About Us: Technical Team
SI’s world-class team of international development experts is our most important asset. Our core team has breadth and depth in all technical sectors with added skills for mobilizing groups and transforming organizations. SI's core team is complemented by a pool of over 1000 vetted consultants.
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Mohammed Abu-Nimer
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation; Democracy and Governance
is an Associate Professor at the American University's School of International Service in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and Director of the American University's Peacebuilding and Development Institute. As a leading expert in his field, Abu-Nimer has conducted research on conflict resolution and dialogue for peace among Palestinians and Jews in Israel; the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; application of conflict resolution models in Muslim communities; inter-religious conflict resolution training; interfaith dialogue; and evaluation of conflict resolution programs. As a practitioner, he has conducted conflict resolution workshops in numerous conflict areas around the world including: Palestine, Israel, Egypt, Northern Ireland, Philippines (Mindanao), Sri Lanka, U.S., and other areas. He has published articles on these subjects in the Journal of Peace Research, Journal of Peace and Changes, American Journal of Economics and Sociology, and in various edited books. Abu-Nimer received his Ph.D. in Conflict Resolution from George Mason University. Languages: Arabic and Hebrew.
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Ali Ahmad
SI Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) OfficerExpertise: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
works on the Alternatives Livelihoods Program (ALP) in Afghanistan sponsored by USAID. Mr. Ahmed has significant performance management experience coupled with an acute understanding of development, relief and transitional issues. Before joining SI, Mr. Ahmad worked for UNDP in Afghanistan as an M&E Officer, for Afghanaid in Afghanistan as an M&E Officer, and as a Program Associate for UNHCR in Pakistan. He holds a Master of Science in Human Nutrition from NWFP Agriculture University Peshawar and a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition from NWFP Agriculture University Peshawar. Mr. Ahmad is based in Jalalabad and speaks English, Urdu, Pashto and Dari.
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Thomas Armor
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Organizational Capacity Building
has more than twenty-five years of experience in development management. He is an expert in management and organizational assessments leading to inclusive and participatory organizational change processes. Armor has extensive experience in the design and conduct of management improvement efforts, including: needs assessments, data collection and feedback, team-building interventions, workshops and training activities. His experience in strategic planning with groups and organizations has included the use of computer based 'tools' as well as specifically designed and conducted planning workshops. Armor's work has also focused on organizational diagnosis and action steps to reduce inter/intra-organizational conflicts and/or misalignments. He has worked extensively with USAID in implementing its policies, procedures and re-engineering principles. Dr. Armor holds a Ph.D. from the UCLA Graduate School of Management, Behavioral Science Department.
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Pamela Atieno-Olwal
APHIAII Partnering/Capacity Building Program OfficerExpertise: Organizational Capacity Building; Partnerships; Facilitation
provides full time support to SI in the Kenya AIDS, Population and Health Integrated Assistance Program (APHIA II) by working with all Local Implementing Partners (LIPs in the Rift Valley. Olwal is the general liaison between LIPs and SI; she monitors capacity building work plans, activities, and reporting for LIPs; consults regularly with all members of the APHIA Rift Team to make certain that all P/CB activity work meets APHIA's needs. As new LIPs join the APHIA program, Olwal assumes the overall management role and facilitates the assessment process. She provides training assistance in the areas of financial management, gender, strategic planning and the development of human resource management materials. Olwal has a diploma in Community Development and has vast experience strengthening the capacity of CBOs and FBOs in the Lake Victoria Region and the conflict ridden/marginalized North Eastern Province of Kenya with emphasis on economic empowerment to vulnerable populations.
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Michael Bamberger
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
has over 40 years of experience in development evaluation and gender analysis, including a decade working with NGOs in Latin America. Before becoming an independent evaluation consultant, Dr. Bamberger conducted evaluations for the World Bank for almost 25 years, working in dozens of social and economic sectors worldwide. He has published five books on development evaluation, including: "Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Research in Development Projects" (2000), "Influential Evaluations" (2005), and "RealWorld Evaluation: Working under Budget, Time, Data and Political Constraints" (2006). He has held leadership roles with the American Evaluation Association, and is on the Editorial Advisory Board of New Directions for Evaluation, a regular reviewer for several professional evaluation journals and Special Editor for international evaluation for the American Journal of Evaluation. He is on the faculty of the International Program for Development Evaluation Training and a regular lecturer at the Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development in Tokyo. Dr. Bamberger holds a PhD in Sociology from the London School of Economics. Languages: Spanish, Portuguese, French.
