Leadership Team
DIG’s current Leadership Team is committed to inclusive development—the concept that every human, regardless of identity, plays a role in the transformation of societies. We believe that when everyone is included in the development process, innovative solutions to complex problems can emerge, and results are greater for all.
Established in 2005, the Development Innovations Group continues to embrace its founders’ common passion for achieving global poverty reduction by applying best practices in the fields of financial inclusion and economic growth; environment, WASH and health; democratic governance and urban development; fund management; and emergency management.
Dabren Wills
Executive Vice President
Dabren Wills joined DIG in July 2023 and leads its growth and integration into CRDF Global as a wholly owned subsidiary. Before assuming this role, Dabren held several leadership positions at PAE (now Amentum), including serving as Vice President of Operations for the company’s International Development & Capacity Building unit. In this role, he oversaw a team of 1,200 personnel operating across 48 countries. In his decade-long tenure at PAE and the legacy companies it comprises, he managed a large portfolio of humanitarian assistance, stability operations, infrastructure, and logistics for missions conducted in partnership with USAID, the Department of State, the Department of Justice, and the United Nations.
Prior to his tenure at Amentum, Dabren held program management positions at Kadix Systems LLC, Deloitte, and Booz Allen Hamilton. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Towson University in Maryland.
Sandra Amis
Chief Administrative Officer
Sandra joined DIG in February 2024 when she was appointed as Chief Administrative Officer for CRDF Global and its subsidiary. She brings over 25 years of experience in building teams dedicated to delivering value to international development clients. Prior to joining CRDF Global, she served as Vice President at Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company. In this role, she developed and managed the compliance function, including designing controls, systems, and training for fraud awareness and detection, sexual abuse and exploitation and professional conduct.
Sandra led the submission of over one thousand proposals and successfully negotiated and managed contracts worth more than $1 billion for various donors, including USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the United States Department of State, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the United Nations, the World Bank, and host country governments. She also played a key role in ensuring smooth program start-ups and operational success worldwide.
Sandra is actively involved in industry groups focused on procurement reform, compliance, and ethics, working directly with U.S. Government agencies to advocate for policies and practices that enhance the effective delivery of development programs. She has extensive international experience, having lived and worked in Asia, Africa, and Europe for over two decades.
Sandra holds a degree in International Affairs and Economics from the American University of Paris, France, and is fluent in French and Spanish.
Siri Oswald
Vice President, Talent Management
Siri Oswald is the Vice President of Talent Management for CRDF Global and its subsidiary, leading the growth and development of the organization’s workforce throughout the full employee lifecycle. She focuses on successful recruitment and onboarding of new staff and on learning and professional development opportunities to continue to build the organization’s skills and capabilities. She played a key role in the successful integration of DIG into CRDF Global.
Siri brings 30 years of international development experience to this role, having most recently served as CRDF Global’s Vice President of Operations. Prior to joining CRDF Global, Siri was a Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she explored partnership and funding opportunities with governments, non-profits, and the private sector to increase public access to information technology and promote public libraries as partners in national and international development efforts. Siri has a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Russian Studies from Colby College, and a Master’s degree in Russian and East European Studies from Georgetown University. She speaks fluent Russian and travel-ready Spanish.
Ankur Rawat
Chief Technology Officer
As the Chief Technology Officer for CRDF Global and its subsidiary DIG, Ankur Rawat leads the organization’s digital strategy and the internal Information Technology function, connecting systems and automating processes to deliver services with maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Prior to joining the CRDF Global organization, Ankur served as CTO at Optum Serve, where he fostered innovation and growth by leveraging new technologies and collaborating with business units on a digital strategy that transformed the IT organization. Prior to that role, Ankur served as Chief Information Officer for Siemens Government Technologies, Calibre Systems Inc., LongView International Technology Solutions and3M Health Information Systems. Ankur graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, from the University of California, Miramar with an MBA, and from American University in Washington with a Master’s degree in Information Security.
Marianne Carliez Gillet
Vice President for Global Programs
As VP for Global Programs, Marianne oversees DIG’s project management and business development operations, playing a key role in the successful integration of DIG into CRDF Global. She specializes in designing and implementing urban-focused and gender-sensitive programs in inclusive governance/anti-corruption, inclusive finance, water security, sanitation, and hygiene (WSSH), and solid waste management.
With more than two decades of years of experience in international development, Marianne has built the capacity of local governments and community organizations on urban development issues, including basic service delivery (solid waste, water, and sanitation), ocean plastics pollution prevention, housing and community infrastructure, employment generation, conflict mitigation, public financial management, gender, and financial inclusion (microfinance/housing microfinance). She has strengthened community participation in decision-making processes across cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, empowering community-based organizations to hold governments accountable. Marianne’s experience in urban development in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia allows her to bring a multi-disciplinary approach to program development and implementation. Before joining DIG, she worked for the Inter-American Development Bank, the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), the World Bank, and CHF International (now Global Communities).
Marianne holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Paris, Sorbonne, and speaks French, Spanish, and travel-ready Portuguese.
Jess Mortellaro
Senior Business Development Manager
Jess Mortellaro joined CRDF Global in August 2023, bringing over a decade of experience in business development within the international development sector. With a focus on DIG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CRDF Global, Jess specializes in crafting and executing strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth and foster key client relationships. Prior to her current role, she served as a Capture Manager at PAE for over two years, where she successfully led teams in securing projects totaling nearly $1B.
Jess’s career highlights include managing complex international projects across diverse sectors such as conflict stabilization, infrastructure, global health, and institutional support. Her expertise in business development, combined with a deep understanding of international development challenges, enables her to build strong partnerships and secure United States Government funding for critical programs.
Jess is dedicated to fostering sustainable development and creating lasting change in communities worldwide. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History, Politics, and Communication Studies from Ithaca College and a Master’s in Democracy and Governance from Georgetown University.