Ilan Cooper
International Development & Business Development Strategist
More than 18 years steering multi-country development portfolios, winning complex donor programs, and guiding strategy for global implementers. Ilan blends field leadership with capture-to-award discipline across fragile and growth markets.
Where he adds the most.
Business development leadership
Capture-to-award cycles securing more than $400M in new wins, overseeing global proposal teams and playbooks.
Donor & partner engagement
Strategic relationships with GAC, GIZ, FCDO, and corporate partners.
Program delivery
Acting Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party, turning capture insight into implementation results.
Growth strategy
Billion-dollar pipelines shaped through market analysis, opportunity prioritisation, and competitive positioning.
Thought leadership
Publishes on transitional justice, conflict, and security; advanced degrees from Georgetown and the University of Chicago.
Where the experience comes from.
Strategic growth & new business
- Oversaw an annual business development pipeline exceeding $1B.
- Delivered $400M+ in new awards through integrated capture, proposal, and negotiation teams.
- Built repeatable processes for market intelligence, pre-positioning, and bid governance.
Program leadership
- Managed a $100M portfolio across governance, economic growth, and resilience programs.
- Served as Acting COP and DCOP through start-up and stabilisation phases.
- Introduced adaptive management routines linking field delivery with headquarters strategy.
Donor & market partnerships
- Expanded relationships with GAC, GIZ, FCDO, USAID, MCC, and corporate impact investors.
- Negotiated consortium agreements and local partnerships that strengthened competitive positioning.
- Elevated local implementers within global bids.
How he works.
Global development impact
Programs and new business across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, with a focus on fragile and post-conflict contexts.
Academic background
Master's degrees with distinction from Georgetown University and the University of Chicago; BA with honours from King's College London.
Collaborative approach
Aligns corporate resources, field insight, and donor expectations to deliver results and lasting alliances.
Let's talk.
Tell us about the project and we will put the right partner in the room.