Barbara Seligman Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

At PRB, I led the organization through a period of strategic transformation and substantial growth, including orchestrating a strategic overhaul and sustaining 10%-15% increases in annual revenue and a 20% growth in individual funders.I secured major funding for the organization, including a PRESTO IDIQ for communication and outreach to data users from the U.S. Department of Education, the $30M USAID MOMENTUM Knowledge Accelerator (MKA) project, and an additional $75M-plus in USAID and private foundation funding. As MKA project director, I charted a path for how the MOMENTUM suite of projects would “row together” and create value greater than the sum of their parts through a shared theory of change, common indicators, learning, agenda, and brand. I also led the Policy, Advocacy, and Communications Enhanced for Population and Reproductive Health project, successfully transferring leadership of a signature program to an African regional organization with population expertise.I led a cross-departmental team to develop a detailed implementation roadmap for PRB’s strategic plan focused on sustainability, growth, and diversification. This plan helped PRB navigate the challenges of declining Official Development Assistance (ODA) and the decolonization of foreign assistance, ensuring that PRB remained impactful and relevant on the global stage.Throughout my tenure, I emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships and collaboration, fostering relationships with key stakeholders to drive the organization’s mission forward. My leadership in both strategic planning and day-to-day operations has left a lasting impact on PRB, positioning it for continued success in the future.

Bethesda, Md

At DAI, I spearheaded global health strategies and managed high-stakes global and bilateral USAID projects valued at $100M. Leading the strategic planning process, I identified global health as a priority market, which resulted in the establishment of a new global health center. My efforts led to the successful management of a diverse portfolio of health, climate, and environment projects, ensuring both technical quality and financial performance. I increased visibility and built relationships with global health implementing partners helping secure key new business wins, including USAID Preparedness and Response project (~$40M), Health Finance and Governance subcontract ($8M), and multiple IDIQs. I supervised and mentored several chiefs of party, guiding them in leading their respective teams and achieving project goals. I also served as chief of party for DAI’s YouthPower Implementation IDIQ award.

In my role as Principal Associate at Abt Associates, I managed a comprehensive portfolio of health policy and systems-strengthening projects and led the Health Policy Initiative IDIQ. I championed more than 20 significant new business development efforts, securing USAID global and bilateral prime awards and driving growth in health policy initiatives. My leadership ensured the technical excellence and financial viability of projects, contributing to long-term sustainability. From 2006 to 2007, I was appointed Chief of Party for a multimillion-dollar health reform project in Tbilisi, Georgia. As Chief of Party, I navigated complex political landscapes and supported the privatization of the health system.

During my consultancy, I advised PRB on translating demographic research into actionable policy initiatives. I developed the Policy Relevance Action Tool to assess the impact of research, synthesizing findings for program learning under the Population Poverty Initiative. This role allowed me to leverage my expertise in demography and policy translation to recommend strategies that addressed critical global health and development challenges.

Served as the principal advisor to USAID/Washington and Mission staff on the implementation of statutory and policy requirements affecting population and reproductive health assistance. Principal author of the agency’s first guidance on the use of population funds, and source of extensive technical assistance related to the guidance and implementation of population-related requirements to USAID staff both in Washington and in the field. Served as technical advisor to U.S. delegations to the UNFPA executive board and to the UN Commission on Population and Development, and to the State Department’s Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration. Led development of official USG statements on reproductive health presented at the 2005 meetings of the G-8 and the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Functioned as country coordinator for Bangladesh, one of the agency’s largest health and population bilaterals. Section representative for the Population, Family Planning and Reproductive Health Section to the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association, 2004-2005.

Managed program development for $30 million/year company; responsible for strategic planning, partnerships and coordination of all new program initiatives for company¡¦s for-profit and non-profit arms. Raised more than $12 million to support youth reproductive health activities. Led organizational strategic planning, provided technical support and supervision to technical leads on USAID proposals and grant applications, and multilateral solicitations. (June 1999-July 2000). Directed policy activities for the USAID-funded FOCUS on Young Adults Program. Developed modeling and simulation tools to forecast impacts of youth reproductive health behavior change on development and health outcomes. Developed global simulation tool projecting impact of girls’ secondary school enrollment on key reproductive health measures. Led development and application of a framework for analyzing laws and regulations that directly and indirectly (by affecting demand and ability to use health services and information) affect adolescent reproductive health. Evaluated youth programming models in Ethiopia and Pakistan for the Bill and Flora Packard Foundation. (November 1995 – June 1999). Led policy development assistance for cross-sectoral population planning (Madagascar) and to support expanded access to modern contraceptive methods in the Former Soviet Union. (May 1993 – November 1995).

Ma, Public Policy & Anthropology

Education record

Ma, Anthropology/Archaeology

Ab, History

Education record