Fellows

Akhil holds an honors degree in Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, and comes with a unique mix of private and social sector experience. In his most recent role, Akhil worked as a strategy consultant with a social enterprise in India to develop and execute their expansion plans, while simultaneously managing their global partnerships. Akhil previously worked as a consultant at two leading global human capital consulting firms, Towers Watson and Marsh & McLennan Companies. At the same time, Akhil managed social impact experiences for students and professionals across the globe. Over the past three years, Akhil’s work involved developing a model for using MBA students and young professionals as pro bono consultants to fill human capital gaps for nonprofits and social enterprises in India. Through this work, Akhil maintained a strong network of nonprofit leaders, pro bono consulting chapter leaders, and MBA program directors at top 10 and Ivy League Universities. With his strong passion for human capital development and social entrepreneurship, Akhil hopes to bridge the talent access gap faced by nonprofits and social enterprises.

Host Organization: Creative Associates International

Role at Host Organization: Akhil will work on business development, partnership management, and communications strategies at Creative Associates, an international development firm. He will be engaged on one of their initiatives called CreativeU, which is positioned as a process to integrate blended learning for “people in development” across the world.

Anil Chaudhary is a development enthusiast with a specialization in Development Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL). Originally from Nepal, Anil has nearly a decade of experience in the areas of MERL and has excellent expertise in designing the M&E plan and framework for the diverse and complex nature of development projects. He has led or co-led several surveys and evaluations in a wide range of interventions such as public health, agriculture, and livelihood, education, and humanitarian response. He is equipped with excellent quantitative and qualitative research skills. With sound technical skills for designing the M&E system at the program and organization level and developing robust data collection tools for monitoring purposes, he has worked in numbers of international organizations in the past including bilateral multilateral (UN) and INGOs. He has also provided consulting services for numbers of INGOs and NGOs working in different geographical areas of Nepal. Be it writing progress reports for the project or organization or writing impact stories, he has sound writing skills. His other capacities include designing project and program evaluations, developing questionnaires, and collecting data using web-based applications. An excellent communicator with stakeholders and partners, he has sound workshop and training facilitation skills. With recent engagement in academia, he is passionate about social research, particularly in the areas of humanitarian relief, social protection, economic development, and public health. After the earthquake in Nepal in 2015, he worked in different disaster response interventions. Furthermore, he is capable of being able to generate quality data and evidence from the field in harsh situations. Besides, Anil is a passionate traveler, photographer, interactor, and cultural explorer.

Host Organization: American Red Cross

Role at Host Organization: At the American Red Cross, Anil will serve as the QDL Research & Analysis Fellow: supporting research, analysis, and learning efforts for International Services Department Strategy 2023.

Ankur has an entrepreneurial mindset with a blend of corporate culture (Processes) and startup experience (Result-oriented). He is passionate about analytics and creativity, with an expertise in understanding and managing the integration of marketing, sales, operations, customer service and analytics in order to create effective, meaningful and result-oriented business strategies. As a communications specialist, Ankur takes utmost care in the finer points of both oral and written communication. He finds it incredibly fulfilling to build excellent, high performing teams–individually, we can’t always be at our best but when camaraderie persists, a team can go far. Good teamwork makes every journey better. Ankur also loves to pursue innovation. And while he enjoys connecting the dots across seemingly unrelated information, his MBA has also refined his pragmatic business knowledge to implement explorative growth ideas.

Host Organization: American India Foundation

Role at Host Organization: At American India Foundation, Ankur will be serving as the Executive Assistant Fellow to Chief Executive Officer. In this role, he will act as a key partner to the Chief Executive Officer, helping to brainstorm and identify solutions to challenges faced by the organization. He will develop relationship building skills while managing interactions with external volunteer bodies and board members, and also manage a variety of program design, resource mobilization, marketing, and communication projects across the US and India.

Asim has nine years of experience in research, big data analytics, program design, and monitoring and evaluation of diverse community development projects that focus on women entrepreneurship and health interventions. He earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology in Pakistan and pursued his P.hD. from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). He recently worked in the capacity of research and evaluation for Entrepreneurship Beyond Boundaries project where he developed standard operating procedures and evaluated the pilot intervention in Malaysia. Previously, Asim has worked with Marie Stopes International for UKAID funded project and managed the Franchise Live Application for Monitoring and Evaluation, conducting Participatory Ethnographic Evaluation Research. Additionally, Asim has monitored the 18-months quasi-experimental research study to empower the women in rural settings as part of the behavior change communication strategy, and small-scale community action research projects using the comic power, photovoice and participatory reflection and analysis tools. Asim has a keen interest in working with the development sector organizations on entrepreneurial ecosystem development and system improvement via big data analytics to help marginalized communities.

Host Organization: PYXERA Global

Role at Host Organization: Working directly with senior staff conducting research and providing analysis on existing client engagements, Asim while helping to create processes and improvements to S.I.s operations and services. He will also conduct landscape assessments for existing client deliverables while building a consistent platform to ensure quality and efficiency.

Chibuzor Mgbeokwere is a dedicated and accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning, demonstrating a strong commitment to driving impactful outcomes in both development and emergency context, especially in challenging operational environments. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education (BSc.) – University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria. Prior to her current role, Chibuzor was a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Research, and Learning Specialist at Tonipash Energy from September 2022. She made substantial contributions to the improving clean energy initiatives, overseeing the research, development, and implementation of the Performance Monitoring Plan, and providing crucial leadership in M&E. Chibuzor’s career journey also includes her role as a Country Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer (Environmental Health) at the International Rescue Committee from Feb 2021 to September 2022. Here, she showcased her expertise in producing high-quality reports and played a pivotal role in ensuring M&E and reporting requirements were met for multi-donor funded projects in Northeast Nigeria. Furthermore, she has contributed her skills and knowledge to various organizations, including The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), Premiere Urgence Internationale, Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative – SIDHAS Project, and World Health Organization (WHO), leaving a remarkable impact in the field of monitoring, evaluation, and learning. Chibuzor’s core competencies encompass strategic MEAL management, proficiency in database development, statistical analysis, data visualization, consultancy services, and project. She is fluent in English, Igbo, and Hausa languages, enhancing her ability to collaborate effectively in diverse multicultural settings. Her commitment to inclusive data and her proactive approach make her an invaluable asset in any professional environment.

