With over 25 years working with communities undergoing complex social change, Gary MacDonald is at the vanguard of social performance management.

Combining line management experience on billion-dollar mega-projects with multinational director-level experience, Gary brings a proven field-to-boardroom perspective to MFC’s social performance management practice.

Drawing on more than a decade as one of the leading social assessors of extractive and agro-forestry projects, Gary oversees MFC’s assessment practice as it guides investors and managers through the international social performance standards that opens access to funding.

His experience resolving community-project conflict prompted his involvement in groundbreaking UN Global Compact work on conflict and revenue transparency. As a thought leader and public speaker, he constantly pushes the boundaries of the social performance community of practice; his deft touch brings in skeptics and creates space for dialogue. He is one of MFC’s principals and founders.

Krista is a senior manager with deep experience in civil society and conducting human rights impact assessments for natural resource companies. She has developed innovative solutions to address the challenges of operating in conflict-sensitive environments, particularly regarding security and human rights.

Driven by her inter-disciplinary PhD work in mining engineering and 12-plus years designing and assessing social performance management systems in Latin America and West Africa, Carol knows when organizations are destined for company-community conflict and which ones will achieve sustainable social acceptance.

Carol brings a rights-based approach to her leadership of Monkey Forest’s social performance management practice. She focuses on designing local content and stakeholder engagement plans anchored in respect for indigenous and community rights.

Her experience assessing extractive, agro-forestry and hydro-electric infrastructure projects drives Monkey Forest’s assessment practice; she works with investors and managers who see compliance with international standards as the baseline, not the goal.

Carol’s multidisciplinary training feeds her ability to design cutting-edge social performance management systems and Monkey Forest’s thought leadership; she has written on topics ranging from results-based external affairs for mining projects, to corporate ethics, to integrating social concerns into mine design.

She also leads the company’s human-resources practice from her home base in York, United Kingdom.

Rebecca joins an economist’s eye for business with an anthropologist’s understanding of society to create stakeholder engagement and social investment programs that deliver sustainable social acceptance.

Maurice leverages a 35-year career in daily newspapers and television news when designing communications programs that build social acceptance in project-affected communities in Asia and Africa.

Maurice brings a deep understanding of audiences and the communication channels that reach them to Monkey Forest’s social performance management practice.

He trains teams and managers in stakeholder engagement and crisis communication, and can produce quick-response, web-based video documentaries when projects need to get messages out fast. Maurice is a specialist working in English and French on building effective communications capacity.

For Neyza, effective social performance management systems need robust reporting systems and documentation of company-community interaction to ensure transparency and build trust. She leverages her diligence and capacity for organization to design and implement community engagement system administration tools based on international standards.

For Jennifer, livelihood replacement to mitigate economic and physical displacement isn’t a black art, it’s the focus of more than 20 years experience in development and extractive programs.

Jennifer specializes in livelihood replacement related to physical and economic displacement. She has worked in the development and with extractive industry organizations for more than 20 years, specializing for the last five years on systematic social performance engagement, including stakeholder engagement, strategic social investment, resettlement, and social planning and program development.

Jennifer helped the Ambatovy nickel cobalt mining and refinery joint venture in Madagascar through its construction phase and its transition from construction to operations. She spearheaded the organization’s long-term sustainability planning for the 29-year Operations phase.

She advises and directs teams carrying out complex resettlements or their components and managed an independent review of a multi-site resettlement process from its inception, through design and final report. She has designed grievance mechanisms, implemented IFC-conforming social performance programs as well as designed and assessed stakeholder engagement activities, ecosystem services, strategic social investments and social management systems.

Jennifer’s extractive industry work is informed by a strong international development background, with 16 years’ experience in natural resource management, agricultural extension, microcredit, and environmental and adult education. With significant experience in monitoring and evaluation, as well as applied research, she has competencies in project planning, training, facilitation, and human resources management.

