Full Name
Christopher Olson
Job Title
Director, Trade and International Affairs
Company
City of Houston Mayor’s Office
Speaker Bio
Christopher was appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner in 2018 to serve as the Director for Trade and International Affairs for the City of Houston. Christopher lead’s Houston’s global engagement with foreign governments, global businesses, and international organizations, brining economic opportunity to Houston, and opening new business areas for Houston companies. In this role, Christopher also serves as the Executive Director of the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP), a network of 19 global cities fostering the world’s energy transition by facilitating international economic partnerships for member cities and municipalities around the world.
Cities are at the center of the energy transition, and Houston is home to many of the world’s largest energy companies that are leading initiatives to build a lower carbon energy future, developing the full range of energy sources to provide reliable and affordable energy to the world today and into tomorrow. Christopher is leveraging Houston’s leadership in energy and energy transition to create impactful public-private partnerships for sustainable development on a global scale through the Mayor’s office and WECP.
Prior to his appointment, Christopher held positions as a diplomat, business consultant, and military officer. With the U.S. Department of State, Christopher had diplomatic postings in the Balkans, South and Central Asia, and advised U.S. and international government and business executives on a range of energy, trade, and political issues.
As a business consultant in the private sector, Christopher advised companies on corporate market strategy, organizational structure, and business processes. During his military service Christopher was a U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer leading large, diverse, cross functional operational teams.
Christopher is a graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in history and political science and holds a master’s degree from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. Prior to joining the City of Houston, Christopher obtained an MBA with highest honors from Rice University Business School.
Cities are at the center of the energy transition, and Houston is home to many of the world’s largest energy companies that are leading initiatives to build a lower carbon energy future, developing the full range of energy sources to provide reliable and affordable energy to the world today and into tomorrow. Christopher is leveraging Houston’s leadership in energy and energy transition to create impactful public-private partnerships for sustainable development on a global scale through the Mayor’s office and WECP.
Prior to his appointment, Christopher held positions as a diplomat, business consultant, and military officer. With the U.S. Department of State, Christopher had diplomatic postings in the Balkans, South and Central Asia, and advised U.S. and international government and business executives on a range of energy, trade, and political issues.
As a business consultant in the private sector, Christopher advised companies on corporate market strategy, organizational structure, and business processes. During his military service Christopher was a U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer leading large, diverse, cross functional operational teams.
Christopher is a graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in history and political science and holds a master’s degree from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. Prior to joining the City of Houston, Christopher obtained an MBA with highest honors from Rice University Business School.
