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 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 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 supports MSA’s founders and principals. She enjoys doing DIY crafts and is a certified coffee lover.
Ahmad Alulayyan
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.
Saif Ansari
Saif is an Advisor for Market Development at MSA, bringing notable experience in market systems development, private sector engagement, strategic business development and multi-donor project management. In his free time, he loves to go for runs, watch movies, listen to music and travel the world with his wife and daughter.
Amaia Bessouet
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 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 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 works 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 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
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 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 supports MSA’s technical innovation and operations. Outside of work, Ben is happiest on his snowboard or kiteboard.
Anna Garloch
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
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 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.
Christian Igot
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.
Vivekan Jeyagaran
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 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 supports MSA’s technical innovation and client delivery. Khaled loves cosmology and trying out new food with his son.
Marrium Khan
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 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.
Jennifer King
Jennifer supports MSA’s market development work. Based in Atlantic Canada, she loves ocean kayaking, photography, and cheering on her two children in their sports.
Sarah Leistico
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 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 is a monitoring, evaluation and learning specialist and works 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 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.
Fouzia Nasreen
Fouzia is a Senior Analyst with MarketShare Associates. She contributes to research, design and implementation of market-based programming as well bringing 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.
Fanny Ndayambaje
Fanny is the Market Systems Director, supporting USAID's Feed the Future Rwanda Hinga Wunguke Activity. She specializes in designing, implementing, and monitoring market systems development projects and value chain development interventions. In her free time, Fanny enjoys reading, traveling, socializing, and being outdoors.
Neil Oscares
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)
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 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 is a specialist on the Jordan Water Efficiency and Conservation Activity. She ensures the integration of people in vulnerable communities and people with disabilities. Dina enjoys philosophy, yoga, and meeting people through travel in her free time.
Ellie Rakoff
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.
Kayla Roesner
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 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 specializes in designing and implementing market systems development projects.
Laila Velji
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 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 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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