LINC - Key Persons
Allie Gamble, Project Manager at LINC, is an international development professional. Her skills include monitoring and evaluation (M&E), survey design, design thinking, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and research. Prior to joining LINC, Allie worked as a Monitoring and Evaluation consultant for ConnectED, for the Medical Donations Program at cmmb, and as an Environmental Resource Management Assistant for the City of Cape Town in South Africa.
Allie is passionate about volunteer work. As a volunteer, she not only worked for the Peace Corps focused on Community Economic Development in Perú, but also for the Alliance for Citizen Engagement, doing research on economic policy, and for Jewish Family Services, mentoring refugees in California.
Allie has a bachelor's degree in International Affairs and Economics from Northeastern University in Massachusetts as well as a master's in International Policy and Development and a master's in International Trade and Economic Diplomacy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California. Allie is fluent in Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Objective Lead for the "Up to Youth" Project in Kosovo
Job Titles:
- Chief of Party - USAID / Ethiopia Resilience Learning Activity
- Chief of Party for the USAID Ethiopia Resilience Learning Activity
Bersabeh Beyene, Chief of Party for the USAID Ethiopia Resilience Learning Activity, is a driven professional with close to 20 years of experience in development. She has successfully designed, implemented, and managed programs across various sectors such as private sector development, trade, land, agriculture, energy, and irrigation.
Job Titles:
- Finance Manager
- Global Finance Manager
Bimi Cena, Finance Manager, is a compliance and operations expert with 25 years of experience in financial management.
Mr. Cena has worked in Turkey, Liberia, Montenegro, Afghanistan, Switzerland Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Eritrea and Kosovo. He is an expert in budget monitoring and reporting under USAID contracts and cooperative agreements and has maintained financial systems to several other donors, including CRS, UNICEF, OFDA, IRC and World Bank. He has the financial requirements to international audit standards such as GRF, Deloitte, PwC, Ernest & Young and KPMG.
Mr. Cena hold a in B.A. Economics and Finance from Pristina University, Kosovo and is fluent in Albanian and proficient in Croatian, Serbian and Turkish.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Party - USAID / Local Evaluation and Evidence Support ( LEES ) Activity
- Chief of Party for the USAID / Local Evaluation
Carolyne, Chief of Party for the USAID/Local Evaluation and Evidence Support (LEES) Activity, is an accomplished international development professional with 15 years of experience designing, implementing, and managing both small and large-scale research and evaluation projects across Africa for donor-funded programs and for-profit organizations.
Carolyne served as LINC's Nairobi-based Technical Director. While on this position, she provided management, technical assistance, and business development support to LINC's portfolio of projects in the region. She also served as as the CLA Technical Lead for the USAID Global Labor Program - Inclusive Futures activity, and provided technical support to design, implement, and manage task orders under the USAID/KEA Evaluations, Assessments, and Analyses (EAA) IDIQ.
Previously, as a MEL Specialist on the USAID/Kenya and East Africa Support project (KEASP), Carolyne successfully planned, managed, and supported performance evaluations of key activities in the Mission portfolio. She has extensive field-based experience in Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Nigeria and Senegal), and is fluent in English and Kiswahili.
Prior to joining LINC, Carolyne served at Management Systems International (MSI), as a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist; at Kantar, as a Research Manager; and at Ipsos Kenya, where she worked for clients such as the WHO, GlaxoSmithKline, and GE Healthcare. Carolyne holds a Master of Social Health in Medical Anthropology from the University of Melbourne (Australia) and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Anthropology and Biology from Denison University (Ohio, USA).
Job Titles:
- Technical Director for Collaborating, Learning
- Technical Director, CLA
Claire Gowen, Technical Director for Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) at LINC, provides technical leadership in achieving CLA goals, ensuring that learning is incorporated into the project implementation cycle and across the LINC portfolio.
She brings more than 15 years' experience in international development in project management, research, evaluation, and business development. Over her career, she has worked in a variety of technical disciplines, including democracy and governance, civil society, public financial management, conflict analysis, water and sanitation, and climate change adaptation. She has designed and implemented locally-led approaches such as participatory capacity assessments and development plans, systems-based tools and approaches such as network analysis and collective impact, and CLA activities in countries such as Uganda, South Africa, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Liberia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Tajikistan.
