Mitzi Hanold

Authored a white paper synthesizing 103 MCC evaluations which strengthened program logic models, theory of change frameworks, and economic rate-of-return estimations through the identification of design flaws in prior initiatives—such as untested assumptions, lack of user engagement, and failure to incorporate behavioral drivers of adoption and sustainability.

Directed local research for Côte d’Ivoire’s $28M education reform. Delivered evidence-based recommendations that informed policy reform by the Ministry of Education, streamlined school-level administrative processes, and launched a targeted education campaign for families and students.

Spearheaded negotiations across multiple contractors to apply user-centered solutions to irrigation design as part of Lesotho’s $118.6M Market Driven Integrated Horticulture investment.

Led the user-centered research and recommendations for US grant improving teacher and student retention in the Gambia through analysis of teacher and student insights.

Managed two research contracts leading monthly progress updates, budget reviews and quarterly reporting to senior management: budget $6M.

Collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve program logic, data management and reporting metrics.

Led behavioral research for Malawi’s $44.1M land productivity initiative, analyzing procedures, systems and motivations affecting payment of property taxes as well as ways to increase City Council engagement for greater trust and compliance.

Developed mixed-methods research frameworks, organized consultations and developed recommendations to improve agency meeting efficiency and decision-making effectiveness leading to new training products and operational rhythms. 

Led team meeting facilitation including agenda development, decision tracking, knowledge management, and lessons learned.

Established Council governance and charter.  Led change‑management initiatives to publish HR dashboards for transparency in gendered hiring and promotion.

Mobilized 60 staff across 16 countries to attend the Women in Global Development and Leadership Forum, facilitating post-event debriefs that informed executive‑level decisions and organizational change.

Led the US program team in a consortium of 7 partners to design, write and win a $140M grant reaching 270,000 participants.

Led global technical team of 60, managing eight directors and guiding matrixed collaboration across 18 countries reaching 10 million recipients. Led strategy development, establishing team playbook, operational rhythms, and impact framework.

Established enterprise-wide technical standards to guide program fidelity and measurement of impact.

Conducted ecosystem mapping and Theory of Change systems analysis to identify root causes, stakeholder dynamics, and leverage points - translating complex interdependencies into clear program strategies and investment recommendations.

Led oversight of program quality for FH’s multi-million-dollar US government grant programs in DRC and Ethiopia.

Led budget oversight coordinating the health, education, food security, risk and resilience, gender and policy directors with a budget of $1.8M.

Led the overhaul of the education department leveraging brain science for a new strategy leading to increased child performance measures and caregiver engagement.  

Designed the organization’s global theory of change, impact framework, metrics and dashboards to monitor and measure education outcomes and performance.

Initiated a partnership with Save the Children for the utilization of their learning assessment for all of FH's implementing offices. 

Coached 16 education staff for proposal development, improved educational implementation and professional development.

Initiated Community of Practice for global practitioners with quarterly newsletters and webinars for dialogue, information sharing and increased technical capacity.