Meet the Team | UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

MEET THE TEAM

The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

The Hub is comprised of a dynamic team, largely composed of experts seconded from across the UN system. Taking a systems-based approach, the team connects diverse expertise, shares insights, and coordinates efforts to help countries advance their food systems transformation and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

STEFANOS FOTIOU

Director, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Director, FAO Office of Sustainable Development Goals

Mr. Stefanos Fotiou is an accomplished expert on sustainable development currently serving as Director, Office of SDGs in FAO; under this capacity he is also serving as Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. Prior to joining FAO, Stefanos served 16 years in the UN Secretariat, including 6 years as Director in the Environment and Development Division of the UNESCAP as well as 10 years in the UNEP. Before joining the UN, he had worked for the private sector and academia on issues of regional sustainable development. Throughout his career, Stefanos has taken leading roles in serving international UN fora and platforms, has conceptualised and led the development of regional and national strategies on sustainable development and his work has been published and referenced. He holds a PhD in Natural Resource Economics, a Master of Science in Forestry and Natural Environment and a Master of Science in Information Systems.

LENA SAVELLI

Deputy Director, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms Lena Savelli has more than 22 years of experience with the United Nations, where she has held various positions in management, programme/policy, external relations and communications. She last served as UN Resident Coordinator in Ecuador, where she led a UN Country Team of 24 agencies, funds and programmes through a period of political transition, social protests, growing crime and violence and the response to the Venezuelan refugee/migrant crisis. Prior to that, she served as the World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and UN Resident Coordinator ad interim in Senegal, effectively coordinating the UN system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her career with the United Nations began in 2002 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In 2003, she joined WFP, successively for the offices in Zambia, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, and headquarters in Rome. Between 2013 and 2017, she served as Political Affairs Officer in the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General in New York covering Latin America, West Africa and North-East Asia, as well as humanitarian issues, human security, disarmament and the women, peace and security agenda. Ms. Savelli holds master’s degrees in international law from Lund University and in international human rights and humanitarian law from the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden.

NADINE GBOSSA

Chief of the Means of Implementation, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Director of Food Systems Coordination, IFAD

Ms Nadine Gbossa started her career with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva, and the United Nations Office for Project Services in Abidjan and New York. From 2004, she has held senior management positions with the United Nations Development Programme in Niger and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Italy. As Country Director, Representative and Regional head for IFAD, Nadine worked in several African countries with vulnerable communities, governments, development partners and the private sector for inclusive growth. From 2016 to 2018, Nadine headed the Global Partnerships and Policies Division in the Development Co-operation Directorate of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris leading the OECD’s development cooperation work. In August 2018, was appointed as Representative for IFAD in Nigeria, managing the largest country programme in the region. Subsequently, IFAD appointed her as Director for the West and Central Africa region leading one of IFAD’s largest investment divisions. In 2021, Nadine was appointed as Director for Food Systems Coordination in IFAD and she is the Chief of the Means of Implementation for the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.

SVANTE HELMS

National Pathway Coordinator, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

As the Hub’s National Pathway Coordinator, Mr Svante Helms leads the Hub’s country assistance and coordination of country support with other food system actors. He is in direct contact with National Convenors and governments; UN agencies, IFIs, CSOs, and other actors at country level; and he is engaging with food system coalitions and networks on how best to provide country assistance. Svante is seconded by the World Food Programme (WFP) and comes from a position as Country Director for WFP in Bhutan, where he led inter-agency food system assistance to the government through close Rome-based agency partnership; food system dialogues, pathway development and translation into national strategy frameworks; connecting the climate and food system agenda and mobilising resources for the government for national pathway implementation. He brings 17 years of experience with the UN, and prior to that, Svante worked with the Red Cross, is also a founder of tech and tourism startups and an author.

ROMAIN HOULMANN

Associate Professional Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Mr Romain Houlmann works as an Associate Professional Officer from Switzerland with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub at FAO Headquarters. Before joining the Hub, he worked for several years as Programme Officer and Project Coordinator for Civil Society Organizations, both in Switzerland and in Latin America, dedicated to the promotion of agroecology, food sovereignty and the human right for food. He also worked for a couple of years at the Region of Latin America and Caribbean (RLC) office of the FAO as an Agroecology Officer. Romain has a master’s degree in international development and a CAS in sustainable food systems.