Prior to joining LINC, Claire worked in program management and business development at Chemonics International, and in program management, research, and learning at RTI International. Claire holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies, an M.A. in International and Comparative Politics, and has a certificate in Evaluation Practice.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Associate
Danielle Driggers, Business Development Associate at LINC, is a dedicated, multilingual professional with experience in US domestic nonprofit work, including grant writing and partnership management. Prior to joining LINC, Danielle worked for American Corporate Partners, managing partnerships that support veterans' transitions to the corporate world. Before that, she interned at the International Rescue Committee supporting refugee resettlement in New York City.
Danielle is experienced in understanding and working with different cultures, having grown up abroad and worked in U.S. Embassies in Honduras and Myanmar. Danielle holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations and Global Studies and Geography from the University of Texas. She is fluent in Spanish, French, and Norwegian.
Dr. Matthew Klick serves as LINC's Technical Director. In this role, he provides technical leadership by leading evaluations, research, projects, and intellectually stimulating analyses. Matthew also supports strategic initiatives, including the development of new approaches, refinement of methods, delivery of training both internally and externally, and identification and implementation of independent research to support LINC's mission.
Matthew is an applied researcher, evaluation and learning specialist, and political economist. He brings over 10 years of experience overseeing rigorous research programs, managing field and evaluation teams, and conducting performance and impact evaluations spanning a range of sectors, such as governance, food security, agriculture, and climate resilience. Matthew has previously served as Principal Investigator of the USAID Myanmar Analytical Activity (MAA), most recently oversaw the performance evaluations of multiple USAID resilience and food security activities (RFSA), and was Research Director for each, Kimetrica and Causal Design, where he oversaw myriad projects.
Matthew is a published author and guest lecturer at the University of Denver. He holds a Ph.D. in International Political Economics and Comparative Politics from the University of Denver and an M.S. in Resource and Applied Economics from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Ellen King, Project Associate at LINC, is an international policy and development professional with distinct experience in project operations, community-based work, and gender issues.
Before joining LINC, Ellen worked as a Project Coordinator at the International Development Group, where she supported USAID-funded projects implementation throughout the different phases of the project life cycle. While pursuing her MA, Ellen served as Economic Empowerment Intern at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), where she oversaw data collection, conducted trainings, and ensured administrative compliance of grants.
Her interest in language and inter-cultural dialogues took her to Benin as a Peace Corps Volunteer. While there, Ellen served as the Gender Equality Committee Head, responsible for planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for Gender Equality programs and training.
Ellen has a master's degree in international policy and development from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. She completed her undergraduate studies in Translation and Intercultural Studies at the Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris. She is fluent in French and has experience in Arabic.
Job Titles:
- Specialist in Systems Analysis
- Systems Specialist, Honduras Transforming Market Systems
Gustavo Acosta currently collaborates with LINC as a Specialist in Systems Analysis and Learning. Gustavo's experience includes planning, monitoring and evaluation of development projects with emphasis on the use of qualitative analysis tools in rural and urban areas.
Before joining LINC, Gustavo participated as a facilitator and analyst of processes related to municipal management, public health services, citizen security and community disaster resilience.
He holds a degree in Social Development Management and studies in sociology and demography.
Katie Queen Dossinger, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), is an operations and financial services leader. Before joining LINC, Katie served as Director of Finance at Population Services International. Prior to that, Katie served in various finance and accounting roles at International NGOs and USAID contractors. The early days of her international career were spent as an elementary school English teacher with the Peace Corps in Uzbekistan.
Her experience cuts across diverse functional areas, including project management, global financial analysis, training, and capacity strengthening, contract management and compliance, and coaching and mentorship. Katie has project budgeting and compliance experience with a variety of clients and donors, including many US Government agencies.
Katie is a native English speaker and a graduate of Bryn Mawr College where she studied mathematics and Russian linguistics.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager
Kristin Smith, Business Development Manager at LINC, is an experienced business development and project manager with over 10 years of experience working at international development contractors and NGOs. Her skills include overall business development and proposal management, program management, and technical writing and research in the areas of gender and social inclusion, private sector development, competitiveness, and trade.
Prior to joining LINC, Kristin supported business development and managed USAID and MCC-funded projects at Nathan Associates. She also provided operational and research support in her positions at GlobalGiving and RAND Corporation. She has done consulting assignments and field research in Africa and Southeast Asia.
Kristin has an M.A. in International Development Studies from George Washington University and a B.A. from Boston College. She is fluent in English and proficient in French.
