She was the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration, serving as Obama’s Presidential Appointee from 2012-2017, 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; SCORE chapters; Business Development Centers and other resources while managing a field staff of loan, business, community outreach specialists and support personnel. An entrepreneur with more than 18 years of experience working with international, regional and local entities in Latin America, Central Europe and Asia. She has professional experience in entrepreneurship, blockchain, smart cities, finance, government contracting, international collaboration, commercialization of technologies, environmental planning, sustainable building, zoning, land use, mobility, public engagement and infrastructure development. She was appointed to the U.S. Innovation Advisory Board to advise Congress & the White House and to 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.
