Konektid Chief Operating Officer, Christy Hollywood, and CEO of Pope International and former Senior USAID staff member, Chuck Pope, discuss key trends in the USAID market and the impact of the upcoming election. The discussion included insight on USAID solicitation delays; localization; new partners and barriers to entry into the USAID Market; and the potential impact of the election on USAID.  QUOTES 4:42: “USAID is continuing to broaden their definition of what local inclusion and new partners look like. Also starting to make sure missions have access to ways to engage with local organizations more systematically”. – Christy Hollywood 5:42: “We’re seeing both USAID and implementing partners look at capacity strengthening beyond just compliance and proposals, which is a really nice change, especially as USAID continues to try to lower barriers to entry. – Christy Hollywood 6:47: “Whatever happens, localization is here to stay…it makes sense.” – Chuck Pope BIOGRAPHY Christy Hollywood: Christy Hollywood supports Konektid clients and consultants with skills honed during 20+ years of leadership in international development, professional services, and consulting organizations. She led a successful consulting firm of her own for 11 years. Earlier, she served as Vice President for BD of Cardno (a large USAID and MCC contractor, since acquired) and held pivotal business development roles at KPMG’s Emerging Markets Group, RTI International, PATH, as well as Fidelity Investments and Noblis. A recognized expert in business development consulting, she’s authored several articles and is five-time invited presenter at international conferences on proposal management, competitive intelligence, and business development. Chuck Pope: Charles S. “Chuck” Pope is a recognized global leader of acquisitions and agreements and is a formerly commissioned Foreign Service Officer and warranted senior Contracting/Agreement Officer for USAID. Chuck is a development professional with over a quarter century of experience on four continents working for the US Government and implementing partners (contractor/recipient).