Millennium Partners is a woman-owned small business certified by the US Small Business Administration. The principal owners of the company are Dr. Esther Hannon and Brian C. Hannon. Millennium Partners is based in Charlottesville, Virginia and benefits from a close association with the University of Virginia.
Millennium Partners has undertaken projects in every region of the world under rule of law, economic growth, and democracy and governance programs. Since 2005, Millennium Partners has been awarded over $95 million in programs in Moldova, Ethiopia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Egypt, North Macedonia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Niger, Ecuador, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Liberia, and Benin, funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US Department of State.
Most recently, Millennium has been on the forefront in implementing e-governance and other digital systems to improve governance and enhance development outcomes. Our team includes highly experienced IT and e-governance specialists who work with us on various projects.
Our Mission and Approach
Millennium Partners is committed to building just societies that provide opportunities to all of its people by means of effective and accountable government institutions. Our approach does not forsake attention to detail for speed but recognizes that in a fast changing world the window for reform is often short and the need for results critical. From experience we have learned that empowering local leaders and communities is the most effective way to achieve impactful and sustainable results.
Who We Are
Brian Hannon with over 30 years experience in international development has developed and managed over $380 million in fully funded USAID and other donor funded projects in the areas of economic growth, democratic governance, anti-corruption, and rule of law.
Prior to 1995 he led the start-up of Booz Allen USAID portfolio managing large USAID privatization and economic reform programs in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Previously, Mr. Hannon served at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce where he directed the Center for International Enterprise (CIPE) program for Eastern Europe and Soviet Union and earlier in his career he served in the U.S. Government for the USAID Administrator, Alan Woods, co-authoring Development and the National Interest. He also worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce on international trade policy, and at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. He co-authored a chapter in Foreign Aid and the National Interest for the former USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios with Dr. Esther Hannon and Yung Whee Rhee in 2002.
Esther Hannon has worked in international development for over 25 years, specializing in democratic governance and human rights, Latin American politics and development, gender equality, and rule of law. Her management and technical experience include projects involving good governance, civil society development, anti corruption, legal reform, human rights and access to justice. She has a Ph.D from the University of Virginia, where she has also taught courses on international economic and political development with a focus on democracy, rule of law and human rights. She wrote the first democracy strategy for USAID in 1991.
Esther Hannon, Partner
Brian Hannon, CEO
OUR TEAM
Home Office
Cristina Malai Turturica, LLM, PMP, Vice President for Technical Direction and Business Development – Cristina joined Millennium Partners in July 2022 to assist in project management, and business development, and communication and outreach. She will provide strategic direction and serve as Millennium’s technical advisor for e-governance, rule of law and other governance projects or activities and help guide their development and implementation. Cristina has extensive experience managing complex projects particularly those having to do with digitalization and people-centered justice reform. She served as Millennium’s Chief of Party for the USAID funded Open Justice Project in Moldova (2017-2020) where, among other things, she oversaw the successful implementation of an overarching Integrated Case Management System (ICMS) in every Moldovan court. She also steered the development of a host of innovative digital tools to improve and measure the delivery and quality of justice services to the public, in addition to implementing a judges’ training program and drafting Moldova’s Judicial Code of Conduct. She also advises on Millennium’s Access to Justice Project in Moldova, funded by DRL, and works with Millennium Partners in Egypt and Ethiopia where she provides technical expertise on the development of court automation processes being developed under USAID funded projects. She also worked with Millennium in Kosovo on the USAID Justice Strengthening Support Program.
Ms. Malai has over 25 years of rule of law, judicial reform, and international development experience in Moldova, Kosovo, and Ukraine where she has often led teams and projects. She holds a Law degree from the Moldova State University, a Master of Laws degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and is a certified Project Management Professional by the Project Management Institute in the United States, which is the international golden standard in project management. Cristina is committed to working collaboratively to achieve the highest standards of quality, impact, and sustainability of the projects she supervises.
