Dr. Linet Arisa (she/her) is a Senior Research Scientist, Women & Youth Economic Opportunity & Security portfolio, based out of the ICRW-Africa office. She leads in proposal development, research design, quality control and implementation. With over a decade of experience spanning the financial sector, academia, and development, Dr. Arisa specializes in micro-econometric research methods and collaborative, interdisciplinary research. She has led and designed research on forced displacement, financial inclusion, maternal health, gender and youth employment. Her primary focus is on improving the livelihoods of young people and women through action research, capacity building and advocating for robust projects that promote youth and women’s economic empowerment. In her current role at ICRW, she oversees the Women and Youth Economic Opportunity and Security program, leading research design, the dissemination of evidence, and policy advocacy across Africa. Dr. Arisa is also a highly engaged member of the academic and policy community, holding membership in the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the Innovation for African Universities Community of Practice. Furthermore, she contributes to scholarly work as an Editor for the Wellbeing, Space and Society Journal. Prior to joining ICRW, Dr. Arisa worked in critical roles at the Kenya National Assembly, Youth Enterprise Development Fund Board, focusing on enterprise development, market support and linkages, credit management, research, and policy analysis. Her experience also includes business development at the Kenya Women Finance Trust, education and research at institutions including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya Methodist University, and The University of the Witwatersrand. She has also served as a peer reviewer and consultant in financial inclusion research for key institutions such as the Central Bank of Kenya and Financial Sector Deepening Kenya (FSD Kenya).