Sara Rendtorff-Smith

Sara Rendtorff-Smith is a recognised leader at the intersection of technology, peace, and security, with a particular expertise in AI policy and extensive international experience. Since 2020, she has worked at the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations in New York where she serves as Chief Policy Advisor on Tech, Peace and Security, Team Leader for the Middle East and North Africa, and Deputy Spokesperson. 

Previously, Sara was Applied Research Lead for Data-Driven Governance and AI Policy at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, MA (2017-2020). Earlier in her career, she held a number of roles with the United Nations in New York, involving extended tours in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Mali, South Sudan and Sudan, including as Programme Officer for Local Conflict Management and State Authority (2015–2016), and Protection of Civilians Officer (2014–2015), both with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. She also served as Policy and Planning Officer on the Syria Team in the Department of Political Affairs (2013–2014), Peacebuilding Advisor with the UN Mission in Liberia (2011–2013), and Research Analyst for Economic Governance at UNDP’s Bureau for Development Policy (2010–2011). Before joining the UN, Sara worked for the international humanitarian NGO DACAAR in Kabul, Afghanistan (2009-2010) to bring life-saving assistance and livelihoods to the most vulnerable communities across Afghanistan.

Sara holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University, a Master of Arts in International Relations from New York University, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen, as well as a Certificate in Intensive Arabic Language from the American University in Cairo.