Welcome to my website. I am an international development economist specializing in sustainable private sector development in emerging markets, focused on pro-poor business models. I have professional experience in 67 countries around the globe, with expertise in market systems development (MSD/M4P), SME/value chain/enterprise development, strategy, competitiveness, and international trade and investment for both public and private sector clients. I have done considerable work in the private healthcare sector.
Currently based in Nairobi as Project Director on SDC’s Private Sector Partnerships for Health (PSPH) Somalia, which grew out of a successful pilot I was instrumental in starting back in 2016. Immediately prior, I served as Project Director on USAID’s Linkages for Small and Medium Enterprises (LinkSME) in Vietnam, following a year in Egypt turning around USAID’s Strengthening Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (SEED) project. I spent the four previous years in Nairobi with Cardno Emerging Markets (East Africa) Ltd. as Team Leader on DFID’s pioneering Private Sector Innovation Programme for Health (PSP4H) in Kenya. PSP4H was rated A+ four consecutive years in its DFID annual reviews, shortlisted for a British Expertise award in the International Development category, and is frequently cited as a model market systems development program. Click here to view a video documentary on PSP4H.
While in Kenya, I simultaneously served as Strategy Advisor for Cardno in a range of both implementation and management roles regionally across East Africa, building a portfolio of ten projects for both public and private clients during my tenure. Among these projects was Piloting Private Healthcare Networks (PPHN) in Somalia funded by SDC, which evolved into the larger project I am currently implementing. PPHN started Caafinet, a private sector network of clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies, which grew from scratch to 325 providers serving 200,000 to 250,000 clients per month as of mid-2020.
In addition to pioneering the market systems development approach in healthcare, I have created private sector and industrial development strategies for sovereign governments, managed networks of enterprise assistance centers serving thousands of private firms, assisted SMEs to join global supply chains, trained and mentored large teams of national and international consultants, authored widely-used consulting tools, processes and training materials, researched evolving development methodologies in action to advise on future program design, turned around underperforming projects and organizations, authored numerous articles and presentations, and led performance improvement, restructuring, privatization, and analytical efforts.
Educated at Harvard University and The Wharton School, I am equally adept at managerial and technical roles with advisory experience that spans policy, strategy, financial, operational and marketing issues, from new business acquisition to project delivery. I am known for delivering results that surpass expectations, getting right to the heart of the matter while keeping value for money in mind. I have a track record of projects being won, extended, and expanded.
I have the ability to help solve complex problems, implement thoughtful programs and processes that work in practice, turn around difficult situations, add value to your project and improve outcomes for all stakeholders.
Ron brought terrific tenacity to the role…He took it beyond the limits of normal market systems programmes and really delivered clear thinking outcomes translated into the hands of the market. It became the only programme I have seen that was restarted and extended for a year – after full and formal closure – in recognition of extraordinary achievements.
My sincere thanks for your commitment and support…Also for your all the passion, openness and experience you put during the session. I really enjoyed working with you.
Mr. Ashkin possesses outstanding technical abilities and is credited for integrating the various components of the project into one standardized approach. Mr. Ashkin made it clear that his priority was to get the best value for USG resources. When he presented issues that the project was experiencing, he also offered solutions and closely consulted the mission before proceeding. Mr. Ashkin also promoted talented local professionals to key positions in the project.
He is exceptionally capable. He is a leader. He is extremely intelligent and quick, an excellent product developer, a good team builder, highly efficient, hard working, and a good writer and presenter. Of the 45 different expatriate consultants who have worked on our project over the past three years, I consider him clearly the most effective.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the effort that you have expended on this project. I am convinced that it is a better project for having you as team leader…and thank you for your patience and diplomacy in handling [the client]
It was great working with you and your team. The PSP4H was a great initative and I hope the lessons learned continue to feed into new initiatives.
USAID-Central Asian Republics presented me with an Eagle Award for Outstanding Service to the SMEs of Central Asia.
I am recognized as a ‘Thought Leader in Health Markets’ by the global Health Systems Hub, a knowledge platform supported by the African Development Bank, DFID, IFC, USAID, the World Bank et al.
The report is great, and thanks again for all your work on it
The programme has met or exceeded all scheduled log frame deliverables, submitted substantial additional deliverables, and has delivered in time in accordance with contract milestones. Programme score: A+
Ron is truly one of the outstanding professionals with whom I have worked in the business development field. He combines extremely strong technical skills with a no-nonsense attitude towards getting the job done that is refreshing and highly unusual.