Cathryn Michie, Vice President of Finance — Cathryn Ritter Michie, CPA, joined Millennium Partners in 2020 and serves as the Vice President of Finance. Prior to joining Millennium Partners, Ms. Michie served as Chief Financial Officer of the Shenandoah Valley Workforce Development Board from 2015-2020. During her tenure with the Workforce Development Board, Ms. Michie managed over 24 Million Dollars in federal funding and managed the finance, budgeting, payroll, human resources, contract management, property management, and information technology functions for the Workforce Development Board.
Ms. Michie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from James Madison University and is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Virginia.
Emily Calley, Senior Accountant— Emily Calley, CPA, joined Millennium Partners in 2020. She earned her BS in Accounting from George Mason University. She has worked in both the public and private accounting sectors, including Baker Tilly. Her experience includes real estate tax, foreign earned income reporting for expatriates, small business accounting, and project management.
Neil Price, Senior Contracts Advisor – Neil Price serves as a senior contracts advisor to Millennium Partners. Prior to his retirement from USAID he was a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, rank of Counselor, with 34 years of U.S. Government Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) senior leadership experience. He served for 19 years as a Foreign Service Officer for USAID managing regional and bilateral A&A offices as well as serving as the Deputy Director of USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance in Washington. He most recently served in Frankfurt, Germany as the founding director of the Agency’s Office of Overseas Support Operations, and has been an Agency leader overseas as a Supervisory Contracting Officer in Botswana, Iraq, Ukraine, Ghana, Colombia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mr. Price is a graduate of the Department of the Navy’s Contracting Career Intern Program and worked in A&A and program management for the NASA for 12 years in both Washington and in the field. He holds a Master of Science in Contract and Acquisition management from from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and History from James Madison University.
Nilantha Alexander – Nilantha is the former finance manager for Millennium’s Civil Society Rule of Law Initiative (CSI.ROL) in Sri Lanka and currently provides finance, grants and procurement management and oversight for Millennium’s rule of law projects, particularly the Feteh Activity in Ethiopia. He provides oversight on all procurements, subcontracts and grant making and ensures the appropriate policies and procedures are in place.
James Harrison Hannon – James is a Senior Associate for Millennium Partners. He provides program management for Millennium’s projects. He also takes a leading role in business development for Millennium including recruitment and proposal development. He has been a critical team member in responding to incurred cost audits and compliance issues. He brings a business and economics background from the University of Virginia.
Anthony Ramazani – Anthony is an Associate Consultant for Millennium Partners. He provides project management support for Millennium Partners’ overseas projects including the Ethiopia Feteh (“Justice” in Amharic) Activity and the Access to Justice project in Moldova. He also provides research and editorial assistance for Millennium Partners’ proposals and reports. Anthony recently graduated from the University of Richmond with a BA in Politics, Economics and Law. He will attend law school in the fall of 2022.
Chloe Chiesa – Chloe is a fourth year student at the University of Virginia majoring in Foreign Affairs. As an intern at Millennium Partners, she provides research assistance for upcoming proposals and assists in the proposal process. Chloe also collaborates and provides input for the company’s communication and marketing strategy. Previously, she worked with the Organization of World Peace as an analyst for South East Asia where she provided research, editorial, and website management assistance for their Crisis Timeline. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in international development, human rights and justice.
Kayleigh Zigler – Kayleigh is a fourth year student at the University of Virginia double majoring in Global Studies, with a concentration in Security and Justice, as well as Middle Eastern Studies. As an intern for Millennium Partners, she conducts research for upcoming proposals and assists in the proposal process. She also assists with Millennium Partners’ marketing and communication through slide-deck creation and strategy formulation. Previously, Kayleigh worked as a development intern for the NGO Cure Violence Global where she provided research assistance to increase funding and expand the NGO’s worldwide presence. Upon completion of her studies, Kayleigh hopes to pursue a career working in the international aid sector in either humanitarian response or development.