MARTIN BWALYA

Senior Food Systems Regional Consultant (Africa), UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Mr. Martin Bwalya comes with extensive experience in Africa’s development dynamics – with overarching focus on agriculture, food-nutrition security and climate-food systems. His career spans over 20 years in international development, including serving in different portfolios in the now African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) - as Head, Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Division (2009-2015); Head, Programme Development and Strategic Planning (2015-2018); and as Director, Knowledge Management and Programme Evaluation (KMPE) Directorate (2018-2022). As KMPE Director, Martin also coordinated AUDA-NEPAD’s technical support to AU countries along UN Food Systems National Dialogues. Martin is a Machinery Design and Management Engineer by training. Prior to international development work, he worked many years in machinery design and management, specialising in research-and-development (R&D) of reduced tillage equipment. Martin served as inaugural co-chair of the Global Alliance for CSA (GACSA) - 2014-2018.

NICOLE DE PAULA

Technical Officer (Science for Food Systems), UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms Nicole de Paula, PhD, is the Technical Officer (Science for Food Systems) at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, leading the work on thought leadership and science-policy interface. She is the inaugural Klaus Töpfer Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies for Sustainability in Potsdam, Germany, and founder of Women Leaders for Planetary Health. In 2021, she published the book “Breaking the Silos for Planetary Health: A Roadmap for a Resilient Post-Pandemic World”. She is also an advisor to the World Health Organization- South-East Asia Regional Expert Group on Environment Determinants of Health and Climate Change and one of the Scientific Commissioners of The Lancet Pathfinder Commission on decabornization.

THEMBANI MALAPELA

Knowledge Management Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Mr. Thembani Malapela over 15 years of professional experience in Knowledge and Information Management in various institutions. Thembani has been with FAO for almost 13 years, holding knowledge management and digital agriculture related portfolios in the Partnership Office, seconded to Information Technology Division and Office of Innovation. He has extensive experience in knowledge management standards and services, knowledge strategies, communities of practices, various platforms building and management, good practices and knowledge sharing. In the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, he is leading the Knowledge Management portfolio. Thembani served as the FAO Facilitator for The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) (2019-2023), for Action Line C7: E-Agriculture and sat on the advisory committee for the ICTforAg Conferences (2021-2023). Thembani holds a Master of Philosophy Degree (MPhil) in Library and Information Sciences, with the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

KHALED ELTAWEEL

Senior Programme Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Senior Coordinator, FAO Office of the Director-General

Mr Khaled Eltaweel has more than twenty years of professional experience in Development and International Law at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Currently, he also serves as Regional Coordinator at the Office of the Director-General of FAO. Khaled served as Chair of the FAO Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) from 2016-2018 and Chair of the Committee on Food Security (CFS) Working Group on Nutrition 2015-2018. He co-led the implementation of the CFS evaluation. He was elected vice president of the Group of G77 and China in Rome in 2017 and the UNIDROIT General Assembly in 2016. He holds a PhD in International Law from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and a Master of International Business Administration from ESLSCA Business school in Paris. He authored several academic books and articles and is a visiting lecturer of International Law.

JUANA GIRALDO

UN Food Systems Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Juana Giraldo, a UN Food Systems Specialist, plays a pivotal role in supporting the hub's coordination efforts. She actively engages and provides assistance to various stakeholders, undertakes comprehensive analysis of technical data, facilitates the collection of national reports, and develops relevant materials to support advocacy for food system transformation.A veterinary physician specializing in Environmental Management and Disaster Prevention, Juana has over eight years of experience in the humanitarian sector. In her former role as the UN Interagency Food Systems Task Force Facilitator for Latin America and the Caribbean at WFP, Juana coordinated the efforts to support food systems transformations in the region. Prior to this, working with FAO Colombia, Juana supported field teams implementing projects for the restoration of food production, enhanced resilience, and fostering peace in affected communities. She also coordinated the Food Security and Nutrition Cluster within the Humanitarian Country Team. Throughout her career Juana has collaborated with international NGOs such as IFRC, local organizations, public-private entities, and UN agencies. She holds a NOHA Joint Master's Degree in International Humanitarian Action.

