What are some of the personal and professional challenges you are experiencing/have experienced? 

Over the two years of my graduate programme, I directly supported three different Deputy Regional Directors, each with a distinct working style and approach to collaboration. Experiencing leadership transitions was challenging. While the core priorities of the role remained consistent, I quickly realized that a generic approach to executive support was not effective. 

How do you navigate these challenges? Have you tapped into any resources or support systems?

While leadership transitions felt a bit unsettling, I learned that managing change requires more than just technical expertise or being good at your job. It demands agility, adaptability, and the ability to understand and respond to shifting expectations. Clear and timely communication is essential. I also found that building strong relationships across teams is invaluable, as I often relied on colleagues to stay aligned and deliver results.

How has been your learning journey so far? How are you leveraging your previous experience in this role so far?

This journey has been deeply personal and transformative, and I am full of gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to UNDP’s work for people and planet. My previous experience in humanitarian work and research has been invaluable in this role, as it gave me a strong grounding in navigating complex challenges and approaching issues with a mix of analytical rigor and empathy. Those skills have helped me adapt quickly to a fast-paced directorate, where priorities shift rapidly and solutions often need to be both practical and strategic.

I still remember my first few months: eager, but a little overwhelmed. Supporting senior leaders at this level felt like being dropped into the deep end. I wanted to get everything just right, but I soon realized that here perfection often has to make room for purpose and pace. My humanitarian background taught me to focus on impact even when conditions are less than ideal, and my research experience trained me to distill complexity into clear, actionable insights.

Along the way, I have come to value the power of supportive colleagues who show up when it matters most. This journey has not only sharpened my professional abilities but also taught me how to stay grounded, adaptable, and human.

What are some of the most rewarding parts of this journey?

"Proximity is power". One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been exposure. I had the opportunity of working closely with visionary leaders and interacting with extremely brilliant colleagues, and I was able to see how strategy is shaped at the highest levels. I have learned not only by observing but by being trusted with real responsibilities that pushed me to grow. It is incredibly fulfilling to look back and recognize the areas I have improved in, and to see myself evolve, overcoming challenges I once found daunting. Coming from a developing country, the journey has also been a personal lesson in resilience. It has taught me the importance of staying persistent despite systemic challenges and remaining true to my values. I have also come to understand that continuous learning and a willingness to step into difficult roles are not just about competence but what truly sets people apart. Coming to the end of this Graduate Programme, I realize that my achievements are not mine alone, but a testament to what is possible for other young people.