Our Team Leaders and Experts
David de Giles — David is currently our Chief of Party for the Feteh Activity in Ethiopia. He is a rule of law expert with extensive justice reform experience in Africa, and in Haiti and other countries. As head of a team of 32 he provides skillful technical and leadership management for the Feteh project. He was formerly Deputy Chief of Party in Cote de Ivoire for the USAID funded PROJUSTICE Program where he provided management and operational support as well as technical assistance to increase judicial independence, transparency and accountability by developing models of professional court management, automated case management systems, codes of professional ethics, and improved public outreach. He has his law Public Law Degree (1992) from the University of Seville; and his Masters (D.E.A.) in European Union Law (1993) from the University of Panthéon-Assas (Paris II) in France.
Mandefrot Belay —Mandefrot is currently our Deputy Chief of Party for the Feteh Activity in Ethiopia. He is a renown legal expert with many years experience in justice reform, legal institutional capacity building, legal education and legislative drafting. He served as Country Director for the Rule of Law Initiative of the American Bar Association Legal and Judicial Reform and Capacity Building program in Ethiopia from 2008-2013, where he was responsible for setting the strategic direction of the country program including planning, budgeting, and monitoring and evaluating of projects. He has published numerous articles on justice sector reform in Ethiopia. He has a Master of Laws from Nagpur University, India; was a Post-Graduate Fellow for Governance and Democracy University of Birmingham and European Center for Diplomacy and Security Studies UK; and received a Post Graduate Diploma in International Law and Organization for Development, Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, Netherlands, 1998.
Emir Ramadanovic — Emir is currently our Chief of Party for the E-Governance Activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is an IT professional with over 30 years of experience, including 14 years in the United States. Prior to his current role as Chief of Party for the USAID funded E-Governance Activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he was the Director of Engineering for Authority Partners in Sarajevo which had multiple clients in the US and Europe. Mr. Ramadanovic has also worked as an independent IT and management consultant for various projects in Europe and US. He was the Senior Principal Consultant for Oracle in BiH and also worked for Microsoft securing multiple contracts for them with the BiH government among other accomplishments.
Elmira Pasagic – Elmira is currently our Senior Legal Advisor for the E-Governance Activity in Bosnia. She has over 10 years of experience in comprehensive justice sector reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina including more than three years with the Office of the High Representative (OHR) Independent Judicial Commission (IJC)), first as judicial reform officer, then as Head of the IJC Sarajevo Field Office, and then as Head of the IJC Restructuring Department (2001 – 2004), and over five years as Executive Director of the Secretariat of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of BiH.
Olivia Pirtac-Goaga – Olivia is currently our Chief of Party for the DRL Access to Justice Project in Moldova. She is a seasoned rule of law professional with over 20 years of experience managing donor funded projects in Moldova, specializing in media law, civil society monitoring and capacity building, and human rights. Formerly she was the Deputy Chief of Party of the Media Program in Moldova managed by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX); Media Law Program Officer of a Strengthening Civil Society Monitoring Capacity program in Moldova, also managed by IREX; National Consultant on Anti-Discrimination and Freedom of Religion or Belief in the “Support for Civil Society in Combating Discrimination” project, managed by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Coordination and Monitoring Expert for the Ministry of Justice assisting in the coordination of justice sector reform in Moldova (2013.)
Adelina (Ada) Dulman – Ada is the Senior Legal Expert on the Access to Justice Project. She is a Moldovan lawyer and justice and civil society specialist with over 12 years of capacity building and grant making experience with civil society groups active in access to justice and human rights, especially for youth and disadvantaged groups. She is highly effective in providing assessments and internal evaluations to identify training needs and ways to strengthen organizational development, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and budgeting. She served as the Senior Capacity Building and Grants Manager for USAID’s Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society project (2014–2018) where she led efforts to build the capacity of civil society organizations in governance, financial management, procurement, project management and fundraising.
