Hana Smith is a multilateral policy professional specialising in gender equality, international peace and security, and human rights. Hana's professional experience includes at the United Nations, where she worked on peacekeeping reform initiatives and engaged closely with Member States. At the European Commission, Hana was among the 1% of successful non-EU Member State applicants across the organisation. Her work at the EU supported cultural diplomacy and cross-region cooperation efforts. Hana has also gained significant experience across a range of non-governmental organisations liaising at both the international and the grassroots levels. She has provided critical interpreting support to asylum seekers and undocumented migrants, including many women and children, enabling access to legal counsel. For nearly four years, Hana also volunteered with an NGO supporting at-risk youth in Rwanda, using the creative arts as a tool to engage and stabilise children in education. Hana is an active member of the UK Civil Society Women’s Alliance and has served on the Core Group since 2025. She was a member of the Alliance’s Zero Draft Working Group ahead of the 70th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), providing policy analysis, advising on negotiation language, and engaging in closed meetings with UK civil servants.

Hana received a First Class MA (Hons) in Interpreting and Translation (French & Spanish) from Heriot-Watt University, where she was named the 2018 Fiona Watson Memorial Award scholar. Hana also holds an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she specialised in gender and migration studies. Hana’s experience living and working across continents has shaped her outlook on life and has enabled her to bring unique perspectives to her work. Originally from Scotland, Hana is interested in enhancing NAWO’s engagement at the government level, bringing her experiences across diplomacy and policy to this forum