IDH welcomes new Executive Board member Olga Petryniak
We're pleased to share that starting August 10, 2026, Olga Petryniak joins IDH's leadership as Chief Program Officer (CPO).
Olga has twenty years of international leadership experience advancing market systems development, climate change adaptation, sustainable food systems, and inclusive economic development across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Throughout her career, she has led large-scale program portfolios, policy initiatives, and multi-stakeholder partnerships focused on sustainability and resilience, championing private sector engagement and convening, systems-strengthening, and evidence-based approaches to drive results. Having lived and worked across Africa and Asia for over 15 years, Olga brings a deep appreciation for how local knowledge, local partnerships, and context underpin regional and global systems change.
On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I am pleased to welcome Olga to IDH's Executive Board. Her extensive international leadership experience and her commitment to agrifood systems strengthening and inclusive economic development align closely with IDH's mission. We look forward to her contribution as IDH continues to unlock the full potential of agricultural markets to create lasting, shared value.
Olga joins IDH from Mercy Corps, where she held senior global and regional leadership roles overseeing organisational strategy, program delivery, and technical leadership. She is recognised for translating strategy into high-impact delivery, leading large-scale investment portfolios, and fostering a positive team culture that delivers measurable impact.
Olga brings a strong combination of strategic vision and delivery experience that will benefit IDH as we continue to grow our impact. Her substantial understanding of the regions in which we operate, together with her experience convening the private sector around shared goals, will strengthen our leadership team considerably. I look forward working with her to scale our contribution to impact.
Olga's appointment comes at a pivotal time for IDH, as the organisation continues to strengthen its leadership team in support of its long-term strategy. As Chief Program Officer, Olga will play a central role in shaping IDH's program strategy and ensuring that our work continues to deliver measurable, lasting impact for the people and places we serve.
What excites me most about joining IDH is its distinctive ability to bring together businesses, governments, financial institutions, and producers to transform markets for lasting economic, social, and environmental impact. At a time when addressing the interconnected challenges of poverty, food insecurity, climate change, and nature loss calls for fresh, bold, and cost-effective approaches, I believe IDH is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of sustainable trade and agriculture.
I look forward to working with colleagues across our countries and global teams to strengthen public-private partnerships, accelerate innovation, and advance evidence-based solutions that drive systems change at scale.
About IDH
IDH unlocks the full potential of agricultural markets to address complex social and environmental challenges. Drawing on nearly two decades of trusted experience, we turn market insight and practical expertise into solutions anchored in sourcing practices, partnerships, and investment decisions.
We help build systems that endure beyond our contribution, resulting in value chains that generate shared value for all.