Welcome

Hi, I’m David Jensen. This site highlights my professional work including experience, publications, teaching, podcasts, and platforms including my role as a judge for competitions and hackathons. Use the quick links below to jump to what you need.

Profile

I consider myself to be an international leader in digital transformation, environmental sustainability, and multilateral diplomacy. I have over 20 years of experience at UNEP and within the UN system, spearheading innovative solutions that leverage AI, data, and global partnerships to address climate change, natural resource governance, and biological conservation. I'm recognized for pioneering global public-private partnership initiatives, involving governments, industry, academia, and civil society, such as the Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability (CODES), AI for the Planet, the UN Biodiversity Lab, Earth School and the Environmental Peacebuilding Association (EnPax). I've also written, co-authored or contributed to over 20 major UN reports on different environmental topics and worked in over 30 countries. I enjoy radical collaboration and brokering multi-stakeholder partnerships to address collective-action solutions. If you want to work with me, I ask that you leave your ego at the door and instead bring your humanity, intellect, and sense of humor, along with the unique perspective and influence you carry.

Skills

  • Team leadership and strategy development
  • Digital transformation and AI innovation
  • Policy analysis and systems thinking
  • International diplomacy and peacebuilding
  • Project design, fundraising and resource mobilization
  • Public speaking and high-level representation
  • Multi-stakeholder engagement and coalition building
  • Public–private partnerships
  • Knowledge product development and communication
  • Thought leadership
  • Natural resource governance
  • Environmental assessment and restoration

Career Progression

Over three decades, my career has moved through three domains. From 1993–2000, I worked in conservation biology with an emphasis on sustainable land-use planning and environmental restoration. From 2000–2015, I assessed the environmental impacts of conflict with UNEP field teams. I also worked on the governance of natural resources for conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Since 2016, I have focused on the environmental risks and opportunities of digital technologies, including AI.

Education

  • MSc Biology, University of Oxford, UK (1999–2000) — Focus on biological conservation using advanced technologies including big data, earth observation and genetic sequencing. Published research results in Science.
  • BSc Geography, University of Victoria, Canada (1992–1997) — Natural resources management and policy. Top GPA in Faculty of Science; Jubilee Medal.

Certifications and Training

  • Harvard Executive Education (2025) — Mastering Complex Negotiations with AI.
  • Google Cloud (2025) — Generative AI Leadership Certification.
  • Stanford Executive Education (2024) — Digital Transformation and AI Playbook.
  • UNDP / MIT Presencing Institute (2023) — Systems Transformation Leadership.
  • Columbia University (2016) — Natural Resources for the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Channel Research (2014) — Monitoring and Evaluation for Complex Interventions.
  • Encompass (2010) — Management Development and Leadership Training.
  • Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2008) — Peace Mediation Training.
  • University of California, Berkeley (2007) — Environmental Leadership Programme.