Marika Olson Consulting

Marika Olson - A woman with short, curly brown hair smiling at the camera, dressed in a black blazer and red top, wearing silver earrings, against a gray background.

I work with mission-driven organizations and enterprises that need clarity, not only in how they present themselves, but in how their systems actually function. My background is in complex environments where ideas only matter if they can be carried out in practice. At the core of my approach is a commitment to clarity, efficiency, and meaningful impact.

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Background & Experience

I spent nearly two decades working in international development - 2 years in Peace Corps and over 15 years at USAID. I managed large, complex programs across four continents. My work has spanned sectors including agriculture, renewable energy, information technology, tourism, and institutional reform — often in environments where resources were constrained, stakes were high, and systems had to perform under real pressure.

Across these roles, I worked at the intersection of strategy and implementation: coordinating stakeholders, designing systems that could scale, and translating ambitious goals into operational reality. The throughline in that work was simple — clarity, structure, and follow-through matter.

Woman sitting at a desk, writing in a notebook with a pen, with a laptop open beside her.

How I Work Today

Today I’m bringing that international experience home to the Pacific Northwest. I want to continue to dedicate my work towards investments in building a better future for the communities here, and to keep the spirit of ‘From the American People’ alive.

I work remotely from my cabin in Hoodsport, WA, and am proud to serve enterprises and organizations across the Olympic Peninsula and beyond.

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Who I Work With

I primarily work with mission-driven organizations and enterprises, including nonprofits, public-interest initiatives, and purpose-led businesses. Many of my clients are at moments of change — growing, restructuring, or rethinking how their work is supported behind the scenes.

I’m a good fit for teams that value clarity, thoughtful decision-making, and systems that support people rather than getting in their way.

A woman with short, curly brown hair and earrings, smiling outdoors near a lake with trees and mountains in the background.

Outside of client work, I care deeply about thoughtful design, clear communication, and building systems that last.

If you’re exploring how to bring more clarity and coherence to your organization’s work, you can learn more about my services or reach out to start a conversation.

Services I Offer
Schedule a Discovery Call

Selected Credentials

Selected credentials reflecting formal training in systems analysis, organizational design, and implementation.

    • IBM Business Analyst

    • IBM Generative AI for Business Analysis

    • COR/AOR II (Contracting/Agreements Officer Representative)

      Federal Project Manager - Since 2008

    • IBM AI Product Manager

    • Google Project Management

    • Native English speaker

    • Proficient in French (FSI 3/3)

    • Basic Hausa (FSI 2+/1)

Sectors I’ve Supported

  • Renewable Energy

    Directed $85 million in clean-energy programs to modernize grids, expand solar and wind power, and attract the first U.S. DFC investments in Georgian renewables—560 MW of new production driving national energy independence.

  • Microenterprise Development

    Guided $70 million in post-conflict economic-recovery and small-business programs in Libya and Georgia. Mobilized $45 million in new finance for 3,400+ enterprises and helped create thousands of jobs for women and youth entrepreneurs.

  • Ecotourism & Sustainable Development

    Advanced nature-based tourism initiatives linking conservation, community livelihoods, and private investment. Designed programs that strengthened protected-area management and built local business capacity to capture eco-tourism revenue responsibly.

  • Agriculture & Food Security

    Managed $250 million in export-oriented agriculture programs in Afghanistan and Mali, doubling exports from $115 million to $278 million and building resilient, high-value value chains capable of sustaining rural employment and tax revenue.

  • Workforce Development

    Led industry-driven training programs connecting employers with skilled workers across tourism, service, and creative industries. Oversaw a $24 million workforce initiative that trained 3,600 Georgians and aligned national education systems with market demand.

  • IT & Digital Systems

    Bridged technology and development through data-driven design and digital transformation. Managed multi-million-dollar modernization projects that improved enterprise efficiency, cybersecurity, and analytics across complex programs. Hold multiple IT and AI certifications. Utilize Claude Code and Python-based automations to streamline workflows, enhance decision-making, and translate technical innovation into real-world impact.

  • Public Private Partnerships

    Pioneered whole-of-mission partnerships linking business investment with development goals. Directed 53 public-private collaborations that leveraged $28 million in private capital and integrated private-sector models across $113 million in new programs.

  • Climate Resilience

    Redesigned $85 million in economic-growth initiatives to embed climate adaptation and green finance, aligning national strategies with global climate commitments and positioning partner countries for sustainable growth.

  • International Lens

    Seventeen years of field leadership across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East inform every project I design. I translate complex global contexts into actionable strategies that balance policy goals, private investment, and local realities.

  • Public Sector Leadership

    Bridged policy and implementation by negotiating with governments and state agencies to deliver reform, resilience, and investment — from Libya’s economic reconstruction to Georgia’s energy transition