Bio

Empowering People, Building Smart & Healthy Cities & Regions Creating Resilient Infrastructure by Maximizing Innovative Technologies, Empowering Entrepreneurs For the Greater Good. Splitting my time between Bay Area SF & Barcelona, Spain. - A serial entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience working with international, regional and local entities in the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia. She is the Government & Institutions Director at Plug and Play and has professional experience in operations, venture capital, digital transformation, blockchain, smart cities, finance, government contracting, international diplomacy, commercialization of technologies, environmental planning, sustainable building, land use, mobility, public engagement and infrastructure development. - She was the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration, serving as Obama’s Presidential Appointee from 2010-2017, responsible for delivery and management of small business programs, development initiatives and financial assistance & lending, throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Olson-Urtecho oversaw 180 SBA offices; Business Development Centers and other resources while managing a field staff of finance, business, and community outreach specialists. - She worked with local lenders and successful firms across the region, overseeing more than $34 billion yearly in federal government contracts. Managed the region’s loan program supporting $8 billion in small business loans and $2 billion in grants. - She was appointed to the U.S. Innovation Advisory Board to advise Congress & the White House on competitiveness and innovation. - She served on the Philadelphia City Planning Commission and Zoning Code Commission boards. - Recognized as a “Latina Powerhouse” in Maryland, one of Delaware Valley's (NJ, PA, DE) Most Influential Latinos, Business Journal’s Minority Business Leader Awardee and receiving the Women of Distinction Award for her work in growing the green economy and sustainable infrastructure. - A triathlete who has climbed Kilimanjaro, Everest, Machu Picchu, loves scuba diving & hiking with her Australian Shepherd. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.''