NEWS

Dan Coviello ‘13 ‘15G didn’t set out to work with the United Nations, but a few chance connections at Lehigh set him on a path that would take him from campus service trips to international conferences, United Nations briefings, and global advocacy.

Coviello, who first became involved with the LU/UN Partnership during his undergraduate years, said he did not initially seek out the program. Instead, his introduction came through campus involvement with the Community Service Office and Global Union, where he worked closely with the Partnership’s founder, Bill Hunter.

“I didn’t know the Partnership existed at first,” Coviello said. “But getting involved with the LU/UN Partnership opened up doors I didn’t even realize were there.”

One of those doors appeared during a Lehigh-sponsored service trip to Antigua and Barbuda, co-hosted by Hunter and the Community Service Office. On the trip, Hunter mentioned that he was helping plan a United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) NGO conference in Bonn, Germany, and invited Coviello to attend as a Lehigh representative with a focus on youth empowerment.

Coviello said that the conference was one of his earliest introductions to the UN system and international advocacy.

“There really weren’t many young people in the room,” Coviello said. “You had to find creative ways to make your voice heard.”

Coviello was part of the group that worked to include youth empowerment language into conference declaration. His role focused on coordination and alignment, ensuring that young participants supported the proposed language and that it was appropriately tailored to UN standards.  

The experience opened doors to further opportunities, including a long-term connection with NGO leader Felix Dodds, through which Coviello later co-edited a book on sustainable development. His growing involvement in international affairs and community service also led to an invitation to speak at a UN briefing, where he connected with the head of UN Volunteers and earned the opportunity to assist with the planning of UN Volunteers Day.

Coviello’s continued engagement eventually led to his formal role representing Tarumitra, an environmental NGO based in India, for nearly two years at the United Nations.

One of his most memorable experiences during that time came when a Buddhist NGO invited him to Taiwan to speak about youth involvement at the United Nations. He addressed audiences at monasteries and universities, and was a guest of honor at Buddha’s birthday and Mother’s Day celebrations in Taipei, speaking in front of tens of thousands of people.

“Two seats away from me was the leader of humanistic Buddhism in Taiwan, and three seats away from me was the president of Taiwan at the time,” Coviello said. “That experience was incredible.”

During his undergraduate time at Lehigh, Coviello pursued a Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering. Motivated by his work with the UN, he returned for a master’s degree in environmental policy.

“I viewed this as a continuation of the things that I wanted to study, but didn’t have time to do, and also a means to an end,” Coviello said. “I needed to be a master's student in order to get an internship with the UN.”

Through the connections that he had formed through the LU/UN Partnership, Coviello was able to secure a policy analysis internship in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ division for sustainable development, contributing to the creation and coordination of the Sustainable Development Goals from 2014 to 2015.

That experience marked a turning point, shaping a career that has taken him through public policy, political organizing, healthcare operations, consulting, and international work across the United States and Europe. Through these transitions, Coviello credits the LU/UN Partnership for giving him the confidence and network to pursue these unconventional opportunities.

“The LU/UN Partnership opened up doors and encouraged us to take advantage of them,” Coviello said. “I think most people are only limited by how big they dream and the amount of time that they have. I hope many people get the chance to connect with the Partnership. It changed my life for the better, and while I don’t do it anymore, I still value that time and experience.”

Coviello currently lives in the Netherlands with his wife, also a Lehigh alum.