The Future We Grow

Taylor is the founder of Sacred Seed, who’s mission is to increase education and awareness around indigenous environmentalism. He is currently the professor of Business Administration in Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Creighton University. He holds a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College as well as a Master's of Business Administration and Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University, where he served as a Fellow in the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development.

Terri is the Director for Education & Workforce Development for the NC Plant Sciences Initiative. She is a NC native with a passion for plants, holds a Ph.D. in molecular genetics from the University of Georgia, and has made it her mission to inspire others to harness the power of plants by creating programs that elevate student experiences and expand understanding of plant science.

Irving Rivera's entrepreneurial journey began in 2015 when he co-founded a pioneering biofertilizer company, leveraging cutting-edge agricultural residue fermentation techniques. Fueled by a deep understanding of the agricultural sector and a keen awareness of food production challenges, in 2017, he shifted his focus to a paramount issue: the health of agricultural soils.



Irving has since served as a bridge, uniting the various stakeholders along the food production chain, harnessing the power of soil and its microbiome as a unifying force. His remarkable contributions have earned recognition from esteemed sources, including Forbes Mexico's "30 Under 30" and MIT Technology Review's "Innovator Under 35." Irving's insights into soil conservation have led to collaborations with tech giants like Apple, Google, and SAP.



Solena Ag's revolutionary products and technologies have cemented strong partnerships with leaders in the food production industry, including major food companies and input suppliers.

Today, Solena Ag stands as a pivotal force, leading the charge in utilizing the soil microbiome to drive efficient and sustainable food production across the Americas.

Dawn Riley has over 20 years of experience working in the government and public service arena at the local, state and federal levels specifically focused on agriculture. She regularly collaborates on projects related to emerging trends in agricultural policy, agricultural development strategies and best practices in farming and agribusiness. In 2005 Ms. Riley founded her own government relations firm, Dawn Riley Consulting.

Since returning to Kentucky in 2005, Dawn has been very involved in providing leadership to the local food arena, and was a founding member of Louisville’s Food Policy Committee. Ms. Riley continues to maintain her networks across the country and internationally, as an invited participant in many national agricultural policy forums such as the US Water Alliance, AGREE and the Farm Foundation to name a few. Ms. Riley grew up on a farm in central Kentucky, where she is still active in managing a family-owned farm supply business.

Maggie is the Founder and Executive Director of A Place at the Table, Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can nonprofit cafe. She graduated from NC State University in 2013 and began working for a nonprofit with people experiencing homelessness. By befriending many people living on the margins, she saw the challenges of food insecurity as well as providing dignity to those in need. In February 2015, A Place at the Table was born and Maggie never looked back. Opening in January of 2018, Table has served thousands of people in Raleigh with a dignified and an affordable meal, together. Maggie has a heart to serve, a desire to always be inclusive, and a passion for loving people.

Matthew is the founder and CEO of Transcend. Their mission is to help people cultivate a healthier relationship with their own mortality by reconnecting them to the Earth. Transcend is reforesting the world by planting people and pets as trees when they die. Every Tree Burial creates a healthier foundation for all life on Earth.

Michelle is an Alumni Distinguished Undergrad. Professor of Agroecology at NC State. Since 2004, she has established the Agroecology program She developed new agroecology courses, an undergraduate Agroecology Minor program, and the Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems B.S. major. She is now the Director at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) at NC State, where she leads the renowned Sustainable Agriculture Internship program.

Charlie has overseen more than $2.1 billion in farmland acquisitions, midstream assets and ag-tech investments across a multitude of geographies and crop types. He grew up working for his family’s farming businesses, including L. Harvey Farm and Harvey’s Falling Creek Produce Company, which were founded in 1871 and where he focused on both row and permanent crops. Charlie began his career as an analyst in Morgan Stanley’s New York City real estate division where he focused on principal investments, mergers and acquisitions, and REIT advisory work.

Charlie was a Morehead Scholar and Phi Beta Kappa at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he played on two Final Four basketball teams for Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith. Charlie serves on the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Board of Visitors and previously served on the Board of Directors of the UNC General Alumni Association. Charlie received his MBA from Harvard University.