MSI, a Tetra Tech Company, is excited to announce the return of our long-time colleague Ryan Young as the Practice Area Leader. In this role, Ryan will manage a diverse portfolio of projects aimed at supporting democratic transitions, fostering stability, and assisting conflict-affected communities. His portfolio includes important USAID mechanisms such as SWIFT and P4P2 IDIQs, along with ongoing initiatives in Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, Moldova, and the West Bank.

Before rejoining MSI, Ryan served as the Executive Director of the IMPL Project. During his previous seven years at MSI, he led the USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives portfolio and worked on projects addressing violent extremism and political transitions. His experience also includes roles with USAID in Washington, DC, and field assignments in Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen.

Allison Poyac-Clarkin, MSI’s Senior Vice President for Democracy, Governance and Conflict Programs, leads MSI’s work in democracy and governance, peacebuilding, and rule of law and government accountability. She expressed her enthusiasm about Ryan and the MSI team rising to face current and looming development challenges. “It’s a critical moment to have Ryan rejoin the team. With a quarter of the world’s population now living in conflict-affected areas and democratic governance and respect for human rights increasingly under threat, Ryan will play a pivotal role in positioning MSI to offer clients an integrated set of tools that can innovatively address and respond to the root causes and impacts of conflict in the communities in which we work,” said Poyac-Clarkin.

With nearly two decades of experience in dynamic development contexts, Ryan is dedicated to advancing U.S. foreign policy goals through the implementation of peacebuilding, stabilization, and political transition programs ranging from $750k to $84 million. His extensive fieldwork spans eight years in conflict-affected and non-permissive environments. Additionally, Ryan has significant expertise in localization efforts, data collection, and analysis from his time at the IMPL Project, where he collaborated with community-based organizations in the Philippines and Azerbaijan to enhance contextual understanding and design effective U.S. Government engagement programs.

I’m thrilled to return. During my time at MSI, we established a strong reputation for implementing high-priority programs in countries facing various levels of conflict, empowering local partners, and leveraging MSI’s systems and personnel. I’m eager to apply the insights I’ve gained during my time away to elevate the Peace & Stability practice area. – Ryan Young

More information about MSI’s support for Peacebuilding, Democracy and Governance, and other expertise can be found here.