Nilanj Desai Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Global Opportunity Youth Network (GOYN) of the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions• Lead landscape study on Opportunity Youth workforce development in the Hospitality & Tourism sector• Lead GOYN expansion efforts to Brazil, Mexico, and Jordan.• Support GOYN to build partner pipelines, and to cultivate and engage partners.• Lead GOYN “Digital Opportunities” global Community of Practice

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Desai Properties, Washington DC - Owner/Operator• UNDP Iraq, Baghdad/Erbil, Iraq - Project management, procurement, and reporting support • IOM Iraq, Baghdad/Erbil, Iraq - Project management and field research support• Village Capital, Washington DC - Fundraising, strategic planning, and board development support• Just Results LLC, Washington DC - Impact investment and fundraising advisor• Fifth Street Development, LLC, Washington DC - Investor, partner, fundraiser• Owen Place Development, LLC, Washington DC - Investor, partner

Washington, Dc

Federated INGO with a demand-driven approach to the MENA youth unemployment crisis• Successfully raised $4.5m in funding from US Government, international foundations, and private donors.• Led EFE's first fundraising campaign, revamped donor outreach & data management, and raised over $270,000 in 4 months.• Coordinated special projects relating to financial growth strategy, 2020 strategic planning, HR, and board governance.• Oversaw efforts on expansion opportunities for Mauritania, Oman, and Sub-Saharan Africa.• Developed plan for launch of a new business unit offering franchising tools and consultative services for earned revenue.• Led codification of the EFE model into comprehensive Operations Manuals to support expansions & new staff onboarding.• Managed EFE’s initial expansion in Algeria under a US DoS Grant (3 years, $2.2m).• Built and managed all internship, fellowship, and volunteer programs, overseeing over 30 participants across two years and growing EFE’s visibility to entry-level talent.

Amman, Jordan

Inclusive Growth & Economic Empowerment cluster, UNDP Multi-Sectoral Implementation Team• Successfully secured over $15.5m in funding from international, bilateral, & private donors.• Co-managed planning & implementation with key partner Royal Dutch Shell for multifaceted CSR project on vocational training, SME development, & community development in Basra and in the nearby Majnoon oil field (3 years, $4.2m).• Co-managed finances, admin, contracts, budget execution, and final close-out on 4 hospital rehabilitation projects in Tikrit, Ramadi, Fallujah, and Basra (4+ years each, $77.55m total).• Published report on systemic women’s economic empowerment in Iraq based on current grassroots efforts & challenges.

Amman, Jordan

Jordanian research institute with 15 years experience in political and democratization projects• Successfully raised over $900,000 in grants from international, bilateral, & private donors. • Assisted senior leadership to design and implement projects focused on political equality, women’s rights, & governance.

Amman, Jordan

United Nations agency focusing on Iraqi city housing, land, and governance issues• Successfully secured over $12m in funding from international, bilateral, & private donors.• Wrote a pioneering Rapid Assessment of prevailing Iraqi Land Tenure Practices.• Co-wrote UN-Habitat Iraq’s 2013-2015 strategic plan, and the 2010 National Housing Policy for Iraq.• Led M&E and reporting on several projects relating to Iraq urban planning, housing, and land management.

Amman, Jordan

Jordanian NGO with 30 years experience in social, human, and civil society development• Secured over $650,000 in grants and donations from international and private donors.• Led implementation of new internal communications methods and improved fundraising and marketing techniques

Amman, Jordan

Development consulting firm focusing on M&E, civil society, & elections technology contracts• Served as primary source of new business for the firm through grant-writing, networking, and new product development.• Secured over $370,000 in earned revenue and grants from international and local organizations.• Designed and delivered trainings on M&E, communications, and nonprofit finance management, targeting NGO employees.

Washington, Dc

Strategic research consulting firm with a shared-network learning model• Consulted on strategic planning, CSR, communications, and marketing for a client base of senior executives (COO, CCO, CMO) from over 600 Fortune 1000 companies; served as liaison to a personal pool of 250 client companies.• Led several initiatives on entering and adapting to emerging markets, focusing on the Middle East and Asia.• Owned “Small Shop” client segment (200+ global companies, $5.5m total contract value). • Managed a geographically split team of 3 U.S. Research Analysts and 2 India Research Associates.• Trained 6 cycles of new hires in Sales, Account Services, and Research divisions, in DC, Chicago, & San Francisco offices.

Ma, International Relations And International Economics

Ba, History; International Studies

Research Fellow, Israel/Palestine Conflict Studies

• Research, policy debates, and student mentoring on aspects of the Israel/Palestine conflict