Mascha Middelbeek

Mascha Middelbeek has a diverse work experience in the field of agribusiness and international development. Mascha is currently working as the Program Director Value Chain Transformation at IDH, where they oversee various projects related to value chain transformation. Prior to this, they worked as a Farmfit Business Support - Managing TA facility at IDH and as a Senior TA Advisor at the same organization.

Before joining IDH, Mascha was the owner and Agribusiness advisor at Middelbeek Consult, a consultancy specializing in agri- and inclusive business, sustainable sourcing, cooperative and organizational development, and corporate social responsibility. Mascha'smain area of expertise at Middelbeek Consult was cooperatives and farmer organizations. Mascha also worked as an Associate Consultant at SCOPEinsight.

Earlier in their career, Mascha worked as a Country Manager & Agribusiness advisor at Agriterra, where they supported cooperatives and unions in Ethiopia in implementing their business ambitions and acquiring loans. Mascha also worked as a Business Advisor in Agriterra's Agribusiness team, where they advised agricultural cooperatives on becoming bankable and achieving their business goals. Additionally, they served as a Business Advisor in East Africa, working with farmer organizations and cooperatives to strengthen their organization and improve service provision to members.

Mascha's work experience also includes roles as an Advisor at Mtandao wa Vikundi vya Wakulima Tanzania (MVIWATA), a Consultant in the Sustainability unit at Schuttelaar & Partners, a Consultant at AEDES (Asociación Especializada para el Desarrollo Sostenible), and a Trainee at Friends of the Earth International. Throughout their career, they have gained expertise in areas such as cooperative governance, farmer organization development, value chain development, sustainable agriculture, and corporate social responsibility.

Mascha Middelbeek has an extensive education history. In 2001, they obtained an MSc in Biology from Wageningen University & Research. Mascha continued their studies at the same institution and earned another MSc in Tourism, Leisure, and Environment in 2007. Furthermore, in 2012, Mascha pursued an MBA at Nyenrode Business University, specializing in Module Cooperatives and Entrepreneurship.

Mascha has attended various training courses as well. In 2011, they completed a course at the International Training Centre of ILO on managing agricultural cooperatives. Additionally, they participated in a course on Business Development Services offered by the same institution in 2010. Mascha also took a module on Management and Finance II at HAN University of Applied Sciences in 2011.

Moreover, they have obtained a certification in Social Impact Strategy: Tools for Entrepreneurs and Innovators from Coursera in 2017.