CANOPY CONNECT – A helpdesk from the Canopy Lab

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The international development sector has undergone a dramatic shift, facing new constraints with fewer resources.

In response, the Canopy Lab is introducing CANOPY CONNECT—an innovative helpdesk designed to provide on-demand support for (market) systems thinkers, development practitioners, and organizations driving impact. Whether you need help with identifying new funders, rapid technical reviews, surge business development support, or hands-on facilitation, CANOPY CONNECT offers flexible, high-quality assistance grounded in systems thinking. Our expertise spans monitoring, evaluation, and learning; gender equality and women’s economic empowerment; inclusion; climate change; and the environment.

As a one-stop resource for discrete inputs to projects, new business initiatives, and organizational support, CANOPY CONNECT provides the expertise needed to navigate the uncertainty facing our industry in a cost-conscious manner. Whether assisting understaffed new business teams to pivot towards new funders or supporting project teams with expert technical reviews, we deliver timely, high-quality insights across multiple languages and contexts.

Contact us for more information: [email protected]

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1724 20th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

[email protected]

© 2025 – The Canopy Lab – All rights reserved | Maintained by StrategyPlus Solutions

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.