Our Team

Kevin Murphy is a business/sectoral strategy and competitiveness expert with 40 years of experience in enterprise development, strategic management, competitiveness analysis, investment and trade, and related executive-level training. Mr. Murphy provides strategic management services to corporations and advises governments and donor agencies on fostering economic development and foreign investment strategies. He has supervised the successful completion of over 600 international projects in 127 countries. Mr. Murphy is the co-author of the Manual for Action in the Private Sector (MAPS), implemented in over 20 countries. Mr. Murphy introduced national competitiveness initiatives to the U.S Foreign Aid and served on the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Competitiveness for 5 years. He has worked with 7 current or foreign heads of state, and numerous ministers on economic policy. Mr. Murphy is a graduate of Harvard Business School, the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, the University of Louvain, Belgium, and the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

Joe Lowther has 20 years of experience as an executive and project director and was a practicing commercial lawyer for 11 years. He is a leading expert in competitiveness and policy reform, and has managed innovative projects in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Serbia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ukraine. He has been Chief of Party for five successful USAID projects. As Chief of Party for the USAID Serbia Business Enabling Project for six years Mr. Lowther applied an innovative methodology to help transform Serbia’s business environment and increase access to finance for SMEs, leading to sustained economic growth and record foreign investment. Mr. Lowther has conducted comprehensive business environment assessments in South Africa, Uganda, and Pakistan, and conducted a global evaluation of IFC’s business entry projects. He has written manuals and guides on policy implementation for the OECD, World Bank, and IFC, including the Public Private Dialogue Handbook, and Guide to Contracting Out Government Services. Mr. Lowther has helped local and national governments develop and implement strategies and systems for economic development and financial markets and business environment reforms in Bulgaria, Croatia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Tajikistan, Uganda, and Ukraine. Mr. Lowther has designed and conducted training for national and local governments, business associations, and business service providers on policy reform, advocacy, public-private dialogue, and many other topics. Mr. Lowther has Juris Doctor and M.B.A. degrees from Whittier College, and a B.S. in Business Administration from University of Southern California.

Jason comes to J.E. Austin Associates with a 30-year career in international development, including most recently from McKinsey & Company. Previously, he worked at the State Department and as a senior executive at the U.S Agency for International Development where he served as Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Middle East, East Asia, and Afghanistan. Jason also was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin and worked as a senior manager for KPMG Consulting focused on financial sector reform. He has taught at a number of graduate universities including Georgetown, Princeton, Northeastern and George Washington. Jason received a Master’s Degree from Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan.

Cheryl Wojciechowski has worked in international science diplomacy since 2006. Serving in several capacities with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and as a government contractor, she has extensive experience working with scientists and government personnel in the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and Central Asia on collaborative cross-border research. She is currently the Chief of Party of USAID’s Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program technical services contract. The MERC Program funds peer-reviewed research grants from joint Arab-Israeli teams of scientists working on regional problems such as agricultural viruses, water scarcity and health threats. The goal of the program is to create and implement solutions to development challenges. One of her major roles on this program is to conduct thorough peer review panels to assess proposed work.

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Prior to her work in Washington DC, Cheryl Wojciechowski held simultaneous positions at the Museum of Science, Boston, and Harvard University Extension School. At the Museum she was responsible for explaining scientific advances to the public through exhibits, presentations, and television appearances. At Harvard she taught the Biochemistry I and II courses.

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Cheryl started her career with research on small molecules produced by plants for communication of other physiological processes for undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Boston College in 2002 working on antibiotic resistance and enzymology. Her post-doctoral research at Harvard Medical School’s Dana Farber Cancer Institute involved natural products and their effect on cancer cells. Cheryl continues her interest in plant-derived, naturally-produced compounds and their ability to have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. In addition to her career, Cheryl is an avid cyclist, boxer, and Mom to two kids

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Ms. Fanning has an international reputation as a leader in training, management consulting and entrepreneurship development, and is frequently called upon to advise organizations and governments in these areas.  She has overseen a range of gender equity-based development initiatives, including projects encompassing girls’ and women’s education in Morocco, women’s legal rights and political participation in Latin America and the Caribbean, anti-trafficking in persons in Mexico, and worldwide efforts in civil society advocacy and private sector development.