Matthew Cohen, Project Manager, is a program management and governance specialist with a strong background in evidence and learning and more than 15 years of experience supporting international development projects in African countries, including Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal.
His skills include governance, democracy building, political transitions, civil society strengthening, political economy, adaptive management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), research and learning. Prior to joining LINC, Matthew worked for US-based and international development organizations, including FHI 360, Save the Children International, International Foundation for Electoral Systems, and CAMRIS International. There he supported overall project management with a focus on strengthening governance systems, institutions, and civil society. He also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana.
Matthew is a native English and French speaker. He has an MSc in Development Studies/Economics from the University of London, and a BA in Mathematics from the University of Virginia.
Meghan, Technical Director at LINC, has 15 years of experience facilitating learning, monitoring, and evaluating for international development programs. She enjoys working with public and private sector colleagues to deliver meaningful results, primarily by focusing on systems thinking and measurement and action learning. She has overseen and conducted formative and impact assessments as well as performance evaluations on food security, agriculture, infrastructure, environmental, and governance programs. She has primarily worked throughout Latin America and Africa, with select assignments in the Middle East and Asia. She has facilitated work-planning and portfolio reviews and developed proposals and theories of change for organizations and businesses. She has also conducted data quality and performance assessments and overseen compliance with requirements from USAID and FCDO.
Prior to LINC, Meghan worked in systemic change measurement and action learning at MarketShare Associates, in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning on food security programming at Save the Children, and in program design, monitoring, and management at Chemonics International. Meghan holds an M.A. in Development Management and Policy from Georgetown University, an M.A. in Public Policy from la Universidad Nacional de San Martín in Argentina, and a B.A. in International Studies and Spanish from Mount St. Mary's. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Job Titles:
- HR and Admin Manager
- Human Resources ( HR ) and Administrative Manager
Nusrat Nigar, Human Resources (HR) and Administrative Manager at LINC, is an experienced Human Resources professional with more than 18 years of experience, specializing in HR strategy, policy, recruitment, performance management, compensation and benefit, and employee relations.
Before joining LINC, Nusrat worked as a Senior Manager for Communication and Talent Rewards & Recognition at International Centre for Diarrhea Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) and as Head of Human Resources at Action Contre la Faim and Concern Worldwide, in Bangladesh. She also served as Human Resource Section Manager at CARE.
Nusrat has a master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Presidency University in Dhaka (Bangladesh) and a bachelor's degree in Computing and Information System from London Metropolitan University (United Kingdom). Nusrat is a native Bangla speaker.
Patrick Lohmeyer serves as LINC's Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In this role, he provides senior-level leadership of corporate strategy and operations, and oversees LINC's Programs, Business Development, and Communications functions. He works to ensure the exceptional delivery of existing projects, LINC's continued growth, and rewarding and intellectually-stimulating roles for all LINC staff. Prior to assuming this position, Patrick served as LINC's Senior Program Director and also LINC's Chief of Party of the USAID-funded CAPx (Capital Impact Exchange) Activity.
Patrick is an accomplished international development practitioner with more than 20 years of experience leading successful programs across five continents for USAID, MCC, CDC, the Department of State, and the private sector. Prior to joining LINC, he served at Chemonics for 15 years, holding a number of headquarters and field-based roles, including serving overseas for six years in Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Albania as Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party. His Chemonics experience also includes serving as the Senior Vice President for the West and Central Africa and Haiti business unit - where he oversaw 300 staff and a $300 million portfolio of projects across 10 countries - and Senior Vice President of the Human Resources Division. Patrick also served as Chief Operating Officer at the QED Group, where he oversaw field implementation, business development, and corporate functions including finance, human resources, and communications.
Patrick has strong skills in program design and implementation, business development, and corporate operations, with specific technical expertise in organizational capacity-building, governance, and public administration reform.
Patrick Sommerville, Partner at LINC, is an experienced project manager, leader, and technical innovator in local systems strengthening. In 2022-2023, he served as Chief of Party to the USAID/Ethiopia Resilience Learning Activity. He is a co-founder of LINC.
Working with hundreds of local organizations in more than fifteen countries for nearly two decades, Mr. Sommerville has developed an intimate understanding of their ideas and ambitions, and led numerous program design, evaluation and advisory activities to bring them into fruition. Prior to joining LINC, Mr. Sommerville was a consultant to some of the most well-known donors and firms in the industry, designing and executing strategy, developing technical approaches, and leading assessment and impact evaluations. He has served as Country Director/Chief of Party for major USAID and host country government funded projects in both the Republic of Georgia and Jordan.
