Leadership for Inclusion: How MSD Leaders Protect and Expand the Space for Inclusion

Brief covershot

Dramatic shifts in the funding landscape are tightening resources, while direct pushback against gender equality and broader social inclusion has narrowed the political space for inclusive practice in several contexts. Elsewhere, the scope of inclusion is expanding without a commensurate increase in resources. In both situations, leadership matters more than ever. It protects and expands the space for smart, sustainable development work that confronts the structural barriers shaping how markets function, who participates, and who benefits.

This paper explores how leaders expand or contract the space for inclusion on market systems development (MSD) programs, as seen through the perspectives of GEDSI advisors. It builds on three strands of work: the Global GEDSI in MSD Conversation Series, which surfaced practitioner consensus on what is needed to meaningfully advance GEDSI in MSD programs; the MSD Team Leader Competency Framework, which defines the core capabilities Team Leaders (TLs) need to steer systemic change at scale; and the Inclusion and Leadership Research Series, which examined who gets to lead MSD programs, and why.

Leadership for Inclusion: How MSD Leaders Protect and Expand the Space for Inclusion

 

 

Maha Elhayek

Senior Consultant

I specialize in market systems development in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Over the past decade, I have advised programs across the MENA region, Africa, and Eastern Europe. My work spans agricultural and industrial sectors, focusing on market systems assessments, program design, and strategies that expand opportunities for marginalized groups and support gender mainstreaming. I enjoy applying systems thinking to uncover structural barriers, co-create locally grounded solutions, and advise on private sector partnerships. I am currently passionate about applying MSD approaches to address climate change challenges.

Andrew Panton

Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead

I am committed to improving human livelihoods and resilience in balance with nature. At the Canopy Lab, I provide research and advisory support to projects working on biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and resilience, nature-based solutions, sustainable tourism, and market systems development. Outside work, I’m a keen guitarist, cyclist and bookworm, with a love for food, travelling and learning languages.

JESSICA RUST-SMITH

Senior Consultant

I work across markets, business and supply chains, impact investing, agriculture, and women’s economic empowerment. I am an experienced monitoring, evaluation, research and learning consultant and project manager with expertise in the use of mixed methods, theory-based approaches and data collection and analysis. I have been working in M&E for market systems development for 10 years now, and going strong.