Ciara Dalton is a Program Associate and Researcher at GRID Impact, specializing in women’s financial inclusion and economic equity. Her expertise spans both global and grassroots efforts—from evaluating government programs and financial policies to developing evidence-based tools that center the lived experiences of women and underserved communities.

With a background in public administration, psychology, and business, Ciara brings a multidisciplinary approach to advancing gender equity. Her work focuses on identifying and addressing systemic barriers that limit women’s access, usage, and agency of financial services. She has led large-scale evaluations, conducted gender-based financial research, and authored strategy and policy recommendations that inform national and global efforts to expand financial inclusion.

Prior to joining GRID, Ciara supported program improvement at the Government Accountability Office, where she conducted an analysis on healthcare access for civilians abroad. At Women’s World Banking, she analyzed global survey data and co-authored a policy diagnostic on the financial sector’s response to the intersection of women’s financial inclusion and climate change.

A passionate advocate for gender-based violence prevention, Ciara also led Title IX climate research that informed legislative recommendations to strengthen protections and expand support for survivors.

She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Psychology with a Business minor from Manhattan College.