Expertise

Mission

“We help our business partners improve their performance and business results, make their business processes more efficient, and develop and use the potential of both individuals and teams.”

KNO employs comprehensive, systematic approaches to project preparation, implementation, and evaluation, customizing services to client needs. We emphasize recent trends in performance improvement and human capital development, drawing on experience with major international funders including the World Bank, USAID, and the European Commission.

Principals

M. Mari Novak

With 40+ years of experience across 40+ countries, Mari Novak specializes in organizational diagnostics and performance assessment. Her background spans kinetic physiology research, community organizing, and organization development. She co-founded KNO in Texas during the early 1980s and led the company’s relocation to Prague in 1990 to support reforms in transitional societies. She introduced Human Performance Technology methods to international development work.

LinkedIn Profile

Steven J. Kelly

Steven Kelly brings over 40 years of strategy and business performance experience across production, financial, energy, and retail sectors. He has worked in 30 countries on government reform, education, agriculture, finance, and health. Previous clients include General Motors, Bechtel, Kimberly-Clark, and Nestlé. He holds certifications as Performance Expert and Kirkpatrick Training Evaluator, plus a Master’s degree in Human Relations/Management.

LinkedIn Profile

Team & Network

KNO maintains a network of specialists with 15+ years’ experience across 5+ countries, assembled for specific projects to build long-term relationships.

Partnerships & Certifications

Performance Assessment and Analysis (PAAx) — Joint program with Institute for Needs Assessment and Evaluation (IFNAE)

Performance-Driven Project Management (PDPM) — Collaboration with Ensemble Management Consultants