PRESS RELEASE: Ag Entrepreneur Pam Marrone to Moderate Ag Innovations Panel at WIA Summit 2025

ORLANDO, July 17, 2025 – The cream of the ag biologicals crop will be at this fall’s 14th annual Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit, joining the Ag Innovations Panel, which will moderated by renowned industry entrepreneur Dr. Pam Marrone.

With a focus on how biotechnology is reshaping agricultural solutions through breakthrough pest management, microbes to enhance plant health or new enzyme discovery, this critical session promises to pique curiosity and leave attendees in awe of the research and discovery undertaken by these extraordinary women advancing agriculture.

Pam Marrone, WIAS Ag Innovations Panel Moderator

This entrepreneurial spirit is highlighted by the session lead: Dr. Pam Marrone, who has spent over 30 years pioneering biological products for pest management and plant health. Dr. Marrone founded and led three bioag companies – Entotech, AgraQuest and Marrone Bio Innovations – and is now on her fourth venture, Invasive Species Corporation. Dr. Marrone is an advisor to multiple agtech startups, a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), a 2024 National Academy of Engineering electee, a 2025 inductee into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and holds over 400 patents. (See this video interview with Dr. Marrone for more details).

Joining Dr. Marrone on the 2025 WIA Summit Ag Innovations Panel are:

Dr. Fatma Kaplan, CEO & Co-founder, Pheronym, Inc.

Dr. Fatma Kaplan is an entrepreneur and accomplished scientist who co-founded Pheronym to bring nematode pheromone technology to the market with the goal of providing effective, non-toxic pest control for farmers and gardeners. She also has been a scientist with the USDA, NASA and the National Magnetic Field Laboratory.

Dr. Linda Kinkel, Founder and Chief Science Officer, Jord BioScience

Dr. Linda Kinkel spent over 30 years as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota, where she led pioneering research on the role of microbes in enhancing plant health and productivity. With a goal of translating her decades of academic discovery into practical solutions, she founded Jord BioScience. The company collaborates closely with industry partners, leveraging a proprietary library of over 6,500 microbial isolates to identify and optimize Jord partner microbes.

Marta Ortega-Valle, Co-Founder & CSO, GreenLight Biosciences

Marta Ortega-Valle oversees the sustainability efforts of this leading Boston-based ag biotech company, which focuses on creating RNA at scale for alternative solutions in agriculture – from protecting honeybees to providing chemical-free pesticide options – and operates the world’s largest RNA factory in Rochester, N.Y. Previously, Ortega-Valle worked with Kodiak Venture Partners and Accenture, respectively. She participates in MIT’s innovation Teams and is a board member at GaneshaLab.

Dr. Debbie Yaver, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, Nature's Fynd

Dr. Debbie Yaver’s expertise is in enzyme discovery, protein engineering and microbial engineering for protein and chemical production. She has led cross-sector collaborations spanning industry, academia, government and non-profits, and taught a graduate seminar in industrial biotechnology at UC Davis for 15 years. She remains active in scientific leadership and on scientific boards and was honored in 2014 with the inaugural Rosalind Franklin Award for Leadership in Industrial Biotechnology.

See the agenda to view the more than 55 speakers, as well as numerous special activities, planned for the 2025 WIA Summit, which will take place in Orlando, Florida, September 22-24.

Learn more about Women in Agribusiness initiatives, including the annual Summit, student scholarships, WIA membership, career connector and more at www.womeninag.com.

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About Women in Agribusiness

Women in Agribusiness, an Arc company, is the foremost organization dedicated to leading the growth in global female agribusiness leadership with a platform that encourages collaboration for innovation and development. Its renowned annual Women in Agribusiness Summit, now in its 14th year, serves as a vital platform for women to network with professionals across the agriculture value chain, build business relationships, learn from esteemed thought leaders and stay informed on key commercial topics in agribusiness. Follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. www.womeninag.com.