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.

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.

        Beatrice Atim
          Beatrice Atim
          GEYSI Specialist, Feed the Future

          Beatrice is a Gender Equality Youth and Social Inclusion specialist on the Uganda Feed the Future Water and Food Systems for Resilient Communities Activity with demonstrated knowledge and experience in gender youth and social inclusion issues, an expert in promoting gender equality and diversity inclusion. In her free time, she enjoys making friends and socializing.

          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.

              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.

                      Shanen Ganapathe
                        Shanen Ganapathe
                        Research Analyst

                        Shanen serves as a research analyst at MSA. She brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and human-centered skills to research endeavors. In her free time, she enjoys writing and watching anime.

                        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.

                              Vivekan Jeyagaran
                                Vivekan Jeyagaran
                                Advisor, Inclusive Markets

                                Vivekan is keen on exploring the intersection of systems thinking, complexity, inclusion, and sustainability. Vivekan supports clients in using the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach to improve food security, strengthen inclusive 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
                                  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
                                    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.

                                      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.

                                            Esperance Mukarugwiza
                                              Esperance Mukarugwiza
                                              Market Systems Team Lead, Hinga Wunguke

                                              Bio coming soon.

                                              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.

                                                          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.

                                                            Gilbert Rodado
                                                              Gilbert Rodado
                                                              Business Development Assistant

                                                              Gilbert supports MSA Business Development team. Gilbert loves running and playing badminton.

                                                              Elwyn Rodrigazo
                                                                Elwyn Rodrigazo
                                                                Operations Assistant

                                                                Elwyn takes care of MSA's day-to-day operational and administrative functions, making sure that everything is shipshape. In his free time, Elwyn enjoys playing badminton and table tennis.

                                                                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.

                                                                  John Sengabo
                                                                    John Sengabo
                                                                    Learning Advisor, Rwanda

                                                                    John supports MSA in the Hinga Wunguke Activity, providing technical assistance in MSD oriented learning. John is an experienced MEL specialist, data analyst, and market systems development (MSD) professional with experience in the agricultural, digital technology, and health sectors. Outside the office, John enjoys spending time with his family and friends and watching movies.

                                                                    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.

                                                                          Misha Voronenko
                                                                            Misha Voronenko
                                                                            Senior Analyst, Inclusive Markets

                                                                            Misha supports MSA’s market systems technical team. He loves playing music, cooking and nature, and takes his daughter to rock concerts.

                                                                            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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