Winners of the The Molly Hageboeck Award for Excellence In Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

Updated: May 17, 2024

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I4DI is delighted to announce the recipients of the Molly Hageboeck Award for Excellence in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL). This award celebrates outstanding contributions that embody Molly Hageboeck’s commitment to practical, rigorous, and impactful practices in international development.

Innovation in MEL Methodology

We are proud to recognize Savi Mull, Mariana Xavier, and Lee Alexander Risby with the award in the category of Innovation in MEL Methodology. This team has collaboratively developed and implemented the rubrics measurement and learning system for the Laudes Foundation, significantly advancing MEL methodologies and contributing to the evolution of the field.

Excellence in MEL Practice

In the category of Excellence in MEL Practice, Nehal Ali has been honored for her dedication and profound impact on numerous projects, which have fostered sustainable community development through enhanced MEL strategies.

Advancement in MEL Training and Capacity Building

Furthermore, Brenda Bucheli has been awarded in the category of Advancement in MEL Training and Capacity Building. With over three decades of experience, Brenda’s extensive expertise and innovative proposals continue to drive significant advancements in MEL practices.

Celebrating the Legacy of Molly Hageboeck

Our heartfelt thanks go to the Award Review Committee—Larry Cooley, Jill Tirnauer, Jennifer L. Mandel, Gerald Britan, Cindy Clapp-Wincek, Pamela Johnson, and Lynn Carter—for their meticulous and dedicated effort in reviewing applications and selecting the deserving winners.

Molly Hageboeck’s legacy is a beacon of inspiration for excellence in MEL. Her spirit of dedication and achievement continues to thrive through these awards. Learn more about the accomplishments of these remarkable individuals below.

SAVI MULL

Innovation in MEL Methodology

Savi Mull has nearly 25 years of experience in evaluation practice, research practice and management of programmes and donor client relationships. She is currently Senior Evaluation Manager at Laudes Foundation in the measurement and evaluation practice, leading the design and execution of high quality, utilization-focused evaluations for formal learning opportunities to improve the foundation’s effectiveness. Her previous experience covers heading the M&E practice at the Global Development Network, working with the Global Fund to Fight Tuberculosis, AIDS and Malaria and with USAID funded regional programmes on education and anti-human trafficking, among others. Ms. Mull holds a MA in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University in India and a post-graduate diploma in social security from International Institute of Social Studies at the Hague. Outside of work, she is an avid aviation enthusiast and finds calm through meditation.

MARIANA XAVIER

Innovation in MEL Methodology

Mariana Xavier is a Senior Evaluation Manager at Laudes Foundation since 2021, currently focusing on highly innovative and participatory evaluative approaches that are implemented across the organisation. Before this, she worked as programme manager on Labour Rights and Gender Justice issues in Brazil, at both Laudes and C&A Foundation. Her passion for participatory monitoring and evaluation can be traced back to her experience as M&E Coordinator of an InterAmerican Development Bank funded social program for at-risk youth in favelas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Mariana holds a MA in Social Development and Conflict Studies from the Geneva Graduate Institute. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, travelling and playing with her 3-year-old daughter.

LEE ALEXANDER RISBY

Innovation in MEL Methodology

Lee Alexander Risby is Director of Effective Philanthropy (EP) at Laudes Foundation in Switzerland. Lee directs the organization in measuring, evaluating, and learning from impact. In his role, he also leads the foundation’s efforts to strengthen partners capacities and integrate gender, equity and inclusion across the programs. Previously, Lee led EP and Impact & Communications teams at C&A Foundation.

Prior to that, he worked in various evaluation positions at the Global Environment Facility at the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, focusing mainly on assessing the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation, ozone-depleting chemical phase-out, gender and governance programs in the global south and former Soviet Union. His career has taken him to over 35 countries, living in seven. Outside of work, Lee enjoys cross-fit and Olympic weightlifting with Priya (his wife), hiking and skiing in Switzerland and traveling less.

NEHAL ALI

Excellence in MEL Practice

Nehal Ali, an Egyptian professional currently residing in Tunisia, is a seasoned Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning Specialist with a decade of diverse experience. Throughout her career, Nehal has been instrumental in driving Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning initiatives across various non-governmental and governmental organizations, both domestically and internationally.

Her expertise spans a wide range of thematic areas, including but not limited to women’s empowerment, child development, youth engagement, and entrepreneurship. Nehal’s dedication to advancing these crucial domains has significantly contributed to the success and impact of numerous projects and programs.

With a deep-rooted commitment to excellence, Nehal continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of MEL practices, thereby fostering positive change and sustainable development within communities worldwide.

BRENDA BUCHELI

Advancement in MEL Training and Capacity Building

With a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Knowledge Management, complemented by postgraduate studies in Statistics and Information Management, Brenda Bucheli is an experienced Peruvian social psychologist specializing in planning, monitoring, and evaluation of development interventions, individual and organizational capacity development, information and knowledge management, and coaching. Over the past three decades, she has gained professional experience in the public and private sectors, both nationally and internationally, in a variety of technical and high-level management positions. Notable positions include Director of the NGO Pact Peru, President of the Peruvian Evaluation Network – EvalPeru, and Director of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for Sustainability Project – USAID MELS.

Her consulting skills are demonstrated by a portfolio of more than 60 contracts effectively implemented since 2005 throughout Peru and Latin America. She has been deeply involved in USAID projects for two decades, and her expertise covers diverse areas such as environment, climate change adaptation, nutrition, livelihoods, and rural development.

Brenda is actively involved in professional networks, having co-founded EvalPeru and the Latin American network, RELAC. She is the current General Coordinator of RELAC for the period 2024-2027. Since 2006, she has been contributing her expertise to graduate monitoring and evaluation programs at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.