Employees
Ole M. Kolstad
CEO
Mobile: +47 948 61 306
E-mail: ole.kolstad@ru.no
Ole M Kolstad has a BSc in social sciences (specialising in international relations) from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and an MBA (specialising in strategy) from Nord University.
Annfrid Olsen
PROJECT MANAGER
Mobile: +47 907 53 322
E-mail: annfrid@ru.no
Annfrid Olsen has a Master of Business Economics from the Norwegian Business School in Bodø (HHB) and an MSc in organisation and social psychology from the London School of Economics (LSE).
Her specialisation is innovation and development, and she wrote dissertations on “Successful product design – a study of Ekornes” and “Cultural enablers and inhibitors to innovation”.
Olsen has broad experience of both advising companies and project management after 12 years with Rana Utvikling and three as a company adviser at Sparebanken Nord-Norge in Bodø.
At Rana Utvikling, she heads the business establishment service on behalf of Rana local authority. This service aims to strengthen and develop an entrepreneurial and innovative culture in Rana.
Olsen also leads the Væxt co-working space, the Inner Helgeland first-line network and the Helgeland Entrepreneur Week.
Fabian Amdal Åsland
PROJECT MANAGER
Mobile: +47 938 84 125
Email: fabian@ru.no
Fabian holds a master’s degree in Environment, Socioeconomics, and Human Relations, as well as a bachelor’s degree in International Relations – both from Spain. His master’s thesis focused primarily on the development of green cities in the EU and the EU’s role in green development.
Fabian has previous experience in innovation financing and project development from his time at Front Innovation, as well as experience from Rogaland County Municipality, where he worked with grant management and EU-related tasks.
At Rana Utvikling, Fabian will primarily work with Venture North but will also assist with other tasks as needed.
Kristin Frodahl Rognerud
PROJECT MANAGER
Mobile: +47 482 430 33
E-mail: kristin@ru.no
Kristin Frodahl Rognerud has an MSc in international environmental studies from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) as well as a BSc in international politics from the University of Bergen. She spent time in China studying Chinese society and politics. In addition, she has studied international environmental legislation at the University of Oslo.
Rognerud has experience from the Norwegian Coastal Administration, where she worked as an adviser at its emergency response centre. Her experience also includes communication work in the private sector.
At Rana Utvikling, she works primarily with Midtskandia (Nordic collaboration projects), Venture North and Freyr Battery.
Allan Berg
PROJECT MANAGER
Mobile: +47 979 85 865
E-mail: allan@ru.no
Allan Berg studied the environment and technology at Roskilde University in Denmark and political science at Nord University.
He has experience from earlier jobs related to local environmental management.
At Rana Utvikling, Berg works primarily on projects related to the green shift and sustainable development.
Reidar Ryssdal
PROJECT MANAGER
Mobile: +47 994 08 422
E-mail: reidar@ru.no
Reidar Ryssdal’s career includes 10 years as a political adviser in the Storting (parliament), covering transport and infrastructure, energy and the environment, industry, education and regional development. His work also included much contact with ministries and other national players.
He holds a degree in political science, economic history and media science.
At Rana Utvikling, Ryssdal serves as an infrastructure strategist. He is engaged by Polarsirkelen Lufthavnutvikling to support the realisation of a new airport, and also works on railway and port development. In addition, he deals with regional and inter-regional collaboration on transport solutions and planning processes.
He supports efforts to improve operating parameters for industry as well as the public and private sectors.
Ryssdal has also worked a good deal on planning processes, studies and analyses, political processes, government relations and marketing.
Petter Svendsen
PROJECT MANAGER
Mobile: +47 971 09 585
E-mail: petter.svendsen@ru.no
Petter holds a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, USA, and has broad experience from both the public and private sectors. He has, among other things, worked for several years at SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge as a financial advisor and as the group’s responsible manager for LO as a customer segment. In addition, he has experience as a senior consultant at the Norwegian National Collection Agency and as a Business Manager at Tietoevry.
At Rana Utvikling, Petter works as a project manager with responsibility for competence development and Campus Helgeland. The aim of the project is to further develop Campus Helgeland into an attractive place to study and to secure relevant educational programs that meet the region’s competence needs.
Maud Kristine Mjelle
PROJEKT MANAGER
Mobile: +47 416 09 561
E-mail: maud@ru.no
Maud holds a Master’s degree in Organization, Digitalization, Administration, and Work from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, where she wrote her thesis on the potential for learning and development in regional digitalization networks in Norway. Prior to this, she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Analysis at Nord University.
At Rana Utvikling, Maud works as a project manager, following up on the Thematic Plan for Business Development and our hosting project, Venture North.
Klaas Jan Jonkman
PROJECT MANAGER
MobilE: +47 922 83 765
E-mail: klaas@ru.no
Klaas has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, investor, and leader within tourism, real estate, and sustainable development. He has worked internationally in countries such as the Netherlands, Rwanda, and Norway, and has established and managed several companies focused on nature-based accommodation, local value creation, and sustainable experiences. He holds a bachelor’s degree in retail from Stenden University in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.
Klaas has particular expertise in the accommodation industry, sustainable certification, and experience-based tourism. He also has extensive experience in networking and collaboration with both public and private stakeholders—serving as an advisor, board member, and initiator. He is passionate about strengthening people’s connection to nature and sees tourism as an important tool for local community development.
At Rana Utvikling, Klaas leads the work on sustainable destination development and the creation of a comprehensive tourism strategy for the region. He works to strengthen collaboration between tourism actors and to professionalize the field through concrete initiatives, courses, and certification processes. The goal is to make Mo i Rana and the Helgeland region an even more attractive destination—both for visitors and for those who live here.
Klaas har særlig kompetanse innen overnattings bransjen, bærekraftig sertifisering og opplevelsesbasert turisme. Han har også lang erfaring med nettverksbygging og samarbeid med offentlige og private aktører – både som rådgiver, styremedlem og initiativtaker. Han brenner for å koble mennesker sterkere til naturen, og ser reiselivet som et viktig verktøy for lokal samfunnsutvikling.
I Rana Utvikling leder Klaas arbeidet med bærekraftig reisemål og utviklingen av en helhetlig reiselivsstrategi for regionen. Han jobber for å styrke samarbeidet mellom reiselivsaktører, og for å profesjonalisere feltet gjennom konkrete tiltak, kurs og sertifiseringsprosesser. Målet er å gjøre Mo i Rana og Helgeland til en enda mer attraktiv destinasjon – både for tilreisende og for de som bor her.
Iselin Breirem
PROJECT MANAGER
Mobile: +47 478 46 127
E-mail: Iselin.breirem@ru.no
Iselin has a master’s degree in society planning and cultural understanding from Tromsø University. She wrote her bachelor’s thesis on youth’s affiliation with Rana and the master’s thesis on place identity in Træna.
Iselin has experience from larger citizen participation projects in Lillestrøm municipality, among others the city development plan of Lillestrøm city as well as other regulation plan’s within the municipality.
In Rana Utvikling Iselin works as a project manager for reputation and attractiveness. The project sets out to position Mo i Rana as an attractive place to live. She is responsible for making a strategy and efforts that strengthens the municipalities reputation.
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PROJECT MANAGER
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