Thought Leadership
John Williamson, a key leader in international development, once said, "The work we do in the social impact sector isn't rocket science—it's actually harder than that."
This quote resonates deeply with me and inspires me to document key approaches and learning to advance thought leadership. Through my writing and research, I aim to support and connect with others striving to create transformative, lasting change in the international development space.
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Click on the photo above to learn about my latest initiative to promote and collect stories, photos, and quotes that capture the real impact of international development.
Publications
Adapting a Systems Strengthening Approach to Improve Prevention & Response to Gender-Based Violence: Lessons from the Kenya-Finland Bilateral Program
This toolkit captures key lessons and innovations from the Kenya-Finland Bilateral Programme (2021-2024), which piloted multi-sectoral, systems-strengthening approaches to improve GBV prevention and response in Bungoma, Kilifi, and Samburu Counties. It presents practical tools such as GBV Risk & Vulnerability Rankings, Seasonal Calendars for Prevention, and the Socio-Ecological Model for Collaboration, alongside strategies for scaling accredited trainings, evidence-based interventions, and meaningful community engagement. Designed to support governments, donors, and practitioners, the toolkit provides actionable insights to enhance policy implementation, frontline service delivery, and cross-sector coordination for sustainable impact.
One of my passions is advancing thought leadership - working with teams to document key innovations in international development practice, sharing what we learned and how to replicate or scale what works.
Below is a curated set of publications from programs implemented in Kenya and Uganda - showcasing efforts to strengthening systems and driving meaningful social change. Each resource includes a blend of evidence-based strategies with innovations to reflect the local context, and guidance to enable others to test these approaches in other settings.
Transformation-at-Scale: Reflections and Lessons from Working with the National Child Helpline in Uganda
This report documents a groundbreaking initiative under the USAID/PEPFAR-funded 4Children Uganda System Strengthening (USS) Project (2017–2020). Led by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the project aimed to strengthen the social service workforce (SSW) in Uganda, ensuring better protection and support for vulnerable children, particularly those affected by HIV, violence, abuse, and neglect. This case study highlights innovative approaches used to strengthen the Uganda Child Helpline (UCHL), improve service delivery for child survivors of violence, and influence national policy and donor investments. The insights offer a roadmap for scaling impactful, government-led reforms in child protection systems.
Playgroups for Children Under Five: A Guide for Volunteers
This resource, developed under the USAID-funded Social Services for Vulnerable Populations Program (known as Higa Ubeho) supports early childhood development (ECD) at the household & community-level. It provides practical tools to organize inclusive, community-led playgroups that foster learning, socialization, and caregiver engagement. It includes structured and unstructured activities that promote children's cognitive, social, and emotional growth while strengthening family and community support systems. (Available in English & Kinyarwanda.) See conference abstract presented at global and national forums to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, and academic publication.
Videos: Working with Elders & Cultural Leaders in Kenya to End Harmful Cultural Practices
With support from the Kenya-Finland Bilateral Program on Gender-based Violence, communities in Samburu and Bungoma Counties are taking bold steps to end female genital mutilation (FGM), and child marriage. These videos capture powerful stories of transformation, achieved through meaningful engagement with Elders & Cultural Leaders, and support for the community-led roadmaps.
Opportunities for Meaningful Engagement with Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Kenya: Recommendations from Three Counties
This brief presents key insights from consultations with over 60 GBV survivors across three counties. It highlights the critical role of survivor support groups in providing healing, access to justice, and community-based solutions, while emphasizing the potential of recovered survivors as key actors in the service delivery chain. It offers recommendations to strengthen survivor-centered care, enhance policy implementation, and mobilize collective leadership for more effective GBV prevention and response in Kenya. (These recommendations influenced key strategies and innovations tested in the Kenya-Finland Bilateral Program.)
Cultural Leaders & Elders Take Stock of Progress Since the Kisima Declaration to End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) & Child Marriage
Dialogue on the Post-Kisima Roadmap" reflects on the progress made since the 2021 Kisima Declaration, where Samburu cultural elders committed to ending female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. The report captures reflections from community leaders, highlights emerging Champions for change, and discusses the challenges of shifting deeply rooted cultural norms. It offers key recommendations to sustain momentum, including strengthening education, empowering young leaders, and reinforcing community-based monitoring efforts. (The Kenya-Finland Bilateral Program embraced these recommendations - including engagement with male warriors resulting in transformative change at the individual, peer, family, and community level - to overcome key drivers of gender-based violence)
Toolkit for Community-led Monitoring (and Momentum) in OVC & DREAMS Programming
​This publication, (and the accompanying training videos and handbook) developed under the USAID-funded ACHIEVE initiative, provides a comprehensive set of tools for establishing feedback mechanisms to improve service quality. With a focus on fostering meaningful partnerships and actionable feedback, the resources aim to empower communities to celebrate successes, address challenges collaboratively, and drive impactful changes. Using a consultative design process across eight countries, the toolkit integrates evidence-based approaches, reflective practices, and innovative ideas to maximize outcomes for orphans, vulnerable children, and other marginalized groups. This resource is ideal for organizations striving to embed continuous quality improvement and community leadership into their programming.