MICHELLE SECK

UN Food Systems Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Born and raised in a coastal city in Borneo, Malaysia, Michelle's passion for agriculture and food security stems from the challenges that her country and community faced in these areas. As part of the hub, she supports the overall organization of the Stocktaking Moment and engagement with Member States and Stakeholders in support of food systems transformation. Prior to joining the Hub, she worked as a Partner and Liaison Specialist in the FAO Brussels office, supporting the engagement with Non-State Actors, technical bodies of the EU and OACPS; and later joined the World Food Forum team, leading the work of the Youth Action track – advocating for youth engagement and building capacities of youth to engage in policy processes. Michelle holds a Master's in Nutrition and Rural Development, specializing in public health, and a Bachelor's in Clinical Nutrition.

KENNEDY BARUTA

Communications and Advocacy Expert, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Kennedy Baruta has dedicated the past six years to the food and agriculture sector, specializing in integrated communications planning and execution for various international organizations. Her expertise encompasses both traditional and digital information channels, leveraging the power of storytelling to reshape global perspectives on food production, consumption, and sustainability. Currently, Kennedy manages communications and advocacy at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. In this role, she manages the Hub's website and social media channels, creating communications products to advance SDG-based food systems transformation on national, regional, and global agendas. Prior to joining the Hub, Kennedy served as a communications specialist at a Canadian agriculture company and worked with several non-profits in the areas of youth education and health. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Calgary and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in International Management at the United International Business School.

ABIGAIL SMITH

Communications and Advocacy Specialist Sustainable Development Goals, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Abigail M. Smith is a Communication and Advocacy Specialist for the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. Originally from Buffalo, New York, she has spent nearly a decade living and working in Bangkok, Thailand, where she dedicated herself to building stronger, greener communities. Abigail has extensive experience leading collaborative projects that promote sustainability, equity, and innovation. Notably, she spearheaded the development and funding of a community center in central Bangkok, transforming two historic buildings into a vibrant public space that serves local needs. Her career spans strategic communication, partnership building, and program development across the United Nations, nonprofit organizations, and community initiatives. She is passionate about transforming the global food system to achieve zero hunger and sustainable agricultural practices through cooperation and creative solutions. Abigail holds a Bachelor of Arts with High Honors in Art History and a Minor in Sociology from SUNY University at Buffalo.

KUNTHARA POONJARUWAT

Digital and Multimedia Expert, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Kunthara Poonjaruwat is a communication designer passionate about leveraging creative strategies and storytelling to address social and environmental challenges. She currently supports the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the Office of SDGs at FAO, contributing to the operationalization and implementation of communications and advocacy through her expertise in digital communication. Kunthara specializes in delivering visual narratives that promote the SDGs and drive food systems transformation. Her work encompasses multimedia communication, including graphic design, moving-image production, and web development. Prior to joining the Hub, Kunthara worked as a visual designer for the United Nations ESCAP, where she contributed to the production of communication materials on global sustainable development issues. She also has a background in working with international non-profit organizations and organizing art events, focusing on collaborative community-building through art and cultural practices in Bangkok, Thailand, where she was born and raised.

CINAR YAVUZ

Programme Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms Cinar Yavuz is the Programme Officer of the Food Systems Coordination Hub, assigned by FAO. She has been with UN FAO for almost 13 years holding different administrative and operations positions within the FAO Subregional Office in Ankara, Turkey and the FAO Country Office in Islamabad, Pakistan. She has extensive experience in programme and project operations, administration and funding agreements’ finalization with different donors such as EU, GCF, GEF, JICA, USAID, FCDO and other different governments’ contributions. Before joining the UN, she worked for the private sector in market intelligence and research areas. She is responsible for programme and project development, establishing multi trust funds, umbrella programmes, operationalizing Hub projects, finalization of funding agreements with donors and leading other administrative and operations areas of the Hub. She holds a MA and PhD in educational sciences.

