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 equal world.

Salman Abbasi
    Salman Abbasi
    Director of 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
          Senior Consultant, Private Sector Engagement

          Ahmad has a master's degree in Agronomy and worked as 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.

          Amaia Bessouet
            Amaia Bessouet
            MEL Advisor

            Amaia Bessouet is a MEL Advisor at MarketShare Associates. Amaia brings over 15 years of program design and management experience, with 11 years in MEL activities across diverse and challenging environments. She specializes in market systems and private sector approaches within humanitarian and development settings. In her free time, Amaia enjoys walking aimlessly, storytelling and going on an adventure with her three little girls.

            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).

              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 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.

                      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 programs. During his free time, Chris enjoys playing basketball, traveling, and being in nature.

                          Vivekan Jeyagaran
                            Vivekan Jeyagaran
                            Advisor, Market Development

                            Vivekan is keen on exploring the intersection of systems thinking, complexity, and sustainability. Vivekan supports clients in using the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach to improve food security, strengthen agricultural markets, and improve water efficiency and conservation. He also appreciates being in the mountains, with a hot cup of milk tea (and spices) in hand and a thought-provoking book. He’s a Tamil-Canadian, living in a beautiful city where mountains are few and far between!

                            Noura Kamel
                              Noura Kamel
                              Director of Research and Impact

                              Noura leads MSA’s Research function, bringing over 17 years of experience in strategy, learning and evaluation. She has a passion for integrating systems thinking and behavioral science to effect meaningful change. Noura loves visiting new places and laughing with her daughter.

                              Khaled Khan
                                Khaled Khan
                                Director of Delivery and Technical Lead, Market Development

                                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, Market Development

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

                                  Saqif Khan
                                    Saqif Khan
                                    Advisor, Market Development

                                    Saqif serves as an Advisor for Market Development 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.

                                    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.

                                      Annet Namunane
                                        Annet Namunane
                                        Senior Specialist, Market Development

                                        Annet is a Senior Specialist for Market Development at MSA. She is a multisectoral seasoned specialist and a fitness enthusiast. In her free time, she loves to exercise.

                                        Dina Qutaishat
                                          Dina Qutaishat
                                          Consultant, Private Sector Engagement

                                          Dina worked as a specialist on the Jordan Water Efficiency and Conservation Activity. She ensures the integration of people in vulnerable communities and people with disabilities. Dina is based in Amman, Jordan and 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 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.

                                            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, Market Development

                                                Neha specializes in designing and implementing market systems development projects.

                                                Laila Velji
                                                  Laila Velji
                                                  Senior Advisor, Market Development

                                                  Laila is a Senior Advisor for the Market Development 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.

                                                    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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