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Carolyn Barnes
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Health, Economic Growth, Environment
brings more than twenty years of experience as a social scientist addressing development issues, with special attention to poverty reduction. Dr. Barnes has designed and carried out assessments, developed performance monitoring plans, and evaluated programs and projects as a team member, team leader and facilitator. Dr. Barnes has more than ten years experience measuring results and extensive experience in health, economic growth and the environment, particularly working with the World Bank, DFID, FAO and ILO. Dr. Barnes is skilled at training and facilitation in results-based management. On assignments carried out in cooperation with non-governmental organizations, public sector institutions, private sector firms, and international and bilateral development organizations, Dr. Barnes has worked in 20 African countries, three Latin American countries, India, Indonesia, Poland, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Dr. Barnes holds a PhD from Michigan State University in African American Economic History. Languages: French.
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Fiacre Bienvenu
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, HIV/AIDS
works as the M&E Advisor on the Rwanda Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Program (CHAMP), a four year $40M cooperative agreement funded by USAID/PEPFAR. Mr. Bienvenu heads the SI Kigali-based team working to transfer and build monitoring and evaluation and reporting skills to a broad variety of 13 Rwandan Partner Organizations (RPOs) and government officials working in HIV/AIDS and who are linked to this project. He has eight years of professional experience in performance management, governance, community development, conflict mitigation, and health development programs with international NGOs coupled with research skills. Before joining SI, Mr. Bienvenu worked for CARE Rwanda on their PEPFAR-funded HIV/AIDS program. Mr. Bienvenu holds a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from Université Libre de Kigali (ULK). Languages: English, French, Swahili, Amharic and Lingala.
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Richard Blue
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation; Democracy and Governance
has over twenty years of experience in development management. He is an expert in the areas of project performance monitoring and evaluation systems, results-based management (RBM) and capacity building. Blue has worked extensively with multilateral and bilateral agencies and international NGOs to help them manage grants and to build rule of law, civil society and democracy programs. He has worked extensively with USAID in implementing its policies, procedures and RBM principles. He has extensive experience in Eastern Europe, Russia, South and Southeast Asia. Blue is a Master Trainer and Facilitator. He holds a Ph.D. in Government and International Relations from Claremont University. Languages: German and Hindi.
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Philip Boyle
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Economic Growth, Education
is a highly seasoned socio-economist specializing in program evaluation, the design of performance management systems, microfinance and SME development. Dr. Boyle's technical areas of expertise include monitoring and evaluation systems; strategic planning and management information systems; social and economic surveys; social, gender, and economic impact analysis; and institutional capacity and strengthening analysis. Dr. Boyle has assessed, developed and strengthened program and agency-wide M&E systems for projects and programs supported by USAID and USAID PVOs. Dr. Boyle has significant experience in democracy and governance, health, education, agriculture and rural development and extensive regional experience in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Dr. Boyle has an MBA in International Management from Thunderbird Graduate School and a Ph.D. in Economic Anthropology from UCLA. Languages: French and Spanish.
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Eric Chetwynd
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Democracy and Governance, Performance Monitoring and Evaluation; Capacity Building
is an experienced evaluator, international program manager and recognized innovator in approaches to municipal development and management, institutional and economic development, decentralization and democracy and governance. He has a wealth of experience and success leading, managing, and directing complex portfolios in local government, regional and institutional development and local environmental management at USAID, as a private sector project director, and as a consultant. He is known for his ability to work across sectors and programs and has effectively lead multi disciplinary groups, teams and activities to empower and mentor host country partners. He has also worked as a trainer, facilitator and designer of training programs for host country trainers, officials and consultants. He has had substantive assignments in more than 60 countries covering the world's major regions. Mr. Chetwynd holds a JD from George Washington University.
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Thomas J. Cook
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: : Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Democracy and Governance
brings over 25 years of experience in performance management services to government and international assistance organizations in over 30 countries. These services include strengthening national performance monitoring systems, program and project design, program evaluation, capacity building and assistance improvement strategies. Dr. Cooks' sector expertise includes: education; human capacity development; poverty alleviation and social protection; local economic development, including microenterprise and SME development; worker adjustment to transitional economies; civil society and governance; human resource management; natural resource management; community health services; community and citizen participation in development; and conflict mitigation strategy effectiveness. Dr. Cook holds a PhD in Political Science from Florida State University.
