Meet: Ha Dao, Treasury Junior Analyst '24

1. What brought you to the World Bank Group Treasury, and how has your journey been so far?

I’m originally from Vietnam, and growing up, I would hear about the World Bank Group on national news whenever development projects were discussed. To my younger self, working here sounded almost unreal as it was the kind of place you only see mentioned on television.

While in college, I applied for the World Bank Group Treasury Summer Internship and was fortunate to be selected. That internship eventually led to my current role as a Junior Analyst in Treasury Advisory and Knowledge, where I now support subject-matter experts with background research, data analysis, and preparation of materials for client advisory work.

2. How did the Treasury Summer Internship prepare you for this position?

I was one of the few interns in my cohort without a background in finance or economics, so it was a bit challenging for me to find my footing at first. But being able to rotate across teams within Treasury during the 10-week internship was a huge perk. It gave me the opportunity to see different functions up close, better understand the variety of work our colleagues do on a daily basis, how they all fit together, and where I could contribute the most.

3. What do you appreciate most about the Junior Analyst Program?

One thing I find really interesting about my role is that I also get to work with the Learning & Outreach team. So, besides supporting research, I’m actively involved in supporting clients, coordinating training workshops and webinars, handling logistics, and tracking participant engagement. Being part of both the analytical and operational sides gives me a unique perspective. I get to see how our work comes together from start to finish and how it actually impacts clients across the globe.

4. Name your favorite aspect of the World Bank Group Treasury.

I joined the World Bank Group Treasury with the goal of building my technical skills and contributing to meaningful development work. What I didn’t expect was how much the community here would shape my experience. From day one, colleagues would encourage me to participate in staff initiatives, competitions, and community programs. That environment gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone, try new things, and grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

From organizing activities that support our local D.C. community, to representing the Asian voices as a board member in the staff-led network, I was trusted to take the lead through multiple initiatives and make a difference in my immediate community. This positive attitude permeates our daily work, enabling us to contribute to projects that have a global impact.

5. How did the Youth Innovation Fund competition fit into your journey?

I joined the Youth Innovation Fund (YIF) competition to make a personal impact within the global community. YIF is a World Bank Group funded program that gives early-career staff the opportunity to design and implement their own development projects.

My team and I partnered with a local NGO in Tanzania, Inherit Your Rights, to develop a program that uses a Swahili-language comic book and community workshops to make legal rights understandable and actionable for girls aged 9–18. The curriculum addresses issues such as child marriage, gender-based violence, inheritance, and access to education. When girls understand and can exercise their rights, they are more likely to stay in school, delay marriage, and access economic opportunities. This leads to higher lifetime earnings, healthier families, and stronger workforce participation.

Our efforts were met with enthusiasm from both our NGO partner and the local community, which motivated us to push the project forward. We won the $25,000 grant to implement our project and have now reached the stage of having our comic books published and soon they would be distributed to the local schools and rescue homes.

6. What advice would you give to someone considering applying to the Junior Analyst Program?

Say yes to opportunities that connect you with people outside your immediate team. Join staff networks, volunteer for campaigns, attend events that interest you. Some of the most meaningful parts of my experience didn't come from my daily work, but from the relationships and friendships I built along the way.

The program moves quickly, so it's easy to focus only on immediate responsibilities and forget to step back. Make time to explore the city. Have coffee with colleagues from other departments. Take that lunch invitation. If you stay curious and open, you’ll find the Junior Analyst Program to be even more fulfilling and inspiring than you ever imagined.