Key skills and expertise

With over twenty years of field experience, Keri is a Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with a strong focus on research, capacity building, and evaluation across sectors such as education, economic growth and trade, food security, and gender. She has successfully led multidisciplinary teams in more than 30 countries for organizations including USAID, DfID/FCDO and UNICEF. Career highlights include leading the evaluation of $550 million in multidonor funding in East Africa dedicated to regional integration, trade, poverty reduction, competitiveness and infrastructure, and evaluating the USAID Engendering Industries program, active in dozens of countries with the goal of increasing women's participation in STEM careers. She has also developed Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plans, conducted impact evaluations, and provided technical leadership in international development initiatives.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors such as DfID/FCDO, WFP, USAID, UNICEF, USDA, US State Department, UNHCR, UNDP and MCC, focusing on evaluations, technical assistance, and capacity building. Thematic areas cover governance, education, trade facilitation, food security, and gender equity. Projects have varied in scale, encompassing regional and multi-country evaluations. 

Sectors and geographic focus

Previously held roles such as team leader, evaluation manager, and technical advisor across key sectors including education, food security, gender, social development, and trade. The expert has provided interdisciplinary insights, integrating gender considerations into evaluations and evaluating the use of big data for development. The geographic scope of work spans regional and multi-country projects, with significant efforts in East and southern Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. Background includes positions that enhance sectoral impact through cross-cutting expertise in monitoring and evaluation, informing strategic planning and capacity building initiatives.

With extensive geographic experience, the expert has worked in over 40 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. This includes significant involvement in countries like Colombia, Afghanistan, and Zambia, focusing on local governance, cultural dynamics, and regional development. The expert has led evaluations and capacity-building initiatives in diverse settings, demonstrating deep familiarity with regional development issues and evaluating projects in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Tunisia, Indonesia, and Liberia.

Languages and education

With a background in languages, the expert is a native English speaker and fluent in Spanish, with intermediate proficiency in French and Russian. These language skills have been utilized in various professional contexts, including in-country work in Latin America and multilingual teams. The expert has taught evaluation courses in English and Spanish, demonstrating the ability to operate effectively in diverse linguistic environments.

The expert holds an M.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs, USA. Additionally, the expert earned a B.A. in Sociology from Colorado College, USA. These academic qualifications provide a solid foundation in sociology and international affairs, with a specific focus on Latin America.