KUNTUM MELATI

Policy Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms Kuntum Melati is a Policy Officer under the Office for Sustainable Development Goals at FAO Headquarters. With 12 years of experience in development in Southeast Asia and internationally, she has held various roles in research, facilitation, and program management. Her work has primarily focused on building partnerships and collaboration to achieve SDGs, especially in the areas of sustainable agrifood systems, circular economy, and natural resource management. In the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, she manages the finance and investment cluster in collaboration with IFAD and The World Bank, supporting the Hub in developing the Corporate Accountability and the Convergence Initiative. She holds an MA in Gender and Peace Building from the UN University for Peace in Costa Rica and an MSc in Environment and Development from the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom.

MIA MADSEN

Policy Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Mia Madsen is a rural development professional with extensive experience in project management, strategic planning, policy development, partnership building and knowledge management across multiple regions including Africa, Europe and Central Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa. As Policy Officer at the Hub, she leads the organization of Food Systems Solutions Dialogues and Webinars and serves as focal point for the UN Food Systems Summit Coalitions of Action, supporting governments with the implementation of their national food systems pathways. Her professional experience includes serving as Programme Officer with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at country, regional and headquarters levels, overseeing a development portfolio of 300 million USD, and as Programme Manager Specialist with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, responsible for livelihood and nexus programming in South Sudan. Prior to her development career, Mia worked as a foreign news journalist for the Finnish Broadcasting Company and other media outlets across the Nordic region, bringing strong analytical and communication skills to her international development work. Mia holds a Master in Social Science (Public International Law) from Åbo Akademi University in Finland and a Master of Arts in African Studies from the University of Copenhagen's Centre for African Studies. She is a binational from Sweden and Finland and is seconded to the Hub from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

OPHÉLIE HÉMONIN

Policy Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Ophélie Hémonin, as Policy Officer for Food Systems Transformation Strategy, oversees UN Country Team Support to sustainable food transitions in 18 countries through the Joint SDG Fund; she is also leading on the convening of the global and national ecosystems of support behind national convenors. More than 15 years of experience of steering UN multilateral processes, including with the Committee on World Food Security (2014-2018) and the UN Secretary-General Food Systems Summit (2020-2021), are grounded in her experience in more than 10 African countries of national policy formulation and inclusive governance (Scaling-Up Nutrition Movement 2018-2020), partnership and Non State Actor participation in regional processes (CAADP Post-Malabo) or in nexus approaches in Humanitarian settings (Yemen). Asides from the UN, Ophelie also worked with research organizations (INRAE) as well as with Civil Society (CARE International). A binational from France and Canada, Ophélie loves outdoor (mountain) sports, music, and everything food-related.

RATHANA PEOU MUNNS

Senior Agrifood Systems Policy Expert, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Rathana Peou Norbert-Munns is an award-winning futurist (APF-IF 2022) and researcher and policy expert in climate change, agriculture, and food security, with over 20 years of experience in development and 13+ years in foresight and scenario planning, bringing technical and strategic expertise in advancing resilient, inclusive, and low emission agrifood systems, and supporting governments and international organizations across South and Southeast Asia. As the Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific within the Hub, she supports regional dialogues and leads the implementation of the Food Systems and Climate Action Convergence Initiative. Her work strengthens the capacities of national convenors, facilitates multi-stakeholder engagement, and guides the review and refinement of national food systems transformation pathways. She also provides technical support to align food systems policies and investments with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Programme, she worked with six countries in the region to co-design foresight planning process for agrifood system transformation. Prior to joining the Hub, Ms. Peou Norbert-Munns served with the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), and the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, where she supported the integration of climate foresight into national agrifood policy processes in Cambodia and Lao PDR. She was honoured with the Association of Professional Futurists' IF Award in 2022 for her work on integrating agro-climatic data into resilient agriculture pathways in Lao PDR. Her research interests encompass the "four inviolate principles": food security, water security, energy security, and social health security. She continues to influence policy and practice through her roles on various advisory boards, including Transparency International Cambodia, and in 2023, she became the new member of the steering committee of the Foresight for Food (F4F) at Oxford University.

