According to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourism is one of the fastest growing industries, contributing to employment and stability in almost every part of the world. Since 1975, Chemonics’ inclusive and sustainable development has strengthened tourism in more than 56 countries. Our tourism activities touch upon all five of the UNWTO themes for…
Joshua Leland is a distinguished 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…
News: Chemonics Helps Foster Economic Opportunity at the India-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Show
New Delhi, India: Beginning Wednesday, September 27, the Passage to Prosperity: India-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Show will bring together more than 1,000 public and private sector participants for a three-day trade and investment event. The purpose of the trade show is to support Afghan producers in expanding their exports to Indian markets. Creating opportunities for Afghan products…
After decades of war, Afghanistan continues to raise headlines questioning the effectiveness and value of providing development assistance in such a conflict-prone country. It is easy to focus on the negative headlines and criticisms. Yet while there are challenges, there are also successes that prove why these investments matter. The Afghanistan Trade and Revenue (ATAR)…
A primary prerequisite of stabilization is a robust and competitive private sector supported by policies that will enable economic growth. The USAID Pakistan Firms project worked toward this end, assisting targeted firms to boost exports and employment in the livestock, tourism, fishing, and mango industries. One main focus of Firms was to work with district…
The Punjab region of Pakistan, one of the most populated areas in the country, is going through a period of rapid development. The agriculture sector — which includes livestock, dairy, and horticulture — has long played a key role as the region’s main economic driver. To capitalize on this tremendous economic opportunity, the USAID Punjab…
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…
John Thissen is a public finance management specialist with more than 20 years of experience in tax policy, revenue estimation, and forecasting, and impact analysis. He is currently a director in the Europe and Eurasia region and manages the USAID Public Financial Management IQC. John has developed the capacity of the public sector to support…
Melissa Cook formerly led Chemonics’ Digital Transformation team to create and implement a modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform.
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.…
Tracy Shanks is an international development leader with 22 years of experience in private sector development, trade and investment, business enabling environment, democracy and governance, strategy, and program management. Previously, Tracy served as the senior vice president of the Afghanistan and South America regions at Chemonics and as a four-time chief of party for USAID…
Preston Motes is an international economic development specialist with more than 20 years of experience designing and implementing programs focused on private sector competitiveness, entrepreneurship, workforce development, local economic development, and tourism. He is currently a senior director in Chemonics’ Middle East and North Africa regional business unit and a member of the Economic Growth…