Sara Savastano is the Director of Research and Impact Assessment (RIA) Division of the Strategy and Knowledge Department at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Prior to her current appointment, she was Senior Economist at the World Bank with the Development Economic Group. From 2008 to 2016 Sara was Assistant Professor in Economics at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Before the University she served as an Economist at the Public Investment Evaluation Unit of the Italian Ministry of Finance. She is secretary general of ICABR, the International Consortium on Applied Bioeconomy Research. Her research focuses on land policies and institutions, rural development, agriculture efficiency and productivity, technology adoption. She has been consultant to FAO, World Bank, IFPRI, and other public and private institutions. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Rome Tor Vergata.

John works with Delivery Associates, leading their Delivery Institute practice. He works across Asia, Australia and the Middle East across economic and educational priority areas. He is an expert on public sector reform, on capacity building, and on education total system reform