Doina Vrabie – Doina Vrabie provides finance and grants management for Millennium’s Access to Justice in Moldova Project since 2019. Prior to joining Millennium Partners, Ms. Vrabie worked for over 10 years for the National Bank of Moldova. Her experience includes finance, banking and payment systems regulation, licensing and development, including practical experience in international technical assistance project management. Ms. Vrabie holds a Master degree in Finance and currently is a PhD student in Economics.
Ecaterina Televca – Ecaterina has over 19 years of professional experience in software architecture, design, development and implementation for various governmental information systems. These include case management systems, and an array of e-government systems from permitting to tax and health systems. Ecaterina and her company Intellia Software Solutions joined the Millennium Partners team in 2020 to provide technical assistance on Millennium Partners’ projects involving e-governance and integrated case management systems’ design and development.
Veronica Mocanu – Veronica is a seasoned IT and E-governance specialist and legal expert who supports Millennium Partners’ IT development activities in the field. She provides expert technical support for the development and implementation of tailored software systems such as Integrated Case Management Information Systems, Electronic Records Management Systems, and other information systems for projects in Moldova and Ethiopia. She also provides systems use training for host government staff. A member of the Law Faculty at Moldova’s State University, she teaches law and founded and coordinates the “Public Law and e-Governance” Master Program. A lawyer and a PhD, Veronica is an expert in the field of data protection as an element of good governance, and advises Millennium on legal matters having to do with IT systems implementation. She received her law degree and her Ph.D from the State University of Moldova.
Pim Albers – Pim is a global expert in the field of justice sector reform projects, global, regional and local justice sector performance indicators, measurement and evaluations of judicial reforms, rule of law programs and court quality assurance programs. He is an advisory member International Consortium for Court Excellence (responsible for the development and promotion of court quality systems in the world (http://www.courtexcellence.com) and one of the founders of the International Framework for Court Excellence (IFCE.) Pim has been collaborating with Millennium Partners for over a decade, and currently advises on several rule of law projects involving court excellence and other judicial reforms.
Malcom Russell Einhorn – Malcom is currently providing a Political Economy Analysis (PEA) and a Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Strategy for the USAID Strengthening Resource Mobilization Activity in North Macedonia. Millennium Partners is a subcontractor to Cardno under SRMA. He is the Research Professor of International Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University and a lawyer and comparative public administration specialist with over two decades of international development consulting, management, and teaching experience, including significant work in legal and regulatory reform, anti-corruption analysis, public management, local government capacity-building, and legislative strengthening. He previously consulted for the World Bank, DFID, US Department of State and the US Department of Justice. The author of several articles and book chapters, he has also taught courses on comparative law and comparative public administration at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, SUNY Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management and UMass Boston’s McCormack School of Policy and Global Studies.
Mariana Moneva – Mariana advises on the USAID North Macedonia Strengthening Resource Mobilization Activity (SRMA). She also advises on draft legislative changes for municipal debt and greater municipal financial stability. She is highly experienced in public finance including infrastructure finance, municipal debt management, assessment of local government creditworthiness, financial planning work, performance budgeting, public service delivery and financial analysis. Mariana has an MBA of Public Service from the University of Birmingham, UK and currently doing her PhD in Economics focused on managing systematic risk in the EU financial system and the role of the Central Banks in ensuring financial stability. She was awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship from the British Government to pursue her MBA study in the UK.
Meri Cuculoska – Meri is advising on the USAID North Macedonia Strengthening Resource Mobilization Activity (SRMA) and developing an applied political economy analysis to improve the quality and sustainability of SRMA program interventions. Meri has over 20 years of international development experience advising on policy reforms on private sector development, local economic development, good governance principles, civil sector strengthening, gender, climate change, agriculture, and agribusiness. She has extensive experience in cross-sectoral economic growth programming, including workforce development and the gender integration. She worked for USAID in Macedonia from 2003-2015 and USAID Afghanistan 2019-2020 developing and managing economic growth projects. Meri holds a MBA from the American College of Skopje, Macedonia and an undergraduate degree in Agriculture/Livestock from the University of St. Cyril and Methodius of Skopje Macedonia.