Our Leaders
Tamar Koosed
FOUNDER
Tamar founded Manaus in 2010 after graduating University of California San Diego with a Master’s in International Affairs. She has over a decade of experience in the ESG and International Development space and has led projects across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors leading to real, measurable, beneficiary-focused impact in gender equity, labor rights, worker well being, and financial inclusion. She is originally from Manaus, Brazil—a city that marked her upbringing and eventually inspired the firm’s founding.
Fun Fact: Tamar grew up dancing in Manaus’ famous opera house in the middle of the Amazon jungle. Today, her dance moves mostly serve to entertain her 3 sons and husband.
Bryn Philibert
CEO
Bryn is a passionate international development professional with over eight years of experience conducting and leading qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research projects around the world. Her focus areas include gender, diversity and inclusion, economic empowerment, financial inclusion, worker well-being, global supply chains, and human rights. Originally from Vermont, Bryn holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies with minors in gender studies and Spanish from Allegheny College, and a master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of California, San Diego. Outside of the US, Bryn has lived and worked in London, UK and Quito, Ecuador. In her time off, Bryn can be found hiking, camping, skiing, and backpacking in the mountains, or playing soccer, reading, or relaxing at home in San Diego..
Fun Fact: Bryn has an identical twin sister, named Anna, and is uniquely gifted at finding four-leafed clovers.