Dr. Ana Pantelic is currently Social Policy Manager for UNICEF Uganda, where she advises on the design, management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all stages of social policy programming and related advocacy, from strategic planning and formulation, to delivery of concrete and sustainable results. This includes programs aimed at improving (a) public policies to reduce child poverty; (b) social protection coverage and impact on children; (c) the transparency, adequacy, equity and efficiency of child-focused public investments and financial management; and (d) child rights governance, decentralization and accountability measures to increase public participation and the quality, equity and coverage of social services. This encompasses both direct program work with government and civil society partners as well as linkages and support to teams working on education, health, child protection, water and sanitation, and HIV.
In addition to this, Ana is also a Social Policy and Communication consultant for the Center for Rural Development and Applied Learning, World Summit Youth Award Ambassador for Serbia and Colombia, Boston University Alumni Ambassador for Serbia, and mentor for a number of professional networks.
Prior to this, she was Chief Strategy Officer for Fundación Capital, an international social enterprise whose mission is to advance economic citizenship globally and at scale. A key member of the executive team, she guided the organization's growth and development to broaden its scale and scope, and increase impact. Heading up the US office, she led the organizational strategy, managed global external relations, and spearheaded impact initiatives and innovation processes. She proactively launched an organization-wide performance management and social impact measurement system to increase efficiency, positioned the organization globally through a set of prestigious awards, and provided technical guidance and support on a variety of issues, including social protection, financial inclusion, and digital solutions, to increase the financial and productive inclusion of millions of low-income families.
She is also Founder of LISTA Initiative, a scalable digital solution proven to empower low-income families, helping them manage their scarce resources, increase their savings, and ultimately build assets to decrease vulnerability. LISTA has become Fundación Capital's flagship initiative, having reached 500,000+ users across ten countries on three continents, and having been adopted into public policy by several national governments.
Prior to living in Bogotá, Colombia, she worked on local economic development in Serbia through USAID's Municipal Economic Growth Activity and as a researcher with the Center for Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development in her native Serbia. While there, she was also founder of the Sustainable Habits for Sustainable Development project, organizing virtual Sustainability Week initiatives for youth in the Balkans. She also spent a year in Spain working as a teaching fellow through the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, among other engagements.
Ana is frequently invited to lecture at conferences and universities and has spoken on topics ranging from sustainable development to financial inclusion in 21 countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, Ethiopia, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Switzerland, Uganda and the United States). She has also been featured on television and in the media, and has participated in two TEDx events. A published author, amateur photographer, and enthusiastic traveler, she is fluent in three languages, and seeks to leverage her personal, professional and academic interests in order to positively contribute to the world, seeking well-being, equity, and social justice.
She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Belgrade in Serbia, a Master of Arts in International Relations (with distinction) from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Science in Communication (magna cum laude) with a minor in Business Administration and Management, also from Boston University. She is currently based in Kampala, Uganda.
In addition to this, Ana is also a Social Policy and Communication consultant for the Center for Rural Development and Applied Learning, World Summit Youth Award Ambassador for Serbia and Colombia, Boston University Alumni Ambassador for Serbia, and mentor for a number of professional networks.
Prior to this, she was Chief Strategy Officer for Fundación Capital, an international social enterprise whose mission is to advance economic citizenship globally and at scale. A key member of the executive team, she guided the organization's growth and development to broaden its scale and scope, and increase impact. Heading up the US office, she led the organizational strategy, managed global external relations, and spearheaded impact initiatives and innovation processes. She proactively launched an organization-wide performance management and social impact measurement system to increase efficiency, positioned the organization globally through a set of prestigious awards, and provided technical guidance and support on a variety of issues, including social protection, financial inclusion, and digital solutions, to increase the financial and productive inclusion of millions of low-income families.
She is also Founder of LISTA Initiative, a scalable digital solution proven to empower low-income families, helping them manage their scarce resources, increase their savings, and ultimately build assets to decrease vulnerability. LISTA has become Fundación Capital's flagship initiative, having reached 500,000+ users across ten countries on three continents, and having been adopted into public policy by several national governments.
Prior to living in Bogotá, Colombia, she worked on local economic development in Serbia through USAID's Municipal Economic Growth Activity and as a researcher with the Center for Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development in her native Serbia. While there, she was also founder of the Sustainable Habits for Sustainable Development project, organizing virtual Sustainability Week initiatives for youth in the Balkans. She also spent a year in Spain working as a teaching fellow through the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, among other engagements.
Ana is frequently invited to lecture at conferences and universities and has spoken on topics ranging from sustainable development to financial inclusion in 21 countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, Ethiopia, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Switzerland, Uganda and the United States). She has also been featured on television and in the media, and has participated in two TEDx events. A published author, amateur photographer, and enthusiastic traveler, she is fluent in three languages, and seeks to leverage her personal, professional and academic interests in order to positively contribute to the world, seeking well-being, equity, and social justice.
She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Belgrade in Serbia, a Master of Arts in International Relations (with distinction) from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Science in Communication (magna cum laude) with a minor in Business Administration and Management, also from Boston University. She is currently based in Kampala, Uganda.