Host Organization: Development Gateway

Role at Host Organization: As a Monitoring, Evaluation, Eesearch and Learning (MERL) Fellow, Chibuzor, in the capacity of an associate, would have a MERL focus and work on synthesizing and analyzing various pieces of key information collected on the programs. The Fellow is expected to contribute to writing of knowledge products and reports. Additional work may involve supporting other programs at DG should time allow.

Ekene has over six years of experience in the Information Technology sector, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the National Open University of Nigeria. As an Information Technology Specialist, she works with enterprises, nonprofits, and the government to transform and optimize their organizational processes using technology. Ekene is a Microsoft-certified Enterprise Content Management Systems professional and education technologist with strong project implementation and technical training skills. Previously, Ekene worked as a Senior Solutions Analyst with Infographics Nigeria participating in education projects such as the Cross River State Government Teachers Laptop Acquisition and Digital Literacy Training program, where she trained 40 facilitators responsible for training over 10,000 teachers on the use of education technology for the classroom. Under her supervision, teachers with no prior knowledge of applying technology in the classroom were adequately empowered with digital skills. She was project coordinator and technical lead for the MTN Foundation SchoolsConnect Initiative, which set up modern computer learning centers in 28 Nigerian schools and equipped teachers with the Teaching with Technology Methodology. Through these experiences, she developed strong project coordination, implementation, and capacity building skills. Ekene enjoys volunteering; she has served as a mentor and facilitator at Afro-Tech Girls, a nonprofit promoting STEM education in secondary school-aged African girls and with Project Revamp Africa, an educational and leadership development initiative building young leaders in public secondary schools. Ekene is passionate about education, career guidance, and solving the STEM skills gap for the girl-child.

Host: PYXERA Global

Fellow role at PYXERA Global: Ekene will serve as an Operations & Internal Communications Fellow with the goal of supporting the streamlining and operational improvements of the organization’s internal communications.

Génesis has more than three years of experience as an advocate for sexual and reproductive rights and youth leadership in the nonprofit sector. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Universidad Central de Venezuela with academic honors and an invitation to serve as a teaching assistant in the Clinical Psychology Department. As a youth network coordinator for International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere, she developed the structure and functions of the network, supporting meaningful youth participation and the network’s engagement with the organization’s strategical framework for 2016¬2022. She was in charge of planning and providing capacity¬-building activities for nearly 23 youth board members of IPPF/WHR’s Latin American and Caribbean partner associations. She also took part in several advisory groups on comprehensive sexuality education and sexual and reproductive rights. Previously, she was program coordinator at Construyendo Futuros Civil Association in Caracas, Venezuela, in charge of Quiero Saber (I Want To Know), a program aimed at providing comprehensive sexuality education to children and adolescents in vulnerable and rural zones of the Miranda State in Venezuela, including Petare, one of the biggest slums in South America. During her tenure, she systematized program indicators and statistics and developed the program’s handbook for teachers and facilitators, leading to 38% growth in the numbers of schools offering the program to its students. She has been a volunteer for Family Planning, Venezuela (PLAFAM) since 2013, representing the nonprofit at national and international events but also as a peer educator at clinics and in Caracas’ vulnerable communities. She has developed program/project management, strategic planning and communications, and community outreach skills. Génesis area of expertise and interest is sexual and reproductive health and rights with a focus on youth issues.

Host Organization: International Planned Parenthood Federation / Western Hemisphere Region

Role at Host Organization: Génesis will assist staff in managing sexual and reproductive health programs related to youth, gender-based violence, and HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STI) to implement programmatic strategies related to: youth leadership, comprehensive sexuality education, increasing access to quality health services (including HIV- and STI- related services), prevention and mitigation of gender-based violence, sexual rights and sexual diversity, and youth participation in programs and governance. Génesis will provide vital support to achieving the desired outcomes of these programs and contribute to the strategic vision of the team, including monitoring existing programs and developing new ones.

Iryna has six years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Master’s of Art in Sociology from the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy in Ukraine. As a Research Associate at the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting (IER), a think tank in Kyiv, Ukraine, she applied her expertise in sociology, economics, and project management. She coordinated research projects which focused on the analysis of business climate in Ukraine. Previously, Iryna worked for Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms (UDAR), a liberal democratic Ukrainian political party that pursues economic and institutional reforms in Ukraine. There, she gave recommendations for the party’s policy based on electoral research and monitored current events. She also prepared statements and talking points for the party representatives. Outside of work, Iryna founded an informational website for students and youth which highlights events and opportunities in the field of civil society. Throughout her career in think tanks and politics, she has developed research, statistical analysis, and strategic planning skills. She has gained experience in analysis of economic and institutional reforms, benchmark indexes, and giving public policy recommendations aimed at improvement of institutional conditions for business. Her research interests include business climate and civil society development.

Host Organization : Heritage Foundation

Role at Host Organization: Iryna will preform independent research into all aspects of economic freedom and development, with a particular focus on Europe and Central Asia, and assist in the online, print and media packaging and presentation of the research, along with other research by The Heritage Foundation, for audiences in the United States and overseas. Iryna will contribute to research and drafting for the Index of Economic Freedom, and assist with outreach efforts.