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GZEA Sustainable Impact Consulting

Customized strategies delivering
sustainable impact

We empower organizations to plan, and execute sustainable development programs with senior expertise, accountability, and measurable impact.

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About GZEA Sustainable Impact Consulting

From vision to impactful outcomes.

GZEA Sustainable Impact Consulting delivers high-impact development solutions, guiding programs from design through full implementation. We provide both strategic consulting and hands-on program execution, working closely with governments, large development agencies, and smaller organizations. Our senior advisors bring deep expertise in strategic planning, project design, financial and operational management, monitoring and evaluation, procurement, and grant management.

We prioritize accountability, transparency, and efficient resource use, while emphasizing sustainable and inclusive development, environmental stewardship, and long-term capacity building. By integrating knowledge transfer with technical expertise, we empower partners to achieve measurable social, economic, and environmental outcomes, leaving lasting skills, structures, and know-how in the communities they serve.

Our proactive, solutions-focused approach ensures dedicated support at every stage of a program—from clarifying goals to resolving implementation challenges—resulting in resilient, scalable, and results-driven initiatives that create meaningful, sustainable impact across sectors.

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Our Services

Driving Sustainable, High-Impact Development.

Strategic Advisory & Consulting

GZEA provides world-class senior advisory and consulting services, helping organizations design, plan, and optimize high-impact development programs. Our team of seasoned experts delivers strategic guidance, advanced project design, robust financial and operational management, and comprehensive monitoring & evaluation support, ensuring initiatives are inclusive, accountable, and sustainable. Every program we consult on is grounded in principles of environmental stewardship, social equity, and long-term sustainability, ensuring that interventions benefit communities, protect natural resources, and promote fair access to opportunities.

With decades of experience across all development sectors, we help partners translate ambitious visions into actionable, results-driven strategies, align programs with donor priorities, and achieve measurable social, economic, and environmental outcomes at scale. Our approach integrates evidence-based decision-making, risk mitigation, and capacity building, enabling organizations to maximize impact, foster resilience, and leave lasting knowledge, skills, and sustainable systems in the communities they serve.

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Program Implementation & Delivery

GZEA takes programs from concept to reality, delivering comprehensive, hands-on implementation support that ensures initiatives are efficient, results-driven, and fully compliant with donor, fiduciary, and regulatory requirements. Our teams bring deep, cross-sectoral expertise and extensive experience implementing programs worldwide, enabling us to operate effectively across diverse political, cultural, and institutional contexts. We provide end-to-end program delivery, including project management, operational oversight, procurement, grant management, financial controls, and risk mitigation—transforming strategic plans into measurable, high-quality outcomes.

Sustainability is embedded in every aspect of our implementation approach. All programs are designed and delivered with care for the environment, responsible use of natural resources, and long-term ecological sustainability, ensuring that development gains do not come at the expense of future generations. We integrate equity, gender inclusion, and cultural sensitivity throughout implementation, working closely with local partners and communities to ensure interventions are context-appropriate, locally owned, and socially inclusive.

By prioritizing knowledge transfer, institutional strengthening, and capacity building, GZEA enables organizations and communities to sustain results, strengthen local systems, and manage programs independently beyond project completion. Our approach is adaptive, learning-driven, and solutions-oriented, allowing us to respond effectively to changing conditions while maintaining a strong focus on accountability, impact, and value for money.

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Our Team

Our global leadership team oversees GZEA’s services, supported by senior advisors and an international network of collaborators delivering specialized expertise across regions and sectors.

Yohannes Araya

Managing
Principal
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Chung Huang

Chief, Operations and Financial Management
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Shally Prasad

Senior Advisor,Democracy and Governance
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Kevin Sampson

Senior Advisor,
Procurement
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James Fleming

Senior Advisor, Project Design and Implementation
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Thomas Solomon

Senior Advisor, Public Financial
Management.
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Our Proven Expertise Across Major Initiatives

