

MEET THE EXPERTS
Spotlight on Our Consultants
Get to know a few of the most in-demand experts behind our results

Katherine
Founder and CEO
Compliance, Costing, Cost Proposals, Grants, Operations, Policy, Procurement
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​Experience: 20+ Years
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Katherine is a contracts, compliance, operations, pricing and project management specialist with more than 20 years of experience in cradle-to-grave federal government contract and subcontract management. She regularly supports Akiri's clients in pricing cost proposals, negotiating contract terms and conditions, assessing corporate risk, and providing assessments and recommendations for improvements to corporate policies, procedures, and templates. She is fluent in federal regulations and policy (FAR, AIDAR, DSSR, CFR, FTR) and government contracting mechanisms (IDIQ, FFP, T&M, CPFF/AF). Her breadth of knowledge spans multiple sectors including healthcare, education, trade, technical services, IT software, supply chain, construction and infrastructure, security, and commercial goods and services. She has been a trusted resource for training and mentoring junior-, mid-, and senior-level employees in understanding the nuances of government contracting, interpreting regulations and contract terms/conditions, cost/pricing, and creating compliant yet outside-the-box solutions to complex project implementation issues.

Amy
Senior Subject Matter Expert
Compliance, Grants, Policy
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Experience: 15+ Years
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Amy has more than 15 years of combined experience in project, grant, and compliance management. She has worked with businesses, civil society, and non-profits of all sizes, both domestically and internationally, in managing federal grant programs as prime or sub-recipients. She is well versed in the regulations and policies governing federal grants and can help clients establish and implement compliant and impactful grant programs. With her expertise establishing and backstopping over 70 federal grant programs worth more than $300M, she is well positioned to offer trainings and technical assistance to organizations new to the world of federal grants or those seeking to bolster their understanding of grant regulations and develop appropriate policies and systems to meet those requirements.

Andrea
Senior Subject Matter Expert
Compliance, Grants, Operations, Policy, Procurement
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Experience: 20+ Years
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Andrea specializes in designing and leading high-profile initiatives for U.S. government contractors and private sector clients. She possesses extensive knowledge of federal government regulations (FAR, CFR, etc.) and funding mechanisms, ensuring compliance and successful project management. Her expertise includes capacity building, mentoring, and business process improvement, encompassing diagnostic assessments, process reengineering, strategic planning, and change management for organizations worldwide. Andrea excels in developing and disseminating internal policies and procedures related to operations, compliance, human resources, ethics, sourcing, procurement, and grants management. With exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, she builds strong partnerships with stakeholders and fosters a unified and efficient internal culture. A native Spanish speaker, Andrea's expertise spans the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia and Eurasia, and Africa. She has worked in sectors such as environmental resources management, health, anti-corruption, and economic development.

Bill
Senior Subject Matter Expert
Cost Proposals, Operations, Procurement
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Experience: 20+ Years
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Bill is a multi-disciplined professional with more than 20 years of experience providing leadership in procurement, contract management, project management, proposal development, vendor management, logistics planning and execution, grants supervision, procurement capacity building and training, and employee relocation. He is an expert in Federal award operating procedures and regulations including FAR, AIDAR, DSSR, FTR and FAM. He is also the leading industry expert on personal household effects logistics under government contracts as per State Department requirements. Bill has deep international procurement and operations experience, having completed short-term and long-term assignments in both stable environments and conflict/post conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mozambique, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates. Bill has a proven track record of building trust with clients, counterparts, co-workers, vendors, and project beneficiaries while fostering strong and collegial relationships with everyone he meets.

Laura
Senior Subject Matter Expert
Compliance, Costing, Cost Proposals, Grants, Operations, Policy, Procurement​
Experience: 30+ Years
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Laura has more than 30 years of experience leading corporate operations and project management teams, designing grants programs, and developing winning federal government cost proposals. She has participated in the development of codes of conduct and business ethics policies for multiple organizations; launched risk management and compliance programs; designed grants programs; and trained new staff in multiple countries on ethics, compliant procurement policies and systems, and cost accounting practices. Laura advises multiple Akiri clients on compliance with their donor agency agreements and government contracts and provides cost proposal support. Laura has proven that she can drive performance, establish cross-department communications and synergies, and ensure adherence to project timelines. She has developed grants and operations manuals, monitored grantee performance, facilitated trainings in understanding how to manage USG-funded grants and contracts, and audited and strengthened grant recipient systems.