Stepnex Corporation, a minority-owned small business based in Virginia, USA, is a leading provider of specialized solutions in governance, stabilization, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and capacity building for international development initiatives. With a deep understanding of diverse global contexts, Stepnex brings decades of collective expertise in strengthening public institutions, promoting transparency, and enhancing community resilience.
Our governance solutions empower governments and civil society organizations to improve service delivery, combat corruption, and promote inclusive decision-making. In fragile and conflict-affected regions, Stepnex focuses on restoring essential services, rebuilding social cohesion, and empowering local communities to lead their own recovery efforts.
Stepnex's M&E frameworks deliver rigorous, evidence-based assessments that guide adaptive programming, ensuring maximum impact. Our capacity building approach prioritizes sustainable, locally-driven development, partnering with governments, NGOs, and communities to build the skills, systems, and structures necessary for long-term success.
Grounded in technical expertise and a commitment to transformative change, Stepnex remains dedicated to its mission of strengthening governance, fostering stability, and building lasting institutional capacities to support sustainable human development worldwide.
Our Team
Arif Khan is a seasoned project management professional with over 22 years of experience in both public and corporate sectors across the United States and various conflict zones worldwide. His expertise lies in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), having led the design and implementation of M&E systems for significant international projects, including a $750 million USAID initiative in Pakistan and 18 national ICT projects totaling over $36.5 million.
As the founder of Stepnex, an M&E firm, Arif successfully expanded the company to $2.4 million in revenue and a team of 100 full-time staff. He has provided training in project management and M&E to more than 350 government officers and has served as a key consultant on projects funded by the World Bank and DFID. Arif holds an MBA from Boston University and has completed semester-long courses at Harvard and MIT. He is fluent in English, Urdu, and Pashto, and has held U.S. federal security clearance.
Mohammad Altaf Afridi is an accomplished development professional with over two decades of experience leading stabilization and development programs in conflict-affected and unstable regions. His career highlights include managing one of USAID’s largest stabilization programs, valued at over a billion dollars, focused on designing and implementing initiatives in security-challenged areas. Afridi has held key roles at prestigious organizations such as the Asian Development Bank and UNDP, where he specialized in governance, economic growth, and capacity building.
Throughout his career, Afridi has successfully managed multi-million-dollar projects across Pakistan, particularly in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) regions. His deep expertise in stabilization, policy reform, and strategic government relations has consistently driven sustainable development initiatives.
Afridi holds an M.Phil in Development Studies from the University of Sussex, combining a solid academic foundation with extensive field experience. He is fluent in English, Urdu, and Pashto, and has demonstrated strong leadership in working with diverse stakeholders, navigating complex political environments, and delivering impactful reform programs.
Sher Shah Farooq is an accomplished IT professional with over 20 years of experience specializing in the intersection of technology and international development. His career spans diverse regions, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Thailand, and the United States. With a BS in Information Technology focused on System Development and Security, Farooq applies his strong technical foundation to address complex challenges in international development contexts.
As an Information Systems Management Specialist at USAID, Farooq has successfully managed large-scale, multi-million-dollar projects, leveraging his expertise in information security, network administration, GIS/MIS development, and VOIP systems. His ability to deploy cutting-edge technological solutions has played a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of development programs. Notably, Farooq’s work as a Security Analyst for the President of Pakistan further underscores his high-level proficiency in cybersecurity.
Certified as a CEH and holding multiple international certifications, Farooq has a track record of implementing scalable IT solutions for governments and international agencies. His unique blend of IT expertise and deep understanding of global development challenges makes him a valuable asset in driving technological innovation within the international development sector