  • Strengthening the organizational and financial capacity of civil society organizations in the Philippines—equipping them with the systems, skills, and controls needed to responsibly manage donor resources. This includes improving compliance with donor and statutory requirements, strengthening internal controls and governance, and enhancing reporting and audit readiness to ensure transparent stewardship of funds.
  • Monitoring and overseeing more than USD 1 billion in annual U.S. Government payments to government entities, contractors, and grantees in Afghanistan. This included verifying allowability and compliance, strengthening controls to mitigate risk, and promoting timely, accurate financial reporting and accountability.
  • Climate Governance & Green Climate Fund Readiness -- Supported climate governance, disaster risk reduction, and humanitarian mitigation and recovery initiatives, including advisory work aligned with the Green Climate Fund. Strengthened institutional readiness, financial management systems, and compliance frameworks to enable responsible access to and management of climate finance.
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Team Practical Experience

We empower organizations to plan, fund, and execute sustainable development programs with senior expertise, accountability, and measurable impact.

Over 80 years of combined experience in inclusive, sustainable program design –We embed gender equity and inclusion, strengthen local institutional capacity, climate governance and support the full program lifecycle—from concept and theory of change to implementation and adaptive learning—ensuring measurable, lasting impact beyond donor funding.

We have experience in global disaster response as leaders at USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance, supporting international emergency programming and contingency planning for complex crises. Contributed to disaster risk reduction initiatives and helped monitor and respond to hazards, working to save lives, alleviate suffering, and reduce the social and economic impact of disasters.

Our team excels in leading cross-sectoral teams through complex political, humanitarian, and economic challenges, applying rights-based expertise to integrate democratic governance strategies across technical sectors. Our practical approach ensures equitable, sustainable solutions that prioritize the needs of disadvantaged populations, delivering measurable impact for organizations and communities alike.

Demonstrated track record in procurement and financial systems, enhancing accountability and strengthening risk management across development and humanitarian assistance sectors. Recognized for implementing streamlined procurement processes, reinforcing robust internal controls, and successfully managing high-risk, high-visibility awards involving diverse stakeholders.

Item #4 Designation

GZEA provides advisory and implementation services that support governments, development agencies, NGOs, and humanitarian actors in designing and managing programs across sustainability, economic development, climate resilience, humanitarian assistance, governance, health, and social inclusion. Our services include:

  • Development & Green Economy Strategy – Designing strategies that drive inclusive, sustainable economic growth, promote low-carbon and resource-efficient development, and generate long-term social, economic, and environmental impact.
  • Program and Climate Expenditure Analysis – Supporting governments and organizations in tracking, analyzing, and optimizing program and climate-related spending to enable evidence-based decisions and enhance overall effectiveness.
  • Financial Management & Climate Risk – Strengthening public financial management systems while assessing and mitigating climate-related fiscal risks to ensure transparency, accountability, efficiency, and long-term fiscal resilience.
  • Resilience & Humanitarian Programs – Designing and implementing programs that build community resilience, enhance disaster preparedness, and support recovery.

     

  • Disaster Response & Risk Mitigation – Providing guidance on emergency response, recovery, and risk reduction strategies to promote sustainable resilience.

     

  • Gender, Inclusion & Social Equity – Integrating equality, social inclusion, and participation into programs to empower vulnerable and marginalized groups.

     

  • Education & Learning Programs – Advising on policy, strategy, and program design to improve access, quality, and outcomes in education.

     

  • Health System Strengthening & Program Support – Supporting policy development, program design, and implementation to improve health access, equity, and outcomes.

     

  • Governance & Institutional Capacity Building – Enhancing governance frameworks, policy implementation, and institutional performance.

     

Through these services, GZEA ensures programs are inclusive, sustainable, and results-driven, leaving lasting skills, structures, and capabilities in the communities we serve.

GZEA operates as a trusted partner, implementing complex development, climate, governance, health, and humanitarian programs in stable, fragile, and crisis-affected settings. We work alongside governments, agencies, NGOs, and local communities, translating policy, strategy, and financing into tangible, on-the-ground impact. Unlike purely advisory services, our implementation work involves hands-on management, operational execution, and direct support, ensuring strategies are effectively transformed into results. Our implementation expertise spans:

  • Green Economy & Sustainable Livelihoods – Delivering programs that promote inclusive economic growth, sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, and low-carbon, climate-resilient livelihoods.

  • Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation – Executing climate-responsive interventions, including adaptation measures, mitigation actions, climate finance management, and mainstreaming climate considerations across sectors.

  • Education Programs & Policy Implementation – Implementing initiatives that strengthen education systems, expand access, improve quality, and enhance learning outcomes in alignment with national and donor priorities.

  • Health System Strengthening & Program Delivery – Supporting health policy execution, service delivery, and program implementation to improve access, equity, and health outcomes.

  • Governance & Institutional Strengthening – Operationalizing governance reforms, public sector capacity building, transparency initiatives, and systems that improve accountability and service delivery.

  • Equity, Gender, and Social Inclusion (GESI) – Ensuring women, youth, and marginalized groups meaningfully participate in and benefit from programs through practical, on-the-ground approaches.

  • Humanitarian Assistance & Resilience Programs – Delivering resilience-focused and humanitarian interventions that strengthen preparedness, adaptive capacity, and community-level response in fragile and crisis-affected contexts.

  • Disaster Response, Recovery, and Mitigation – Supporting emergency operations, post-disaster recovery, and mitigation efforts that reduce vulnerability, manage risk, and build long-term resilience.

Across all sectors, GZEA operates as a collaborative partner, applying environmentally responsible practices, cultural sensitivity, and strong local engagement. Through rigorous management, continuous learning, and close collaboration with partners and communities, we deliver programs that achieve lasting, equitable impact at local, national, and regional levels.

Mr. Yohannes Araya, CPA, is a former U.S. Government Senior Foreign Service Officer with over 23 years of experience in federal financial management, development, and humanitarian assistance. He began his federal career as a performance auditor with the USAID Office of Inspector General, strengthening accountability and oversight across diverse programs. He later served as a USAID Financial Controller and in senior leadership roles guiding financial management, program oversight, and organizational effectiveness worldwide. Before entering federal service, Mr. Araya spent more than eight years with Big Six and regional accounting firms as an Audit Manager, overseeing audits of nonprofit organizations, small and medium-sized entities, state and local governments, and trade associations. He is a licensed CPA in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia and holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Northeastern Illinois University and an MBA in MIS and Accounting from the University of California, Davis.

Mr. Chung Huang has over a decade of experience leading accounting and payment operations for international development programs, supervising multi-country teams and managing high-volume financial transactions in complex operating environments. He also manages the operations of GZEA, serves as a key client liaison, and leads financial management capacity building initiatives for overseas and U.S.-based small organizations, strengthening internal controls and operational effectiveness.

Across multiple overseas assignments, he ensured accounting, recordkeeping, and disbursements were accurate, timely, and compliant with federal requirements, organizational policies, and contractual obligations. He managed regional service models supporting multiple country platforms and U.S. government partners, and in Afghanistan oversaw approximately $5 billion in accounting transactions and certified roughly $2.5 billion in disbursements.

Chung also brings strong command of integrated financial management tools—core accounting and payment platforms, payment workflow systems, time and attendance, and procurement systems—and is skilled in troubleshooting process and system issues to deliver practical, compliant solutions.

Mr. Huang holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and an MBA from the University of Missouri.

With deep expertise in accounting operations and financial record-keeping, Chung leads accounting, payments, broader financial management functions, and organizational capacity strengthening—while managing GZEA operations and serving as a trusted client liaison—with accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.

Shally Prasad is an international development executive with over 33 years of experience leading major foreign assistance programs across the Global South. During a 22-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), she directed complex democracy, human rights, governance, and gender equality portfolios in high-stakes environments across Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, as well as from Washington, D.C.

Most recently, Ms. Prasad served as Director of the Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Office and Acting Deputy Mission Director at USAID/Pakistan, leading cross-sectoral teams of up to 120 staff through complex political, humanitarian, and economic crises. Applying her rights-based expertise, she integrated democratic governance strategies across technical sectors, promoting equitable service delivery, particularly for disadvantaged populations.  She directed major flood recovery efforts in Pakistan, earthquake recovery in Haiti, and refugee assistance in Jordan, fostering an inclusive approach to climate governance and humanitarian assistance. A trusted advisor to senior U.S. officials, she managed portfolios ranging from $120 million to $1 billion, leveraging partnerships with donors, local organizations, and the private sector to expand impact.