Alison’s background in social science and engineering helps her balance project and client objectives with social performance through a unique lens of community health and safety, gender and livelihoods. Her work in impact assessment with communities, indigenous peoples, companies, and government agencies has ranged from Latin America, East Africa, and Southeast Asia to her home in Vancouver, Canada. She believes that resilient communities are healthy, engaged, and equitable, and that understanding complex social change takes an adaptive and interdisciplinary approach. Clients appreciate her ability to listen, deconstruct, evaluate successes, and make effective decisions.

Jorge is a seasoned security expert with practical experience in implementing the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and helping companies come into compliance with IFC Performance Standard 4 – Security. He works with MFC and its clients to develop security training programs, undertake security risk assessments, develop security management plans, and provide technical assistance to companies to implement and monitor their security management system. Jorge served a decade in the Honduran army as an infantry officer, Security Detail Officer to the President of Honduras, Special Detail (VIP) First Special Forces Battalion, and as Platoon Leader, XI Infantry Battalion and liaison officer for the U.S. Army Engineer Battalion. Following his military career, Jorge worked in senior security positions in private businesses and as Director of the Strategic Intelligence Center to the Presidential Palace and Chief Security Advisor to former President of Honduras Mr. Ricardo Maduro. Fluent in English and with Bachelor Degrees both in Business Administration and Military Science, Jorge brings a deep understanding of security issues combined with an understanding of the drivers of business and security issues affecting communities. He is based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Nilo brings a multisector approach to social performance management at mega-projects in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Dan combines strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of the Southeast Asian cultural and civil society landscape to build partnerships that anchor stakeholder engagement programs. Based on his extensive socio-cultural research, Dan designs and implements community relations programs tailored to Monkey Forest’s social performance management practice. His vast experience include implementing community development projects for indigenous peoples communities in the Philippines’ Cordillera region. Dan’s deep understanding of social dynamics in indigenous communities allows him to create programs that are suited to the lifestyle and needs of the indigenous peoples. He is based in Baguio City, Philippines.

Joel has solid professional experience in research and analysis as well as communications content development. As a senior analyst for MFC, he combines his research and analysis skills with his content communications experience to deliver reputational risk assessments and stakeholder engagement advice to clients. Working with a natural resource company client, Joel led and directed the project’s research and analysis team in providing insights into critical stakeholders, assessing risks and recommending engagement strategies towards social acceptance. He effectively presented qualitative information gathered from the field that helped management make well-informed decisions about project operations. Joel is a Filipino based in Manila.

Jill has over 15 years’ experience in accounting and business continuity management. She gained her experience from local enterprises in the Philippines as well as international oil and gas and multi-national shared service companies. Her expertise include financial reporting, variance analysis, forecasting, cash management, and compliance audit of information risk management. She is part of MFC’s core accounting team and assists in effectively managing and controlling the company’s operational costs and expenses. Jill holds a Masters in Business Administration and is an IT Compliance Auditor.

Ben has more than 20 years’ international experience managing multicultural teams in the private, non-profit and public sectors. His skills and experience have helped resource projects achieve social license in the communities in which they operate. He has a proven track record in project and team management, community and relationship management, social and corporate risk management, crisis management, impact mitigation related to construction and operations, resettlement and livelihoods restoration, grievance management, and strategic social investment. By exchanging information through dialogue with communities, Ben addresses corporate impacts so benefits from the company’s presence are shared and community acceptance supports a sustainable operation.

Currently MFC’s Site Manager for social performance activities at Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical LLC, Ben worked for four years at the Ambatovy nickel & cobalt mining and processing and refining operation in Madagascar, finishing in the role of Director of Sustainability. Before then he worked with the International Federation of the Red Cross for the Haiti earthquake response and an almost 20-year involvement with Nobel prize winning, medical humanitarian organization, Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders, where he had many roles in numerous countries.

Diane is a development, humanitarian and private sector professional whose track record in business development and client relations has informed her work as a risk & insurance manager in the construction and engineering sector where she focused on domestic and international projects and operations. Her background in financial and contractual risk transfer in construction and engineering for mining/extraction, power/energy, water, infrastructure supports her work for MFC related to strategic social investment programs as well as compliance requirements for financing entities and partners, including international banks and institutional donors.