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Patricia Delaney
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Organizational Capacity Development, Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Environment, Health
has over ten years of experience in development management. She is an expert in Project Cycle Management and has special expertise in monitoring and evaluation systems. Delaney also has exceptional experience in participatory planning and evaluation in diverse sectors including environment and natural resources management, micro-enterprise development, disaster relief, and nutrition and family planning. Delaney has worked extensively with multilateral and bilateral agencies and international NGOs to help them determine appropriate participatory development management tools, approaches and training needs and has then provided support through training and other organizational development services. She has worked extensively with World Bank Social Fund projects in Central America and has supported USAID in implementing its Results-Based Management policies, procedures and principles. Dr. Delaney holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from UCLA. Languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Tetun.
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Nancy Diamond
SI Associate and Senior Advisor on Gender and WaterExpertise: Environment; Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
has over 15 years of experience in social science and gender issues related to international development. She is an expert in the design, performance monitoring and evaluation of projects and programs; applied research; social marketing; strategic planning, training and group facilitation and workshop planning. She has particular expertise in rural and urban environmental issues, including water, coastal, forestry and biodiversity conservation issues, as well as multi-sectoral linkages. She has participated or led more than 50 assignments in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin American and the Caribbean. Her clients have included bilateral and multilateral development organizations in addition to non-profit, academic and U.S. governmental institutions. Diamond holds a Ph.D. in Wildland Resource Science (Community Organization Development) from the University of California, Berkeley and a M.S. in Agriculture (Agroforestry) from California Polytechnic State University. Languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Kiswahili, Dholu.
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Edward C. Green
SI Senior Associate and Senior Research Scientist, Harvard School of Public HealthExpertise: Health and Education
has over 25 years of experience in IEC, reproductive health, social marketing and AIDS prevention in Africa, as well as in basic and operations research, project design and project evaluation. Dr. Green's sectoral experience includes AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, family planning, primary health care, human resources development, maternal & child health, children affected by war, child nutrition, water and sanitation, environmental health, refugee issues, and mental health. Dr. Green has evaluated IEC and community outreach components of AIDS/STD programs in Uganda and has led strategic planning for umbrella grants to Ugandan NGOs working in AIDS prevention. He has also provided long-term technical assistance to both the Mozambique and the Swaziland Ministries of Health. He has authored six books, including two books on HIV/AIDS in Africa, and over 150 peer-reviewed articles, many professional reports and numerous proposals. He is on 10 boards of directors and advisory boards, including the Presidential Advisory Council for HIV/AIDS, and the Advisory Council, Office of AIDS Research and the Department of Health and Human Service. Dr. Green holds a Ph.D in Medical Anthropology from Catholic University. Languages: Surinamese, Spanish, Portuguese, Swazi/Zulu.
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Karen Kaplan
SI Senior Associateis an experienced international consultant, providing services to support sound management and strategic planning of non-profit and for-profit organizations. She specializes in synthesizing diverse sources of information to generate integrated and workable solutions that help organizations meet their strategic objectives. Ms. Kaplan has served as a technical writer and designed numerous projects. She brings substantial experience identifying and engaging key stakeholders, establishing mission statements, and defining strategies. Recent work includes strategic planning, organizational assessments, improved management effectiveness, facilitation, and training. Ms. Kaplan has worked in more than twenty countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin American and the Middle East and brings more than ten years of senior management experience, both as a consultant and non-profit senior staff member. She has authored publications on transparency and performance management and speaks French and Arabic.
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Tom Leonhardt
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Organizational Capacity Building
has over 25 years experience in management and organizational development, training, training of trainers and facilitation. He works in both the private and public sectors addressing a wide variety of client needs, from strategic planning to enhancing individual communication skills. Mr. Leonhardt has worked in over 30 countries worldwide as well as with numerous clients in the United States. Tom presents courses as a trainer to new Foreign Service Officers at USAID on such topics as "Managing Up", "Managing Conflict", and "Effective Teams". As a facilitator, he specializes in designing, planning and implementing technically-focused conferences and workshops. As a management and organization development specialist, Mr. Leonhardt works with large and small organizations to identify, frame and address issues for increasing organizational effectiveness and efficiency. Mr. Leonhardt holds an MA in French from the American University. Languages: French.
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Claudia Liebler
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Organizational Capacity Building
is one of a small number of professionals who specialize in positive approaches to change. She has brought the theory and practice of positive change to peacebuilding and is exploring ways to engage the development community in conversation with the conflict transformation community. Her innovative work in capacity building includes special strategies for building partnerships between organizations, mobilizing vibrant networks, and helping communities discover their assets and build a common agenda among diverse stakeholders. She also works on civil society issues both at the grassroots and donor levels. At the local level, Ms. Liebler has been involved in designing and implementing capacity building activities with and for NGOs. She has also advised USAID Missions, foreign ministries, and national NGO networks on NGO strengthening, partnership development and civil society strategies. She has worked across sectors and with professionals from diverse disciplines including conflict transformation, agricultural extension, engineering, public health, education, and economics. Ms. Liebler holds a MS in Social Work from Columbia University.