Ms. Prasad began her career with U.S. consulting firms, international organizations, and law firms in India, specializing in human rights, democratic governance, and gender-based violence. She has published research on state responses to violence against women in India in both the U.S. and India.

An alumna of the University of Michigan, she holds a Bachelor of Arts. and a Master of Public Policy and serves as an alumni advisor to Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, while advising philanthropic and nonprofit initiatives in India focused on girls’ education.

At GZEA, she focuses on the design and delivery of inclusive programs that advance gender equity, strengthen representation of underserved populations, and promote democratic governance.

Mr. Sampson is an accomplished, results-driven procurement and contracting leader with extensive experience delivering large, complex acquisitions from start to finish. He has successfully led acquisition planning, market research, solicitation development, competitive evaluations, negotiations, awards, and contract/grant administration for portfolios exceeding USD 1 billion—ensuring strong governance, transparency, and best-value outcomes.

He is recognized for building efficient procurement systems, strengthening internal controls, and managing high-risk, high-visibility awards with multiple stakeholders. Mr. Sampson brings deep expertise across diverse sectors, including construction, telecommunications, and consumer products.

At GZEA, he will help organizations implementing grants and contracts with international organizations, foundations, and U.S. Government agencies by strengthening procurement processes, improving compliance, and supporting effective post-award contract and grant management.

James Fleming brings strategic leadership and foresight to humanitarian and development initiatives, with over 25 years of experience designing and delivering large-scale responses to crises, disasters, and complex emergencies across Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Throughout his career, he has consistently prioritized accountability, financial risk management, and compliance as the foundation of effective, high-impact programming, overseeing billion-dollar portfolios in some of the world’s most challenging operational environments.

At GZEA, Mr. Fleming supports organizations entering, expanding, or strengthening humanitarian, disaster response, and development assistance efforts through expert guidance in program design and implementation—always ensuring that robust management controls, transparent governance frameworks, and rigorous risk-informed processes are embedded at every stage. He works directly with donors to structure programs that are financially sound, fully compliant, and strategically aligned with evolving global priorities, helping partners navigate complex aid landscapes while safeguarding resources and maximizing impact.

By making accountability, financial stewardship, and compliance central to all initiatives, Mr. Fleming empowers both organizations and donors to deliver measurable, sustainable results in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing humanitarian and development environment. His approach ensures that programs are not only innovative and adaptive but also resilient, transparent, and fully responsible, creating lasting impact for communities around the world.

Mr. Thomas Solomon is an economist and Senior Public Financial Management (PFM) Advisor with extensive experience supporting PFM reforms, domestic resource mobilization, transparency, and governance initiatives across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. He served with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from 2011 to 2025, advising headquarters and field missions on PFM policy and providing technical guidance on program design and monitoring and evaluation to strengthen partner-country systems and public accountability.

Earlier, he served with the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) and then with the Government of the District of Columbia as Manager of the Electronic Banking and Cash Forecasting Unit. He also brings over 16 years of private-sector corporate finance experience, including as Director of Treasury Operations at Washington Gas Light Company. He holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Economics from the University of Oslo and served on the PEFA Advisory Board and the OECD-MAPS Steering Committee.

International Expansion Support

    • Helps nonprofits and small organizations enter the international development and humanitarian space with confidence.
    • Secures and manages U.S. federal, foundation, and international donor grants and contracts.

Experienced Leadership in Global Projects

    • Led by former U.S. federal program managers and senior leaders with hands-on experience managing international projects.
    • Provides practical, field-tested expertise to strengthen organizational systems and capabilities.

Financial Capacity Strengthening

    • Conducts comprehensive financial assessments for international nonprofits and their local partners.
    • Enhances internal controls and prepares IFRS-compliant financial statements that align with global reporting standards.

Public Financial Management (PFM) Support

    • Delivers specialized PFM technical assistance tailored to nonprofits engaged in PFM-related development activities.
    • Strengthens partner capacity, financial governance, accountability, and oversight in international contexts.

Long-Term Organizational Readiness

    • Offers practical guidance, resilient financial systems, and hands-on training.
    • Builds long-term stability, global readiness, and confident participation in international development and humanitarian work.