Meet our team

Dr. Jade Stinson serves as Co-founder and President at Vindara.

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. Eric Jackson serves Chief Technology Officer at Vindara.

Lee Palles is former fractional CFO for Benson Hill biosystems. Lee has been a C-Level executive in successful start-ups across the life science, high-tech, investment management, and alternative energy industries. These include some of the fastest growing firms in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, a region known for innovation and entrepreneurship.

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.

Dan Burdett is the former Head of Digital Agriculture of Syngenta and Head of Vegetable Seeds. Dan holds a BS in Agriculture from The Ohio State University. Dan is an experienced and successful manager in the agri-business sector with a passion for business development, new ventures, and the power of team momentum.

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.

Aneeta began her education in biotechnology and molecular bioscience at Rochester Institute of Technology where she earned her BS. The majority of her research experience was in wet-lab sciences, specifically molecular biology, microbiology and tissue culture. Observing the rapid growth of the tech field, after graduating she went on to transition into computing by pursuing her masters degree in bioinformatics at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC).

Aneeta recently completed her PhD in bioinformatics from UNCC. During her PhD program, her dissertation research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of essential oils and their impact on human health applications. She is passionate about designing projects that bridge wet-lab experiments with computational applications.

Alec Hopkins is the former R&D Manager responsible for General Mills' $1B North American Refrigerated Dough portfolio.

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.

Rusty is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a BS in Agricultural Business Management and a BS in Agricultural Sciences, with a concentration on Crops and Horticulture.

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.

Stef Landa is a Fractional Operations Director for multiple technology and service companies specializing in human resources and administrative project management.

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.

Dr. Athanasios Maroglou is a seasoned executive, well respected as a thoughtful leader with deep management experience with both large and small companies over his 35-year career.

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.

Jim Kirkwood recently retired as Chief Science and Technology Development Officer and VP of GTECH, General Mills’ Global Center for Technology Creation.

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.

Dr. Ricardo Hernández is an assistant professor at North Carolina State University focused on Controlled Environment Agriculture research and technology.

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.