Women in Tech: curiosity over convention - how Rosalinda del Valle built an IT career with global impact

The Women in Tech series puts the spotlight on women who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital innovations across UNDP. By sharing these inspiring individual stories, we hope to encourage others to choose this path and spur gender equality in the digital sector.

February 4, 2026
Women in Tech Series banner with a woman in blue, UNDP logo, Rosalinda Del Valle.


“Growing up, I was encouraged to pursue a career in either Medicine or Accounting,” Rosalinda Del Valle, Technical Specialist at UNDP, recalls. Dutifully, she started out at Pace University Lubin School of Business in New York as an Accounting major. But destiny had other plans: “A computer programming class changed everything. I realized accounting wasn’t my calling, so I switched to a major in Management of Information Systems (MIS), opening the door to a career I hadn’t imagined”, Rosalinda continues.  

Rosalinda began her career at Condé Nast Publications, swiftly progressing in HR systems and technology leadership. Her expertise in PeopleSoft projects bridged HR and IT, paving the way to tech roles in other companies and eventually the United Nations, all sparked by her bold decision to change direction. Many organizations rely on PeopleSoft, a software solution that enables them to manage employee information, payroll, and finances within a single platform, greatly simplifying administrative tasks. 

A leap into global impact  

In 2006, Rosalinda joined UNDP as a Technical Specialist. “I came across a job opening that perfectly aligned with my experience, particularly in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation. I knew this was an opportunity to make a meaningful impact and apply the skills I had developed over the years.”  

Her first major challenge? Supporting UNDP’s transition from the legacy Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) to PeopleSoft across 170+ country offices, a complex, global implementation involving entitlements, security, and large-scale coordination.  

In 2021, Rosalinda supported the launch of Quantum Human Capital Management (HCM) — a two-year global initiative delivered through strong collaborative team effort. Working closely with UNDP, partner agencies, and cross-functional colleagues, she contributed to supporting over 40,000 personnel across more than 170 countries in transitioning from the legacy system ATLAS to the new Quantum ERP. Rosalinda currently leads the Quantum HCM Operational Support Team. 

Five people with lanyards posing on a waterfront promenade, city skyline behind them.

Rosalinda and her team members during the 2024 Quantum Summit in UNDP New York HQ.

Photo: UNDP


Lessons learned and words of wisdom 
Rosalinda’s story is a testament to resilience and adaptability. Switching from an Accounting major to a tech leader in a global organization, her journey underscores the importance of embracing change with openness. 

Her advice to anyone aspiring to enter tech? 
 
Follow curiosity, not convention: Shifting from Accounting to MIS highlights the value of exploring what genuinely interests you. Don’t feel confined by early expectations or societal norms, one curiosity-driven decision can redefine your career. 

Take bold career leaps: Transitioning to the UN and supporting a global implementation like PeopleSoft and Quantum HCM required stepping into unfamiliar territory. Be willing to take risks and embrace opportunities that stretch your skills. 

Lead through complexity: Large-scale, global projects involve coordinating across multiple teams, countries, and processes. Learn to manage complexity through planning, communication, and building strong relationships across stakeholders. 

Nineteen years after joining UNDP, Rosalinda still remembers the excitement of receiving her UN ID. “I stared at it and thought, how lucky I am to be part of something bigger?” Today, she continues to lead with purpose, proving that the path to tech leadership isn’t always linear.