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.
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.
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.