Thomas O’Brien, Task Manager

Thomas, an Irish national, is an economist with over 20 years experience in hands-on policymaking and development programs. He currently serves as Lead Evaluation Officer at the Independent Evaluation Group. He is primary author of the evaluation of Bank activity in Middle Income Countries, overseeing all aspects of the project. In addition, he is leading the team’s study of development progress. At the Bank, Tom has served as Senior Economist in the Europe and Central Asia Region, and as Country Manager for Bulgaria. Outside of the Bank, Tom has been an economic advisor at the UK Treasury, a management consultant at KPMG, and Chief Executive of the Mersey Partnership, a group that promotes regional economic development, investment and tourism.

Brett Libresco

Brett is providing research analysis support for the development effectiveness section of the MIC project. In addition, he will lead the team’s survey of stakeholders in client countries. Before joining the Bank, Brett was a Lecturer in economics at Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School, completed research on the social and economic impacts of globalization in South Africa, and served as a project manager at New York City’s housing department.