About Speaker

Marissa Asen is the Head of Exploration for the UNDP Pacific Accelerator Lab. She has led research and pilot projects in areas such as plastics and the circular economy, gender-based violence, digitally enabled decentralisation, and climate change. With a Master’s in Diplomacy and International Affairs and a deep understanding of Pacific-specific challenges and global development trends, Marissa is passionate about amplifying grassroots innovation to address complex development challenges and build resilience in the Pacific region.