Tessie Tzavaras Catsambas, President of EnCompass, is an evaluation and knowledge management expert with more than 20 years experience in marketing, evaluation and performance development. Her work has included supporting organizational change in response to health reform, managing global evaluation projects, program design, developing corporate strategy, and developing innovative eLearning programs for distributed teams. Ms. Catsambas has created and implemented an appreciative model for evaluating organizational and program performance, and is co-author of the first text on this topic (Reframing Evaluation Through Appreciative Inquiry, Sage Publications, June 2006). Ms. Catsambas holds a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University.

Laverne Dees Webb, CEO of EnCompass, is a management and organization development expert with over 30 years experience in leading and managing organizations. She works with government, international, nonprofit and private sector organizations in managing change and increasing organizational competence, learning, and innovation. She has developed and manages a Global Consulting Network that serves EnCompass’ learning and development programs worldwide. She has trained in whole systems change processes: Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space, World Café and Future Search. Her work in using Appreciative Inquiry to manage strategic change won national and state awards and has been published nationally and internationally. Ms. Webb has a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University.

Nanette Alvey, Program Manager for the UNHCR Management Learning Program, has 30 years experience in program management and training in Africa. She has worked with international NGOs to assist them in designing effective community development strategies and training approaches, consulted with international and regional organizations in management and leadership development, and founded and managed a successful Africa-based company focusing on developing relevant and practical management and technical skills for professionals and students. She has specialized in teacher training and training of trainers, curriculum development and developing partnerships. Ms Alvey has an MA from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies with a focus on Social Change and Development.

Guy Blanton, Accounting Manager, has over 25 years accounting experience.  In addition to her own consulting business, she has worked for diverse businesses including health services companies, non-profits, government contractors, high technology companies, telecommunications businesses, and law firms.  Her extensive experience includes cost accounting, government contracts, budgeting, tax preparation, and financial reporting.  Ms. Blanton has a BS in accounting and business management from the University of Maryland.

Kathy Callahan, Senior Associate, is an expert in non-formal, international education, HIV and AIDS, advocacy with marginalized groups, and behavior change. She has developed eLearning for United Nations agencies, the IFC, and conducts training and eLearning for the World Bank’s AIDS in the Workplace Program. Workshops include: HIV Surveillance and M&E, Gender and AIDS, AIDS Strategic Communications, and AIDS planning for Sri Lanka, home care for People Living with AIDS. She is author of The Life Skills Manual, the Peace Corps’ primary tool in HIV/AIDS interventions worldwide. Ms. Callahan has a Masters in Sociology with specialization in International Training & Education from American University.

Vera Connolly, Project Manager, specializes in training, facilitation and project management, with over 23 years experience in management, instructional design, and human performance improvement in both the public and private sector. Ms. Connolly manages the Migrant Education Resource Center project for EnCompass. She has developed eLearning programs for international organizations and has designed and delivered innovative and interactive large group collaborative workshops. Her experience includes creation of change management and professional development programs for large organizations. Ms. Connolly holds an MBA and M.S. in Nonprofit Management from the University of Maryland University College.

Jeri Darling, Vice President of Leadership and Organizational Development, has more than 25 years experience working with diverse organizations in the areas of learning and development strategy, leadership development, talent management and organizational effectiveness.  She brings an integrated perspective along with capability to manage complex projects and team-based initiatives. Ms. Darling is particularly skilled in alignment of development and human capital strategies to support global enterprise effectiveness.  She serves as the Programme Director for all of EnCompass’ leadership, management, and organizational development work with different UN agencies. Ms. Darling has an MBA with a concentration in Organizational Behaviour from Case Western Reserve University..

Diane Gardsbane, Senior Program Officer, is a gender specialist with over 25 years experience in program development and management, strategic planning, capacity building, research, writing, and knowledge sharing. Her areas of expertise include gender-based violence, HIV and AIDS, education, women’s economic security, and disability rights. She was a lead member of EnCompass’ evaluation team to conduct an impact evaluation of the UN’s Learning Strategy on HIV/AIDS for UNAIDS. She has worked in Southern and West Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. Ms. Gardsbane has an MA in Cultural Anthropology, an MA in Education, and is working towards a PhD in Applied Anthropology.

Alaine Gherardi, Manager of Leadership and Training Programs, supports the design and delivery of leadership and management training programs for EnCompass United Nations programs. She collaborates with facilitators on curricula design and layout; executes program logistics and support; tracks program milestones and budgets; maintains client relationships; and facilitates participant engagement. She has experience supporting US government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector in their efforts to develop and advance executive education programs in leadership, management, and public policy issues. She has managed marketing and other core business development efforts for executive education programs. Ms. Gherardi holds a Masters degree in International Relations and European Studies from the University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom.

Mary Gutmann, Senior Research Specialist, has over 30 years experience in applied research, program management, health care education, and policy development in a variety of cross-cultural and challenging environments. Dr. Gutmann is the evaluation specialist on a number of evaluation and capacity building projects including the USAID Quality Assurance/Workforce Development Project for the University Research Co. LLC, the National Academies of Science African Science Academies Initiative, and the impact evaluation of the Management Learning Programme of the UNHCR. Dr. Gutmann has a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in Clinical Psychology and has published numerous articles and chapters in professional journals and public forums.

