About Us
Co-Founders
Pioneering Change with Over 40 Years of Experience
With over 40 years of combined experience, the co-founders are pioneers in driving change across various sectors. Their expertise spans education program development, project evaluation, private sector financial management, and extensive work with local and international NGOs. They have successfully designed and implemented impactful projects on a global scale, demonstrating a deep commitment to fostering sustainable development and innovation.
Martha Zuniga Cruz, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, GEN
Dr. Martha Cruz Zuniga is a Full Clinical Professor of Economics, Chair of the Department of Economics, and Interim Chair of the Department of Sociology at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She has over twenty years of experience working in academia, private sector, NGOs, and governments. Her evaluation expertise extends from designing instruments and data collection to rigorous information analysis in several world regions. Her use of econometrics software involves EViews, Stata, and MATLAB.
In international development, her work includes capacity building, artificial intelligence, agriculture, and education. Her work shows the need for more comprehensive measures that fully capture the impact of initiatives in the short and long term, tangible and intangible aspects, as well as considering not just direct participants of an initiative but also other stakeholders whose development efforts might positively or negatively impact. Her policy papers have contributed to new strategies adopted by policymakers. A citizen of the United States and Ecuador, Dr. Cruz Zuniga is fluent in English and Spanish.
Meaza Zerihun Demissie, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, GEN
Dr. Meaza Zerihun Demissie is the Associate Director of Science Capacity Building programs at The Nature Conservancy (TNC). With over twenty years of experience in international organizations and NGOs, she brings extensive expertise in science capacity building, learning, international development, and program development and management.
Before joining TNC, Meaza worked at the World Bank Group, supporting higher education and skills programs across Africa. She also managed science capacity building programs at CRDF Global, leading projects in Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. Meaza holds a Ph.D. in International Economic Development, a Master’s in Public Administration, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations. Born and raised in Ethiopia, she enjoys tennis and long walks in nature, driven by her passion for education, development, and the environment.
Join our team
Intersted in joining our team? We have an opening for a short term consultant/contractor.