Meet our team

We apply systems-thinking approaches across development agencies and the private sector, helping to improve market dynamics, opportunities, and agency to create a more equitable world.

Salman Abbasi
    Salman Abbasi
    Senior Manager, Business Development

    Salman leads MSA’s Business Development and Growth function, bringing over 14 years of international development experience in project management, strategic business development, and multi-stakeholder engagement across diverse regions. Outside of work, he loves exploring new countries and taking adventures with his dog by his side.

    Dinara Abilova
      Dinara Abilova
      Research Analyst

      Dinara is a researcher with a Ph.D. degree in financial auditing. She is proficient in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research, and brings that experience to MSA’s research process. In her free time, Dinara enjoys exploring new cultures, playing board games, and going to concerts.

      Nikki Alamo
        Nikki Alamo
        Executive Assistant

        Nikki supports MSA’s founders and principals. She enjoys doing DIY crafts and is a certified coffee lover.

        Ahmad Alulayyan
          Ahmad Alulayyan
          Strategic Partnerships Lead, Water Efficiency and Conservation (WEC)

          Ahmad has a master's degree in Agronomy and is currently the Strategic Partnerships Leader of USAID Water Efficiency and Conservation Activity in Jordan. He has more than 15 years of interdisciplinary experience in water, agriculture monitoring and evaluation, and market systems development. Ahmad lives in Amman Jordan and enjoys travelling, reading, and spending time with family.

          Conrad B. Buluma
            Conrad B. Buluma
            Research Specialist

            Conrad is a mixed methods researcher specializing in qualitative methods. He supports MSA's research and analysis across MERL projects. In his free time, Conrad loves writing, reading, and indulging in music (keyboard and guitar).

            Nicole Cavino
              Nicole Cavino
              Growth and Partnerships Senior Advisor

              Nicole currently supports growth and partnership efforts at MSA. She loves getting into adventures with her husband and kids, being active and curling up with a good book.

              Reena Chaudhary
                Reena Chaudhary
                GESI Senior Manager

                Reena serves as Senior GESI Manager for MSA under the Nepal Agricultural Inputs Activity. She brings extensive experience in designing interventions for marginalized communities, promoting decision making processes, and positioning to positive and sustainable outcomes. Reena enjoys exploring local art and culture, volunteering with community organizations, and gardening or cooking traditional Nepali dishes during her free time.

                Carolina Pimentel Corrêa
                  Carolina Pimentel Corrêa
                  Advisor, Research

                  Carolina is an experienced qualitative researcher with a Ph.D. in Sociology and a master’s in political science. She works on the development and application of research methods and techniques related to monitoring, evaluation, and learning. Carolina is a coffee lover and enjoys traveling, reading, and urban gardening.

                  Jacob (Jake) Donayre
                    Jacob (Jake) Donayre
                    Operations Assistant

                    Jake assists with MSA’s day-to-day operational needs such as travel, procurement, and administration. Jake is always up for a challenge and enjoys making sure things run smoothly.

                    Jacqueline Foelster
                      Jacqueline Foelster
                      Senior Analyst

                      Jacqueline supports MSA’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) workstream. Jacqueline brings a decade of experience in research and project implementation in emerging markets, and her skills include thought leadership, knowledge management, and data analysis. Jacqueline is always up for a weekend road trip and enjoys learning alongside her son.

                      Ben Fowler
                        Ben Fowler
                        Founder and Chief Executive Officer

                        Ben supports MSA’s technical innovation and operations. Outside of work, Ben is happiest on his snowboard or kiteboard.

                        Anna Garloch
                          Anna Garloch
                          Senior Market Systems Development Learning Manager, Market Systems & Partnerships (MSP)

                          Anna plays a senior role in advancing the learning agenda for USAID’s Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships project, shaping USAID's thinking and practice around market systems development and private sector engagement. She is a senior MSD expert and CLA enthusiast.

                          Keneath (Ken) Gimenez
                            Keneath (Ken) Gimenez
                            HR & Recruitment Assistant

                            Ken handles human resources and recruitment at MSA. Outside of work, she’s a fan of Formula 1, collecting books, and mobile games. Most of all, she loves taking care of her rescue dog.

                            Chris Heitzig
                              Chris Heitzig
                              Impact Evaluation Advisor

                              Chris serves as an Impact Evaluation Advisor at MSA with expertise as an economist on structural transformation in Africa, and over six years working on World Bank-led evaluations for economic inclusion programs. During his free time, Chris enjoys playing basketball, traveling, and being in nature.

                              Christian Igot
                                Christian Igot
                                Operations Assistant

                                Christian supports MSA's day-to-day operations and administrative duties. During his free time, he enjoys riding his motorcycle (especially on beach trips), playing mobile games, and watching the latest documentaries.

                                Noura Kamel
                                  Noura Kamel
                                  Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Lead

                                  Noura leads MSA’s research function, bringing 14+ years of MERL experience and a passion for integrating systems thinking and behavioral science to effect meaningful change. Noura loves visiting new places, trying new foods, and laughing with her daughter.

                                  Khaled Khan
                                    Khaled Khan
                                    Director of Delivery and Technical Lead, Inclusive Markets

                                    Khaled supports MSA’s technical innovation and client delivery. Khaled loves cosmology and trying out new food with his son.

                                    Marrium Khan
                                      Marrium Khan
                                      Senior Specialist, Inclusive Markets

                                      Marrium worked for over nine years in international development implementing systems thinking to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth. She is a travel enthusiast and loves exploring new cultures.