GIOVANNI PILATO

Junior Professional Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Mr Giovanni Pilato serves as a Junior Professional Officer from Italy in the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. He supports the strategic and policy work of the Hub, with a focus on the nexus between food systems, food security, environment and climate change, human rights and gender issues. Previously, he worked with FAO in Viet Nam as Program Associate on Governance, Social Inclusion and One UN Coordination. He was also a Program Coordinator at the International Development Law Organization in Rome, working on food security and rule of law projects. Giovanni holds an MSc in Climate Change and Environmental Policy and a bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Relations.

FRANCESCA NARDIELLO

Office Assistant, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms Francesca Nardiello serves as the Office Assistant at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, assigned by FAO. She is responsible for providing administrative services and office support work to the office, digging into data, graphs and tables to find new solutions to increase operational efficiency. Prior to her current assignment in the UN, she had worked for the private sector, supervising and coordinating office operations and, previously, she had the opportunity to undertake an internship at the Embassy of Costa Rica in Italy. She holds a Master’s degree in Languages for International Communications and Cooperation.

PAOLA CONTI

Office Assistant, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Paola Conti works with the UN Food System Coordination Hub as an Office Assistant, providing administrative and logistical support to the office and its members. After completing her degree in Modern Languages and Cultures, she received a Master’s degree in Interpreting and Translation focused on English and Arabic languages. Before joining the Hub, she worked as an administrative-linguistic assistant at the Central Directorate for Immigration of the Italian Ministry of Interior and as a freelance translator. Passionate about the Arabic language, migration issues and migrants’ rights, she attended short academic courses on international protection and asylum systems and spent some time in Tunisia and Jordan where she worked as a volunteer with refugee children. She hopes to use her personal and work skills to concretely contribute to improving lives of disadvantage people.

MERIEM ACHOURI

UN Food Systems Programme Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Meriem Achouri has almost a decade of experience in development, research, and civil society. She joined FAO in 2018, initially working in the resource mobilization and private sector division. Later, she shifted to the inclusive rural transformation and gender equity division, where she focused on promoting inclusivity and gender equity in rural communities. Meriem also gained valuable insights into global cooperation efforts through her experience with the south-south and triangular cooperation division . In 2023, she joined the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, showcasing her dedication to transforming food systems worldwide. Meriem holds a master’s degree in Humanitarian Action from the University of Malta's NOHA program.

LUDOVICA NESBITT

Food Systems Science Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms Ludovica Nesbitt is a junior consultant with a master's degree in International Relations and global studies. She is committed to collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders within the food systems domain, a dedication that has been cultivated through her extensive international encounters. Moreover, Ludovica had the opportunity to undertake an internship at the Council of Europe and later on, with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub itself, which allowed her to experience closely how international actors get to work together. With her academic background, international and practical experiences, Ludovica is poised to make a significant impact on the world stage in addressing the challenges of global food systems.

SOFIA MAUCERI

UN Food Systems Coordination Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms Sofia Mauceri is a junior consultant with a background in international relations and food systems. Before joining the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, she worked at the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD) where she collaborated with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub on sustainable financing for food systems and supported the development of the food finance narrative. Additionally, she worked at the European Court of Auditors in Luxembourg and the Italian Consulate General in Los Angeles. With a commitment to driving positive change on a global scale, Sofia is dedicated to advancing sustainable food systems and advocating for international development initiatives. Sofia also holds a B.A. in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and a M.A in Global Studies.

KARIM ABDELHAMID

UN Food Systems Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Born in Cairo, Mr. Karim Abdelhamid supports the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub in organizing Regional Meetings with diverse stakeholders and advancing the implementation of the Convergence Initiative. He is driven by a commitment to creating inclusive spaces for dialogue among governments, youth, scientists, and civil society actors for food systems transformation. Prior to this role, Karim interned at FAO where he supported the Youth Action Track of the World Food Forum and coordinated the Young Scientists Group. He also served as a UN Volunteer at UNDP Egypt where he supported the Government in launching knowledge publications and organizing pre-COP27 consultations. Karim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration.

