ABOUT US

The Canopy Lab was founded in 2017 by Eric Derks, a systems thinker who recognized the need for organizations to marry a stronger systems lens with a practical bent to their work. In 2019, inspired by Eric’s vision and approach, Tim Sparkman and Holly Lard Krueger joined the company as Managing Partners to respectively lead Canopy’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and Inclusion+ Practices. Since then, the Canopy Lab has grown to work with numerous clients around the world. 

Clara García Parra

Clara García Parra

Principal Consultant

Adewale Falade_sq

Adewale Falade

Senior Consultant

Holly Lard Krueger

Holly Lard Krueger

Managing Partner,
Inclusion+ Practice Lead

Andrew-Panton

Andrew Panton

Senior Consultant

Jessica Rust-Smith_sq

Jessica Rust-Smith

Senior Consultant

Tim Sparkman_new_sq

Tim Sparkman

Managing Partner,
MEL Practice Lead

In addition to our two Managing Partners and Consultants, the Canopy Lab also collaborates with a network of 20+ affiliate consultants, who bring expertise in economic and private sector development, systems thinking, inclusion, environment and climate, impact investing, and MEL.

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1724 20th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

[email protected]

© 2025 – The Canopy Lab – All rights reserved | Maintained by StrategyPlus Solutions

Clara García Parra

Senior Consultant

I specialize in private sector development and job creation. I’m passionate about the circular economy and regenerative entrepreneurship and have supported businesses in sectors such as tourism, agribusiness, ICT, and finance to pilot innovative business models. I have provided managerial and technical inputs to the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of sustainable and inclusive systems development programs across Sub-Saharan Africa, South-East Asia, and the Balkans region. I also bring experience in designing and managing DCED-compliant results management frameworks and have overseen and contributed to the roll-out of quantitative and qualitative research studies, including for program evaluations.

Adewale Falade


Senior Consultant

I am a researcher and MEL Expert with demonstrated experience in designing MEL systems and synthesizing evidence for influencing decision makers. What has been enjoyable and exciting for me is that I have also been at the frontlines applying qualitative and quantitative statistical tools to generate evidence for market systems change. I also provide professional support in designing CLA strategies and KM systems so that programs can clearly define their pathway(s) for adaptive management.

Holly Lard Krueger

Managing Partner,
Inclusion + Practice Lead

I like to solve problems and have been attracted to systems thinking because it requires us to think deeply about complex challenges. I love coaching organizations through the change process needed to think more intensely and systemically. My experience spans 15 years and as many African and Asian countries. It includes leading large market systems programs, advising on agricultural systems, value for money, inclusive finance, public-private partnerships, and gender mainstreaming.

Andrew Panton

Senior Consultant

I am committed to improving human livelihoods and resilience in balance with nature. At the Canopy Lab, I provide research and advisory support to projects working on biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and resilience, nature-based solutions, sustainable tourism, and market systems development. Outside work, I’m a keen guitarist, cyclist and bookworm, with a love for food, travelling and learning languages.

JESSICA RUST-SMITH

Senior Consultant

I work across markets, business and supply chains, impact investing, agriculture, and women’s economic empowerment. I am an experienced monitoring, evaluation, research and learning consultant and project manager with expertise in the use of mixed methods, theory-based approaches and data collection and analysis. I have been working in M&E for market systems development for 10 years now, and going strong.

Tim Sparkman

Managing Partner,
MEL Practice Lead

I spend a lot of time thinking about the way information moves within socioeconomic systems and how individuals and groups coalesce to solve problems (or don’t). I have about 15 years of experience designing, managing, and evaluating economic and workforce development programs. I combine management experience, including leading long-term change initiatives, with an avid research interest, and have published on topics ranging from organizational development to network structures and system health metrics.