Maria Olenina

Maria Olenina Email and Phone Number

Global Project Leader | Expertise in High-Impact Development Projects & Team Building @ TZcocoa
mbeya, mbeya, tanzania
Maria Olenina's Location
Argentina, Argentina
Maria Olenina's Contact Details

Maria Olenina work email

Maria Olenina personal email

About Maria Olenina

Mission-driven professional with 15+ years of experience managing high-impact projects in development and humanitarian contexts. With 8+ years in senior roles at ventures like BioLite, Easy Solar, and Warc Africa, I excel in leading cross-functional teams, securing funding (grants and debt), and delivering sustainable impact in emerging markets.I bring end-to-end expertise across the project lifecycle, from designing and funding projects to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. I thrive in dynamic, resource-constrained environments, having worked in 15+ countries and lived in eight.Recently, as Senior Business Development Manager at BioLite, I led a multi-country product launch, driving strategy and strategic partnerships. At Easy Solar, I built and coached a team to pilot and scale innovative products while securing $0.5m in grants and technical assistance. Previously, I managed donor-funded programs (USAID, EU, GIZ, FCDO, Irish Aid, BMGF, and others) in solar and agri-business sectors and value chains such as cocoa, fruit, rice and maize in West and East Africa.A former KPMG management consultant with an MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College, I am passionate about leading teams to deliver meaningful change in diverse, global settings.

Maria Olenina's Current Company Details
TZcocoa

Tzcocoa

View
Global Project Leader | Expertise in High-Impact Development Projects & Team Building
mbeya, mbeya, tanzania
Website:
tzcocoa.com
Employees:
1
Maria Olenina Work Experience Details
  • Tzcocoa
    Co-Founder
    Tzcocoa May 2016 - Present
    Kyela, Tanzania
    TZcocoa procures high quality fermented and dried cacao beans for chocolate-makers directly from self-organised farmer groups in the Mbeya region of Tanzania. We are the first and only organisation in Tanzania that helps smallholder cacao farmers market and trade internationally. Our mission is to promote and facilitate global market access to Tanzanian cocoa, whilst simultaneously helping some of the most vulnerable citizens, especially women. We provide the opportunity for farmer communities to earn higher incomes and improve their long-term livelihoods.
  • Biolite
    Senior Business Development Manager, Emerging Markets
    Biolite Feb 2023 - Jul 2024
    New York, United States
    Worked remotely with teams in New York (Product Development) and Nairobi (BD & support functions), with travel to markets such as Madagascar, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya. Reported directly to the VP of Business Development, Emerging Markets. Key responsibilities included:- Led BD efforts for the launch of a PAYG-enabled solar power station: developed the go-to-market strategy, engaged and negotiated partnerships across multiple markets, and defined product bundles with key partners.- Supported proposal writing for BioLite and distribution partners to secure funding (grant and debt), while strengthened partnerships and expanded the sales footprint.- Initiated pilots in Nigeria as part of the Green Genset Facility (FCDO, IKEA Foundation, GIZ, Carbon Trust, etc.); provided feedback on fund structure/ DD processes, vetted potential distributors, and connected them to the fund.- Contributed to industry forums and stakeholder groups on Productive Uses of Renewable Energy to accelerate new technology adoption through pilot funding and technical assistance, collaborated with GOGLA, CLASP, World Bank, USAID, SNV, and others.
  • Easy Solar
    Head Of Product Portfolio
    Easy Solar Aug 2020 - Jun 2022
    Freetown, Sierra Leone
    Responsible for developing energy, financial services and life-improving product offerings, from research and testing, to pilot stage, to support the commercialization of pilots into core operations. Achievements include:- Piloted & successfully commercialised first smartphones on credit in West Africa; - Introduced first solar freezers on pay-as-you-go, in partnership with Koolboks;- Researched into and tested submersible & surface solar water pumps;- Partnered with A2EI to understand the needs of target customers by installing smart meters in diesel/petrol generator users to collect data (load profile, energy consumption, power factor, frequency and fuel consumption) in order to pilot solar generators;- Applications for grants, due diligence and implementation; - Managed and coached a team of high-performing individuals in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
  • Capitol Foods
    Business Development Manager
    Capitol Foods Oct 2019 - Jul 2020
    Freetown, Sierra Leone
    Working closely with leadership, senior management and the Advisory Board to facilitate strategic initiatives, including:- Secured $1m debt financing to expand operations (Cordaid Investment Management and Hivos-Triodos Fund), oversaw due diligence process; - Established new systems to manage operations in a fast-paced growth environment; - Applied for and secured grant funding (FCDO).
  • Net Worth Fish Co.
    Business Planning Advisor
    Net Worth Fish Co. May 2019 - Oct 2019
    Sierra Leone
    The mission is to contribute towards a better food production system through sustainable aquaculture. Objectives include bridging the gap in Sierra Leone's protein consumption requirements and offering alternative employment to artisanal fishermen, who find it challenging to maintain profitability with the ocean's dwindling stocks.Achievements: - Wrote a business plan and pitch deck for establishing Sierra Leone's first offshore fish farm; - Gathered primary data by holding key stakeholder interviews across private and public sectors;- Connected project initiators with potential investors.
  • Warc Africa
    Head Of Projects
    Warc Africa Sep 2016 - Oct 2017
    Freetown, Sierra Leone
    - In charge of overall project strategic direction and implementation;- Led donor-funded and private-sector projects including USAID Feed the Future Activity, European Development Fund Boosting Agriculture for Food Security (BAFS), and FCDO Sierra Leone Opportunities for Business Action (SOBA), other;- Specific for USAID: Responsible for a $850k budget and coordinating a 20-person team in building a network of 3k farmers to increase production and productivity in rice and maize value chains by training on good agronomic practices, facilitating access to equipment and inputs.
  • Technoserve
    Technoserve Fellow
    Technoserve Aug 2015 - May 2016
    Tanzania (Dar Es Salaam / Kyela / Mbinga)
    Rated by ImpactMatters as the #1 nonprofit creating impact in the category of reducing poverty, TechnoServe leverages private enterprise to link people to new information, capital, and markets. I spearheaded two programs - Cocoa Quality and Market Access (funded by Irish Aid) and East Africa Coffee Initiative (funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation).Cocoa Quality and Market Access Program (August 2015 - May 2016, Kyela):- As the Market Systems and Facilitation lead, strengthened Tanzania's cocoa value chain by facilitating farmer access to inputs (fertilizer, tools, pest and disease management solutions), knowledge (training on good agricultural practices), finance and markets (linking to international and domestic buyers and financial institutions);- Supported the Government in adopting a National Cocoa Development Strategy;- Established MOU’s with new partners.East Africa Coffee Initiative Program (May 2016, Mbinga)- Conducted primary research for use in the program's final report and external marketing of TechnoServe's coffee work. Extensive field visits, individual and focus group interviews, data gathering, quantitative analysis and photography.
  • Worldeducation.Pl
    Co-Founder
    Worldeducation.Pl Jan 2010 - Dec 2015
    International
    Educational sector consultancy that focuses on improving information efficiency through better matching of families to schools. Advised dozens of families on the best schools to send their children to, focusing on boarding schools in Switzerland and Great Britain.
  • Synergy Efficiency Solutions
    Consultant
    Synergy Efficiency Solutions Nov 2014 - Dec 2014
    Denpasar Area, Bali, Indonesia
  • Global Mining Corporation
    Consultant
    Global Mining Corporation Oct 2014 - Nov 2014
    Papua New Guinea
    As a result of prior non-conformances, the organisation was at risk of losing their ISO14001 Environmental Management System accreditation. In a rapid turnaround, I streamlined inter-departmental communication and established new systems & processes to successfully pass the external audit.
  • Kpmg Management Consulting
    Consultant
    Kpmg Management Consulting Sep 2010 - Sep 2013
    London, United Kingdom
    Projects (across the United Kingdom, South Africa and Kenya): Strategy and operational cost efficiencies, project management and implementation, organisational design, other; Industries: Renewables, NGOs, oil&gas, Her Majesty’s Government, telecoms, other.Accolades received: Four ‘Encore Awards’ for exceptional client delivery, innovation and successful internal business development work.
  • 1Eat.Co.Uk
    Co-Founder
    1Eat.Co.Uk Mar 2009 - 2012
    London, United Kingdom
    Restaurant Discount Member Club. Established and managed relationships with 300+ restaurant owners in London. The membership base exceeded 10,000.
  • Bp
    Leadership Development Expedition To Antarctica - Sponsored By Bp And 2041.Org
    Bp Mar 2009 - Apr 2009
    Antarctica
    - Selected as one of 30 participants (+1000 applicants) to embark on a voyage of discovery and climate change- Worked alongside explorer Robert Swan, BP exec board and IPCC scientists to ideate practical solutions to help resolve climate change on a political, business and individual levels
  • Uk Green Building Council
    Summer Intern
    Uk Green Building Council Jul 2008 - Aug 2008
    London, United Kingdom

