Who We Are
Connecting knowledge, learning, and impact across the Mekong Region
Mekong Evaluators Institute (MEI) is a consulting, research, and learning firm rooted in Southeast Asia. We help organizations and networks generate credible evidence, strengthen accountability, and apply learning to real-world decisions.
Our work bridges global evaluation standards and local realities. We believe that lasting impact comes from context-driven solutions, grounded partnerships, and a commitment to learning as a continuous process.
MEI draws on the collective expertise of regional specialists, evaluators, and researchers who understand the complexity of development across the Mekong Region. Together, we design frameworks, assessments, and strategies that help our partners learn, adapt, and achieve meaningful change.
MEI is committed to promoting inclusive, equitable, and rights-based development in the Mekong Region. We collaborate with women, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and historically marginalized groups to ensure that their knowledge, lived experience, and priorities shape the evidence, learning, and strategies we help facilitate.
Leadership
Guiding MEI’s vision for learning, systems thinking, and regional collaboration.
Darren J. Daley, MPA
Founder & Principal Consultant
Meet Darren, our founder. He brings over 15 years of experience leading programs, evaluations, and strategic initiatives throughout the Mekong Region. His methodology integrates systems thinking, participatory design, and learning-focused evaluation to significantly enhance the effectiveness and accountability of development programs.
Prior to establishing MEI, Darren held senior leadership positions with international and regional organizations, where he championed cross-border learning, evaluation systems, and capacity building. He is deeply committed to fostering equitable partnerships and locally grounded approaches to evidence generation and impact assessment.
Advisory Board
Bringing together diverse expertise to guide MEI’s growth and direction.
MEI is establishing an Advisory Board composed of experienced professionals and thought leaders from across the Mekong Region and beyond. The Board will provide strategic insight, technical guidance, and perspective on emerging issues in evaluation, systems change, and sustainable development.
Our Network
Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do
MEI partners with a growing network of independent consultants, research specialists, and local organizations throughout the Mekong Region. This flexible, collaborative model allows us to assemble the right expertise for each assignment and ensure our work remains grounded in regional realities.
Our network includes experts in monitoring and evaluation, governance, environmental justice, human rights, and community-based research. Together, we combine local knowledge and technical rigor to deliver learning that informs action and drives progress.