PRAGMA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Trade and Customs Expert
With over 20 years of professional, international, and local development experience working with the Yemeni government, donors, and multinational organizations, Mr. AbdulWahb Al-Awdi has unique country insight as an economist and expertise in macroeconomic policies, trade, and tax reforms specializing in customs. This includes devising new policies/reforms, providing technical/intuitive guidance and analytical support, and developing capabilities of government trade agencies and the private sector on a wide range of trade policy/facilitation reforms. These are aimed at implementing World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and post-accession commitments, improving competitiveness and doing business, fostering public-private dialogue and partnership, promoting interagency cooperation for integrated risk management and enhanced supply chain security, and delivering extensive capacity development programs on customs procedures, trade facilitation, and Sanitary and Phytosanitary/Technical Barriers to Trade (SPS/TBT) measures.
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- Fisheries Value Chain Expert
- Value Chain Expert
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- Access to Finance ( A2F ) Advisor
- Finance ( A2F ) Advisor
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- Information Technology Audit Expert
An international information technology (IT) audit expert, Mr. Ali Mustafa Hasan has over 20 years of experience in information security, payment security, IT risk management, information security (IS) audit, business continuity (BCP), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), and International Standard on requirements for information security management (ISO 27001 advisory. Winner of the 2019 ISACA Global Award "for leading the effort in forming the ISACA Baghdad Chapter and raising awareness of information security in Iraq," Mr. Hasan has worked with several international organizations, including the USAID (Black & Veatch Federal Services Group), Toyota (International Smart Card-QI Card). The founder of GRC PATH Consultation, a National Bank of Iraq board member, and advisor to the Nation Security Agency, he holds certifications as a Qualified Security Assessor (PCI QSA), CISSP, CISA, CISM, and Payment Card Industry Professional (PCIP). Mr. Hasan has M.SC in Information Systems from the University of Salford in Manchester, England, and a B.SC of Engineering from the University of Technology in Baghdad, Iraq.
Job Titles:
- Private Sector Competitive Expert
With over seven years of experience working with international companies and NGOs, Ms. Dana Hardan provides support in the design, implementation, and operation of multiple coherent monitoring, evaluation and learning databases and tools that demonstrate the effectiveness of Pragma's project interventions for various development projects in Jordan and Yemen; and conducts Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) capacity building training. Prior to joining Pragma in March 2019, Ms. Hardan worked in sustainable development with Global Communities, and in Local Government and Political Engagement at International Republican Institute. She has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from Balqa' Applied University in Jordan.
Job Titles:
- Senior Public Debt Management Expert
With over 25 years of public debt management and Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS) experience, Ms. Dania El-Osta is a specialist in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's (UNCTAD's) DMFAS and delivers related training workshops internationally. A seasoned advisor and trainer with substantial knowledge and expertise in both domestic and external debt, Ms. El-Osta is skillful in all back, middle, and front-office functions of a Debt Management Office. In domestic debt, she specializes in both primary as well as secondary market operation; and also supports annual budget preparations based on domestic and external debt data. In addition to her career at the Central Bank of Lebanon, she has vast experience across the Middle East, including Egypt, Oman, Iraq, and Yemen, as well as the Philippines.
Job Titles:
- Electric Power System Expert
With a proven track record in operation and management of electric power grids, Dr. Hamza Abdulsalam supports project efforts to reform and modernize Libya's electricity sector. With Pragma, he has helped to develop the Libya Electricity Reform Road Map, which outlies a series of actions required to solve Libya's electricity crisis, build a reliable electricity grid, and transform the energy sector from its dependence on government subsidizes to be commercially, self-sustainable. Dr. Abdulsalam previously worked at the General Electricity Company of Libya and also has expertise in capacity building and training in various aspects of modern power systems. Dr. Abdulsalam has a PhD in electrical power system stability and control from the University of Bath.
Job Titles:
- Banking Supervision Consultant
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- Senior Budget Planning Expert
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- Monetary Policy Implementaion Expert and Currency Management Advisor
Proficient in Arabic, English, and French, Dr. Mbarek Lassaad has 21 years of experience in monetary policy, monetary management, and cash management. Certified as a Professional Risk Manager, and in Islamic Financing, Dr. Lassaad holds a Ph.D. in Management Science from Institut des Hautes Etudes Commerciales de Carthage, a Master's in Finance from the Faculty of Management and Economic Sciences of Tunis, an MBA in Banking from the Maghreb Arab Financing Development Institute, and a Bachelor's in Business from the Institut des Hautes Etudes Commerciales de Carthage.