Patty Hill is an Evaluation and Planning Specialist with 20 years of experience assisting organizations to better understand and measure their impact. Ms. Hill has conducted evaluations for the US National Academies of Science, the International Women’s Media Foundation, the Aspen Institute, NeighborWorks America and the Corporation for National and Community Service. She has applied systems thinking concepts to evaluation, most recently in the evaluation of international health collaboratives. She holds an M.A. from Michigan State University in Adult Education with an emphasis in Community and Resource Development.

Pam Homan, Operations Manager, has managed the daily operations of EnCompass’ domestic and international projects since its founding.  She has over 15 years experience in contract and financial management.  She has managed multi-million dollar projects, ensuring deliverables are submitted and timelines remained on schedule.  She develops policies, protocols, and systems for successful management of the company, its projects and proposal development.  She has a BA in International Business and Spanish from Grove City College, Grove City, PA.

Karen Holderman, Project Officer, specializes in project management and logistics coordination. Currently she helps manage the EnCompass USAID Training and Facilitation program, which for several years has prepared USAID Foreign Service officers and civil servants for future assignments in Washington and abroad. She has more than 20 years experience planning and managing international programs and events for the U.S. government, private, and non-profit sectors. Ms. Holderman also has 15 years experience as an export promotion specialist and analyst for the professional service industries in the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration. She has an MA Degree in International Business and Economics from the George Washington University.

Elisa Knebel, Communications and Training Specialist, has over 15 years experience in communications, instructional design, and training evaluation. She has extensive experience in creating facilitator-led curricula and computer-based training programs for various audiences, including youth, health professionals, community health workers, and the general community as well as writing all types of print and Web publications, including technical papers and marketing collateral. She was Deputy Director of Communications for a large USAID-funded health project, where she managed communications production and acted as chief writer and editor for all organizational publications. She has won several awards for her projects, including awards for technical writing and e-learning. She has a MHS from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Kelly Macías is a Training Specialist with ten years of experience in education, training, international programs and non-profit program management. She is a facilitator in the Development Leadership Initiative for USAID, Ms. Macias has extensive experience working with immigrant and refugee populations as well as designing and facilitating workshops specifically focused on working across cultures. She is a certified cultural competence trainer and has consulted on projects related to immigration, cultural competence in health care, refugee family enrichment and teacher training. She has worked with the US Department of State and has been a recruiter for USAID projects in Asia and the Near East. Ms. Macías holds an MA in Sociology with a specialization in International Training and Education from American University.

Mike Mikolaitis is a Training and Logistics Associate, with over 15 years experience in the NGO, government, and private sectors. His background is in recruitment, international development, and project management. He has managed and worked with national and international youth programs, and has published articles relating to community development. Mr. Mikolaitis served as a Senior District Executive with the Boy Scouts of America and as a Small Enterprise Development/NGO Volunteer with the Peace Corps in Lithuania. He worked at Peace Corps Headquarters as a Management and Program Analyst, and was later employed as a Human Resources Consultant at Avue Technologies Corporation. Mr. Mikolaitis holds an MA in International Studies from Old Dominion University.

Alison Murray is a Communications Specialist with experience as a journalist, freelance writer, and corporate trainer for a global wealth management firm. She is knowledgeable in professional development practices and adult training techniques. She has experience in designing adult curriculum and presenting complex concepts to large groups. Her diverse background includes the Series 7 and 66 financial licenses. Ms. Murray assists with curriculum design, event planning and marketing. She has a BA in English from the University of Vermont.

Bill Rau is Policy Advisor on the AIDSTAR One project. He has worked on HIV and AIDS issues for over 15 years, focusing on policy development, socioeconomic impact analysis, and linking mitigation efforts with national development initiatives. His work with several UN agencies has identified best practices related to public health, agriculture, rural livelihoods, and NGO partnerships. He has also worked on food security and rural development issues and local NGO capacity building, and has served as team leader of five multi-country projects. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California in African History and Rural Sociology.

Miriam Sievers is a Project Assistant who supports the EnCompass staff and consultant network. She coordinates the logistical needs for EnCompass United Nations programs by connecting the program design to program implementation. Ms. Sievers works to support facilitator needs on the ground to ensure the successful delivery of EnCompass programs. She has experience in establishing and running student orientation programs, early childhood education, HIV/AIDS peer-education, and youth development through the performing arts. Ms. Sievers holds a B.A. in Psychology from Brandeis University, with minor concentrations in Legal Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies.

James P. Stansbury is a Senior Evaluator and Researcher with EnCompass with over 15 years experience in social and behavioral sciences research. His background includes formative research, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building and studies in health services research. He has led field and clinical projects in medical anthropology in Latin America and the United States, with articles on child nutrition, caretaking, chronic disease, health measurement and methods, as well as HIV/AIDS. Dr. Stansbury is the Quality Assurance Advisor on the AIDSTAR One project. He has a PhD from the University of Kentucky and an MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Beeta Tahmassebi is a Knowledge Management and Evaluation Specialist with significant experience in analyzing and documenting the impact of international development efforts and leadership training initiatives. She is skilled in the use of online surveys, focus groups and individual interviews for data collection; and in the use of qualitative data analysis software. She is also proficient in the design of organizational knowledge management systems. She is responsible for the design and management of The Compass, EnCompass’ online collaboration portal. Ms. Tahmassebi has worked with a variety of UN, NGO, governmental and private sector clients. She holds an MBA from Georgetown University.

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