Vonnie Estes
Mentor

VP of Technology at the Produce Marketing Association

Vonnie has been an independent business consultant, guiding global clients to develop and implement strategies to commercialize and realize value from new technologies and other innovations. Vonnie previously held technology leadership roles at prominent companies including DuPont, Monsanto and Syngenta, as well as for small start-ups and venture funds. She served as vice president of business development for Caribou Biosciences, a biotechnology company specializing in CRISPR Cas9 genome engineering. A recognized leader in her field, she is frequently sought out as a speaker and is extensively published. Vonnie earned a bachelor of science degree in horticulture from New Mexico State University and a master of science degree in plant pathology from University of California, Davis. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization awarded her with the fourth annual Rosalind Franklin Award for Leadership in Industrial Biotechnology in 2017. That award recognizes women who make lasting contributions in the field of biotechnology; while overlooked at the time, the landmark work of the award’s namesake Rosalind Park allowed the biotechnology industry to become what it is today.