Challenge
The UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) wanted to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its impact teams were eager to experiment with new approaches, but the traditional policy cycle was too slow, and there was no structured process for turning ideas into actionable products and solutions.
Objective
As a guest expert and workshop facilitator, I worked across all participating teams to guide them through key product design phases. My focus was on helping teams clarify their user needs, articulate core value propositions, and rapidly develop digital prototypes grounded in real-world use cases.
Outcome
Through workshops and one-on-one coaching, teams translated their concepts into functional MVPs—ranging from interactive policy tools and digital training platforms to accessibility-focused solutions like AI captioning. The program culminated in a demo day where teams presented their work to ESCAP leadership for future resourcing and implementation.
Outcome
Through workshops and one-on-one coaching, teams translated their concepts into functional MVPs—ranging from interactive policy tools and digital training platforms to accessibility-focused solutions like AI captioning. The program culminated in a demo day where teams presented their work to ESCAP leadership for future resourcing and implementation.
Impact
The Innovation Program helped embed design thinking and digital experimentation into the culture of the United Nations ESCAP. My facilitation supported teams in making the shift from abstract ideas to tangible, testable solutions—paving the way for more accessible, scalable, and user-centered policy tools across the region.
Additional Case Studies
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Reimagining Social Impact Collaboration
Catalist, founded by Vincent Arena, set out with an ambitious mission: to help social impact organizations collaborate more effectively, reduce inefficiencies, and share resources, knowledge, and access in order to accelerate meaningful ventures. Despite a strong vision, the initial MVP struggled to deliver the dynamic and interactive experience needed to bring this mission to life.
Developing AI Powered Budgeting
Finroy, founded by Bill Murphy—well known in Canadian FinTech for scaling and exiting Wagepoint—had spent two years developing a product for accountants and small business owners but struggled to find product-market fit or secure investment. Recognizing the need for a new direction, Murphy engaged me to evaluate the product, provide a clear strategy, and help position the company for its next phase.