Jennifer Sleboda

Consultant , International Development

Washington, DC, United States

SENIOR STRATEGIST & ADVISOR—BUDGET ADVOCACY & PUBLIC FINANCE. Trusted practitioner working at the intersection of public finance, governance, and budget advocacy. Insightful, authentic strategist with expertise shaping initiatives that strengthen and create more equitable public finance systems, expand participation, and improve government accountability for resource allocation and expenditure.

Contact Jennifer Sleboda
Area of Expertise:
  • Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
  • Government, Governance, Reforms
  • Health, Doctors, Nurses, HIV/AIDS
  • Social, Education, Gender, Youth, Child
  • Trade, Finance, Economics, Cooperation, Global
Professional Experience:

I’ve spent my career at the intersection of public finance, governance, and equity-focused budget advocacy. In practice, that means examining how governments in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) allocate and spend limited public resources—and how civil society and communities can engage in those processes.
At its core, my work is about making people and systems more effective and equitable.
Much of this happens behind the scenes. I help CSOs engage governments constructively by clarifying information, strengthening evidence, and supporting partners as they adapt advocacy strategies within complex political and institutional environments.
I draw on advanced education in women’s and gender studies, which informs my emphasis on gender-responsive budgeting and fiscal justice in public finance. This lens shapes how I approach budget advocacy—asking not only where resources go, but whose priorities are reflected in those allocations.
I’ve designed and led multi-country initiatives across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, collaborating with civil society, governments, research institutions, and technical partners to address budget and financing priorities tied to health and social systems. I’ve facilitated efforts to open up budget processes, align evidence with advocacy strategy, and uncover inequities in public investment decisions.
Most recently, I’ve directed budget advocacy and domestic resource mobilization for civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems. This has involved bringing together technical analysis, relationship-building, and political awareness to support CRVS financing efforts from the ground up. Gender equity and fiscal justice considerations were central to this work, as persistent data gaps disproportionately affect women—especially in rural and under-resourced settings where health and vital events often go unrecorded. Making these gaps visible helps surface underlying disparities, driving more informed, equitable public health investment.
Earlier roles at organizations such as Population Action International (PAI) and the International Budget Partnership (IBP) deepened my expertise in budget analysis, accountability, and capacity strengthening across diverse country contexts. At PAI, my background and interest in gender equity and my expertise in public finance converged when I worked on family planning budget advocacy with partners in seven African countries.
I’m currently seeking opportunities to deepen this focus on gender-responsive budget advocacy and fiscal justice, where public finance is a key lever for improving health outcomes, equity, and the quality of people’s lives.

Education:

MA in Women’s and Gender Studies | The George Washington University, Washington, DC. Field Research in Kuala Lumpur; Cotlow Award for Research in Anthropology.
BA in Comparative Cultures, Minor in French | Hood College, Frederick, MD; Completed one year in France.

Affiliations and Achievements:

Selected Trainings & Professional Development:
Expert Facilitators Training (Global Health Advocacy Incubator)
Designing Learning-Centered Conferences (Global Learning Partners)
Tax Seminar (Jean Ross Policy Research & Strategy)
Situational French (Alliance Française)
Advanced Budgeting & Public Finance (London School of Economics & International Budget Partnership)

Board Member, Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (UUCA): 2025-present
Board Member, Hemophilia Association of the Capital Area (HACA): 2018-2024

Available for:

  • Consulting assignments
  • Job opportunities
  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

More than 20 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, French, Swahili

Nationality:

United States

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