Dr. Yoko Ishida, after having worked as an international cooperation consultant for 25 years, joined Hiroshima University in October 2015. When she worked as a consultant, she joined various policy-, program- and project-level evaluations of the Ministry Foreign Affairs (MoFA), JICA, local governments, NGOs etc.

Currently, as a professor at Hiroshima University and as advisor (former president) of Japan Evaluation Society (JES), she is engaged in capacity development of younger generations in Japan and in developing countries. She is also a member of the Policy Evaluation Advisory Group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

Mohib Iqbal is an economist and evaluator with 15 years of experience across diverse sectors, including education, health, international development, social protection, peacebuilding, and migration. He is member of the Asia-Pacific Evaluation Association, the Australian Evaluation Society and Afghanistan Evaluation Society. His work includes roles at the World Bank, OECD, multiple United Nations agencies, and the Australian government.

With a focus on economic and quantitative evaluation methods, Mohib is also passionate about integrating design thinking into program development and evaluation practices. His commitment to advancing the field extends to his role as a trainer, where he has led courses in economic analysis for evaluation professionals. Mohib is a published author of journal articles, reports, blogs, and media pieces addressing critical issues in international development, contributing to thought leadership in the sector.

Jigme Sonam is a Sustainable Development Manager at Terrama, with experience in environmental management, climate action, carbon markets, sustainable finance, responsible reporting, social impact, and M&E.

He also serves on the Board of the Evaluation Association of Bhutan, co-leads EvalYouth Bhutan and EvalYouth Asia, and as an Executive Committee Member for the Bhutan Australia Awards Alumni Association (BAAA). His work focuses on sustainability, carbon markets, environmental research, climate policy, and strengthening monitoring, evaluation, and learning to support inclusive and resilient development

Minjirmaa Namjinbaatar is a sociologist and evaluation practitioner with nearly a decade of experience in social research, institutional consulting, and evidence-based policy advisory work across Mongolia and Asia.

She is serving as a Chief Executive Officer at the Independent Research Institute of Mongolia (IRIM) since 2025. In this role, she leads research design, quality assurance systems, and strategic partnerships, overseeing multi-sectoral evaluations and development studies implemented in collaboration with governments, civil society, and international organizations.

Bernard James Tandang is an agricultural extension and policy professional with nearly ten years of experience in results-based monitoring and evaluation (RBME), policy formulation, and project development and management in the Philippine agriculture sector. He currently serves as Project Development Officer III and Chief of the Policy and Standards Development Section of the Policy and Planning Division of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), where he focuses on the development of agriculture and fisheries extension (AFE) policies, including performance standards for extension programs, partnerships, program and service delivery, and extension agenda-setting that strengthen both ATI operations and the national AFE system.

Bernard spearheaded the development of ATI’s Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation System for AFE, which has been implemented since FY 2017. Earlier in his career, he contributed to research and evaluation studies in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, local economic development, and extension service delivery. He holds a Master’s degree in Development Management and Governance and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and his professional interests include RBME, agricultural extension systems, and evidence-informed policymaking.

Man Bahadur Lama is a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Accountability, and Learning (MERAL) professional with over decade work and consultancy experience with master’s degree educational background in education and social science.

He possessed intensive experience of conducting assessments, evaluations and research across development sectors such as education, health, WASH, livelihood, disaster risk reduction and gender and social inclusions. He has led strategic M&E systems design, implementation, and capacity building for international and national programs and policies and has held senior MEAL roles with both national and international organizations. His core competencies include professional coordination, presentation and facilitation, quantitative and qualitative data management and analysis, and digital data systems and database management, with hands-on experience in platforms such as Solstice, mWater, KoboToolbox, and related ICT-based M&E tools.

Mr. Lama serves as Treasurer and Life Member of the Nepal Evaluation Society (NES), where he contributes to evaluation governance, professional development, and the Community Ownership Group within the association. As an APEA member Board of Director, he advocates strengthening evaluation practice and use across the Asia-Pacific region, with a growing focus on culturally responsive and context-sensitive evaluation approaches.

Rita Listiawati Djayusman is a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) practitioner with 20 years of experience, following her early career as an independent researcher. She has extensive expertise in designing, implementing, and managing M&E systems to strengthen the effectiveness of development programs. Rita holds a Master of Research in Social Science and is highly skilled in developing results frameworks, establishing measurement methodologies, and building learning systems for large‑scale initiatives, including those supported by USAID, UN agencies, and DFAT.

She is actively engaged in the evaluation community, serving as an Executive Committee Member of the Indonesian Development Evaluation Community (InDEC), Technical Advisor for Evaluation Youth Indonesia (EYID), and a 2025–2026 Board Member of the Asia Pacific Evaluation Association (APEA).

A strategic development and evaluation professional with over 15 years of experience in development research and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) across humanitarian, rehabilitation, and development contexts. Currently serves as Regional MEL Coordinator with Alinea International, providing strategic MEL leadership to the Australian Volunteers Program across South Asia and Africa.

Brings strong expertise in MEL system design; assessments; baseline and impact evaluations; and project and program design, including proposal development, budgeting, and donor reporting. Has extensive experience working with bilateral and multilateral donors.

Also serves as a volunteer with the Sri Lanka Evaluation Association (SLEvA) as Honorary Joint Secretary for the 2023–2024 and 2025–2026 terms. Professional interests include strengthening evaluation capacity, expanding institutional partnerships, and advancing the professionalization of evaluation practice in Sri Lanka and the Asia–Pacific region.

Arshee Rizvi is an AI and data science leader committed to harnessing technology for social good. She is the Lead – Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the Development Intelligence Unit (DIU), where she drives innovations at the nexus of AI, policy, and rural development. Earlier, she headed the Data Team at IIT Madras, strengthening advanced analytics initiatives, and she is an alumna of IIT Bombay, one of India’s most prestigious institutions. She also completed the International Programme for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) at the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Her work spans AI/ML applications for rural development, women’s empowerment, and evidence-based policymaking. Recognized internationally, she has been invited as a speaker by UNFPA and has presented her research at more than seven international conferences. As Co-Leader of EvalYouth India, she champions youth leadership in evaluation and promotes the integration of AI into monitoring, evaluation, and learning globally.