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Karen Lyons
SI Program Manager and Coordinator for Monitoring and EvaluationExpertise:: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation; Gender and Social Analysis; Economic Development
supports and provides managerial assistance for several projects across all of Social Impact's practices, including Millennium Challenge Corporation's Impact Evaluation Services IQC. She also provides technical and programmatic assistance in the areas of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), gender and social analysis, and economic development. Ms. Lyons participates in project and program evaluation teams for governments, multilateral organizations, and nongovernmental organizations. Prior to joining Social Impact, she provided managerial, technical and logistical support-both in the US and abroad-to a number of different impact evaluation projects. During her career, Ms. Lyons has worked in Brazil, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Zambia with a focus on microfinance and education. She holds an MPA from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. Languages: Spanish and basic Portuguese.
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William Millsap
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Democracy and Governance
has over twenty-five years of experience in the development, management, and evaluation of international development programs and community development programs in the United States. His expertise includes the application of quantitative and qualitative research approaches for conducting socioeconomic impact assessments, performance appraisals, microenterprise case studies and cross-sectoral studies of socioeconomic transition. These experiences have been carried out in federal and state agencies, private consulting firms, and academic institutions. He is also skilled in the creation and application of management information systems to support and facilitate management and research endeavors, including statistical packages. Highlights of Dr. Millsap's work experience include conducting evaluation and performance measurement studies for the USAID, designing and carrying out policy reviews, program/project assessments for various government agencies (e.g., ACTION, Peace Corps, USDA/FNS, CDC, DHHS/OCS) and international PVOs as well as providing technical assistance and training on national/international research studies. Dr. Millsap has a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Languages: Spanish.
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Beatrice Odede
APHIAII Senior Technical Advisor, Partnering /Capacity BuildingExpertise: Organizational Capacity Development, Partnerships, Facilitation and Training
works with intermediary Coast organizations in building their capacity and the capacity of network members. She designed an assessment tool to conduct a baseline survey of the needs of partner organizations, conducting baseline surveys, training and TOT in organizational development, financial management, resource management, partnering, strengthened teams and leadership, improved program design and improved client services; and developing shared vision and common strategies with partners. She has a strong background of Human Capacity Development for the strengthening of organizations, having worked with FHI as a consultant in the strengthening of major health facilities. She is also a skilled and experienced trainer, having trained managers of all levels at the Government Training Institute. Beatrice has an MSc in Human Resource Management from the University of Manchester, UK, with an emphasis on Training and Development, and has undergone training in various areas of management.
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David Omambia
APHIA II Senior Partnering / Capacity Building Specialistworks with intermediary Rift Valley organizations to build their capacity and the capacity of network members. David's duties include designing capacity assessment tools to conduct a baseline survey of the needs of partner organizations, training and TOT in organizational development, financial management, resource management, partnering, strengthened teams and leadership, improved program design and improved client services; and developing shared vision and common strategies with partners. As a senior member of staff, David sits on the APHIAII Strategic Partners Membership Committee and supervises and mentors the Capacity Building Specialist and Program Officers in Coast and Rift Valley regions. David is a Social Anthropologist, educator/capacity development specialist with over 20 years in the public health sector with experience in developing, managing, training, researching, documenting and advising national, regional and international community-based health and development programs. He has worked in China and Sub-Saharan Africa (i.e. Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, Sudan, Somalia, Namibia Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Tunisia and Eritrea).
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Shane Ryland
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Health, Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
brings to program planning and evaluation an exceptional background in South Asian area studies, state-society relations, and public health. His evaluation work is based on principles of utility, stakeholder involvement and technical excellence and includes extensive experience in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, data analysis and synthesis. Dr. Ryland has strong technical skills in survey design and in conceptualizing practical M&E frameworks for health and social programs. He has expertise in indicator design and related database management. He brings keen insights on evaluation capacity building through his work with HIV/AIDS programs and as a survey manager for the Demographic and Health Surveys in Africa. Dr. Ryland holds a PhD in South Asian History / Political Science from Duke University. Languages: French.
