Johanna Poutanen

Thematic expertise: Mediation strategy and process design; dialogue design; women’s inclusion in peace processes; digital peacemaking; youth, peace and security

Regional/country-specific expertise: Horn of Africa, Middle East and North Africa, South Asia

Languages: English, intermediate Spanish and French

Johanna Poutanen is the Head for Women in Peacemaking and Digital Peacemaking at CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation. In this role, Johanna leads CMI’s methodological priorities that advance more gender inclusive settlements to conflicts and respond to the opportunities and threats digital technologies present to peacemakers.

Johanna has extensive experience in peace mediation and conflict management, with a proven track record in designing advising and leading inclusive dialogue processes in conflict-affected contexts such as Yemen, South Sudan, Palestine and Nepal, among others. She joined CMI in 2013 as the organisation’s representative for South Sudan based in Juba. Prior to this, Johanna worked for Demo Finland to support constructive cross-party dialogue in transition contexts, including several years of support to Nepal’s peace process based in Kathmandu. In addition, Johanna has 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. Kosovo and Kenya.