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Welcome to GZEA Sustainable Impact Consultants

Resources

Our work delivers transparent, accountable, data driven results, guided by equity and environmental responsibility.

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, integrating strong governance, financial integrity, and performance measurement from the outset. 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 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.

Proven track record in procurement and financial systems, strengthening accountability and risk management across development and humanitarian assistance sectors. Skilled in improving program performance, mitigating risks, and ensuring the effective use of resources. Recognized for implementing efficient procurement processes, reinforcing robust internal controls, and managing high-risk, high-visibility awards with multiple stakeholders.

Our Proven Expertise Across Major Initiatives

  • Strengthening Civil Society Capacity – Philippines Strengthened the organizational and financial capacity of civil society organizations in the Philippines—equipping them with the systems, skills, and internal controls needed to responsibly manage donor resources. This included enhancing compliance with donor and statutory requirements, improving governance structures, and strengthening financial reporting and audit readiness to ensure transparent stewardship of funds.
  • Large-Scale Financial Oversight – Afghanistan Monitored and oversaw more than USD 1 billion in annual U.S. Government payments to government entities, contractors, and grantees in Afghanistan. Responsibilities included verifying cost allowability and regulatory compliance, mitigating fiduciary risk through strengthened internal controls, and promoting timely, accurate financial reporting and accountability in high-risk environments.
  • 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 in Pakistan. Strengthened institutional readiness, financial management systems, and compliance frameworks to enable responsible access to and management of climate finance.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.