Meet Dr. Matt Sommerville - ISL Board Member

Dr. Matt Sommerville is a behavioral economist and natural resource management expert, and former educator, based in Zambia since 2014. Matt works for Tetra Tech, a US-based consulting firm. He currently manages a global program for USAID that focuses on land and resource rights to promote economic growth as well as social and environmental sustainability across Zambia, Mozambique, Ghana, India, and Liberia. In Zambia, Matt works closely with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, as well as with traditional leaders. The work focuses on the role of mapping natural resources, and land rights to form the basis of negotiating mutually beneficial agreements between the state, communities, and investors. Based on this work, Matt brings financial and operations management and human resource experience to the ISL community. Previously, Matt taught natural sciences and environmental education at schools in the US and Switzerland, and was the Director of Hohliebi Programs AG, an American/Swiss boarding school, during an ownership transition. Based on this experience and continued involvement in an educational charity that supports three schools in Zambia, known as Teens to Africa, Matt brings an understanding of international school dynamics beyond Zambia. Matt has two children at ISL in Year 7 and Year 3. Matt enjoys playing squash and trying to find a musical instrument that he is naturally talented at. He grew up on the ocean, so he misses saltwater sports in Zambia.