                                      Saqif Khan
                                        Saqif Khan
                                        Advisor, Inclusive Markets

                                        Saqif serves as an Advisor for Inclusive Markets with MSA, bringing over 12 years of experience in market systems development and social enterprises across different sectors. Saqif enjoys traveling, football and spending time with his family.

                                        Jennifer King
                                          Jennifer King
                                          Advisor, GESI

                                          Jennifer supports integrating gender equality and social inclusion into MSA’s inclusive markets work. Based in Atlantic Canada, she loves ocean kayaking, photography, and cheering on her two children in their sports.

                                          Sarah Leistico
                                            Sarah Leistico
                                            Senior Communications Associate

                                            Sarah supports communications strategy and efforts at MSA. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors and discovering new hidden gems, both locally and while traveling.

                                            Erin Markel
                                              Erin Markel
                                              Founder and Chief Growth Officer

                                              Erin supports MSA’s business growth and technical innovation. Erin loves hiking, skiing Colorado powder and playing hide and seek with her daughters.

                                              Miriam Namukose
                                                Miriam Namukose
                                                Learning Advisor, Feed the Future

                                                Miriam is a monitoring, evaluation and learning specialist and works as a learning advisor on the USAID Feed the Future Inclusive Agricultural Markets Activity in Uganda. Miriam loves gardening and cross stitching when she finds the time.

                                                Annet Namunane
                                                  Annet Namunane
                                                  Senior Specialist, GESI

                                                  Annet is a GESI Senior Specialist at MSA. She is a multisectoral seasoned gender and social inclusion specialist and a fitness enthusiast. In her free time, she loves to exercise.

                                                  Fouzia Nasreen
                                                    Fouzia Nasreen
                                                    Senior Analyst

                                                    Fouzia is a Senior Analyst with MarketShare Associates. She contributes to research, design and implementation of market-based programming as well as in integrating gender and brings unique expertise in the practical field of market systems development. Before joining MSA, Fouzia served as strategy advisor to multiple market systems programs in South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Europe and East Africa. She speaks English, Bengali and Hindi.

                                                    Neil Oscares
                                                      Neil Oscares
                                                      Finance Assistant

                                                      Neil supports MSA’s system improvement and operations. Outside of work, Neil loves going to the beach, eating out, playing computer games, and watching television shows.

                                                      Ranesa Poliran (Ran)
                                                        Ranesa Poliran (Ran)
                                                        Operations Assistant

                                                        Ran supports MSA’s contracts and recruitment. Outside of work, Ran enjoys serving in her church community as a writer and volunteering in the campus ministry.

                                                        Jack Polk
                                                          Jack Polk
                                                          Business Development and Growth Coordinator

                                                          Jack supports MSA's business development and proposal efforts. Outside the office Jack enjoys camping, skiing and cheering on St. Louis sports teams.

                                                          Dina Qutaishat
                                                            Dina Qutaishat
                                                            GYSI Specialist, Water Efficiency and Conservation (WEC)

                                                            Dina is the Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) Specialist on the Jordan Water Efficiency and Conservation Activity. She ensures the integration of gender, youth, and social inclusion for people in vulnerable communities and people with disabilities. Dina enjoys philosophy, yoga, and meeting people through travel in her free time.

                                                            Ellie	Rakoff
                                                              Ellie Rakoff
                                                              Senior Research Specialist

                                                              Ellie contributes to MSA's research practice, with a background in low-carbon and inclusive value chain development, sustainable agriculture, and agroforestry across east and southern Africa. Ellie is happiest outdoors and loves to hike, practice yoga, and identify tree species.

                                                              Kayla Roesner
                                                                Kayla Roesner
                                                                Resourcing and Recruitment Coordinator

                                                                Kayla supports MSA's operations and growth through resource allocation and recruitment. Outside of her work, she is pursuing a master's degree in International Human Rights.

                                                                Elizabeth Sheehan
                                                                  Elizabeth Sheehan
                                                                  Senior Operations Manager

                                                                  Elizabeth leads MSA’s operations function, including contracts management, finance, recruitment, and day-to-day team support, bringing a background in project management and operations for USAID programming. Based out of MSA’s Denver office, Elizabeth loves hiking, cooking, and reading novels.

                                                                  Neha Shrestha
                                                                    Neha Shrestha
                                                                    Advisor, Inclusive Markets

                                                                    Neha specializes in designing and implementing market systems development projects. She leads MSA’s social norms diagnostics work.

                                                                    Laila Velji
                                                                      Laila Velji
                                                                      Senior Advisor, Inclusive Markets

                                                                      Laila is a Senior Advisor for the Inclusive Markets team with technical expertise in systems thinking for impactful investments. Before joining MSA, Laila served in leadership positions on economic growth projects across Africa and Asia. She is an avid runner and in her free time she is on the lookout for her next cultural deluge.

                                                                      Pete Walker
                                                                        Pete Walker
                                                                        Finance and Accounting Manager

                                                                        Pete leads MSA's finance and accounting functions, bringing a background in nonprofit accounting and operations. Based out of MSA's Denver office, Pete loves playing music in his spare time.

                                                                        Brian Warby
                                                                          Brian Warby
                                                                          Research Analyst

                                                                          Brian serves as a Research Analyst at MSA with a Ph.D. in Political Science and teaches at the University of Northern Iowa. His research focuses on market forces in international development. In his free time, Brian enjoys most outdoor sports, playing his guitar, and riding motorcycles.

                                                                          Join Our Team


                                                                          If you have a passion for delivering systemic solutions, uncovering better evidence, and designing disruption for social impact, we want to meet you!

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