experience, has led diverse programs and campaigns encompassing air quality, climate change, gender equality, justice, education, and health. With a background working with organisations like Purpose, Population Services International, CHSJ, Bharti Foundation and Equality Now, she brings tri-sector knowledge in collaborating with governments, CSOs, and corporations. Sakshi excels in strategy, partnerships, communications, and large-scale programme development and management. Her career has centered on the intersectionality of social issues, cultural mediums, and behavior change. Beyond her professional endeavors, Sakshi is a certified therapist and spiritual healer. She holds a Master's degree in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies, UK, and a B.A (Hons.) in Political Science from Delhi University.

    sakshi.bhalla@museumfortheun.org

Director for Global We Programme

This intricately carved wooden box, once owned by my late uncle Nelson, holds letters from his closest friends. Reading them paints a beautiful picture of someone I never met but who has shaped me. It prompts reflection on legacy, how I'll be remembered, the impact I create, as well as a link to my roots and the people who have shaped me.

  • Sasha, Director for the Global We Programme at UN Live since 2022, brings a global perspective, having lived in Bombay, Melbourne, and now Copenhagen. In her dual role, she leads the Global We platform and oversees People & Culture at UN Live, embodying her passion for inclusivity, diversity, and the transformative power of culture. Before joining UN Live, Sasha spent over a decade as a leadership development practitioner at Leaders’ Quest, where she led high-performing global teams, designing and facilitating programmes to unlock leadership potential. She also played a pivotal role in Count Us In, a citizens’ climate action campaign catalyzing large-scale global climate action. Sasha holds a Master’s in International Development & Environment Analysis and Zoology.

    sasha@museumfortheun.org

Programme Associate India

Sweets have always been an integral part of my life. The nostalgia that a box of sweets carries is not something I’ve found replicated in anything else. Through life’s curveballs, it always helps to remind oneself of the simpler pleasures, the sweeter aspects of life and what better exemplifies that!

  • Shubhankar, a Programme Associate with Defenders of Planet Earth in India, holds a postgraduate degree in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. With over 8 years of volunteering and 2 years of professional experience in the development sector, he co-founded "GoingZero," India’s first online Plastic-free Vegan store recognised under Startup India. In his professional capacity, Shubhankar played a key role in launching India's first ISO certified constituency office for the Delhi Government and contributed to enhancing transparency in the Grievance Redressal system. His experience extends to 'Swaniti Initiative,' a not-for-profit organisation, where he conceptualised projects and designed their monitoring and evaluation framework.

    shubhankar.paliwal@museumfortheun.org

Director of Finance and Operations

An object of storytelling at its highest level! Corto Maltese continuously taking you on all sorts of open minding adventures. A huge shout-out to Hugo Pratt for creating this universe…

  • Troels, UN Live's Director of Finance and Operations since Spring 2023, brings a wealth of expertise with a Master of Science in Economics and Finance. With extensive experience as a trusted financial business partner and head of Finance and IT teams in startups and multinational businesses, Troels excels as a problem-solver and improvement-driven leader. Thriving in diverse environments, he fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Troels is a dedicated, hands-on team player with a natural leadership flair. His business acumen, negotiation skills, and focus on relationship-building have proven fruitful in interactions with internal and external stakeholders, both in Denmark and globally.

    troels.nedergaard@museumfortheun.org

Iminza Mbwaya

Programme Manager for Sounds Right

I'm proud to come from generations of women whose journeys led them to challenge biases in various spaces. Mine started with playing football, and on boys' teams nonetheless. I learned to free myself from others' expectations of me. To nurture community in spaces with seemingly glaring differences, and practice discipline, empathy, and collaboration.

  • Iminza is Global Programme Manager for Sounds Right, a platform for global music artists to help nature fund its own conservation. At Sounds Right, Iminza brings a strategic, creative, and legal skillsets to support the program design and implementation. ​

    Prior to joining UN Live, Iminza worked with Dalberg Global Development Advisors and Axum. Among other things, her work focused on designing and piloting novel concepts for outsized impact and sustainable returns. She has supported public, private, and philanthropic organizations, including advising a leading global sustainability prize on how to enhance its profile and long-term impact on innovators and sustainability leaders.

Board of Directors

Birgitte Hagemann Snabe, Board member

Founder, Young Global Pioneers
Elected 2021

  • Birgitte is the former Director of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary’s Foundation. Previously, she was a Manager at Deloitte and management Consultant at IBM Consulting Group.​

Co-Founder, Museum for the United Nations
UN Live, former ED, UNOPS
Elected 2016

Jan Mattsson, Board Chair

  • Jan’s career spanned international development work in all regions of the world, through leadership roles at various agencies of the United Nations. In his final UN assignment, he was Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services, an organisation specialising in the implementation of humanitarian and peace-building operations.​

Jessica Faieta, Board member

Senior Fellow Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, former UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Carribbean
Elected 2022

