Rebecca Savoie has over 25 years of experience in international agriculture and agribusiness development.

She believes in the transformative power of ownership and is a superfan of the cooperative business model.  Dr. Savoie has lived in Tanzania, Uganda, Liberia, and Egypt, and supported projects, training, coaching, and research in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the US. She is a champion of women and youth inclusion with a focus on navigating pathways and strengthening networks for women leaders.  She is a skilled communicator and has fostered successful partnership with everyone from farmers to ministers.  

Before joining OCDC, Rebecca consulted on projects for non-profit, for-profit, and government clients on apex organization financing, internet of things and cooperative management, cooperative policy and legal framework review and revision, cooperative learning events/series, and economic empowerment of women in sub-Saharan Africa. She’s worked with several international development organizations as a technical advisor, and most recently with a focus on innovation and business development.  A lifelong learner, she completed her PhD in 2018 writing about social capital benefits of membership in vertically integrated dairy cooperatives in Kenya.  She and her daughter live in Minnesota.  

---