Job Titles:
- Monetary Policy Expert
- Policy Expert
An expert in fiscal and monetary policies, especially in emerging economies, Dr. Mongi Safra works with Pragma on its electricity sector support in Libya and technical assistance to the Central Bank of Libya. Dr. Safra served as a member of the government of Tunisia for a decade, then ambassador, and later counselor to the President of the Republic of Tunisia. He designed and managed innovative programs and project initiatives in the field of applied scientific research and technology, and he has been in charge of the coordination of economic policies and the follow-up and evaluation of public policies. Dr. Safra holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Michigan, a Masters in Statistics from the University of Michigan, and has been a professor of Economic Theory and International Economics.
Job Titles:
- President
- President of Pragma and Is Responsible for Pragma
Dr. Paul Davis serves as the President of Pragma and is responsible for Pragma's development assistance programming and technical resource management strategy. Dr. Davis is a senior development economist with extensive experience analyzing and effectively addressing economic policy and institutional development conditions and constraints in post-conflict environments and diverse emerging market settings. As President of the Pragma Corporation, MDr. Davis has successfully guided innovative economic governance/growth donor support programs in the politically complex Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region, as well as in the ex-Soviet Union, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Latin America, and East Asia. Before joining Pragma in 2010, Dr. Davis served as a chief economist and program/project manager for over two decades with USAID. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Boston University.
With more than 10 years in private sector development, Dr. Walid Zaramdini designed and followed up specific technical assistance action plans to enhance the productivity and customer centricity of small and medium enterprise (SME) private companies. As a Senior Lean Manufacturing and Quality Management consultant, Dr. Zaramdini has deep knowledge in different areas in management consulting lean tools, and quality assurance and business excellence based on the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Award Model. He has assessed private and governmental organizations using the Results, Approach, Deployment, Assessment, and Refinement (RADAR) approach of the EFQM Excellence Award Model. Dr. Zaramdini holds a PhD in Management Science and Engineering from University of Tsukuba in Japan.
Job Titles:
- Macro - Statistical Specialist
- Specialist
Job Titles:
- Local Strategic Implementation Advisor
Formerly an IT General Manager and Vice Chairman for Support Services at the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL), Mr. Faez Alghadamisi leads the efforts for establishing the Libyan Electricity Law and Electricity Regulator as part of a major overall of Libya's electricity sector. He also has led major IT and restructuring initiatives to help GECOL in functioning as a modern utility through state-of-the art IT, operations, and systems. Mr. Alghadamisi was previously Project Director at UAE-based Global Information Technology, Member of the Board at the General Information Authority of Libya, and Technology Advisor to the President of the Government of National Accord (GNA). His expertise has primarily focused on areas of Project Management, Restructuring Re-Organizations, ICT Infrastructure Development, Strategic Planning, e-Government, and Secured Documents.
Responsible for all operations, logistics, human resources (HR), and information technology (IT) of Pragma's Jordan office, Mr. Fuad Barakat also oversees the management of operations and contracts of Pragma's offices in Aden and Mukalla. Prior to joining Pragma, as Deputy Country Director at the British Council, Mr. Barakat was responsible for the strategic management of finance, HR, IT, and logistics. He also managed several high-level projects funded by the European Union and the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office across different countries in the Middle East and North Africa region and Europe. Mr. Barakat holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Open University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering from Eastern Mediterranean University.
With more than 15 years of experience in office administration and program operations in humanitarian assistance and private sector work, Mr. Hasan Zain Al-Sakkaf oversees all administrative aspects of project implementation and manages daily operations of Pragma's Aden-based office. A dynamic and results-driven professional, Mr. Al Sakkaf has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and is a certified Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) professional. He previously worked with the United Nations and other international non-government organizations overseeing the overall management of regional offices, and managing both support and program staff.
