Evaline Franks is the Lead, Programs Strategy and Operations at Women First. Joining the team in 2016 as a Program Associate, she has since held numerous roles within the programs department. Evaline co-developed Women First’s unique grantmaking model, and currently leads its implementation, strengthens capacity-building initiatives, and oversees robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems. She also manages our dynamic global programs team and works closely with senior leadership to ensure Women First’s work aligns with its broader strategic goals.

With a deep commitment to women’s economic empowerment and social justice, Evaline plays a key role in building meaningful partnerships with Women First’s grantees, amplifying their successes and challenges to donors, Board members, and other stakeholders. Her approach is grounded in the belief that collaboration is essential to achieving economic justice. 

Before joining Women First, she lived and studied in Australia, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Business from Bond University and a Master’s Degree in Development Practice from the University of Queensland.