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Nadiia Zaritska is a Ph.D. sociologist with 13 years of extensive experience in programme management, research, monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL), and gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) analysis. With a steadfast commitment to promoting gender equality, social inclusion, and human rights, Zaritska has focused her efforts on driving reforms, democratization, and addressing the social repercussions of conflict and war. Her professional journey has led her to engage closely with national and local governmental bodies in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.

Matthew Sweeney leads business development and account management for Abt’s portfolio of work at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). With more than 20 years of healthcare experience partnering with federal agencies, small businesses, and the private sector, Sweeney has led large research and operational projects focused on various dimensions of alternative payment models, including:  implementing and validating quality measures, program support for hospital pay-for-performance programs, and advising clients on the design and refinement of their value-based purchasing arrangements.

Dr. Jessica Thornton Walker is an accomplished researcher and the leader of Abt’s quantitative methods team who brings 20 years of experience designing and implementing policy-relevant research. She is a recognized expert in large-scale, multi-site evaluations to assess the impacts of social policies and programs in housing and homelessness, child welfare, adolescent risk-taking behaviors, and substance use.In her role as the Quantitative Methods Lead, Dr. Walker is responsible for the management, staffing, budgeting, solutioning, and strategy that guides the work of 120 quantitative research staff and ensures Abt provides high-quality technical delivery and innovative solutions tailored to clients.

Hanna Kovaleva is a program manager with 15 years of experience managing  humanitarian aid and development programs in Ukraine, with a recent focus on the eastern part of the country ravaged by the war with Russia. She has worked with international organizations, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the United Nations, as well as social enterprises. Kovaleva’s work with vulnerable populations has centred around gender equality, non-discrimination, conflict sensitivity, and social inclusion. She has extensive experience with monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning approaches; program management; and communication strategies in public health, mental health, and community stabilisation.

Bolanle Olusola-Faleye has over two decades of experience leading and managing diverse health programs. She specializes in strategic direction, technical leadership, and implementation of interventions to strengthen health systems, particularly in tuberculosis (TB) control and public-private partnerships. Her methodological expertise encompasses rigorous epidemiological and biostatistical approaches, health policy and management strategies, and the application of innovative programmatic and public health methodologies. Her clients have included the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Government of Nigeria, development partners, and other key stakeholders in the field of public health and TB control.

Shelley Martin is a gender and sustainable development advisor with a background in women and youth empowerment, inclusive business and innovation, and human rights in supply chains and communities. Her work has engaged local and global organizations in numerous sectors across 15+ countries, spanning climate-smart agriculture, land rights, finance, entrepreneurship, clean energy, STEM, infrastructure, manufacturing and consumer goods.

Jules Nahimana is a health program manager with almost two decades of experience working in the public health sector. He has worked extensively on malaria vector control programs, especially those implementing indoor residual spraying (IRS), in countries including Burkina Faso, Malawi, Mozambique, and Rwanda. In these roles, he has worked with many high-level organizations including the Ministries of Health (MOH) and the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI).

Dr. Zarrar Khan brings over a decade of experience in climate and energy modeling and advancing sustainable energy solutions, climate mitigation, and resilience initiatives worldwide. He has worked in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia to help transform groundbreaking research into tangible global impact. Khan has played pivotal roles in developing national climate strategies, enhancing local capacities, and fostering lasting stakeholder relationships. His collaborative efforts to address complex challenges include working with the World Bank, Green Climate Fund, World Resources Institute, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of State (DOS), and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Khan’s scholarly work has been cited over 600 times, demonstrating his impact on global climate resilience and policy development.

Dr. Matthew Finster is a principal researcher with 15 years of experience working in education and educational policy research. His expertise lies in providing technical assistance on educational research and program implementation, which often focuses on improving educator effectiveness and student outcomes. He has significant experience working with federal education grantees, state education agencies, local education agencies, and schools on building their capacity to implement their Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plans. He is also the author of numerous articles and technical reports centered around education and human capital management that have appeared in the Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, Journal of Education Human Resources, and other notable publications.