Arnaldo Pellini

I am a researcher and international development practitioner with over 25 years of experience specializing in adaptive development and systems transformation. Having lived and worked in Southeast Asia for 15 years, I bring a cross-cultural perspective to my role as a Director at Capability Oy and with BRAC International, where I work at the intersection of systems thinking, political economy analysis, and the facilitation of strategy design.

I specialize in designing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning systems that move beyond rigid reporting to prioritize strategic learning as a core driver of change. My work centers on helping teams navigate complex governance and social development challenges by using systems thinking to bridge the gap between evidence and real-time decision-making. I have a proven track record of advising programmes funded by global organizations—including the World Bank, FCDO, SIDA, SDC, United Nations, and DFAT—on implementing adaptive management, portfolio-based theories of change, and strategic learning frameworks.

I hold a PhD from the University of Tampere and have published extensively on political economy, adaptive programming, and the use of evidence to influence public policy. My recent writing explores better support for strategic design and decision-making in complex environments.