Leaders on a Mission

In todays episode I am joined by Tom Adams, CEO and Co-Founder of Pairwise Plants, a company using gene editing technologies to  innovate and create a new category of more convenient, and more enticing fruits and vegetables.  Tom reflects on his early love of science, and his career at Monsanto, and his work with gene editing, and gene expression systems. Tom talks about his mission  and vision in...

In today’s episode I am joined by Aidan Connolly, CEO, Author, investor, and Agribusiness thought leader. Aidan reflects on his early influences, that helped shape his interest in business, travel, and his desire to operate outside of his comfort zone. He reflects on the importance of mentorship, and how a belief and support in him, helped him prosper during his early career. He spoke about the sc...

In todays episode I am joined by Eric Steen, Biotechnology entrepreneur, and CEO of Lygos, an innovative biotechnology company, creating healthy and sustainable chemicals. Eric reflects on his upbringing, and the influence of his parents in creating a foundation and set of principles based upon reusing natural resources and sustainability. Eric talks about the time at UC Berkeley, and leveraging t...

In todays episode I am joined by Andy Ziolkowski, one of the early pioneers of venture investment within the AgriFoodTech markets. Andy shares the early influence and the core foundation of hard-working values through the influence of his family immigration to America. Andy outlines the epiphany that started him in a career in venture investing, the importance of connections and meetings that open...

In todays episode I am joined by Nabil Sakkab, a thought leader of the open innovation movement, to create disruptive business. Nabil shares his early life experiences, and the impact of war, that had him living in 3 continents by the age of 21. Nabil talks about how a famous film, inspired his life’s work, and passion for science led innovation. He reflects on his career with P&G highlighting...

In todays episode I am joined by Carlos Barroso, a leader in the commercialization of new  innovation, and technology within the food and beverage consumer markets. We explore Carlos’ early influences and his love of combining the science of food, with the art of making food taste great. We explore his career, and talk through some of the innovations that he helped bring into the market. He shared...

In todays episode I am joined by biotechnology visionary and entrepreneur, Josh Silverman.  We spoke about his love of science, and how his early experience with the early adoption of DNA and protein modification technologies, shaped his passion for high growth entrepreneurialism. He spoke about his experience working within drug development, and particularly around developing novel protein molecu...

In today’s episode I am joined by Adrian Percy, a leader and strong proponent of the development and adoption of new science and technology that support global food security, whilst conversing the environment. Adrian shared the key influences of his upbringing, and how he stumbled into the agriculture industry, growing into a lifelong passion for the industry. He spoke about his journey from a nar...

In todays episode I am joined by Jack Bobo, food futurist, and expert on the global trends in agriculture. We explore the profound affect that working in Gabon with the US peace Corps, shaped his personal calling of   de-escalating tensions across our food system, helping us unite and create a healthier world. He speaks about the importance of global agriculture on big issues such as climate chang...

In todays episode I was joined by Ganesh Kishore, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Spruce Capital Partners, thought leaders, investors and innovators across the Synthetic Biology, and Agrifood Technology. We explored his upbringing, and his insatiable curiosity, which led to him being schooled at the age of 3. We spoke about his love of nature, biochemistry and biology, and his career across foo...

 In todays episode I am joined by Doug Cameron, Board Advisor, Inventor, and Biotechnology thought leader. We explore Doug’s early influences, his early love of science, growing up with a zest for life in a supportive family environment. We explored his first job working at an early stage AgriTech start up, that really cemented his love and passion for entrepreneurship and the possibility and prom...

In todays episode I am joined by Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, an innovative carbon recycling technology company turning waste emissions into valuable products, pioneering the advance in the circular carbon economy.  We explore Jennifer’s early influences, particularly how the space programme captured her imagination and set her on the path for a career in science. She speaks about her work...

In todays episode I am joined by serial entrepreneur, Jonathan Wolfson, CEO of Ingenuity Brands, an innovative food company developing a new generation of enhanced nutritional food products that support brain nutrition and development. We explore Jonathan’s early influences, and his journey as an early biotechnology pioneer, where he led organisations that were using algae as a feedstock to replac...

In todays episode I am joined by Jim Flatt, CEO and Co-founder of Brightseed, a company with a revolutionary science and technology platform, enabling the discovery and commercialization of novel plant compounds that support health and nutrition. Jim talks about the influence growing up in San Francisco and his early love of computer science. He talks about the importance and influence of his key...

In todays episode I am joined by serial entrepreneur Alan Hahn, CEO of Mycotechnology, an innovative food ingredients company leveraging the power of mushroom technology to bring about a new generation of sustainable, great tasting and healthy food ingredients. Alan talks about his love of science and experimentation and how he was heavily influenced  by his father, who  was textile chemist.  Alan...

In todays episode, I was joined by Pam Marrone, a thought leader in regenerative agriculture and a true entrepreneur having founded 2 pioneering technology companies, one leading to a successful exit and the other to an IPO. We explore Pam’s early influences, and trace her love of agriculture back to experiences as a young girl helping her parents with organic gardening, and how even over the shel...

In todays episode I was joined by Jon McIntyre, CEO of Motif Food Works, a venture backed ingredient innovation company dedicated to reshaping the landscape of food using cutting edge science and technology. Jon talks about his early influences, his love of food, sport and science. We explore how he moved from the pharma world where he was working with specific metabolic disorders, into the world...

In todays episode I was joined by Philippe Lavielle, Chairman and CEO of Fermentalg, a French based biotechnology company creating innovative ingredients and solutions for the health and nutrition industry. Philippe discusses how he came across opportunities within industrial biotechnology in the late 80’s, and how this led to him forming and leading a Joint Venture, utilising novel technologies t...

In todays episode I was joined by Patrice Selles, CEO of Biotalys, an innovative Biotech based out of Ghent, Belgium, developing sustainable novel crop protection solutions that are better for the planet. Patrice talks about his early passion for science, and the reasons why he moved from drug discovery to more industrial applications, and how he was seduced by the opportunity for innovation and i...

In todays episode I was joined by Jordi Ferre, CEO of Agrofresh, a US publicly listed mission driven organization deploying cutting edge technology to reduce food waste by extending shelf life for the most common fruits and vegetables we consume.  Jordi talks about the challenges and unexpected positives of the recent lockdown and how this has enabled him to spend more time with his family, and lo...

In todays episode I was joined by Dexter Paine III, Chairman and Co-founder of Paine Schwartz + Co, a preeminent Private Equity firm investing in sustainable food and Agriculture systems.  Dexter manages to combine the love of his day job with that of an avid sports and ski enthusiast, serving as chairman of the US Winter Olympics governing body. He talks of his passion for the sport and how he ef...

I launched the leaders on a mission podcast to share the inspiration and journey of leaders, who are creating impact and  contribution to humanity by creating a healthier world. In today’s episode I was joined by Charlie Dimmler, CEO and Co-founder of Checkerspot, an innovative high performance materials company using biotechnology to create sustainable and performance enhancing materials. Charlie...

I launched the leaders on a mission podcast to share the inspiration and journey of leaders, who are creating impact and contribution to humanity by creating a healthier world. In today’s episode I was joined by Rick Greubel to launch our first leaders on a mission podcast.  Rick is testament to good guys do win, with his warm, engaging, and down to earth approach. He has a unique background, havi...