the Executives · A Dialogue with Majid
Stephanie Blenckner, Comms Director @SIPRI, Communicating Peace in a World of Misinformation
With Stephanie Blenckner,
About this episode
Stephanie Blenckner, SIPRI Communications Director, discusses her career from marine biology to peacebuilding. Key topics include facts’ role in peacebuilding amidst disinformation, the power of silent diplomacy, engaging Gen Z on global peace, and leadership lessons from her 16+ years at SIPRI.
The interview covers her career, SIPRI’s mission, communication challenges in diplomacy, daily work, reaching policymakers and media, navigating misinformation, journalist collaboration, crisis communication, social media strategy, and career advice in global communication.
Episode chapters
- 00:30 Stephanie Blenckner, Communications Director at SIPRI
- 01:17 Stephanie’s Career Pivot from Marine Biology
- 02:16 Stephanie’s experience in Communications
- 03:14 Weird food combination Stephanie likes
- 05:06 What Is SIPRI & Why It Matters?
- 07:00 Explaining Peacebuilding to Gen Z
- 12:34 Communication Challenges in Diplomacy
- 14:49 Stephanie’s normal day at work in SIPRI
- 16:25 Lessons from 16 Years at SIPRI
- 28:23 Reaching Policymakers and Media
- 28:23 Navigating Credibility in a Misinformation Age
- 39:15 Collaborating with Journalists & Stakeholders
- 41:41 Crisis Communication at SIPRI
- 45:45 Social Media Strategy for Peace Messaging
- 51:50 Advice for Careers in Global Communication
- 56:54 Final Thoughts on Hope & Human-Centered Leadership