I am a Lecturer in Public Policy at the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. I received a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management at the Evans School, University of Washington. I have an MSc in Public Policy Research from the Evans School, an MA in International Policy Studies (focus: International Development), a BA in International Studies (focus: Latin America), and certificates in Development Project Management and Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research.
I am a former foreign aid implementation professional with Chemonics International. I worked in project management, proposal design, local recruitment, and project budget development, among other responsibilities, for the Latin America and Caribbean department. Select projects include, among others: USAID El Salvador Trade Development Program for Small and Medium Enterprises (ESTDP), Biodiversity and Agricultural Commodities Program (IFC and World Bank Global Environment Fund), USAID Colombia Biodiversity – Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation+ Program (BioREDD+), USAID Guatemala Security and Justice Sector Reform Project.
I am passionate about research and teaching. My research builds on my work with foreign aid implementation, in particular beneficiary participation in project decision-making and implementation. I have a particular research focus in federal government contracting and public participation, largely within the context of international development. My teaching focuses on public policy decision-making, management, implementation, analysis, and international development policy and implementation. I was honored to receive the Excellence in Teaching Award, voted by MPA students at the Evans School.