Thomas Davin

Global Innovation Director at UNICEF

Thomas Davin was appointed the Director of the Office of Innovation in November 2020.

A passionate and results-focused executive with over 20 years of experience driving social change in the nonprofit sector, particularly in international development and crisis management settings.

In this role, Davin leads a team focused on supporting the development of global social goods and spotting innovations that offer transformational potential for children, from data science to AI, machine learning, blockchain, and product innovation.

He previously served as the UNICEF Thailand Representative and earlier as the UNICEF Representative in Algeria. He also worked as the Regional Chief of Disaster Preparedness, Resilience Building and Emergency Response for the Middle East and Northern Africa Region and as the Deputy Representative for UNICEF Djibouti.

Before joining UNICEF, Davin worked with UNHCR, OSCE, IRC, and a few community-based French NGOs in Kosovo, Romania, Burkina Faso, and France.

Davin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Sciences Po Strasbourg, France. He is a French national.

2025 Back to School

Thomas Davin

Global Innovation Director at UNICEF

Thomas Davin was appointed the Director of the Office of Innovation in November 2020.

A passionate and results-focused executive with over 20 years of experience driving social change in the nonprofit sector, particularly in international development and crisis management settings.

In this role, Davin leads a team focused on supporting the development of global social goods and spotting innovations that offer transformational potential for children, from data science to AI, machine learning, blockchain, and product innovation.

He previously served as the UNICEF Thailand Representative and earlier as the UNICEF Representative in Algeria. He also worked as the Regional Chief of Disaster Preparedness, Resilience Building and Emergency Response for the Middle East and Northern Africa Region and as the Deputy Representative for UNICEF Djibouti.

Before joining UNICEF, Davin worked with UNHCR, OSCE, IRC, and a few community-based French NGOs in Kosovo, Romania, Burkina Faso, and France.

Davin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Sciences Po Strasbourg, France. He is a French national.

2025 Back to School
2025 Back to School Summit
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
4:30 pm

Driving Impact Through Innovation: A Fireside Chat with Thomas Davin, UNICEF

Join Thomas Davin, Director of UNICEF’s Office of Innovation, for an engaging fireside chat on how cutting-edge solutions are transforming outcomes for children worldwide. From scaling digital learning platforms and pioneering blockchain for transparency, to harnessing data science for rapid response in crises, UNICEF is reimagining how technology serves the most vulnerable. Hear about the challenges in turning bold ideas into global impact—and leave with clear calls to action on how you can support innovation that changes lives.