Author: Maha Elhayek

Building Effective Partnerships in Market Systems Development: Partnership Guide

MSD programs aim to trigger systemic changes in targeted market systems to achieve long-term, sustainable, and scalable impacts. This translates to improved inclusive access to services and commodities for vulnerable target populations. MSD practitioners act as “Facilitators”, not direct implementers. Our role is to catalyze change led by the market actors themselves, not replace any […]

Market Systems Development Café & Resources in Arabic

The Market Systems (MSD) Arabic Café, facilitated by The Canopy Lab, is a free, collaborative space for Arabic-speaking practitioners across the MENA region to connect, learn, and exchange insights on MSD. Want to join? Sign up here. Want resources in Arabic? Here is the first of many to come. Building Effective Partnerships in Market Systems […]

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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

Senior Consultant

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.