Director Innovatech
Christina Olsen is the Director of Innovatech, a pioneering initiative funded by IFAD (UN agency) and implemented by the German Sparkassenstiftung, designed to bridge the digital divide in rural communities. In her role, Christina leads efforts to connect tech startups with IFAD’s rural projects, specifically targeting smallholder farmers in Latin America and Bangladesh. These partnerships aim to address key challenges such as improving agricultural productivity, enhancing financial access, and opening new market opportunities for farmers, all while fostering innovation in traditionally underserved regions. Prior to moving to Latin America, Christina oversaw large-scale software implementations across Europe’s food and farming supply chains. She worked closely with supermarkets and food retailers to increase sustainability and reduce their carbon footprints, driving greater transparency and environmental responsibility within the industry. Christina holds a master’s degree in International Management from ISM Hamburg and UNITEC in New Zealand and brings a deep experience managing high-impact projects that focus on rural development and the adoption of transformative technologies to reduce inequality.