Tax Policy for Practitioners: Building Global Expertise and Networks

Building on the legacy of the Duke Center for International Development’s (DCID) long-running Tax Analysis and Revenue Forecasting (TARF) executive education program, the Tax Policy for Practitioners (TPP) program launched this past summer with a curriculum reflecting the evolving landscape of taxation.

Professor of the Practice Emeritus G.P. Shukla and Professor of the Practice Sebastian James designed the program to meet the demands arising from greater globalization and the digital economy. Over four weeks at the Sanford School of Public Policy, participants learned how to design tax policies to maximize revenue sustainably, estimate how tax policies impact different income groups, and evaluate the effectiveness of different tax policies.

Building Strategic Expertise

“What drew me specifically to the Tax Policy for Practitioners program was its comprehensive curriculum,” said Evelyn Parra, an extractive industries tax adviser. 

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Parra, who previously completed DCID’s Transfer Pricing, Policy and Practice, and Monitoring and Evaluation of Development Programs courses, added, “Once again, DCID delivered. The [TPP] course was packed with practical insights and tools for professionals working with ministries of finance, tax administrations and other institutions around the world.”

For Elizabeth Nanyangwe, an economist at Zambia’s Ministry of Finance and National Planning, the emphasis on strategic thinking and data-driven decisions stood out. “The program moved me beyond simply analyzing data to thinking about the ‘why’ behind every tax policy,” she said. 

Raymond "Mon" Abrea, chief tax advisor of the Asian Consulting Group, shared the program taught him to be more objective and strategic in how he approaches his work.

“After this program, I think I can speak more like an economist,” he reflected. “This program made me realize that maybe we're looking at the numbers too much and forgotten to ask the most important thing – are we collecting the right tax from the right people? If you want to make an impact, you need to make sure you are competent enough not just to do the number crunching, but to come up with a recommendation that is not self-motivated or personal, but something that will really help your country.”

A Global Learning Community

In addition to the modules, case studies and group projects, participants valued learning from the diverse perspectives and experiences within the cohort. 

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Participants came to Duke from Bangladesh, Eswatini, Liberia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Nepal, Rwanda, United Kingdom, United States, and Zambia, representing a variety of professional roles, including chief financial officer, senior policy analyst, economist, senior public sector specialist, deputy commissioner, senior revenue executive, and CEO.

“Seeing how different sectors approach similar tax policy challenges was incredibly enlightening,” Nanyangwe said. “It showed me that there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, especially when dealing with complex issues like tax expenditure analysis.”

Learning alongside tax administrators and policy experts gave Abrea, who works in the private sector, deeper insight into their roles and a new appreciation for policymakers. “I’ll be a better collaborator because of them,” he shared.

“The program provides a powerful combination of new knowledge, real-world application, and an invaluable network of peers. The network and friendships I've built are something I'll cherish long after the program is over.”

-Elizabeth Nanyangwe

A Look Inside TPP 2025

Participants engaged in four weeks of comprehensive sessions on tax policy analysis.

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Aayon Cruickshank, director of international trade relations at the Ministry of Finance and Planning of Jamaica, served as a guest instructor.

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Mon Abrea presented to his TPP cohort and professors.

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The TPP cohort represented a variety of professional roles, including CFO, CEO, senior policy analyst, economist, deputy commissioner, and senior revenue executive.

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