PEP pioneers: Spotlighting the dedicated people who contributed to the founding of PEP

Get to know the people who have helped shape PEP. As we commemorate PEP's 20th anniversary, we would like to recognize the exceptional individuals who have played instrumental roles in our journey. Learn about PEP’s founding members, their contributions, and how these efforts have enabled us to continue supporting locally-led development in the Global South.

Introducing Randy Spence – the visionary behind PEP's origins. Randy Spence is sometimes referred to as the grandfather (or godfather!) of PEP. During his tenure at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Randy conceptualized PEP’s predecessor – Micro Impacts for Macro and Adjustment Policies (MIMAP) – which was an IDRC-run program at the forefront of efforts to understand how the structural adjustment policies of the 90s impacted populations living in poverty. It was also Randy who guided the creation of PEP in 2002 to carry on and expand this work under the joint leadership of the Angelo King Institute and Université Laval. His continued involvement as a trusted advisor, mentor, and source of inspiration has been invaluable in shaping PEP's growth and evolution.

“PEP has been the most impactful development program and organization that I have been involved with. The heavy lifting has been done by research, policy and academic partners, and I think everyone involved in the management would probably agree that it is a pleasure and privilege to be of service.

“I wanted to add a note of appreciation for so many people who have worked so hard for PEP, managers, thematic group leaders and teams, resource people and support groups. From a donor and participating economist's point of view, their commitment has underpinned PEP’s growth in activity, expertise, capabilities, impact and stature. PEP’s journey to me is one of good people, ideas and intentions attracting increasingly more partners and interest.

Happy aniversary, joyeux anniversaire!”

– Randy Spence

If Randy is PEP's grandfather, Celia Reyes is its mother. As the leader of the inaugural MIMAP project in the Philippines during the 1990s, Celia's expertise and dedication laid a strong foundation for PEP's future endeavours. In collaboration with John Cockburn, Celia served as PEP's co-director for the majority of its first decade. She singlehandedly developed and managed PEP's very successful Community-Based Monitoring Systems (CBMS) program as it grew to cover not only Asia, but also Africa and Latin America. Under her leadership, CBMS continues to this day to play a central role in guiding, monitoring, and evaluating the impacts of government spending in the Philippines and around the world.

The PEP Pioneers

Explore the series

Randy Spence was instrumental in the creation of PEP in 2002.

Celia Reyes was one of PEP's first co-directors and spearheaded PEP's Community-Based Monitoring Systems (CBMS) program.

Bernard Decaluwé is a founding member of PEP who helped launch the organization in 2002.

Marie-Claude Martin has supported PEP throughout her career, serving on PEP's board, and fostering economic analysis capacity building and policy modeling.

Habiba Djebbari headed the PEP research program that employed experimental research techniques.

Jean-Yves Duclos The Honorable Jean-Yves Duclos was part of the core team that launched the PEP network.

Abdelkrim Araar is the longest-serving PEP resource person and continues to mentor and advise researchers with PEP.

Mustapha Nabli is PEP's first Chairman of the Board.

Margaret Chitiga lead PEP's first research project, was a core resource person and the first African research director of PEP's macro-micro development policy modeling group.

Martin Valdivia is an accomplished graduate of PEP's alumnae who helped found our Latin American office in Peru.

Hélène Maisonnave co-authored PEP standard models and launched the first Institutionalization Project in Mongolia.

Christopher Scott was the first chairman of PEP’s former scientific committee.

Abdoulaye Diagne conducted a pioneering study of PEP's experimental axis (PIERI) and helped organise PEP's 2004 and 2010 general meetings in Dakar.

International Development Research Centre (IDRC)'s enduring support propelled PEP from MIMAP to promoting Southern-led development.

‣ ‣ Support our call for greater participation of Southern Researchers in economic development debates. Take action by signing our petition and help us bring global attention to this issue.  

PEP pioneers: Spotlighting the dedicated people who contributed to the founding of PEP

The PEP Pioneers

Explore the series

FUNDED BY