Mr. Sommerville has an MPA from New York University and is an advanced speaker of Russian.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Party - USAID / MESA Activity
- Managing Director and Chief of Party to the USAID / Mexico Monitoring
Rich Fromer, Managing Director and Chief of Party to the USAID/Mexico Monitoring and Evaluation Support for Adaptation (MESA) Activity, has 20 years of experience as an international entrepreneur, consultant, and program manager. He is a co-founder of LINC.
As an advisor to global, regional, and local organizations, Rich has provided strategy consulting, training, program design and management support to community and economic development programs focusing on topics such as strategic planning, organizational management, social enterprise, and corporate social responsibility. He is fluent in Spanish and has worked in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Prior to his focus on development programs, Rich was co-founder and VP of Strategy of a marketing and management consulting firm with offices in the US and Europe.
Rich has an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA, a BS in Economics from Wharton Business School, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Party - USAID / Ghana MEL Platform
- Chief of Party on the USAID / Ghana Monitoring, Evaluation
Saaka Adams, Chief of Party on the USAID/Ghana Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Platform Activity, is a Development Planner, MEL, and Program Management Specialist with more than 17 years of experience supporting international development organizations in developing and implementing MEL systems.
Prior to joining the Ghana MEL Platform, Saaka worked as the Chief of Operations (Chief of Party equivalent) for the USAID/Ghana Monitoring, Evaluation, and Technical Support Services II (METSS II) Project, where he dedicated ten years of his professional career providing technical support to more than 35 USAID-funded projects to design and implement MEL systems to meet USAID MEL requirements. Saaka has extensive experience managing evaluations, development research, and large population-based surveys. At METSS II, he managed more than eight population-based surveys, a dozen evaluations (performance and impact evaluations), and more than 20 commissioned special studies to support the USAID/Ghana's Economic Growth Office's investment decision-making. Saaka is also adept in imparting knowledge and has been instrumental in building the capacity of young MEL professionals in Ghana. Saaka provided industry perspectives to developing a module on project risk management, monitoring, and evaluation for the University of Cape Coast's MPhil in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) course in Ghana.
Saaka has an MSC in Agricultural Economics from the University of London, an MSC in Development Policy and Planning from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana, and a BSC in Agriculture Technology from the University for Development Studies, Ghana. Saaka is a member of the Ghana Monitoring and Evaluation Forum and the African Evaluators Association (AfREA).
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Business Development
Sarah Polen, Senior Director of Business Development, is an accomplished international development practitioner with more than 20 years of experience winning and leading successful projects for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the Department of State, and the World Bank.
Stephanie, Communications Manager at LINC, is an experienced international development and public policy professional and communicator, with expertise in developing and implementing communication strategies and conducting market research.
Prior to joining LINC, Stephanie worked at the US Embassy in Colombia, where she oversaw US-funded humanitarian assistance programs across Latin America and the Caribbean, working closely with different government agencies and local organizations in countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Honduras, and Panama. She also served as desk officer at the Colombian Agency for International Cooperation, where she was responsible for official communications between USAID and the Government of Colombia, and oversaw the implementation of USAID-funded development programs in the country. In her short time as international business development advisor at the Colombian Ministry of Defense, she led negotiations between the Colombian military industry and the Armed Forces, as part of a redesign of the industry product portfolio. Stephanie has also developed and implemented communications campaigns for US non-profits and small businesses.
Stephanie has an MA in Public Relations and Communications from Georgetown University, a graduate certificate in International Economy from Harvard University, an MS in Economics from Universidad de Los Andes, and a BA in Government and International Relations from Universidad Externado de Colombia. She is a native Spanish speaker.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Services Associate
Job Titles:
- Budget and Financial Analysis Manager
Zada Martin, Budget and Financial Analysis Manager at LINC, brings with her a wealth of experience spanning over two decades in the field of international development and financial management.
Before joining LINC, Zada made significant contributions to various noteworthy projects. She played an integral role in a substantial NIH Support Contract, demonstrating her expertise and dedication to financial management in a high-stakes environment. Additionally, she contributed to the Knowledge Sharing and Analysis Project, which provided support to USAID's African Bureau.
Zada holds a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from Schiller International University, in Florida, and a bachelor's degree in Economics from Karakalpak State University, in Uzbekistan. She is fluent in English, Karakalpak, and Russian, and understands German.