Erika Balzarelli is the Managing Director of The Sustainable Smallholder, a pioneering consulting firm that drives sustainable transition pathways in agriculture. With over 20 years of experience in the private sector, NGOs, and government, Erika is recognized for her expertise in sustainable and regenerative agriculture, venture building, and food security across Europe, Asia, the USA, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa.In 2022-23, Erika served as Vice President at Olam Ventures, where she developed innovative ventures at the intersection of agriculture, technology, and sustainability. She advises several start-ups, including for EIT Food, AgriG8, and Sustainable Growers, supporting their mission to empower smallholder farmers through sustainable business models. As Asia's Program Director for Sustainable Rice at Corteva Agriscience, she led the strategic transformation of the company’s rice business, positioning it as a leader in sustainable rice production and reaching thousands of smallholder farmers with cutting-edge solutions.Erika’s career includes leadership roles as Marketing & Strategy Director at Nufarm, Senior Strategy Consultant at Dalberg, and Global Marketing Manager at Syngenta, where she was honored with the Syngenta Purpose Award for the innovative GroMore Rice project. She has driven high-impact initiatives in diverse settings, from managing market systems and stakeholder engagement in Ethiopia to directing marketing strategies across Europe.She holds an MBA from the University of Groningen and an MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Erika is known for her strategic insights and dedication to sustainable development. She frequently shares her expertise at international conferences, publishes in peer-reviewed journals, and provides thought leadership that shapes the future of sustainable agriculture.