Ms. Fanning holds a Master Degree in Organizational Development from American University.  She regularly conducts training programs in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Ms. Fanning is currently a member of the Boards of her synagogue, of a Moroccan-based NGO that works with empowering teenage girls and is a member of the Advisory Council to the School for Public Affairs of American University.

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Martin Webber is a strategic management and management consulting professional with twenty-five years of experience in economic growth, enterprise development, trade and investment and agribusiness. A leader of JAA’s work in competitiveness, value chain development, public-private dialogue and institutional change, he has worked with more than 50 industry clusters and sectors, and more than 100 business associations and many public and private organizations in more than 40 countries. A key figure in competitiveness and value chain development in countries such as Armenia, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Georgia, Guyana, Haiti, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Philippines, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, and Uganda, Mr. Webber guides and facilitates business-led initiatives and policy improvement. He has helped devise strategies to improve the quality of dialogue between the private and public sector and to improve the development of the investment and trade environment for industry clusters. He has prepared and supervised case and similar studies of many companies and organizations. Mr. Webber is a frequent advisor, speaker and writer on issues of competitiveness and business-led economic growth. Prior to J.E. Austin Associates, Mr. Webber worked in senior positions with Louis Berger International, Inc. and Apogee Research. These were management and economic consultancies, with particular emphasis on infrastructure and related services, and economic growth. A Canadian from Montreal, residing in Washington, DC, Mr. Webber obtained an MBA from the Harvard Business School, and a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University. Mr. Webber was the 2005 co-recipient of the first “Making a Difference Award”, presented to alumni of the Harvard Business School.

Dr. Jim Barnhart joins J.E. Austin Associate as Senior Director for Agriculture with 40 years of global development experience. He spent over two decades at USAID, living and working across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia—overseeing programs in agriculture, economic growth, education, and water security. As Mission Director, he led USAID teams in Jordan, Albania, and Lebanon, and finished his diplomatic career as an Assistant to the Administrator, guiding the USAID Bureau of Resilience and Food Security during the pandemic and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. He served as Co-Deputy Coordinator of the US Government’s Feed the Future Program, retiring as a Career Minister in the Senior Foreign Service. Most recently, Jim led Oxbow Farm and Conservation Center, outside of Seattle, WA, where he guided work in salmon-safe organic farming, riparian restoration and preservation, and experiential education programs. Jim has a Ph.D. in Economics from Georgia State University, a Masters of International Relations from SAIS/Johns Hopkins, and a Bachelor’s degree from Furman University.

Mr. Isahakyan has 20 years of experience successfully contributing to a succession of competitiveness projects in the Europe and Eurasia Region, including Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, South Asia and South East Asia. He serves as Director of the E&E Region for J.E. Austin Associates, the company that introduced competitiveness initiatives to USAID in 1998. He has worked with 15 industry clusters including the information technology sector in Ukraine, Bosnia, Kosovo, Moldova, Armenia, the tourism cluster in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Tanzania, and creative and furniture sectors in Ukraine. He is also skilled at facilitating public-private dialogue having helped in the formation of the Tax Council in Armenia and most recently the Strategic Council on Creative Economies in Ukraine. He co-facilitated intensive training for Ukrainian leaders on comprehensive economic reform. Mr. Isahakyan is currently leading the competitiveness component under the Competitive Economy program in Ukraine. Experience in Eastern Europe is informed by lessons from outside the region in Southeast Asia and elsewhere. He holds an MBA from American University of Armenia and completed certificate program on Leadership and Interest based Negotiations at Harvard University.

Anu Jain is the Controller at J.E. Austin Associates. He is a technically skilled accountant known for accuracy, attention to detail and timeliness in managing disbursement functions for diverse-industry employers. His accounting career spans 20 years of experience in implementing financial systems, strategies, processes and controls that significantly improve P&L scenarios. Backed by solid credentials and proficiencies in generally accepted accounting practices (GAAP) as well as Deltek Cost Point 7, Timberline, Peachtree, QuickBooks, MS Office and Excel. He is an expert in establishing accounting functions, systems and best practices; cost-reduction, automation and tax strategies; and lasting business relationships to ensure goal-surpassing fiscal performance.

