Dr. Keri Carstens: Blending Science Into Business

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

Dr. Keri Carstens is Chief Executive Officer for Jord BioScience, a leading global provider of novel microbial technology solutions to agriculture products companies. Keri grew up on a farm, continues to farm, and has devoted her career to delivering safe, sustainable solutions that benefit farmers globally. 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 Treated Seed 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, pesticides, and seed technology 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 farm outside of Ames, IA.

In this enlightening episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast, host Mark Jewell engages with Keri Carstens of Jord BioScience in a conversation filled with insights on purpose-driven leadership, team building, and creating a resilient, adaptable culture within a rapidly transforming agribusiness landscape. The dialog explores how Carstens’s unique blend of scientific expertise and business acumen shapes the strategies and ethos of Jord BioScience.

Keri Carstens lays out her philosophy as a leader, emphasizing the importance of understanding the company's mission, fostering high-functioning teams, and consistently aligning daily operations with core values. She brings to light her journey from environmental scientist to CEO, illustrating her belief in taking calculated risks and making data-driven decisions. The discussion delves into the nuances of cultivating a startup environment that encourages ownership mindset, fostering transparency, and measuring culture as intentionally as business strategy.

Key Takeaways:

• Intentional leadership entails being purpose-driven, with a clear understanding of why individuals and teams show up to work every day.
• Building a resilient team is crucial for startups; hiring for passion, curiosity, and the ability to adapt to constant change is key.
• Culture should be actively measured and managed, similar to any other business strategy, with defined metrics for assessment.
• Carstens articulates the importance of hiring individuals who can embrace change and find opportunities in challenges, contributing to a positive work environment.
• Developing an 'owner mindset' among employees is pivotal, fostering a sense of personal accountability and shared successes within the company.

Notable Quotes:

• "Being intentional as a leader, it's being purpose-driven. Why are we here? Do we all know why we show up at work every day?"
• "I'm a believer that things happen for a reason. There is a reason that I'm in this seat, that you are in your seat."
• "What you are measuring is what you will deliver on.”
• “If you say you care about being results-driven or having transparent communication with employees, whatever those core values are… then what does that look like and how are you going to measure that? What does culture look like now versus 1 or 2 years from now, as we grow?”
• "Positivity is contagious. So thinking about how you use that with your team, it doesn't mean everything's always sunshine and roses… But things happen for a reason, how do you find the silver lining…how do you learn or adapt? That will always serve you well."
• "Whether it's negativity or positivity, both are contagious. Choosing to focus on, and surround yourself with, people and things you can make positive and keep positive, that’s what you should spend your energy on.”

Tune in to the full episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast featuring Keri Carstens for a deeper dive into purposeful leadership, fostering a resilient team culture, and the joys and challenges of steering a startup in the dynamic agribusiness sector. Stay connected for more thought-provoking episodes that empower and inspire agribusiness professionals.