Elizabeth Ruedy was appointed director of IRI's Office of Monitoring and Evaluation in September 2011.  She joined the office as senior advisor for evaluation shortly after its founding in 2009, where she promoted an evaluative approach that focuses on both accountability and learning, and developing the capacity of program staff and partners to utilize evaluative tools to inform program design and guide implementation. 

Ruedy has presented on IRI’s program-focused approach to monitoring and evaluation at the 2011 State Department Conference on Evaluation, and is currently teaching a graduate-level course on the subject at The George Washington University.

Ruedy first joined IRI in 2001 as part of the Institute’s Eurasia division.  As the DC-based program officer for Russia, Ruedy oversaw IRI’s day-to-day operations in the country in close cooperation with the Institute’s Moscow-based field staff.  She also advised Institute leadership on the ongoing development of IRI’s strategic approach to work in the Russian Federation, helping to ensure that IRI programs remained focused and relevant as the country underwent significant political change in 2003-2008. 

During her time at IRI, Ruedy has also contributed to IRI work in other countries, most notably participating in election observation missions to Ukraine (2002 and 2004), Georgia (2003), Bangladesh (2008) and Jordan (2010).

Ruedy holds a master’s in European and Eurasian studies from The George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary.