Youth unemployment is driven by a web of complex and interrelated factors that must be addressed to ensure the world’s growing youth population can access meaningful employment. On the supply side, the challenge is clear: there simply aren’t enough jobs. On the demand side, many young people lack the willingness and ability to thrive in the workforce. Some do not have the skills demanded by today’s workforce, but even those who are qualified may still face psychological and behavioral barriers that discourage them from actively pursuing and securing employment.

I lead a portfolio at Busara dedicated to tackling demand-side barriers to youth employment. My team and I apply behavioral science and human-centered design to develop and test solutions that shift the behavior of key stakeholders within education systems, ensuring these systems better prepare young people for the workforce. We also collaborate closely with a diverse range of partners to design solutions that help youth generate and secure income in ways that align with their aspirations and motivations.

My work is inspired by my time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin, where I supported young entrepreneurs in starting and growing businesses. I also have experience working in financial services and academia. I have a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration from Drexel University

Languages: English, French (although I haven’t spoken in years, and my French has evolved into Franglais) 

Profile: Linkedin