VIRGINIA PIGNATA

UN Food Systems Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Virginia Pignata is a junior consultant with expertise in multistakeholder platforms driving the conversation on the climate-food nexus. At the Hub, she supports country programmes and the analysis of national progress. Previously, she worked with the environmental NGO Védegylet and the World Fair Trade Organization, gaining experience in advocacy and civil society mobilization to advance agroecology and scale social enterprises. She holds a BA in Social Sciences and an MA in Development Studies, specializing in power dynamics, systemic barriers to policy change, and pathways to overcoming structural lock-ins.

XIMENA ABRAHAMS IBARRA

UN Food Systems Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Born and raised in San José, Costa Rica, Ms Ximena Abrahams Ibarra earned a degree in Food Engineering and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Food and Beverage Management. With four years of experience in Research, Development, and Innovation within the food industry, she specializes in new product development, process design, raw material and packaging validation, staff training, and compliance with nutritional labeling regulations. Her expertise fuels her passion for enhancing and transforming food production to address global challenges. She is enthusiastic about networking and learning from diverse cultures, believing that innovation and exceptional outcomes result from collaboration with individuals offering varied perspectives.

THARANI MEDIWAKA

Food Systems Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Tharani Mediwaka is a Food Systems Specialist at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, where she provides both quantitative and qualitative support, with a strong focus on food systems analytics and policy guidance. Prior to joining the Hub, Tharani served as an Economics and Policy Analyst Consultant with IFAD in its Asia and the Pacific Division. She has also worked in FAO’s Statistics Division, working on SDG monitoring. She holds a MSc in Development Economics and Food Security, building on her BA in International Relations and International Development from the University of Sussex.

ALESSIA CECI

Intern, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Alessia Ceci holds an interdisciplinary academic background, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Modern Languages for Intercultural Communication and a Master’s Degree in International Studies, both from the University of Roma Tre. Her academic journey sparked a deep interest in the intersection of gender, crisis management, and sustainable development, leading her to focus her Master’s thesis on how crises, such as global pandemics, exacerbate inequalities and disproportionately impact women, particularly in terms of economic security, healthcare access, and exposure to violence. Prior to joining the UN Food System Coordination Hub, Alessia gained hands-on experience in diplomacy and international cooperation through internships at the Embassy of Mexico in Rome and the Embassy of Italy in Bahrain. Passionate about creating global impact, Alessia is focused on promoting sustainable food systems and advocating international development efforts. As part of the Hub, Alessia supports program and project development activities, as well as other cross-cutting initiatives, helping to drive the team’s work forward.

SOFIA COLTELLESE

Intern, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Sofia Coltellese has built a strong background in international and public policy, specializing with two Master’s in European Governance and EU Institutions, and working across government institutions and international organizations to support youth empowerment, social protection, and equitable development. She began her professional journey with the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in Italy, where she supported the Department for Youth Policies and Universal Civil Service. She later joined the United Nations system, working with UNICEF’s Public Partnerships Division in Brussels. In this role, she contributed to policy advocacy, high-level EU engagement, and partnership development focused on food security, nutrition, health and social inclusion. She has also developed expertise in communications, digital social media strategy, and visibility initiatives, promoting UNICEF’s presence within EU policy discussions and broader international engagements. Passionate about strengthening institutional cooperation and promoting inclusive and, especially, sustainable policymaking, Sofia continues to work on initiatives that bridge advocacy, strategic communication, and governance to drive impactful change.

STEVEN EDWARDS

Intern, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Mr. Steven Edwards has a background in sustainable finance, with experience in ESG data, investment strategy, and the integration of climate and sustainability data into financial products. At his prior role in ISS STOXX in London, he developed climate and ESG indices for institutional investors, using Python and portfolio optimization tools to back-test strategies and analyse complex datasets, including ESG scores and climate risk metrics. Steven has also worked at an ESG data provider and in behavioural science consulting, where he assisted asset managers with portfolio analysis, sustainability strategy, and data integration. His career spans both public and private sectors, with a focus on climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, and the role of financial systems in supporting the SDGs. Steven holds a degree in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Cambridge.