Diane’s deep experience in training and capacity building helps her thrive in a multicultural environment. She understands that strategy and vision are essential elements for success, whether working with local economies through emergency market mapping analysis (EMMA) training or in re-establishing livelihoods through cash transfer programming. She believes that effectively exchanging information with resettled and vulnerable populations empowers communities to move toward sustainable and resilient livelihoods.

Ngan has been building relationships, mapping communities, and digging into their issues for MFC for 5 years. She takes the time needed to sit with people and build the trust necessary for people to start sharing while keeping a cool head and pragmatic view of impacts and risks and who is truly vulnerable. Ngan covers all aspects of engagement including developing and leading formalized studies, setting up systematic informal engagement, and developing and delivering key messages and communications materials.

Van has over 14 years’ experience in the field of community development and stakeholder engagement. His experience working for an area development program of a large international NGO deepened his understanding of the importance of involving stakeholders in the decision making process. As a native of Thanh Hoa Province and former social policies secretary of the provincial Vice Chairman, Van is very familiar with community dynamics and the importance of building relationship for the success of a project. He is also very knowledgeable in participatory approach, project management, and monitoring and evaluation.

Van Anh specializes in community relations and program design and management. She worked for a wildlife NGO after graduating from university, where she honed her skills in stakeholder engagement and conflict management. Her previous work experience with farmers and minority groups in remote areas of Nghe An and Quang Ninh provinces allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of human relationships and community dynamics in a challenging environment. As a stakeholder engagement officer of MFC, Van Anh is building on her passion and experience to contribute to establishing and maintaining a positive, harmonious relationship between Nghi Son Refinery & Petrochemical Project and the local communities.

With an academic background in agriculture, Khuyen started her career working closely with farmers to improve their livelihoods and promote sustainable agriculture. This experience did not only develop her interpersonal and soft skills but also strengthen her determination to improve the living conditions of local communities. As a stakeholder engagement at MFC, Khuyen is supporting the communities by enhancing their access to information and opportunities, especially through the smalle-scale agribusiness support project.

A livelihoods specialist, Chinh works with MFC’s strategic social investment team, focusing on the success of livelihoods restoration for project-affected people, effectively mobilizing local resources and empowering households to take ownership of the process. She has more than 10 year’s experience as a fundraiser, project manager, researcher and technical advisor for international organizations, and has worked as a livelihoods consultant in several countries in Asia. Her expertise is in vocational training, salaried and self-employment for people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Huyen was the one of the first staff members that MFC recruited for the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Project in Vietnam. She has been working in the strategic social investment team for the past three years, specializing in the field of community health and safety. Her work has contributed significantly to mitigate social risks associated with the influx of thousands of workers coming to economic zone during NSRP construction phase. Before joining MFC, Huyen had four years working with farming communities and has implemented a micro-financing project in Dong Anh district in Hanoi.

Quan is leading the EPC contractor liaison sub-group at Monkey Forest Consulting. Together with the team, his works focus on local content development, influx and community health management, demobilization management. Quan has more than ten years of experience as a construction manager, insurance consultant and social performance specialist. His strength is in combining his technical background and experience with a logical mind, intercultural sensitivity and problem-solving skills.

Chung Anh has more than 15 years of working experience in project management, business development, data management and training in both the private and public sectors. Joining Monkey Forest Consulting as a strategic social investment officer since 2012, Chung Anh is responsible for a series of vocational trades training projects to enhance the preparedness and capability of resettlement-affected people in a rapidly changing environment, where rural and agriculture based livelihoods are being replaced by industrialization and urbanization. Prior to this, he was also directly involved in supporting project-affected populations to plan the construction of cost-effective, durable and appropriately designed resettlement houses, including rooftop horticulture.

