Rosa Akbari
Technical Advisor

Rosa Akbari is an independent consultant working on digitalization within humanitarian contexts, with a special focus on cash transfers. Rosa has worked at the intersection of humanitarian response and technology since 2009, having previously worked for Mercy Corps, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), World Food Programme (WFP), Dimagi, and the public sector. She currently advises donors, implementers, service providers, and research on topics ranging from payments, data management, and interoperability in complex operating contexts, for crisis affected populations.

In 2012, Rosa conducted independent research piloting SMS-based feedback loops in the Western Sahara refugee camps as an inaugural grantee of UNOCHA’s Humanitarian Futures programme. Her career began, however, as a civilian research assistant at the Naval Postgraduate School, supporting field experiments and cross-industry collaborations for humanitarian assistance & disaster relief - including deployment for the 2010 Haitian Earthquake response.

Outside of work, Rosa supports Omgyno, a Healthtech startup, and enjoys uncovering her next favourite taverna.