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Marsha Slater
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Organizational Capacity Building
has over 22 years experience in international training and development. She is a master trainer and facilitator in the areas of participatory planning and consensus-building processes, team strengthening, strategic planning, leadership development, transition and change management, stakeholder analysis and involvement, interpersonal and inter-group conflict management, partnership development, training-of-trainers and organizational capacity building. Most recently, Ms. Slater has been working intensively with USAID and UN agencies on program design/management and organizational strengthening approaches appropriate to crisis and post-conflict reconstruction settings. She has regional experience in 16 countries in Africa and Latin America and has facilitated many international meetings hosting participants from all continents. Languages: French and Spanish.
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Donald E. Spears
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Strategic Planning, Democracy and Governance, Municipal Development, Group Facilitation and Training.
has worked primarily in public sector organizations for more than 25 years in 40 counties. In recent years his practice has focused on using strength-based processes to bring positive change to municipal governments and boards of directors. He is a master trainer of trainers and has trained extensively in gender issues and HIV/AIDS, conflict management, and program and project design. He is skilled in the practical application of Appreciative Inquire techniques in events ranging from annual retreats to strategic planning conferences. He has guided various USAID mission teams in exploring public/ private partnerships for leveraging development impact. He holds a Masters Degree in Organization Theory and Development from The American University. He recently served as Chief of Party in a yearlong Organization Development project in Honduras. He has lived extensively in Latin America. Languages: Spanish
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Christopher Szecsey
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Organizational Capacity Building
has 20 years of experience in development management. Szecsey is a leading innovator in the development and use of Appreciative Inquiry for program planning and NGO partnership building and partnership network strengthening, organizational development, strategic planning, leadership, teambuilding and resource generation. He is also expert in the areas of NGO institutional development and training, program assessment, planning, management, monitoring/evaluation/documentation. He also has strong experience in training, technical assistance, and facilitation, in organizational development, program strengthening, and partnering for nonprofits/NGOs, international organizations and government agencies. Mr. Szecsey has designed and conducted workshops on NGO partnership and institutional development in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean. Prior to his consulting work, Szecsey was Field Director for several Field Offices of the Save the Children. He has also managed appropriate technology/sustainable agriculture development program. Languages: Spanish and Indonesian.
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Maureen Taylor
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Democracy and Governance, Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
is an Associate Professor at the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. Taylor is a media and communications expert with extensive fieldwork in the Balkans in communications campaigns for nation building. She has evaluated political transition grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and independent media for USAID in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Kosovo. Taylor has provided media technical support to the media section of the USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Toolkit. Dr. Taylor has also researched civil society development and assessed media campaigns in Asia. She has experience training organizations in formulating, achieving, and measuring strategic objectives, especially in the areas of media and communications. Dr. Taylor served as a Fulbright Scholar in Bosnia in 2001 and taught journalism, media and public relations students and professionals how to create communication evaluation measures. Dr. Taylor holds a PhD in Public Affairs and Issues Management from Perdue University. Languages: Arabic and Serbo-Croatian.
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Juliet Zawadi Tunje
APHIA II Partnering /Capacity Building Program Officeris an expert in Training & Capacity Building, Facilitation, Participatory Research, Monitoring and Evaluation using Participatory Methodologies, Conducting Training Needs Assessment for local CBOs. Juliet, the Partner/Capacity Building Program Officer for SI, Mombasa region, has a responsibility of supporting APHAII Coast organizations to build their capacity and the capacity of network members. Juliet assists in assessment, monitoring, communications and training of LIPs in Organizational development areas which include; Gender equity, leadership and governance, team building, financial management, planning, etc. Juliet is a trained Sociologist and trainer who has a wide experience in group and organizational trainings and capacity building with communities. Juliet has worked with different urban and rural fragile communities in Kenya which include the MIjikenda, Luo, Luhya, Kalenjin, Maasai and Pokots, in different aspects of community & economic development. She has adequate skills as a participatory facilitator in Community Development projects.
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Janet Tuthill
SI Senior AssociateExpertise: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Organizational Capacity Building
is an expert in the areas of program management, management training, strategic planning, public management planning and performance measurement. She also has extensive experience in preparing needs assessments, conducting management training workshops, developing training materials, and establishing performance assessment criteria. Ms. Tuthill is similarly skilled at organizational development, facilitation, and strategic planning and possesses in-depth knowledge of gender analysis concepts and methods of integrating gender analysis into program planning and measurement. As a senior international development manager, Ms. Tuthill has worked extensively with USAID-funded programs as well as with the United Nations, the African Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the World Bank. As a development practitioner, Ms. Tuthill has over 30 years experience working in 40 countries throughout Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Ms. Tuthill has an MA in International Studies from the Graduate School of Interna¬tional Studies, University of Denver. Languages: French.