Learn from a Local: Carola Dowd, PhD, MBA – Senior Director Research Ops

About Our Speaker: Carola Dowd, PhD, MBA

Carola Dowd is a seasoned professional with expertise in scientific research, research operations, and business development across non-profit, academia, and early-stage companies. She has a proven track record in managing cross-functional teams, building strategic partnerships, and implementing operational systems, with experience overseeing projects from start to finish. Carola holds a Ph.D. in Plant Sciences from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA from Washington University, with published work in prestigious journals and a passion for the innovation community.

About GreenVenus, LLC

GreenVenus, LLC is transforming agriculture with next-generation plant propagation and speed breeding technologies to improve food quality, reduce waste, and conserve resources. We collaborate with breeders, growers, processors, and retailers to deliver innovative solutions for sustainable food production. Specializing in specialty crops like lettuce, yellow peas, avocado, and grapes, we use non-GMO methods to produce high-value, long-shelf crops for a healthier future.

About The Series: Learn From a Local

Learn from a Local is an on-going speaker series hosted by AgStart, a non-profit organization supporting entrepreneurs advancing innovation in agriculture and food technology (AgriFoodTech). Typically on the 1st Thursday evening of every month, AgStart hosts a local speaker from the AgriFoodTech sector to speak on a topic relevant to our entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our goal is to offer a space to connect with local individuals and learn from leaders in our local AgriFoodTech sector on topics relevant to our AgStart community. Events take place in our AgStart Event Center: 1100 Main St., Suite 170, Woodland, CA 95695. An approximate event agenda is detailed below.

L earn more at www.agstart.org