Experience

InnoVenture Iowa

• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Manager Director

  • Aug 2022 - Present

  One of the best crops to grow in Iowa is innovation. InnoVenture Iowa (innoventureiowa.com) catalyzes this growth through targeted co-investments in research-driven startup companies with big aspirations right here in Iowa. The InnoVenture Iowa Fund is the State of Iowa's $30M co-investment fund designed to support early-stage startup companies in bioscience, advanced manufacturing, and information technology. One of the best crops to grow in Iowa is innovation. InnoVenture Iowa (innoventureiowa.com) catalyzes this growth through targeted co-investments in research-driven startup companies with big aspirations right here in Iowa. The InnoVenture Iowa Fund is the State of Iowa's $30M co-investment fund designed to support early-stage startup companies in bioscience, advanced manufacturing, and information technology.



BioConnect Iowa

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• President & Chief Executive Officer

  • Dec 2021 - Present

  My state is home to world-class researchers and innovators in bioscience fields such as bioproducts, crop and animal genetics, and human and animal health. BioConnect Iowa's mission is to provide bioscience pioneers and entrepreneurs the services, networks, connections, information, and even capital they need to develop and commercialize their innovative ideas and technologies, and to create a homegrown bioscience industry second to none. BioConnect Iowa serves as a public/private catalyst and coordinating hub for development of Iowa's bioscience sector by partnering with Iowa’s research institutions, bioscience companies, entrepreneurs, investors and government. Through the America's Seed Fund (Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Outreach Program - www.sbir.gov), the Iowa G2M Accelerator (www.iowag2m.org), High Tech Connect (hightechconnectiowa.org) and InnoVenture Iowa (innoventureiowa.com), a new venture capital co-investment fund, the talented and experienced BioConnect Iowa team and partners provide guidance and make the connections necessary to advance innovation and startup opportunity in Iowa across four targeted platforms - biobased products and chemicals, precision and digital agriculture, vaccines and immunotherapeutics and medical technologies & devices. We move ideas forward. Show less



Genus PLC

• United Kingdom
• Biotechnology Research
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Sr. Director, Global R&D External Affairs

  • Aug 2020 - Dec 2021

  Accountable for stewarding Genus’ R&D global advocacy and research and development technology acceptance efforts through a proactive, disciplined and coordinated value-proposition with those Genus chooses to partner and work. This strategic external affairs approach involved collaborating with agriculture, technology, food industry, other constituent and advocacy organizations and governments globally, including partnerships, public affairs (legislative, political, government, regulatory, industry and academic), external communication, events and other relationship building activities. A critical responsibility was to develop, direct and coordinate Genus’ R&D technology platform acceptance strategy, including gene editing, ensuring global stakeholders trust Genus’ technology program, and proactively work with like-minded companies and coalitions supporting emerging agriculture technologies and innovation. Show less

• Global Director Regulatory & Government Affairs

  • Jun 2017 - Aug 2020

  Accountable for developing and implementing the global regulatory and policy strategy for products developed through Genus' gene editing platform leading to rapid development of improved animal breeds as part of a sustainable global food system. The primary focus was direclty engaging and collaborating with business leaders, policy-making bodies, global regulatory agencies and industry associations to support global regulatory market access for Genus plc products. A key priority was interacting with internal commercial and cross-functional teams to ensure proposed regulatory strategies, and risk and mitigation plans were aligned with business needs. Show less



Sagacitas Partners LLC

• Des Moines, Iowa Area

• Managing Partner

  • Apr 2016 - Jun 2017

  Provide strategic consulting in business development, strategic and operational planning, global corporate, public and regulatory affairs engagement, sales and marketing and customer service operations, and business productivity solutions. Provide strategic consulting in business development, strategic and operational planning, global corporate, public and regulatory affairs engagement, sales and marketing and customer service operations, and business productivity solutions.



DuPont Pioneer

• Global Director - Business and Biotechology Affairs

  • Feb 2014 - Mar 2016

  I worked with a seasoned team of leaders with diverse skills, expertise, strategic networks and experiences. Our focus analyzed and anticipated external trends, and then designed strategies to leverage our strong relationships across global agriculture value chains to articulate, collaborate and execute programs to positively impact Pioneer's long-term business growth.Our successful approach was grounded in being a thought leader and a credible partner with key audiences – particularly our customer and industry organizations, business partners, key influencers and non-governmental organizations, and regulatory and policy makers where we do business -- to build the broad understanding and create the conditions necessary to advance our shared business development and public policy, political, social and cultural interests. Areas of responsibility in this external-focused responsibility included industry and biotechnology affairs, sustainable agriculture systems, sustainable agriculture development, and corporate and community affairs and philanthropy efforts. Show less

• Director, Biotechnology Affairs and Registration - The Americas

  • May 2012 - Jun 2014

  This team successfully delivered -- when they said they would (and in some cases, well ahead of schedule) -- critical cultivation and import regulatory approvals for Pioneer brand products sold throughout North and South America. The team's focus and efforts were in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, and during this time led the industry in delivering product registration and regulatory approvals.As leader of this team, my responsibilities included ensuring alignment, proactive communication and full transparency between our commercial business and enterprise operations, as well as planning and directing long-term strategy, engagement approaches and programs with key government, regulatory agencies, regional trade associations and other critical stakeholders for regulatory success. Show less

• Director, Biotechnology Affairs and Industry Relations

  • Jun 2009 - May 2012

  In this role I was the global leader for planning and directing policy and industry relations programs and activities to achieve regulatory and Pioneer business objectives. I was asked to re-organize and rebuild this function, and within 2 years the new team built and rebuilt relationships, and successfully delivered several major policy victories through our enhanced engagement and collaboration approaches. My responsibilities also included monitoring and advising on trends in global agriculture and biotechnology policy, and serving as senior corporate spokesperson on policy matters. Show less

• Sr. Manager, North America Sales Operations & Six Sigma Champion

  • Mar 2005 - Jun 2009

  I led Pioneer's North America Customer and Sales Services (C&SS) group and business productivity team. The C&SS team delivers world-class support for Pioneer's customers, independent sales representatives, and retail locations, and the Business Improvement team provides process management and improvement support for business-critical projects delivering both top-line and bottom-line growth, product quality, and process effectiveness and efficiency. The C&SS team was a significant turnaround success. Through a restructure of the organization, operations, systems, and management communications, within a year employee surveys showed a triple-digit percentage improvement in job satisfaction, enthusiasm, communication and collaboration from the levels before I assumed responsibility for the team. Show less

• Manager, Customer and Sales Services (C&SS)

  • Nov 2003 - Mar 2005

• Six Sigma Master Black Belt & Black Belt - North America Sales and Marketing

  • Jan 2000 - Nov 2003

• Federal Government Relations Manager

  • Nov 1995 - Dec 1999



USDA

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Special Assistant - Office of the Secretary and Farm Service Agency

  • Feb 1993 - Nov 1995



U.S. House of Representatives

• United States
• Legislative Offices
• 700 & Above Employee

• Legislative Aide & Director - Congressman Dave Nagle

  • Jan 1987 - Jan 1993