Joshua Leland is a development professional with more than two decades of progressive experience managing teams and driving growth. His expertise spans strategic leadership, entrepreneurial initiatives, and executive management in both headquarters and overseas roles. As vice president for corporate development, he leads execution of Chemonics’ inorganic growth strategy through strategic partnerships, investment, and acquisition.…
Lauren Behr is a business strategist with 13 years of experience designing and implementing organizational systems that enable innovation and transformation. As senior advisor for Scaled Impact, she leads efforts and oversees standards for human-centered design, innovation, and scale on programs worldwide. She also manages partnerships and drives investment opportunities that increase Chemonics’ ability to…
Isaiah Oliver is a private sector engagement, trade and investment, and climate finance expert with more than 13 years of experience focusing on the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Eurasia, and Latin America. He has conducted assessments and developed implementation strategies for programs in diverse sectors, including private capital mobilization, enterprise competitiveness, and climate finance.…
Giuliana Canessa Walker is an international development practitioner with 18 years of experience designing and managing projects across Africa, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America and Middle East. She currently serves as the senior global supply chain practice lead. Previously, Giuliana led the Knowledge, Innovation, and Technology Department, which provides guidance and resources to integrate deep…
Anne Spahr is a micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) finance and business development specialist with more than 15 years of experience designing and overseeing initiatives to facilitate finance and improve livelihoods for farmers, fishermen, and small business owners in developing countries and the United States. She previously served as the chief of party of…
Enrique Rivas is the Senior Vice President, Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Business Unit. He has more than 30 years of experience with social and economic development projects in areas of post-conflict and political instability. He has served as chief of party on six programs, including on the Juntos Para la Prevención de la…
Ibrahim Osta is an international economic development expert with experience in international trade and investment promotion, youth entrepreneurship, and tourism development. He has designed, launched, and managed international development projects exceeding $140 million in donor financing with an additional quarter billion dollars in leveraged funds from public, private, and international institutions. Currently based in Washington,…
In Pakistan, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) comprise 98 percent of the country’s 3.8 million businesses, but most of these businesses operate in the undocumented, informal sector. These SMEs face a variety of barriers, from burdensome regulatory procedures to limited access to finance and markets. The USAID Small and Medium Size Enterprise Activity (SMEA) is…
In recent years, deforestation in Colombia has more than doubled, and climate change has increased the frequency of extreme weather, threatening ecosystems and biodiversity. In response, the USAID Biodiversity — Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (Bio-REDD+) project collaborated with the Colombian government to equip communities to sustainably manage their environmental resources. To mitigate…
Ninety-nine percent of payments in the Philippines take place via cash or check. In a country made up of more than 7,000 islands where transporting cash is challenging, this system is not only inefficient but also less transparent and inclusive. Electronic payments (e-payments), although not as common in the Philippines, have many advantages over cash:…
The June 2014 ratification of the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the European Union enabled Moldova to expand its trade significantly. Funded by USAID and Sweden, the Moldova Competitiveness Project (MCP) made the most of these economic benefits by improving the quality of Moldovan products and encouraging the country’s…
Beyond enriching the lives of millions of visitors every year, the tourism sector plays a critical role in Jordan’s economy and requires structured support to achieve its full potential.