Consulting Team​

Barbara is an international development advisor with over 25 years of international finance and development experience, with a focus on financial services.   She founded two private firms and currently leads EA Consultants after working on Wall Street as an emerging market strategist.  As a consultant, she has advised financial institutions, insurers, and international donors on improving access to inclusive financial services and health financing in the Americas as well as worldwide. With a focus on placing clients at the center of the experience, she has collaborated with banks and insurance companies to design and adapt client-driven insurance products for the bottom of the pyramid. She has also done extensive work providing financial service providers with business and strategic insights. Ms. Magnoni oversees the methodology, analysis, and deliverables on EA's consultancies, and manages the firm's strategic direction.

Jennifer is a financial inclusion specialist with over 10 years at  EA Consultants, where she focuses on the interaction between financial services and new market opportunities. She has lead evaluations of new financial products designed to fill market gaps, including lack of financial access for women, rural areas, and very small businesses. Jennifer has expertise in gender issues related to entrepreneurship and finance, to ensure that gender is a critical consideration in financial inclusion initiatives. Prior to EA, Jennifer worked at Deutsche Bank Social Investments, where she helped structure credit facilities, including syndicated finance, direct loans, letters of credit, and guarantees for microfinance institutions and other social ventures worldwide.  She was also an investment banker, working as an analyst at the Financial Institutions Group at Merrill Lynch.  

Christopher's journey from trailer parks, foster care, and frequent school changes shaped his passion for social mobility design. Raised by a single parent in a low-income household, his path to becoming a Peace Corps volunteer and Duke University graduate student cultivated a profound empathy for those navigating unfamiliar territories and financial instability.
During ten years at Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners, he led innovation initiatives, developing scalable financial solutions for underserved communities. His work as a consultant and with Five One Labs further extends his impact, leveraging cross-cultural insights to empower overlooked populations. Now pursuing a Master's in Public Policy, Christopher is refining his qualitative and quantitative research abilities, adding to his innovation and program management expertise. His ambition is to build a more inclusive economy, where dignity, financial stability, and opportunity are available to all, regardless of their birth circumstances.

Cooper Desmond is an accomplished researcher specializing in community health and data-driven strategies. Holding a BA in Biology and Religion from Williams College, Cooper brings a unique interdisciplinary approach to his work, integrating scientific inquiry with ethical analysis. He has spearheaded initiatives across diverse fields, including health equity and financial inclusion, effectively translating complex data into practical solutions. Currently, Cooper is pursuing a Master’s in Religion, Politics, and Ethics as a Dean’s Fellow at Harvard Divinity School.

Daniela is a dedicated public policy specialist with experience in policy analysis, capacity building, and gender-focused initiatives. She has led capacity-building projects, playing a pivotal role in enhancing community capabilities. Daniela holds a master in public administration specializing in political and economic development from Columbia University and the London School of Economics and Political Science, combining academic rigor with practical expertise.  Her professional experience includes work as a policy and gender analyst in Mexico, where she developed gender-sensitive political strategies and produced impactful reports. Daniela has also worked as a research assistant, analyzing data on democracy and gender equity, and preparing policy briefs. Early in her career, she contributed to policy analysis and development at a think tank, focusing on public-private partnerships in Mexico.

At Columbia University, Daniela participated in a project on impact investing with a gender lens through pilot studies in Cambodia and Uzbekistan. Her role including managing client communications, data collection, and ensuring the clarity and impact of project findings.