ABOUT US

The Canopy Lab was founded in 2017 by Eric Derks, a systems thinker who recognized the need for organizations to marry a stronger systems lens with a practical bent to their work. In 2019, inspired by Eric’s vision and approach, Tim Sparkman and Holly Lard Krueger joined the company as Managing Partners to respectively lead Canopy’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and Inclusion+ Practices. Since then, the Canopy Lab has grown to work with numerous clients around the world. 

Holly Lard Krueger

Holly Lard Krueger

Managing Partner,
Inclusion+ Practice Lead

Tim Sparkman_new_sq

Tim Sparkman

Managing Partner,
MEL Practice Lead

Laura K Headshot-1sq

Laura Kim

Senior Consultant

Clara García Parra

Clara García Parra

Senior Consultant

Giulia-2

Giulia Salmaso

Senior Consultant

In addition to our two Managing Partners and three Senior Consultants, the Canopy Lab also collaborates with a network of 20+ affiliate consultants, who bring expertise in economic and private sector development, systems thinking, inclusion, environment and climate, impact investing, and MEL.

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Contact Us

1724 20th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

info@thecanopylab.com

© 2023 – The Canopy Lab – All rights reserved | Maintained by StrategyPlus Solutions

Holly Lard Krueger

Managing Partner,
Inclusion + Practice Lead

I like to solve problems and have been attracted to systems thinking because it requires us to think deeply about complex challenges. I love coaching organizations through the change process needed to think more intensely and systemically. My experience spans 15 years and as many African and Asian countries. It includes leading large market systems programs, advising on agricultural systems, value for money, inclusive finance, public-private partnerships, and gender mainstreaming.

Tim Sparkman

Managing Partner,
MEL Practice Lead

I spend a lot of time thinking about the way information moves within socioeconomic systems and how individuals and groups coalesce to solve problems (or don’t). I have about 15 years of experience designing, managing, and evaluating economic and workforce development programs. I combine management experience, including leading long-term change initiatives, with an avid research interest, and have published on topics ranging from organizational development to network structures and system health metrics.

Laura Kim

Senior Consultant

I am a researcher, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) strategist, and aspiring data storyteller. I have advised development programs to design, develop, and refine their MEL systems, and have been part of a number of large-scale data collection efforts, studies, and knowledge management efforts. In working with programs that utilize systems change approaches, I try to find the right balance between the need for practicality and flexibility while maintaining rigor and credibility.

Clara García Parra

Senior Consultant

I specialize in private sector development and job creation. I’m passionate about the circular economy and regenerative entrepreneurship and have supported businesses in sectors such as tourism, agribusiness, ICT, and finance to pilot innovative business models. I have provided managerial and technical inputs to the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of sustainable and inclusive systems development programs across Sub-Saharan Africa, South-East Asia, and the Balkans region. I also bring experience in designing and managing DCED-compliant results management frameworks and have overseen and contributed to the roll-out of quantitative and qualitative research studies, including for program evaluations.

Giulia Salmaso

Senior Consultant

I am an established project manager and technical advisor, with a strong background in economics and expertise in the fields of market systems development, research, monitoring and results measurement, and women’s economic empowerment. I have spent most of my career so far in-country, translating theory into practice and adapting tactics to evolving challenges on the ground. I am particularly passionate about proving the business case for women’s inclusion, harnessing solutions that lead to a tangible financial return while generating positive impact.