SABINA TURYSBEKOVA

Intern, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Sabina Turysbekova is originally from Kazakhstan and holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and a Master's in European Studies with a focus on law. During her academic journey, she participated in exchange programs in Germany and Portugal, which helped her develop a broad and global perspective. She has worked in business development at a law firm and spent two years at UPL, a multinational agricultural company, where she gained firsthand experience in sustainable agriculture and food systems. Her commitment to international cooperation is further reflected in her volunteer work with the International Organization for Migration, where she deepened her understanding of humanitarian efforts, and with UNESCO as a children’s coordinator during her university years. Sabina is enthusiastic about contributing to the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and supporting its mission to advance inclusive and sustainable global food systems transformation.

ABYSSINIA MIRUTSE GIDAY

Intern, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Abyssinia Mirutse Giday is a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and rural development, originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. With a background in Political Science and International Relations from Addis Ababa University, she is currently advancing her studies in International Development and Agricultural Economics at the Czech University of Life Sciences. Growing up in a country where agriculture plays a central role in both the economy and people’s livelihoods, Abyssinia developed a deep interest in food systems, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development. Her hands-on experience in the INGO sector, particularly in emergency food assistance, has fueled her commitment to creating long-term, climate-resilient solutions. She is especially drawn to the links between policy, research, and local impact, aiming to support evidence-based initiatives that empower communities and strengthen food security.

ALEXANDER BIRKLE

Intern, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Mr. Alexander Birkle is a recent Bachelor graduate of SciencesPo Paris, where he studied Politics and Government with a regional specialization on Mediterranean and Western Asia. He is currently pursuing a degree in Sustainable Management and Technology at the Technical University of Munich. He joined the Hub from the German Permanent Representation to the UN Organizations in Rome where he gained valuable insights into the governance and oversight of RBAs while supporting the daily work of a diplomatic mission abroad. Before, he worked in a French public policy consulting firm, DMI Associates, where he supported the acquisition of development aid projects along with the project management and backstopping of ongoing ones. Alexander has a strong interest in sustainable development, food security, and global cooperation

AYÇA GÜLHAN

Intern, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Ayça Gülhan is originally from Türkiye and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering from Başkent University. During her undergraduate studies, she developed a strong interest in agricultural biotechnology, with a particular focus on plant molecular biology and crop genetic improvement aimed at sustainable agriculture. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Health at the University of Health Sciences in Ankara. There, she gained hands-on experience in data analysis, public health research, and global health policy. As an intern at the Food Systems Coordination Hub she is enthusiastic about contributing to initiatives that promote food system transformation, integrating her passion for molecular biology with her deep interest in public and global health.

ASTHA BANJARA

Intern, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Astha Banjara holds an MSc in International Social and Public Policy from the London School of Economics and a BA in International Relations from the University of Sussex. Her graduate research examined the neoliberal restructuring of food systems and its impact on smallholder farming and food insecurity in Nepal, underscoring her interest in the intersection of food systems, sustainability, and social policy. Astha has contributed to NGO-led initiatives in agriculture, WASH, and public health. Going forward, she is particularly motivated by efforts to promote just transitions in food and agricultural systems, strengthen accountability in policy processes, and ensure that food systems transformation reflects the voices and needs of smallholders.

NORA LEGONIN

Intern, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Nora Legonin is a young professional at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, where she supports the implementation of the Convergence Initiative and preparations for the UNFSS+4 Stocktaking Moment. Passionate about inclusive development and equitable partnerships with the Global South, Nora brings both analytical expertise and practical field experience in rural development and sustainable food systems. Her journey has taken her across the African continent—most recently working for the GIZ in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where she supported national leadership and dialogue for more sustainable agricultural systems and policies. Prior to that, she served as a consultant for a German advisory firm, where she led evaluations and studies on topics ranging from agri-finance to gender equity and post-colonial development. A French and German national, Nora holds a double-degree in political science with a focus on sustainable development, and a Master’s in international cooperation and development.