  • Jessica Faieta was the Resident Representative of the UNDP in Colombia as well as She the Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Colombia. Jessica has more than 28 years of distinguished service in the UN. She currently works as lecturer at Yale University.​

Julia Goldin, Board member

Global Chief Marketing Officer, LEGO
Elected 2018

  • Julia is a marketing professional, and currently serves as LEGO Group’s Global Chief Marketing Officer. Julia has worked with most major markets across the world, and has lived in Russia, US, UK and Japan. ​

Karen Wang

CEO and Founder of Climind, SDG Young Leader, United Nations
Elected 2023

  • Karen serves as the CEO and founder of Climind, a climate co-pilot platform that delivers actionable climate data infrastructure through AI technologies to facilitate mitigation and adaptation solutions. She is the first Chinese female to be selected as a Young Leader for the SDGs recognized by the United Nations.​

Founding Chair at Africans rising for Justice, Peace and Dignity
Elected 2023

Kumi Naidoo

  • Kumi Naidoo is a human rights and climate justice activist. He was International Executive Director of Greenpeace International and Secretary General of Amnesty International. In 2016 Naidoo became the Founding Chair of Africans Rising, working for justice, peace and dignity.​

Mikkel Bülow-Lehnsby, Vice-Chairman

Co-founder & Chairperson of Urban Partners, NREP and 2150
Elected 2021

  • Mikkel is a repeat-entrepreneur and co-founded Urban Planners (formerly NREP); a leading Northern European vertically integrated real estate investor. He led the company as CEO for over 13 years and now acts as Chairman.​

Omino Gardezi

Founder of A+, Liirn and Saints
Elected 2023

  • Omino is at the forefront of machine learning for creativity, exploring collective intelligence to elevate the creative process. Drawing on his expertise in design, data, art, and technology, he advocates for intersectional thinking and pushes storytelling boundaries.​

UN Live complies with good foundation governance principles and adheres to the recommendations set out by Committee on Foundation Governance, accessible here: www.godfondsledelse.dk. Core governing principles include (not limited to):

  • Transparency on board members selection processes

  • Board member election period of 2 years

  • Well-established processes and annual wheel for board meetings, budget approvals, strategy assessments

  • Continuous internal and external assessments of financial management

Global Leadership Council

Ban Ki-moon

Former UN Secretary-General

Ahmad Alhendawi

Secretary-General, World Organization of the Scout Movement

Darren Walker

President, Ford Foundation

Chmba Ellen Chilemba

Founder, Tiwale

Ilwad Elman

Director of Programs & Development, Elman Peace HRC

Jesper Nygård

CEO, Realdania

Ricardo Piquet

President, Museum of Tomorrow

Trisha Shetty

Founder, SheSays

We are hugely grateful for all the care, curiosity and excitement that people share and bring to UN Live. A special thanks to Lars Nittve, Jimmy Maymann and Olafur Eliasson who led some of the early thinking behind The Museum for the United Nation's infrastructure, online presence and design & content. Dedicated thanks go to:

Our supporters

Amity University, Anchorage Museum, BBC Media Action, Canto al Agua, Learning Planet Institute, Count Us In, Exaptive Inc., The Climate Agenda, Fingerprint Content, Greening The Camps, Guardians of the Forest, Hoperaisers, Human Circle, IDEO, If Not Us Then Who, Institute of Sound and Music, Jadal Culture, Kaputt, Liga das Mulheres pelos Oceanos, Loughborough University, Low Carbon City, Manara, Maloka Museum, Movilizatorio, Museum of Tomorrow, Natural History Museum UK, Parque Explora, Pimp my Carroça, Procomum Institute, Purpose, Shared Studios, Studio Olafur Eliasson, The Flipflopi Project, Thinc, VozTerra, We Are Museums, WildAid.

Our partners

Foundations & governments

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Augustinus Foundation

Bikubenfonden

Community Arts Lab / Porticus

DANIDA

Det Obelske Familiefond

Dreyers Fond

EIT Climate-KIC

Ford Foundation

Hempel Foundation

Hermod Lannungs Fond

IKEA Foundation

Nordeafonden

Oak Foundation

Rambøll Foundation

Realdania

Wellcome Trust 

Patrons

Alexander Aghassipour,
Zendesk

Anders Eldrup,
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

Annemette Færch

Preben Damgaard,
Damgaard Company A/S

Henrik Lind
Danske Commodities

Jeppe Laurids Hedaa,
7N

Jimmy Maymann

Mikkel Bülow-Lehnsby,
NREP

Rasmus Nørgaard
NREP

Søren Vestergaard Poulsen
CVC Capital Partners

Torben Wind

Companies

AKQA

Accountor

Dalberg

Deloitte

Designit

Horten

IDEO

Isobar

Nordic Development Cooperation

NREP

Join us

We are aiming high, moving fast, and know we have a lot to learn. We are excited to hear your ideas, and to continue to grow our network of friends, partners, and supporters. If you’re interested in collaborating with us, have an idea, or a question, please get in touch via info@museumfortheun.org.

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