Gary Bland Email and Phone Number

Worked in CNA's Institute for Public Research to support implementation and growth of CNA's research and evaluation program.

Title: Fellow in Governance (2009 to April 2018): senior technical and policy advisor in governance, institutional development, and political analysis; research scholar, and senior manager.• Technical assistance in local government, decentralization, policy reform, political economy analysis, cross-sectoral governance, participatory practice, election quality, anti-corruption, and legislative development.• Recently advised on health governance in Guatemala, political economy analysis, and federalization in Nepal.• Multidisciplinary research, analysis, design, evaluation, and programming work helped inform policy and successful development in multiple countries worldwide.• Applied research on sustainability of participatory budgeting in El Salvador (2011, 2017), governance conflict in Peru (2014), and measurement of subnational corruption (2014).• Country experience in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Eastern EuropeEditor-in-Chief, RTI Press (2017-2018). Led editorial and administrative development of RTI press operations. Supported production of publications and works to increase profile of Press and Press publications. Deputy Editor-in-Chief (2014 to 2016).Director, Center for Democratic Governance (2003 to 2008). Developed democratic governance practice worldwide. Expanded governance portfolio, developed RTI’s technical capabilities, and broadened client base. Served as RTI representative to missions, partners, and governments. Managed a project portfolio of $25 million, a U.S.-based staff of 10, and major projects in El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Kosovo, Peru, South Africa, and elsewhere. Technical leader on decentralization, municipal development, civil society, and anticorruption. Supported project development. Participant in academic and policy conferences.Senior Democracy and Governance Specialist (2002 to 2003). Specialized in policy and project development, assessments, evaluations, and provision of technical assistance.

Specialized in decentralization policy and intergovernmental relations, national and local governance, institutional development, urban strategy, anticorruption, training, evaluations, and political participation. Consulted with: World Bank, UNDP, IDB, USAID, Chemonics, Tetra Tech/ARD, and Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Title: Fellow and Decentralization Advisor. Served as lead and intra-agency advisor for decentralization and local governance policy and programming. Provided technical assistance, developed training modules and conducted sessions, advised Missions on program strategy and development, and managed the center’s two $24 million decentralization and local governance programming contracts for Mission access to technical services. Promoted coordination within the center on decentralization and related activities. Lead author for the widely read decentralization programming handbook. Designed local government anticorruption module and backstopped legislative strengthening programming. Created and maintained information network for field program officers. Completed program designs and evaluations in Benin, Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Paraguay. Conducted research (later published) on decentralization reform in 18 Latin American countries.

Title: Senior Program Associate, Latin American Program. Senior assistant and advisor to the director. Developed, organized, and conducted conferences in key policy areas, including democracy and decentralization in Latin America. Researched, authored, and edited publications on state reform, decentralization, and democratic development. Served as liaison to the U.S. Congress and represented the center for visitors and other institutions.

Title: Legislative Assistant to Member of Congress. Covered legislative issues on U.S. foreign and trade policy, arms export control, labor, consumer affairs, and homelessness. Wrote speeches, developed and enacted legislation, advised the Member of Congress on policy, met with constituents and interest organizations, and wrote opinion editorials.