Janina is the founder of Bridging Gaps, a nonprofit that is helping facilitate microloans and entrepreneurial training within underserved communities primarily in Africa and Latin America, with the goal to expand across the global south. Janina also leads the Innovation Lab at the World Food Forum (WFF), an independent, youth-led global network of partners facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Over the last few years Janina has worked with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), The Hunger Project, and Thought For Food, among others. She has also consulted with private sector organizations on building sustainability strategies and facilitating their partnerships with nonprofits. As a food systems consultant Janina has worked with local communities to strengthen their food security, using methods such as human-centered design, systems practice, and storytelling.
In 2022 she founded Bridging Gaps, to empower locals without access to financial markets gain microloans in order to get sustainable projects started in areas where they are needed the most. Janina sees Bridging Gaps as an innovative approach towards reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals, namely Zero Poverty and Zero Hunger. Janina is also the Co-Lead of the Food Systems Circle hosted by Amani SIM Fellows. She holds a Master’s degree in Development Economics and International Studies, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and a postgraduate degree in Social Innovation Management.
Janina’s vision is to build a future with healthy and affordable food for everyone in the world. Contact her to collaborate on innovative projects and co-create an improved food system.