DAI employs talented professionals all over the world in support of our mission.

In DAI’s corporate offices and on our projects across the globe, DAI staff work in technical roles, project management and implementation, contracts management, business development, finance, human resources, IT, procurement, monitoring and evaluation, and communications.

Technical

DAI is known for its technical excellence, innovation, and quality of work. Our reputation as an industry thought-leader stems from the depth and breadth of the expertise embodied in our technical staff.

Jeremy Kanthor

Vice President, Development Innovations

Since joining DAI in 2002, Jeremy has worked on the design and implementation of numerous governance projects, from local government improvements in
Romania and legislative strengthening in Armenia to ministerial reform in Palestine. Jeremy now oversees DAI’s broader technical portfolio.

Ejonta Pashaj

Vice President, USG Business Development

Ejonta’s areas of expertise include decentralization, local government strengthening and service delivery improvement, citizen participation, community development, and outreach and anticorruption strategies. Ejonta leads DAI’s Local Governance global practice area, developing and delivering integrated solutions for DAI’s projects and business development initiatives.

Christina Frey

Director, Governance

Christina specializes in sustainable development, public sector governance, and political economy analysis. A governance consultant on the Europe Technical Services team, she works on public sector projects and business development activities with a focus on governance and accountability reform, and public service delivery.

Project Management

Sound project leadership—along with financial, contractual, operational, and logistical support—are critical to the work we do. From leading projects in the field to providing technical and management support from our corporate office, our project teams consistently and effectively deliver development results.

Dave Whitfield

Director, Regional Finance and Operations

Dave has been providing home office management and support for DAI projects since 2008. As Director of Regional Finance and Operations for Global Programs, he oversees the management of project-wide operations for an $884 million portfolio.

Miguel Baca

Director for Strategy, Operations and Finance at USG Programs

As Director for Strategy, Operations and Finance, Miguel is responsible for overseeing the creation, coordination, and implementation of effective operational and financial standards and procedures across all regions in DAI’s USG Programs Unit.

Kate Leuba

Project Manager

Since joining DAI in 2014, Kate has held progressively responsible positions in project management. Now a key member of DAI’s Center for Secure and Stable States, Kate supports DAI’s portfolio of development and security programming in fragile states.

Business Development

DAI works with national and local governments, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector companies, and philanthropic institutions. No matter the client, DAI’s business development team leverages the expertise of our technical staff and the hands-on experience of our project leaders to develop innovative, cost-effective, responsive, and competitive proposals.

Nate Bourns

Vice President, Geographic and Digital Platforms

Nate works across all DAI business units and corporate offices to build a next-generation operating model. He is responsible for developing and executing DAI’s digital strategy and leading the company’s corporate presence in key geographies such as Colombia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine.

Tamara Stanton

Senior Principal Advisor

Since 2000, Tamara has held corporate and project-level roles in new business, recruiting, and project implementation. In all positions she’s held—head of DAI’s U.S. Government Business Development Unit, Innovation and Engagement Advisor on USAID’s Grand Challenges for Development program, and new business manager—Tamara embodies DAI’s values and passion for development.

Kieran Griffin

Principal Consultant and Bid Director

Kieran is responsible for identifying and directing new business opportunities across DAI’s technical portfolio for key clients such as the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the World Bank. Kieran provides leadership, marketing, technical, and commercial expertise while maintaining and enhancing effective partnerships with clients, partners, and other stakeholders.

Corporate

Our corporate services functions provide enterprise-wide support services in finance & accounting, human resources, IT, communications, travel, logistics, and security.

Tami Fries

Senior Director

Tami specializes in information systems, management training, and participatory approaches to project and program planning. As Director in Information Technology, she manages a team of business analysts and software developers in designing, implementing, and maintaining core business information systems for DAI’s home office and field projects.

Keith Smith

SVP, HMG Business Unit

In the course of his career at DAI, Keith has managed a range of development projects, from infrastructure, agriculture, and health initiatives to grants management, governance, and reintegration of ex-combatants.

Cecile Hipos

Director, IT

Since she started working with DAI in 1994, Cecile has successfully designed, managed, and implemented IT systems for donor-funded projects in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America.