Meet our team
Team
Dr. Kemble previously held a number of leadership roles for Syngenta including President of Syngenta Biotechnology Inc., Global Head of Crop Genetics Research and Global Head of Technology Strategy & Integration from 2002 retiring in 2012.
Prior to that, he held management positions at Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Allelix Crop Technologies and Allelix Inc. In parallel to his industrial career, he had an academic career as a professor at University of Toronto with an adjunct professorship at University of Waterloo, following work as an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University.
Post-doctoral research was performed at University of Florida and the Plant Breeding Institute, Cambridge, UK following a Ph.D. from King’s College, London.
Dr. Stinson’s previously served as Technology Management and Head of Global Operations for BASF’s Professional and Specialty Solutions business and as Chief Scientific Officer of the venture development group, AgTech Accelerator, where she sourced transformational technologies and provided scientific diligence for investments.
Dr. Stinson holds a Ph.D in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Manchester, UK. She also holds an MBA from Manchester Business School, UK, as well as an MS in Instrumentation and Analytical Science from UMIST, UK and a BS in Biomedical Science.
A former consultant with Deloitte, Lee brings more than 30 years of experience as a leader in high-growth environments, financial management, venture finance, M&A, systems consulting, and sales. In addition to his business management roles, Lee has been a community leader, donating time to his passions to foster entrepreneurship, and supporting positive self-image and development opportunities for youth.
His efforts include serving as a NC State Entrepreneurial Initiative advisor, director of athletics for the World Special Olympics Games, Parent-Teacher Association president, executive director of a nationally-ranked youth volleyball club, and guest lecturer at universities, including Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Rice University, and NC State.
Lee has a BSBA in accounting from Mississippi State University, a CPA license, Series 27, 7, and 63 Securities licenses.
He started his career managing retail outlets, helping his local growers improve their operations with the latest technologies. This grower-focus has helped him ensure customer value at every step along his journey.
Dan has led all aspects of agri-business including general management, business development, acquisitions, sales and marketing, agronomy and most recently digital agriculture. With excellent business performance, he has gained ever-increasing roles in the following markets: vegetable seeds, produce, corn and soybean seeds, crop protection and digital agriculture.
He brings 20+ years of CPG experience in R&D at General Mills, including leadership roles in the US and France. Highlights from his time there include the development and launch of Yoplait Greek 100 with $150M in Year 1 sales and leadership of global yogurt pipeline development.
Alec has successfully led teams to discover and deliver delightful products that have driven market results across technologies, businesses and consumer beliefs.
While completing his undergraduate degrees, Rusty supported several Ph.D. projects researching drought tolerance for corn, soybeans, and peanuts. Rusty is a problem solver, a team leader, and a passionate individual with a love for improving processes and increasing team efficiency.
Rusty is also a former professional film actor with more than ten years of experience, in addition to five years of experience in professional public speaking.
With over 20 years of experience, Stef leads multi-national back office operations including finance, legal, facilities management, human resources and administration.
Stef is experienced in merger and acquisition due diligence, IPO processes and enabling companies to transition from two to 200+ employees.
Directors
With over 25 years of experience, she has played key roles in corporate development, operations, and finance. She is a long-standing advocate for biomedical research and the advancement of global health.
His experience lies in building global supply chains, managing risk, logistics, industrial and value-added activities, and executing on strategy via acquisitions and partnerships on a global scale.
Dr. Stinson’s previously served as Technology Management and Head of Global Operations for BASF’s Professional and Specialty Solutions business and as Chief Scientific Officer of the venture development group, AgTech Accelerator, where she sourced transformational technologies and provided scientific diligence for investments.
Dr. Stinson holds a Ph.D in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Manchester, UK. She also holds an MBA from Manchester Business School, UK, as well as an MS in Instrumentation and Analytical Science from UMIST, UK and a BS in Biomedical Science.
Dr. Kemble previously held a number of leadership roles for Syngenta including President of Syngenta Biotechnology Inc., Global Head of Crop Genetics Research and Global Head of Technology Strategy & Integration from 2002 retiring in 2012.
Prior to that, he held management positions at Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Allelix Crop Technologies and Allelix Inc. In parallel to his industrial career, he had an academic career as a professor at University of Toronto with an adjunct professorship at University of Waterloo, following work as an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University.
Post-doctoral research was performed at University of Florida and the Plant Breeding Institute, Cambridge, UK following a Ph.D. from King’s College, London.
Scientific Advisors
Dr. Kemble previously held a number of leadership roles for Syngenta including President of Syngenta Biotechnology Inc., Global Head of Crop Genetics Research and Global Head of Technology Strategy & Integration from 2002 retiring in 2012.
Prior to that, he held management positions at Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Allelix Crop Technologies and Allelix Inc. In parallel to his industrial career, he had an academic career as a professor at University of Toronto with an adjunct professorship at University of Waterloo, following work as an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University.
Post-doctoral research was performed at University of Florida and the Plant Breeding Institute, Cambridge, UK following a Ph.D. from King’s College, London.
With over 25 years of experience, she has played key roles in corporate development, operations, and finance. She is a long-standing advocate for biomedical research and the advancement of global health.
He holds a PhD in Controlled Environment Plant Physiology, a MS in Integrated Pest Management and a BS in Agronomy Crop Consulting.
In addition to his appointment at the university, Ricardo is also a co-founder of two start-ups focused on the use of controlled environment technology and strategies to produce young plants.
Jim holds an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business as well as a BS in Chemical Engineering and Food Science from Purdue University.
He has enjoyed a successful food industry career spanning four decades across five major companies in R&D, innovation leadership, general management, consumer marketing, quality assurance and supply chain/sourcing technology.
Some of Jim’s biggest accomplishments include: the development and launch of innovative snack products at General Mills with a sustaining sales impact in excess of $1B; leading the $250M Kibbles n Bits pet food business; and leading the game-changing GTECH, enabling sustainable growth for all of General Mills’ global operating units with tech ranging from crop bio sciences to advanced packaging technology to maximizing consumer experience.
He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Birmingham (Birmingham, UK). Thanos has built high performance companies from start-up ventures, managing and co-founding multiple start-ups over the last 20 years with multiple profitable exits by IPO and M&A.
Thanos is a respected dealmaker, well-networked in the life sciences sector including high-level contacts in biotechnology companies, universities and the investment community.
Thanos has a successful track record in fundraising, business development, strategy development, negotiations, operations, manufacturing and project management.
Thanos has an established reputation with investors, executives, line staff and colleagues as a results-oriented leader.
Thanos has also published eleven papers based on graduate work in scientific journals and holds four patents. He is also fluent in English and Greek, and proficient in French, Spanish and Italian.
She is the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) & Director of Nutritional Psychiatry at MGH Academy while serving on the faculty at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Naidoo trained at the Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Training Program, and completed a consultation liaison fellowship at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Dr. Naidoo studied nutrition, and also graduated from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts as a professional chef. She was awarded her culinary school’s most coveted award, the MFK Fisher Award for Innovation.
Dr. Naidoo is regarded nationally and internationally as a pioneer in the field of nutritional psychiatry, having founded the first US hospital-based clinical service in this area. She is the author of the title, This is Your Brain on Food.