Job Titles:
- Local Electricity Generation Restoration Expert
With more than 7 years of experience in financial reports, auditing, and budget closing, Ms. Ansaf Eluheshi manages bank relations, cash flows, and the daily/ monthly management of accounts for Pragma's Tripoli Office. Prior to joining pragma Ms. Eluheshi worked as a director of supply chain in a leading company in the field of service provision and as an external Auditor at a certified auditing office. She holds a degree in accounting from the Department of Economics and Political sciences At the University of Tripoli. "What motivates me to work in the field of international development is gaining new experiences and new networks with the opportunity to always improve and move forward."
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Founder
Jacques Defay is Pragma's founder and Chairman of the Board. From 1977 to 2006 he directed the company's development strategy and supervised its worldwide consulting and project implementation activities as President. In 2007 he became Chairman of the Board. Prior to founding Pragma, Mr. Defay was a Development Economist at the Organization of American States and a Project Economist with the Inter-American Development Bank. Mr. Defay holds an MS in Economics and a BS in Statistics from the University of Minnesota.
Job Titles:
- Central Banking Regulation Expert
A highly respected attorney specializing in central banking and banking law with 20 years of experience, Ms. Lubna Katbeh is deeply involved in developing regulatory guidelines and drafting significant legislation for the Palestinian government. As head of the Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) Legal Department and Secretary of the Board of Directors, she developed an intimate knowledge of internal central banking regulations, operations, and procedures, and played key roles in drafting the Central Bank Law, the Banking Law, and the National Payment Law.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Financial and HR Assistant, Tunis Office
With a proven track record of successfully organizing workshops, seminars preparing partnership agreements, and providing financial and human resource (HR) assistance to USAID-funded projects, Ms. Manel Ben Khalifa works as an administrative, financial and HR assistant in Pragma's Tunisia office. Before joining Pragma, Ms. Khalifa worked with the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the African Development Bank (AFDB) and many other foreign companies. She has a strong academic background in English language, literature, and civilization.
An experienced professional with over nine years of experience working with both international non-government organizations and the private sector, Ms. Marya Yaseen specializes in development aspects related to micro, small, and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs), including events management and training MSME owners in business continuity management and entrepreneurial skills. Ms. Yaseen has a Bachelor's degree in Electronic and Communication Engineering from the University of Science and Technology in Hadramont and is currently working on a Master in Business Administration with the University of Technology in Malaysia.
Job Titles:
- Director
- MEL Director and Team Lead
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- Assistant
- Livelihood Assistant
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- Program Manager, Tunis Office
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- Lead International Audit Expert
A 35-year career at the Tunisian Court of Audit allowed Mr. Abdessalem Chaabane to acquire diversified and cumulative experience pertaining to various types of public financial control. Mr. Chaabane's capacity as Magistrate enabled him to pronounce several judgments against mismanagement committed by the auditees. In parallel, he supervised the Arab Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions' (ARABOSAI') General Secretariat for approximately 15 years and participated actively during this period in several events organized by the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSA), mainly with relation to its Professional Framework (principles, standards and guidelines, strategic planning). Fluent in Arabic (native speaker), French, and English, Mr. Chaabane has a Master's Degree in Public Law from the University of Tunis, and a Senior Administrator's Diploma from the National School of Administration (Civil Service Counselor).
Job Titles:
- Energy Accounting and Customer Processing Supervisor
A Microsoft-certified professional in business intelligence, Mr. Abdullah Elkamel has a proven track record of providing business intelligence solutions for multiple industries and sectors including electricity, oil and gas, telecommunications, and financial sectors. Currently, Mr. Elkamel is developing business intelligence solutions for Libya's electricity sector to help drive informed decision-making, reduce commercial losses, and increase capacity building in data analytics. "Success for me is when I do my best to help other people and I can see it changed their lives for the better. I am lucky I feel this every day with my work with Pragma."
Mr. Dilsher Ibrahim is a highly experienced professional with 8+ years of expertise in capacity building for-profit and non-profit organizations. Mr. Ibrahim specializes in private sector development, SME development, public-private partnerships, and trade promotion, and has a proven track record of driving sustainable trade and investment and enhancing competitiveness, with strong practices in economic, humanitarian activities, and international development. He holds an engineering degree in Petroleum, a Diploma in HR Management, and an MBA from the International Business Academy of Switzerland.
A renowned advisor and leader in the enterprise competitiveness improvement area, Mr. Henri Stetter has over 30 years of international business development expertise, leading projects in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, working directly with hundreds of enterprises and their management to gain their trust, help them grow, and become more globally competitive. Mr. Stetter holds an MSc in International Studies from the Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, and a BSc in Business Studies from Ecole de Commerce in Neuchatel, Switzerland.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Executive Vice President
Responsible for Pragma's financial and accounting operations and corporate strategy, Mr. Jim Defay became Pragma's Chief Financial Officer in 2007. He manages Pragma's finance team and oversees the financial management support for Pragma's development projects. Prior to joining Pragma, Mr. Defay was a Senior Manager at Pfizer working in the areas of Finance and Information Technology. He also worked for Boston Consulting Group as a Project Leader providing management and financial consulting to Fortune 1000 companies. Mr. Defay holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Virginia.
For more than 20 years, Mr. Joe Lamport has developed and implemented communications strategies for a variety of international public and private sector organizations. After beginning his career as a news reporter and completing a tour in the Peace Corps, Mr. Lamport began working in international development. His development experience includes assisting companies in multiple global value chains to improve their marketing and branding, as well as overseeing communications at major food security, global health, and economic development projects funded by USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and other donors. Mr. Lamport completed an MS at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a 2022 Abshire-Inamori Leadership Fellowship at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
A seasoned economic development professional, Mr. Mayad Yafai has progressive experience in stimulating economic growth, including 17 years working in Yemen. Recognized for innovative leadership and technical expertise, and for strategically engaging local and international partner organizations in an unstable political climate, Mr. Yafai methodically implements plans for successful outcomes and adjusts strategies in unexpected circumstances.
Job Titles:
- Financial Restructuring Advisor
Mr. Milad Abdul Zaed gained his considerable expertise through a 27+ year career at the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL), where he worked on projects related to the promotion of renewable energies, served as Director of the Budget Department and Cost Accounts, and among other roles, was Director of the Department of Research, Economic Studies, and Investment Projects. With Pragma, Mr. Zaed is playing a key role in overseeing the financial and accounting restructuring of the Libyan electricity sector in accordance with a proposed law that will unbundle electricity production, transmission, and distribution activities. Results are meant to accelerate the transition to a competitive electricity market and open the way for private sector participation for improving consumer services, introducing renewable energies, and reducing the dependence on government subsidies to pay for electricity services.
Mr. Mohammed Jawish has more than four years of experience working with both international and local organizations gathering and auditing field data, supporting the completion of reports, and collaborating with the NES MEL team in health, education, protection, and livelihood initiatives, as well as training, facilitation, and building departments, formulating policies, data analysis, and research writing. Since joining Pragma in 2022, Mr. Jawish supports project follow-up in Northeast Syria. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Al-Forat University, Syria.
With Pragma since 2000, Mr. Narayan Gurung has more than 26 years of experience in finance and accounting. Mr. Gurung reviews and supervises Pragma's financial and accounting activities, including policies and procedures, payroll and human resources (HR), and ensures record keeping and billings comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), U.S. Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), and relevant regulations. The main point of contact for the company's external and DCAA audits, he also prepares and submits the annual incurred cost submission to USAID's Overhead Branch, and plays a lead role in preparing cost proposals. Mr. Gurung has an MBA degree and is fluent in English, Nepali, and Hindi.
Job Titles:
- Senior Economist and Private Sector Advisor
A highly experienced economist with over 15 years of experience, Ms. Anna Rogers specializes in development of financial and related professional services, market systems, enabling business environment, small and medium enterprise (SME), improving access to finance, fund management, and supporting development of international financial centers, as well as public financial management. Ms. Rogers has worked extensively with bi- and multi-lateral donors, such as USAID, World Bank, GIZ, International Finance Corporation, and more, as well as directly with governments. Her experience spans almost 40 countries, including extensive leadership experience managing teams of over 100 people and projects valuing between $5-150 million.