Trang is one of MFC’s community development specialists in Vietnam. She has solid experience in identifying, designing, and implementing programs for small and medium enterprises. Her research and planning skills help build projects that address the community’s needs and utilize its resources. Recently, Trang has also been involved in livelihood restoration programs focused on transitioning economically displaced households for an oil and gas project in north-central Vietnam. Her role includes evaluating the effectiveness of the programs and soliciting feedback from the participants to ensure the successful outcomes.

Phuong Anh has combined skills in human resource management and administration gained from her experience in the last four years working for Vietnamese companies and an international research health center. Her specializations include procurement involving local and foreign suppliers and office administration from project management support to logistics. Phuong Anh’s strong interpersonal and communication skills also make her an effective team player in getting internal and external stakeholders involved in the planning and implementation processes. At MFC, she is responsible for developing strong relationships with the EPC contractor and subcontractors to bring recruitment and procurement opportunities to project-affected populations in support of their livelihoods restoration.

Yen is working as a strategic social investment officer at Monkey Forest Consulting. Yen studied Social and Cultural Anthropology and Sociology through which she has gained the knowledge and experiences in researching and working with different communities and groups of people. Entering Monkey Forest Consulting, Yen’s first assignment is to ensure the smooth demobilization of the kiosk, which gave a number of fence-line people the opportunity to sell soft drinks at resting shelters at site during project’s construction phase. Prior to this, Yen had experiences working for an NGO and tourism firm as a fundraiser and general administration manager.

With a background in International Business Economics, Quynh joined MFC as a strategic social investment officer in charge of supporting local recruitment. A Thanh Hoa native, Quynh is committed to connecting local people with employment opportunities that contribute to the community as well as the province’s growth. Quynh is managing a team of 14 members and coordinating with the EPC contractor, subcontractors and local tenants to identify livelihoods restoration and income generation opportunities for thousands of project-affected people.

Ngoc has a double degree in Public Health and Business Administration and also successfully completed the Leadership Program on Population Health and Health Promotion from Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. He has more than 10 years of experience working as a community health developer for governmental and non-governmental organizations. As a community health officer in MFC, Ngoc is working towards improving the health status of influx and resettlement-affected as well as fence-line communities.

Minh is an expert in land acquisition and resettlement. Joining Monkey Forest Consulting, Minh is in charge of managing community and employee grievances, as well as resettlement, relocation and infrastructure in collaboration with local authorities. Before MFC, Minh was the social manager of the longest expressway project in Vietnam, where he prepared and implemented the resettlement and ethnic minorities’ development plan, income restoration plan, and contributed to resolving outstanding issues in the project’s resettlement process.

Hanh is in charge of resettlement monitoring and grievance settlement of affected communities. Her background and experience in the communication and advertising sector enables her to deal with difficult stakeholders and is the key element behind her great effectiveness in handling challenging tasks in resettlement and community grievances. With more than 20 years of work experience, Hanh can understand different groups of stakeholders from community to local authorities and create strong relationships with them to bring her works to success.

Based on a strong background in public health data management, Nam Nguyen’s role has shifted from community health monitoring to MFC’s social performance information management system.  Nam holds a master’s degree in public health from Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and has deepened his specialty with  specialized training courses in the United States, Thailand, the Philippines, Lao and Vietnam. He was a former community health researcher at Nha Trang Pasteur Institute and Hanoi University of Public Health. As an information management specialist Nam believes that “Social performance without data is like driving with your eyes closed”.

Hai Anh is a dedicated, talented graphic designer. Professionally trained in multimedia, Hai Anh has honed her graphic skills through years of working for various clients both as an in-house and free-lance designer. She is adept at producing visually appealing, audience-minded, and outcome-oriented materials under strict time pressure. Joining MFC, Hai Anh is eager to make her contributions to the community by helping improve their understanding and visual experience of the projects’ information, education and communication materials.

Duong worked for several years in the tourist industry, most recently as an expert tour guide creating positive experiences for visitors to Vietnam. With a degree in accounting from the Foreign Trade University, her recent experience has given her a strong command of English and the ability to work under high pressure in a multicultural environment. She specializes in operations support for MFC Team Vietnam and is one of the key forces behind the team’s ability to get things done.