Dr. Donna Podems

Biography

Donna Podems is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) currently residing in South Africa, where she has lived for the past 20 years. She runs a small evaluation consultancy based in Cape Town. Dr. Podems is currently a research fellow at the University of Johannesburg and holds a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies focused on Program Evaluation and Organizational Development, as well as a Master's degree in Public Administration. She has worked with a range of clients including governments, civil society, non-governmental groups, international donors, and foundations across Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Her experience includes conducting implementation, outcome, and impact evaluations and developing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks for projects related to gender, women’s empowerment, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, health systems, youth interventions, education, capacity building, human rights, law, housing, environment, trade, investment, and community needs. Dr. Podems is also an experienced facilitator and trainer in strategic planning and M&E. She is a current Board Member of the American Evaluation Association (AEA) and a past Board Member of the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association (SAMEA).

Research Interests