Expertise

Expertise

Our Reach

Organizations & Businesses
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Countries
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U-M MBA Student Participants
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Overview

Our partners operate in low- and middle-income countries—and so do we. Our work focuses on developing, adapting and applying sound business principles in key sectors. With field-based experience and academic rigor, our teams understand the dynamic challenges facing global industries. We partner with both for-profit and nonprofit organizations to create stronger economies and healthier societies. Based at the University of Michigan, one of the country’s largest public research universities, WDI is uniquely positioned among independent nonprofits. By supporting student internships, action-based learning projects and other courses, we engage MBA students at U-M’s Ross School of Business to collaborate with key partners operating in low- and middle-income countries—turning challenges into opportunities.

Education

In an educational landscape that’s constantly changing, our work is driven by a simple vision: to create and disperse knowledge as part of a global conversation. We harness the latest thinking in education and business, and put it into action through world-class training programs.
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Energy

The global transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy is creating new market opportunities. We work with energy and mobility innovators and entrepreneurs to help them leverage this transition by developing and scaling profitable business models.
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Finance

Capital is the building block of any business, but many have difficulty accessing the capital needed to grow. This is particularly true for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which are responsible for 60 percent of employment in emerging economies, according to the World Bank. We explore financial mechanisms to lower the cost of capital for SMEs and other businesses.
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Healthcare

Working across the healthcare value chain, we help for-profit and non-profit organizations apply private sector thinking to a variety of challenges. Whether it’s maximizing vaccine coverage, improving access to specialty care, or securing access to reproductive health supplies—we assist these organizations to enter new markets, expand existing operations and improve their performance.
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Performance Measurement & Improvement

Organizations struggle to understand their economic, social, or environmental impact. Many collect too much, too little, or inaccurate data. We develop and implement holistic monitoring, evaluation and learning systems. Working closely with leaders at businesses and non-profits, we help them demonstrate their impact and value, while empowering decision-making.
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“The William Davidson Institute provides deep technical expertise, wisdom through experience, and the collaborative spirit essential to successful partnerships. My engagement with them not only strengthened the developmental evaluation, but the field's understanding of this work, and my own career and expertise. WDI puts quality, dedicated support, adaptability, and intentionality behind all their work, and I look forward to the next opportunity for us to work together.”
Rebecca HerringtonCEO at Headlight Consulting Services, LLP
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