Job Titles:
- Business Advisor
- Relationship Manager
Ms. Aysar Ibrahim is an experienced professional with over seven years of experience in INGOs and international companies specializing in small and medium enterprises (SME), investment, gender and protection, food security and livelihoods (FSL), and humanitarian support programs. Skilled in data analysis, report writing, and survey design, and an organizational master committed to quality assurance and control, Ms. Ibrahim is responsible for tasks related to project implementation, partnership agreements, investment opportunities, and agricultural support. A native Kurdish and Arabic speaker, and fluent in English, Ms. Ibrahim holds an engineering degree in Biotechnology and is currently working on her MBA at the International Business Academy of Switzerland.
Job Titles:
- Analyst
- Analyst for the Pragma Corporation
Ms. Claudia Knapp serves as an Analyst for The Pragma Corporation improving operations and organizational effectiveness while collaborating with field experts across all Pragma projects, focusing on economic growth and technical assistance in the Middle East and North Africa. She is skilled in data analytics and graphic visualizations with experience in macro and microeconomics. Ms. Knapp has previous experience working for The University of Siena in Italy and received bachelor's degrees in Economics, International Studies, and Italian.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager
- Senior Project Manager
Ms. Elifnaz Caliskan is a Senior Project Manager passionate about evidence-based policy making with a background in quantitative and qualitative research. Ms. Caliskan also brings key experience in providing technical assistance, as well as leading project design and field implementation efforts in focus areas such as business development, export promotion, international macroeconomic policy, global trade and trade negotiations. With a particular interest in he role of diplomacy, negotiations, and human capital investment in conflict prevention and transformation, her work has focused on emerging markets and post-conflict environments including Yemen, Jordan, Palestine, Myanmar, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Nepal, and Turkey.
Job Titles:
- MEL Expert / Senior Advisor
Ms. Heather McHugh has over 35 years of international experience in management, facilitation, capacity building (including both technical assistance and training), team building, and collaboration, learning and adapting. Working extensively with Pragma's programs in Libya, Yemen, Jordan, North East Syria, and Sub-Saharan Africa for over seven years, Ms. McHugh is a thought leader in monitoring, evaluation and learning, and performance management. She has deep experience working collaboratively with field staff to collect and assess the quality and veracity of required, standard, and custom performance data, has conducted quality assurance and quality control reviews, and has established high-quality real-time data documentation systems.
Ms. Jennifer Lao is an international development professional with over 25 years of experience providing project management support, client relationship management, proposal development, and knowledge management. Ms. Lao is well-versed in all aspects of project implementation, including all project start-up and closedown activities, staff recruitment, contract/subcontract administration, supporting Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) activities, and project reporting. Prior to joining the Pragma Headquarter in Virginia, she served as Pragma's Asia Regional Manager, where she led and oversaw the company's projects and developed new business in Asia for clients, including Asian Development Bank (ADB), USAID, and the World Bank. Ms. Lao holds an MBA from Ateneo De Manila University in the Philippines.
A highly experienced finance and accounting professional, Ms. Loice Gurupira has over 25 years of experience, 16 of which have been with Pragma. As a Senior Accountant, Ms. Gurupira plays a vital role with the financial team, working closely with Program Managers, Chiefs of Party, and Project Teams to verify the accuracy of in-country expenses; and ensure compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) regulations. Additionally, Ms. Gurupira serves as Pragma's Human Resources (HR) Administrator, overseeing external HR benefit vendors and ensuring all allowances comply with relevant regulations. Prior to joining Pragma, she worked for multinational organizations in the consulting services and manufacturing industries in Zimbabwe and Kenya. Fluent in English and Shona, Ms. Gurupira is a professional graduate of The Chartered Governance Institute (Zim).
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- Senior Private Sector Development Specialist
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- Accounting Expert / IT & Banking Operations Manager
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- Banking and Exchange House Supervision Expert
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- Office Director, Pragma Tunisia Office
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- Focal Point of Contact for MEL
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- Financial Sector Technical Consultant and Project Manager
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- Monetary Policy Team Leader and Mobile Payment System Specialist
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- Local Load Shedding Outreach Advisor
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- Project Assistant, Libya Competes
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- Senior Development Advisor
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- Business Advisor, Libya Completes
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- Senior Market Linkages Expert and Team Leader
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- Project Financial Analyst
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- Cost Benefit Analysis Expert
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- Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Expert