Areas of expertise: Mediation, Dialogue, Gender & Inclusion

Biography:  Johanna Poutanen serves as Head, Inclusion and Digital Innovation, leading CMI’s organisational priority on strengthening the role of women in ongoing peace processes and enhancing gender sensitive mediation capacities of key actors globally.

Ms. Poutanen has extensive experience in peace mediation and conflict management, with a proven track record in advising and leading inclusive dialogue processes in diverse contexts. She joined CMI in 2013 to first serve as Country Manager for South Sudan based in Juba. Prior to this, Ms. Poutanen worked for Demo Finland to support constructive cross-party dialogue in transition contexts, including years of support to Nepal’s peace process based in Kathmandu. Ms. Poutanen has also worked for a variety of international agencies in the field of peace and security, including the Strategic Planning Unit of the UN Secretary-General in New York, the Finnish Embassy in Nepal and community dialogue initiatives in e.g. Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Kenya. Ms. Poutanen holds Master’s degrees from the University of Helsinki and Harvard Kennedy School of Government. For the Fall 2019 Ms. Poutanen joined Durham University (UK) as a teaching and research fellow in the project, ‘Mediation for the 21st Century’ with a focus on women’s participation and inclusivity.