b'TOP MANAGEMENT MAVERICKS OF NORTH AMERICAUNITED STATESKERI CARSTENSCEO, Jord BioScience MIKE DILLION Vice President, Corteva Oilseeds PortfolioAttributes:Innovative, Empathetic,Attributes:Customer-focused, Visionary, Decisive, Inclusive Inclusive, Forward-looking, Transparent, IntegrityNominators said:Keris leadership drives transformative change. She leadsNominators said:Mike leads in a way innovative practices and technologies,that upskills his entire team, always managing significant cultural shifts anddoes whats right and he genuinely cares implementing sustainable growth and competitive advantageabout the wellbeing of all. He commits to customer satisfac-strategies. She champions open communication, continu- tion, ethical leadership and team development. When intro-ous learning and professional development, She is committedducing new ideas, he takes the time to explain the why. He is to diversity and sustainability. Keri takes calculated risks torespectful, inclusive and transparent. He connects with individ-accelerate success. She prioritizes a highly collaborative workinguals at all levels. Mike is a servant leader who is known as The environment.Bean Guy who works with The Fun Crop. Mike ensures that new team members understand their value to customers. More About Keri:She prioritizes safe, globally sustainableHe leads thought-provoking discussions with integrity, seeking solutions for farmers. Before Jord, Keri led global regulatorydiverse perspectives and input. He directed the strategy for the strategy for Corteva Agriscience. She served on the leader- launch of the top soybean HT trait in the United States.ship team for seed-applied technologies and biologicals with key roles in regulatory science and program management.More About Mike:He works closely with commercial regional She mentors Iowa State University (ISU) graduate studentsbusiness teams, prioritizes research and development for germ-and co-teaches regulatory toxicology and pesticides courses.plasm and traits and dabbles in supply production/supply chain Keri earned a bachelors degree in biology and education fromcoordination. Mike earned a bachelors degree in agricultural Wartburg College, and a masters and Ph.D. in toxicology andstudies and a masters agriculture. Before joining Pioneer, Mike entomology from ISU. She and her family enjoy their smallwas an agronomy salesman, managed a multi-site retail ferti-farm. lizer facility, and served as a U.S. Army Infantry officer.NATHEN DEPPEGeneral Manager, Incotec MIKE GRAHAMHead of Breeding, Bayer Crop Science DivisionAttributes:Engaging, Compassionate,Attributes:Transformational, Enabling, Trailblazing, Encouraging Empathetic, Committed, Resilient, Compassionate, InspiringNominators said:Nathen is a leader with a non-traditional approach thatNominators said:Mikes commit-unites people around the company mis- ment to people consistently focuses on sion. His rallies and engages employeesunlocking maximum potential. He is to foster a cohesive and motivated workforce. Nathen bringsa humble and empathetic leader who encourages innovative positivity into every situation and ensures that everyone feelsthinking. He is passionate about people-centric strategies. Mike part of the greater mission. He keeps morale high and keepssets strategy by starting with a clear vision, mission and North employees productive and focused on success. He makesStar objectives. His high energy and speed are contagious. employees feel valued and motivated. Nathens unique leader- Mikes Team of Teams culture globally connects teams with ship style allows him to lead at a high level while also delvinga shared purpose, radically increasing diversity in gender, skills into the details. He provides tailored feedback and resources. and talents. He reads and researches new ways of working and challenges the organization to think differently and more crea-More about Nathen:He sets strategy for the Incotec Northtively about solving key challenges.America team. He also provides insights for Croda North America. A third-generation farmer, Nathen watched his fatherMore about Mike:He oversees Bayers plant genetics and adopt new technologies and practices that support conserva- breeding program, leading a global team to develop seeds with tion without sacrificing farm profitability. He dedicates his lifebetter genetics for farmers. Mike joined Bayer in 2018 after 25 and career to agriculture. He grew up on a farm and studiedyears at Monsanto. He earned a bachelors degree in agronomy agriculture at Iowa State University. He enjoys collaborating onfrom the University of Minnesota, a masters degree in plant seed innovations to feed a growing population. Nathen enjoysbreeding from the University of Delaware and a PhD in plant family times gardening, raising livestock, swimming, fishingbreeding from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.and hunting.6 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA SEPTEMBER 2024'