A Firm That Builds Community. A Community That Builds the Future.
Meet Clinton D. White, President and Founding Member
Clinton D. White is a distinguished, strategic, mission-driven C-suite executive with more than 25 years of experience scaling global programs, strengthening international partnerships, and driving sustainable impact. Proven track record of leading cross-cultural teams, securing multimillion-dollar funding, and advancing human rights, climate, and education initiatives across the Caribbean, Middle East, Africa, and Asia while managing portfolios exceeding $1 billion. Recognized for visionary leadership, organizational transformation, financial stewardship, and commitment to inclusion. Previously, Mr. White served as the Counselor for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Prior to his role as USAID’s highest-ranking FSO, Mr. White was the USAID Regional Representative for Barbados, beginning in September 2019. In this role, he oversaw a portfolio encompassing the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bahamas.
Meet Mark Kerr, CEO and Founding Member
Mark Kerr is an international development strategist, attorney, and former senior U.S. diplomat with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations de-risk operations, unlock market access, and deliver results in complex environments. A Yale-trained attorney and former U.S. Army officer, Mark served as JAG counsel in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo, supporting Special Forces units alongside conventional forces. He began his civilian career at a global law firm advising on large-scale energy projects from greenfield development through construction, experience that continues to shape his focus on execution, bankability, and real-world constraints.
Most recently, he served as the senior U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) leader in Paraguay, spearheading global initiatives and engaging at the highest levels across government, civil society, and the private sector. Across his career, Mark has managed legal, business, and regulatory portfolios valued in the tens of billions of dollars across the Andes, Central Asia, the Caribbean, and conflict-affected settings. Now based in Miami, Mark co-founded The Meridian Guild.
Meet Adriana Casati, Founding Member
Adriana Casati is an accomplished development leader and legal advisor with over 20 years of experience advancing civil society, private sector reform, and governance across Latin America.
Most recently, she served as Assistant Country Representative and Director of Program, Resources, and Performance at USAID/Paraguay, overseeing a $60M+ portfolio and leading diverse teams in strategy, operations, and implementation. A Fulbright Scholar and certified leadership coach (ACT/Brown University), Adriana has mentored leaders across Latin America and Africa in team development, decision-making, and change management.
Fluent in Spanish and English, and proficient in French and German, she is the first Foreign Service National globally appointed to a Principal Officer role at USAID—a trailblazer whose leadership continues to inspire inclusion and excellence in international development.
Meet Andrew Kerr, Founding Member
Dr. Andrew Kerr is an international education and leadership expert with over 25 years of experience advancing institutional capacity, leadership development, and workforce readiness. He has led initiatives across the U.S., Pacific Islands, Australia, and Asia to strengthen education systems, expand access through technology, and empower leaders to drive organizational change.
A lifelong advocate for equity and inclusion, Andrew’s work emphasizes curriculum reform, local capacity building, and community-led development—especially among indigenous and marginalized populations. He has held senior roles in higher education, international NGOs, and U.S. Department of Education programs, using education as a tool for opportunity and lasting impact.
Meet Andrea Plucknett, Founding Member
Andrea Plucknett brings energy, expertise, and over 27 years of U.S. Government procurement experience to the table—including more than 15 years leading high-stakes acquisition efforts at USAID. Her journey has taken her across the globe, with leadership assignments in Zimbabwe, Liberia, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, East Africa, West Bank/Gaza, and Egypt. From bustling cities to remote outposts, Andrea has designed and delivered procurement strategies that emphasize local ownership, innovative thinking, and results that matter. She’s known for building strong, mission-driven teams and championing critical initiatives like localization, anti-corruption, private sector engagement, and counter-trafficking. Whether it's navigating complex awards or advising on multi-sector programs—from health and governance to energy and humanitarian response—Andrea is all about getting things done with integrity and impact. Before joining USAID, Andrea served in senior contracting roles with the Department of Defense, supporting every branch of the U.S. military. Her work spanned everything from logistics and construction to managing the acquisition and sale of strategic minerals.
Meet Gerardo Tablas, Founding Member
Gerardo Tablas is a global leader with over 35 years of international experience spanning diplomacy, business, and development. He has advised public and private sector leaders across Latin America, Europe, and the Caribbean, fostering innovation, partnerships, and strategic collaboration.
His career includes pioneering roles in IT and telecommunications—helping establish international call centers in emerging markets—as well as leadership in international marketing, export promotion, and conflict resolution. Gerardo has also served as Minister Counselor in Germany and Austria, advancing global cooperation and high-level diplomacy.
Fluent in five languages, Gerardo bridges cultures and sectors to drive transformative global impact.
Meet Shiraz Ashraf, Founding Member
Shiraz Ashraf brings 29 years of leadership in international development, public policy, public financial management, governance, and institutional reform. His distinguished career includes 24 years with USAID, where he served as Senior Advisor to the Agency’s Front Office in Washington D.C. and Chief Financial Advisor in Pakistan for one of USAID’s largest bilateral programs.
He has designed and led multi-billion-dollar government-to-government assistance programs, co-authored USAID’s Local Capacity Strengthening Policy, and built national safety net systems and multi-donor trust funds across complex environments. His work in climate finance, donor coordination, and financial systems reform has strengthened institutions across regions — contributions that earned him USAID’s highest honor: Employee of the Year.
Shiraz has trained over 10,000 professionals, shaping central banks, supreme audit institutions.