Ben Nussbaumer is the Director of Strategy and Competitiveness with J.E. Austin Associates specializing in strategy, competitiveness, and private sector development. He is experienced working on assignments to support functional market systems, strengthen public and private institutions, and create new economic opportunities for a variety of multilateral, bilateral, and private clients in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean. He holds a master’s degree in international political economy and international economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from the University of Oregon.

Juan Fernando Ramirez has a degree in Law from Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia. He also has a minor in Public Management and has an interest in Private and Transactional Law. Since his involvement with J.E Austin Associates he has participated in projects in Nepal, Myanmar, Ghana, and Honduras. Also, he has helped write proposals for projects in Central America, Colombia and Macedonia.

Adedasola is a project manager with J.E. Austin Associates. She has a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs with a minor in Economics from George Washington University. Her interests include economic development and financial inclusion.

Sophie Chao is the Project Manager for the Ukraine Harvest Activity with J.E. Austin Associates. She is experienced working with public, private, and non-profit clients on human rights, democracy, governance, trade, and logistics in East and Southeast Asia during her tenure with Freedom House, International Republican Institute, Pacific Bridge Medical, Edelman, and Ogilvy. She holds a master’s degree in International Economics and Middle Eastern Studies from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and dual bachelor’s degrees in Diplomacy and Arabic from National Chengchi University.

Javier Moraleda is a Project Manager for J.E. Austin Associates, Inc., bringing forward experience in workforce development, entrepreneurship, and positive youth development. He previously served as a Program Officer at Education For Employment (EFE), where he supported the management of youth workforce development programs and business development initiatives across the Middle East and North Africa. Javier has a BA in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies from Columbia University and a BA in Politics and Government from the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po). Javier also served as an Education and English Outreach Assistant at the U.S. Embassy in Algiers, where he implemented social media campaigns and advised Algerian students preparing to attend university and enter the workforce. He is fluent in English, Spanish, and French, and proficient in Modern Standard Arabic.

Netanya Caldwell is a Project Manager at J.E. Austin Associates Inc., specializing in international economic development. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Relations with a minor in Sociology, along with certifications in data analysis and human rights advocacy. With experience managing multi-million dollar portfolios in the Middle East and North Africa, Netanya is skilled in workforce development, civil society engagement in conflict-sensitive communities, and stakeholder relations, and has a proven track record of enhancing operational efficiency. She is experienced in business and organizational development and ensures that projects not only achieve success but also positively impact the communities they serve.

Donald has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and proven experience in banking and logistics. He has a passion for project management, business development impact investing, process improvement, and customer service. He is always seeking new challenges and opportunities to expand his knowledge and interest in social entrepreneurship and transnational development. As a new intern JAA, he is excited to bring his expertise to the table and collaborate with the team to achieve the company’s goals.

Akot Lonah O is an intern with J.E Austin Associates. She holds a law bachelor’s degree from Uganda Christian University, Kampala, Uganda. She is currently pursuing a postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre, Uganda. She is passionate about advocacy, with an interest in the private sector, and has an in-depth knowledge of the law combined with strong analytical skills allowing her to negotiate complex legal issues.

Corbin is a graduate student at the Hertie School for Governance in Berlin, Germany where he is enrolled in the Master of Public Policy and Master of Data Science programs. He has written for Hertie’s Centre for Digital Governance on topics including digitalization and artificial intelligence’s impact on democracy. He received his bachelor's degree in Global Affairs from George Mason University, concentrating in international development. His previous professional experience includes a traineeship with the European Parliament Office in Washington, and positions with the the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the Cadmus Group’s Trade and Logistics practice. Outside of his work, Corbin enjoys rock climbing, cycling, and performing with local community orchestras and bands.

Joshilyn is a second-year graduate student at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.  She received bachelor's degrees in economics and sociology from Kansas State University, concentrating in international development. Her previous professional experiences include working on strategy for inclusive finance projects as Clinton Fellow in India and conducting policy research on climate change and productivity for the Central Reserve Bank of Peru.