Global Development

 

 

MSG doesn't just provide solutions—we scale them globally. With operations in more than 30 countries across our core sectors, we help governments and communities strengthen health systems, improve education, expand access to clean energy, and modernize infrastructure. By combining global expertise with local insight, we design initiatives that are sustainable, inclusive, and tailored to the unique needs of each community.

Global Development Lead

Shezad Habib
Founder and President of the Manhattan Strategy Group LLC

Dr. Gregory Koldys
Vice President of Business Development

Dr. Furqan Irfan
Senior Advisor

Arshad Sayed
Senior Advisor

Adina Keeling
Program Analyst

 

Core Clients

• U.S. Department of State
• U.S. Department of Commerce
• U.S. Trade and Development Agency

 

CONTACT US

By the Numbers

 

 

Our Sectors

MSG's international projects span six core sectors, plus workforce development. Each sector draws on federal program experience and on-the-ground local networks to deliver evidence-based, locally led solutions.

Health

MSG strengthens health systems and expands equitable access to quality healthcare around the world. Our team brings experience in global health security, infectious disease outbreaks and response, maternal, newborn, and child health, and health workforce development for community health workers, nursing, and allied health. We have led health sector initiatives and assessments across China, Jordan, Malaysia, Türkiye, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia. MSG works to bring innovative solutions to strengthen health systems, expand healthcare access to underserved communities, and convene health leaders to advance policy dialogue, including through the 2024 Health Systems Strengthening Conference in Islamabad.

Education

MSG improves education outcomes through teacher training, curriculum reform, and youth empowerment. MSG’s projects with the U.S. Department of Education include the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. With The Citizens Foundation (TCF), we established the TCF Manhattan Campus in Karachi, Pakistan, providing free, high-quality education to roughly 400 disadvantaged children in grades 6–10 with a focus on girls.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

MSG’s MEL work spans diverse country contexts across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where we design results frameworks, conduct evaluations and assessments, and support adaptive management. We implement large-scale third-party monitoring using standardized tools, field-based verification, and data systems that capture insights directly from local communities.

Trade and Private Sector Growth

MSG advances trade and private sector growth by strengthening investment pipelines, supporting market access, and aligning public and private sector priorities. Our experienced staff have structured over $5 billion in public-private partnerships and scaling investment portfolios.

Data and Technology

Data and technology are the backbone of effective programs. MSG designs digitized monitoring and evaluation systems, real-time data platforms, and knowledge management tools, including a Salesforce GovCloud system that routes 500 third-party monitors across all 50 states and U.S. territories to conduct 40,000 site visits for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Our services span application and CRM development, cloud hosting, Section 508 accessibility, and database design, with project experience across Brazil, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Türkiye.

Energy

MSG expands access to clean, reliable energy. Our energy work spans Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Romania, Tonga, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam.

Partnering for Impact

MSG's success lies in strong, sustained collaboration with local organizations. By working alongside trusted partners, we ensure that solutions are not only effective but also sustainable and rooted in the communities we serve.

• Relief International: A global humanitarian and development organization that delivers health, education, livelihoods, and resilience programs in some of the world's most vulnerable communities.

• Aga Khan University: A global health research university with health systems, campuses, and programs operating across six countries — Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and Afghanistan.

• KEMRI-Wellcome Trust: A globally renowned health research center based in Kenya, as a collaborative partnership between the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the University of Oxford, and the Wellcome Trust.

• Scaling Community of Practice (SCoP): A network that brings together a global consortium of practitioners, researchers, and organizations committed to scaling evidence-based development solutions. Through shared learning and collaboration, the network helps increase the reach and long-term impact of successful programs.

Our Global Team

MSG's global team combines expertise in international development, public policy, business strategy, and social impact. Together, we work with governments, donors, nonprofits, and private sector partners to design and scale solutions that strengthen communities around the world.

Shezad Habib is the Founder and President of the Manhattan Strategy Group LLC (MSG). With more than 20 years of experience across 30 countries, he has advised U.S. government agencies, Fortune 100 companies, and nonprofit organizations on strategy, economic development, education, and human services. He is also a recognized entrepreneur and leader in U.S.-Pakistan policy and development engagement.

Dr. Gregory Koldys brings over 30 years of international development experience as a senior diplomat and business development leader, with field experience in Central Asia, Armenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He currently serves as Vice President of Business Development at MSG, where he supports the international expansion of the firm’s portfolio. Previously, Dr. Koldys held senior leadership roles at Social Impact and International Relief and Development. He served at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Department of State, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Dr. Furqan Irfan is a Senior Advisor for MSG and an Associate Professor of Neurology, and Director of Research Development at Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has extensive experience in global health, epidemiology, health systems strengthening, and infectious diseases. Dr. Irfan teaches Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine to approximately 300 medical students annually and has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications. 

Arshad Sayed is a global executive and innovation leader with more than 25 years of experience spanning international development, technology, health systems, and private sector growth. During a 13-year career at the World Bank, he served as Country Manager for Mongolia, overseeing a development portfolio of more than $1 billion, and led the Development Marketplace, a global platform for identifying and scaling social innovations. Mr. Sayed has also held senior leadership positions in the private sector, including at Rio Tinto and SystemOne, where he helped expand technology-driven solutions in infrastructure and global health.

Adina Keeling is an international development professional specializing in research, proposal development, and partnership engagement. She has supported projects and proposals for major donors including the U.S. Department of State, USAID, USDA, the World Bank, and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Having lived and worked in more than four countries, she brings a global perspective to her work and is fluent in English, Spanish, and German. Ms. Keeling is currently pursing a master's degree in Development Cooperation at the University of Granada.