• Feb 2023 - Present

Managing research projects to develop, test, and refine the organisation’s policy recommendations and guidance on effective implementation of beneficial ownership transparency reforms for a range of policy aims. This includes documenting the use of BO data by stakeholders, i.e. government departments such as financial intelligence units, journalists, civil society, and the private sector. Directly and indirectly supporting implementation of BOT reforms in countries at various stages of reform.

• Oct 2021 - Feb 2023

Implementing the organisation's research agenda to develop, test, and refine policy recommendations and tools to support the uptake of beneficial ownership transparency in countries around the world.

Strategic Foresight Analyst - Office of the Secretary-General

• Mar 2020 - Oct 2021

Collaboratively developed evidence base and narratives for scenarios on futures of the international system to inform OECD organisational strategy and support the transition to a new Secretary-General Led the organising of the 2020 and 2021 Government Foresight Community annual conference, curating an online space for over 250 participants to exchange ideas, innovations and experience in foresight for policy Designed and facilitated foresight engagements with OECD Ambassadors, Directors, Cabinet and committee members, and policy experts; presented at conferences and external events; developed and pitched project proposals Contributed to the OECD’s COVID-19 response by developing ‘what-if’ scenarios that drew from horizon scanning and insights from stakeholder workshops Show less

Researcher - African Futures and Innovation

• Aug 2019 - Mar 2020

Led a futures-oriented research project conceptualising and modelling aspirational outcomes in five key policy areas for South Africa and exploring the impact on inclusive growth to 2044 Facilitated consultation sessions with diverse experts from academia, government and the private sector; and presenting findings at a closed briefing for national government and business leaders Led a futures-oriented research project conceptualising and modelling aspirational outcomes in five key policy areas for South Africa and exploring the impact on inclusive growth to 2044 Facilitated consultation sessions with diverse experts from academia, government and the private sector; and presenting findings at a closed briefing for national government and business leaders

• Jul 2018 - Jul 2019

Authored a policy research paper that directly informed the Western Cape Government's 2019-2024 strategic plan, using primarily the International Futures (IFs) model; paper modeled and assessed medium- and long-term impacts of integrated policy options and provided supporting historical data analysis and literature reviewEnsured appropriate, structured consultation with WCG public officials and decision-makers (e.g. through workshops and presentations)Produced two additional policy briefs on the economic cost of interpersonal violence and long-term opportunities for trade and tourism Show less

• Sep 2017 - Jul 2018

Led the development and composition of two policy research papers and four briefs, including background research, primary and secondary data collection, forecasting (up to 2040) using the International Futures (IFs) system, data visualization, and writing; examples of topics included demographic change (migration and ageing), malnutrition, and service-delivery budgetingPresented work to provincial policymakers, including ministers and department heads, and strategically engaging government officials and other relevant stakeholders to solicit feedback and encourage uptake of paper findings for policy design and planning Show less

• Aug 2015 - Sep 2017

Wrote five sections of a trends report on food security in Africa for an African Union subsidiary, which involved translating technical modeling outputs into non-technical language for a policy audience Contributed around 50% of text and analysis for the economics section of a comprehensive policy report commissioned by USAID’s Southern Africa Mission to inform Country Development Cooperation StrategiesUsed advanced Microsoft Excel skills to complete timely and accurate updates to the Global Power Index dataset for use by clients in the security community, such as the United States Army Show less

Research Consultant - African Futures and Innovation

• Mar 2016 - Jun 2016

Lead author on a policy-oriented research paper entitled "Refreshing Africa's Future: Prospects for achieving universal WASH access by 2030"; this work forecasts Sustainable Development Goal targets 6.1 and 6.2 (universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene) across Africa Composed an op-ed style piece on the importance of investing in state capacity for data collection and utilization in Africa that was republished by the World Economic Forum Lead author on a policy-oriented research paper entitled "Refreshing Africa's Future: Prospects for achieving universal WASH access by 2030"; this work forecasts Sustainable Development Goal targets 6.1 and 6.2 (universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene) across Africa Composed an op-ed style piece on the importance of investing in state capacity for data collection and utilization in Africa that was republished by the World Economic Forum

Analyst - Impact Genome Project

• Apr 2015 - Sep 2015

Evaluated 197 primary research studies, program evaluations, and meta-analyses to identify high-level social and economic development outcomes of microfinance products with a focus on women’s empowerment Analyzed the influence of specific interventions and overlays of complex contextual information on key outcomes and prepared materials for presentation to the Inter-American Development Bank Promoted to lead of the four-member analyst team Evaluated 197 primary research studies, program evaluations, and meta-analyses to identify high-level social and economic development outcomes of microfinance products with a focus on women’s empowerment Analyzed the influence of specific interventions and overlays of complex contextual information on key outcomes and prepared materials for presentation to the Inter-American Development Bank Promoted to lead of the four-member analyst team

Co-founder & Director

• Sep 2010 - Jul 2014

Co-founded and raised seed money for the social business FirstHand Cooperative, serving as founding board member and executive director Developed and managed relationships with local business partners, including a coffee roaster and consumer cooperative, and coffee producers and social investment partners in Nicaragua Played a lead role establishing and promoting the FirstHand concept and brand, and growing sales through the establishment of a subscription coffee service modeled after 'community supported agriculture' Show less

Research Fellow

• Feb 2013 - Jan 2014

Performed a qualitative analysis of microfinance for cooperative enterprises in Nicaragua’s second Sandinista Period, drawing from the perspective of both lenders and clients; methods included participatory observation and semi-structured interviews with loan agents, clients, external experts, and government officials Participated in several conferences and cooperative trainings, and conducted field work in rural and urban areas Performed a qualitative analysis of microfinance for cooperative enterprises in Nicaragua’s second Sandinista Period, drawing from the perspective of both lenders and clients; methods included participatory observation and semi-structured interviews with loan agents, clients, external experts, and government officials Participated in several conferences and cooperative trainings, and conducted field work in rural and urban areas

Interim Site Director

• Jul 2013 - Dec 2013

Established and managed a pilot service-learning program; determined educational service projects with local stakeholders and carried out logistical planning, risk assessment, and student and faculty support and oversight during trip Established and managed a pilot service-learning program; determined educational service projects with local stakeholders and carried out logistical planning, risk assessment, and student and faculty support and oversight during trip

Intern

• Jun 2011 - Aug 2011

Worked intensively with client cooperative La Hermandad (using principally Spanish) on design and early implementation of a micro-loan for an agro-ecotourism project on the cooperative’s coffee farm Aided in raising over $5,000 in funds for investment in this and other projects with cooperative La Hermandad through involvement and leadership in partnerner student group Worked intensively with client cooperative La Hermandad (using principally Spanish) on design and early implementation of a micro-loan for an agro-ecotourism project on the cooperative’s coffee farm Aided in raising over $5,000 in funds for investment in this and other projects with cooperative La Hermandad through involvement and leadership in partnerner student group

Campus Coordinator - West Virginia University

• Nov 2010 - May 2011

Led the WVU chapter of a national advocacy organisation for campaign finance reform Met with state senators to discuss campaign finance reform, and organized an expert discussion panel on the role of coal in West Virginia’s future Led the WVU chapter of a national advocacy organisation for campaign finance reform Met with state senators to discuss campaign finance reform, and organized an expert discussion panel on the role of coal in West Virginia’s future