Dr. Keri Carstens

Dr. Keri Carstens is CEO for Jord BioScience, a leading global provider of novel microbial technology solutions to agriculture companies. Keri grew up on a farm, continues to farm, and has devoted her career to delivering safe, sustainable solutions that benefit farmers globally. Under her direction, Jord has expanded its product development space and throughput to serve its growing list of clients, secured investment and revenue to scale, and Jord was awarded the Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award. Prior to Jord, Keri spent 14 years at Corteva Agriscience, where she led global regulatory strategy, served on the leadership team to build and launch Corteva’s seed applied technologies and biologicals businesses, and held key roles in regulatory science and program management. In 2019 she was recognized as a Laureate in Corteva’s R&D organization, one of the company’s highest honors for scientists. She is a recognized industry leader, having served as Chair of the American Seed Trade Association’s Seed Treatment & Environment Committee, and served in steering roles for the Honey Bee Health Coalition and Entomological Society of America. In addition, Keri holds adjunct graduate faculty status at Iowa State University, where she mentors graduate students and co-teaches in regulatory toxicology and pesticides courses. Keri earned her B.A. in Biology and Education from Wartburg College, and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Toxicology and Entomology from Iowa State University. She and her family enjoy their small farm that includes row crops and pollinator habitat outside of Ames, IA.