Maria Olenina Skills

Market Systems And Facilitation Market Systems Development International Aid Management Consulting Change Management Business Strategy Project Management Research Business Development Environmental Economics Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Policy Development Economics

Maria Olenina Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Maria Olenina

What company does Maria Olenina work for?

Maria Olenina works for Tzcocoa

What is Maria Olenina's role at the current company?

Maria Olenina's current role is Global Project Leader | Expertise in High-Impact Development Projects & Team Building.

What is Maria Olenina's email address?

Maria Olenina's email address is m_****@****ail.com

What schools did Maria Olenina attend?

Maria Olenina attended Imperial College London, University Of Warwick - Warwick Business School, The Heritage Private School.

What are some of Maria Olenina's interests?

Maria Olenina has interest in Economic Empowerment, Civil Rights And Social Action, Education, Environment, Poverty Alleviation, Science And Technology, Disaster And Humanitarian Relief.

What skills is Maria Olenina known for?

Maria Olenina has skills like Market Systems And Facilitation, Market Systems Development, International Aid, Management Consulting, Change Management, Business Strategy, Project Management, Research, Business Development, Environmental Economics, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Environmental Policy.

Not the Maria Olenina you were looking for?

Free Chrome Extension

Find emails, phones & company data instantly

Find verified emails from LinkedIn profiles
Get direct phone numbers & mobile contacts
Access company data & employee information
Works directly on LinkedIn - no copy/paste needed
Get Chrome Extension - Free

Aero Online

Your AI prospecting assistant

Download 750 million emails and 100 million phone numbers

Access emails and phone numbers of over 750 million business users. Instantly download verified profiles using 20+ filters, including location, job title, company, function, and industry.