Elizabeth Issac is I4DI’s Director, Research & Programs. She has a strong background in small and medium enterprise development, trade, and capacity building, with a particular focus on effective project management, monitoring, evaluation, and research. Prior to joining I4DI, Ms. Issac led start-ups, implementation management, and closeouts of $30 million, as well as USAID-funded projects in South and Southeast Asia. Her knowledge of USAID contracting mechanisms coupled with her passion for development economics enabled her to contribute to technical activity development and programming related to capacity building and impact assessments of NGOs in Cambodia, evaluate youth employment and entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka and facilitate linkages for local small and medium enterprises to regional trade markets in Vietnam. Having worked in the field at various stages of project implementation, Ms. Issac has liaised with various overseas USAID Missions, local partners, and beneficiaries to foster effective partnerships with local stakeholders.
Prior to her entry into international development, she worked as a climate change research associate specializing in the Chesapeake Bay watershed area after her graduate studies. She holds a Master’s degree in International Commerce and Policy with a concentration in Global Governance and Human Development from George Mason University, and Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and International Tourism from the University of St. Andrews and the University of Sunderland, respectively.
