LoA Team
Core Team
Diversity in expertise and background, unity in commitment to inquiry and creative expression. People of all backgrounds can contribute to disruptive development.


Peter Penar, Ph.D.
Executive Director & Producer
Peter is passionate about educational outreach in research methods and communication for development. He also serves as the producer of LoA Original Series.


Violet Acumo, M.P.P.
Associate Director
Violet is passionate about technology for development and gender justice. She is also at University of Massachusetts - Boston.


Jelili Adebiyi, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Institute
Jelili is passionate about food systems and agriculture. He is also in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University.


Gloria Nzeka, M.A.
Director of Communications
Gloria is passionate about public communications. She is also in the Department of Information Studies at the University of Maryland.


Eva Penar, M.P.P.
Director of Research & Development
Eva is passionate about data and analysis for development. She is also at the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University in the MBA Program.


Abel Gbala, M.A.
Director of Monitoring & Evaluation
Abel is passionate about project evaluation and communication. He is a private monitoring and evaluation expert.


Peter Penar, Ph.D.
Executive Director & Producer
Peter is passionate about educational outreach and communication. He is in the Department of Political Science at Davidson College.


Violet Acumo, M.P.P.
Associate Director
Violet is passionate about technology for development and gender inclusion. She is at University of Massachusetts - Boston.


Jelili Adebiyi, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Institute
Jelili is passionate about food systems and agriculture. He is in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University.


Gloria Nzeka, M.A.
Director of Communications
Gloria is passionate about public communications. She is in the Department of Information Studies at the University of Maryland.


Eva Penar, M.P.P.
Director of Research
Eva is passionate about data and analysis for development. She is a private data management and publications consultant.

