Donna R. Henderson, Ph.D
Yuma,United States
Summary
Plant science and pathology leader with 10+ years of experience in crop innovation, regenerative agriculture, and global R&D, including 4 years in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. Skilled in integrated pest management (IPM), maximum residue limit (MRL) compliance, phenotyping, plant breeding, seed selection, plant physiology, and sustainable farming systems.
Proven success supporting backward integration and supply chain resilience projects such as the Mars–12Tree cocoa partnership in Colombia and Ecuador, where I co-developed best practices for high-productivity systems and designed tailored IPM programs for local teams across equatorial regions. Experienced in digital transformation, building research operations databases that connect field, greenhouse, and lab data, and partnering with industry collaborators to apply predictive models that identify new cropping regions based on weather and disease risk. Recognized for forging strong research and industry partnerships, securing external funding, and communicating agricultural innovation strategies that strengthen supply chains and deliver long-term business growth.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Global Portfolio Development Manager
Gowan Company
Yuma, United States
10.2024 - Current
- Led the digital transformation of global R&D programs, building research operations databases that connected field, greenhouse, and laboratory data to improve trial efficiency and regulatory compliance.
- Established partnerships with industry collaborators to apply predictive models for identifying new cropping locations based on weather patterns, disease risk, and yield potential.
- Partnered with agronomists, regulatory teams, and external research institutes to integrate IPM, phenotyping, and MRL compliance frameworks into research operations.
- Coordinated cross-regional agricultural projects, aligning diverse stakeholders on crop innovation strategies and enabling sustainable production practices.
- Applied human-centered design to improve adoption of digital tools, enhance user experience, and empower cross-functional teams with experiential learning in AI and technology strategy.
- Delivered measurable ROI by driving data strategy and technology adoption that improved research workflows, accelerated decision-making, and supported global business development.
Global Business Development Manager
Gowan Company
United States
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Transformed market white spaces into growth opportunities within the crop protection industry by identifying unmet needs in vegetable, turf, and ornamental markets.
- Developed business cases to support in/out licensing.
- Cultivated and leveraged global stakeholder relationships to create value-added revenue streams through co-development and licensing initiatives with Big 5 Ag companies.
- Applied systems and design thinking to build integrated crop protection solutions that aligned scientific innovation with commercial strategies.
- Pioneered collaborative business models aligning partner capabilities with emerging agricultural challenges, including biologicals and regenerative practices.
- Ensured continuity of business initiatives during organizational transition, maintaining momentum as new program leadership and hires came onboard.
- Drafted licensing, MTA, and NDA contracts, and supported legal litigation of asset purchase agreement violations.
Global Principal Pathologist
Mars-Wrigley
Davis, United States
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Led global agricultural innovation programs for cocoa sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and productivity within a major consumer packaged goods (CPG) company.
- Directed remote teams in Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Colombia to implement phenotyping systems and regenerative breeding programs, accelerating genetic gain and improving crop resilience.
- Designed and deployed integrated IPM programs for cacao across multiple regions, shortening breeding cycles by 11 years and improving pest and disease management.
- Created digital crop protection tools, including a geospatial disease sampling platform with imaging diagnostics, mobile diagnostic apps, and predictive breeding pipelines to strengthen IPM and production systems.
- Managed a $2.4M CAB laboratory construction project, delivering new research infrastructure to support cocoa breeding and pathology initiatives.
- Supported backward integration and supply chain resilience through the Mars–12Tree partnership in Colombia and Ecuador by co-developing best practices for high-productivity systems and creating tailored IPM programs for local teams across equatorial regions.
- Delivered farmer training programs focused on IPM adoption, MRL compliance, and regenerative agriculture practices, strengthening sustainability across global supply chains.
NA Soybean, Cotton, Wheat Lead
Corteva Agrisciences
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Directed multi-crop programs for soybean, cotton, and wheat, developing disease resistance concepts and advancing breeding pipelines for major North American markets.
- Improved performance of 22 traits through application of precision agriculture tools, high throughput phenotyping, and molecular approaches, strengthening genetic gain and crop resilience.
- Managed teams of 8 full-time employees and contractors, coordinating cross-functional workstreams in trait development and agronomic program execution.
- Launched strategic initiatives that reduced operational work hours by 28% and improved data accuracy by 14% through streamlined workflows and data integration.
- Oversaw winter soybean seed production in Puerto Rico, gaining hands-on experience in developing region production systems and ensuring continuity of breeding programs.
- Developed MRL avoidance strategies to support compliance in global markets and improve downstream adoption of new seed technologies.
Global Soybean Plant Pathology Lead
Corteva Agrisciences/Dow AgroSciences
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Co-developed SNP markers and IP for disease resistance traits.
- Led marker development projects, published 5 IP claims and 14 internal reports.
- Collaborated with Purdue University discovering new Phytophthora sojae resistance gene Rps11.
- Developed pathology data management systems and visualization tools for precision agriculture.
- Managed teams of 3 FTE on-site and 9 remote (contractors and staff) to screen for 9 pathogens and nematode resistance levels.
NAFTA Field Pathology Lead
Seminis, Monsanto Company
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Developed global diagnostics system
- Developed IPM field audit program (GSPP) for new seed crops in Baja, California (Mexico).
- Served as global technical contact for pathology teams across Latin America and Asia.
- Created NSHS-certified field inspection protocols for bacterial fruit blotch in melon, Xanthomonas of carrot, and TMV and CMM in tomato seed production.
- Conducted novel pathogen epidemiology and symptom expression research for Cmm of tomato.
NA Corn and Soybean Pathology Lead
Dow AgroSciences
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Implemented new statistical design for North American corn field trials.
- Created 'Phenotyping University' training program.
- Led threat assessment programs for unknown disease races and product performance.
Plant Pathology Extension Advisor
UC Davis Extension
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Educated farmers on MRL compliance through label interpretation and safe application.
- Field visits and disease diagnostics services
- Tested pesticides for crop protection companies
- Organized grower education seminars on disease management, IPM, and applied crop practices.
- Led 10-12 annual field trials across multiple crops with seed, chemical, and university partners.
- Provided diagnostic services and agricultural guidance for conventional and organic growers.
- Co-awarded $736K funding for cross functional applied research grants.
Education
Ph.D. - Plant Pathology
Washington State University
Pullman, WA01.2008
M.S. - Plant Science
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID01.2004
B.S. - Biology, Spanish
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID01.2002
Skills
- Integrated pest management (IPM)
- Applied Plant Pathology, Entomology, Agronomy
- Farmer education on best practices
- Digital transformation
- Strategic planning
- Program optimization
- Microsoft Project, Asana, Jira
- Agile Project Management
- Global team coordination
- Budget management
- MRL management
- Pesticide rotation strategies
- IPM Audit and Compliance protocols
- Statistical modeling
- AI/machine learning applications
- Mobile app development
- Geospatial tools
- Precision phenotyping
- Imaging technology
- CRISPR technology product development
- QPCR, PCR
- Dual RNAseq
- SNP markers
- DNA characterization
Career Interest
Plant Science Program Manager | Global Agricultural Innovation Leader
Extramural Funding And Grants
Total Awards of $736,028; California Department of Food & Agriculture, $295,218, Heat Tolerant Varieties, California Department of Food & Agriculture, $248,890, Hybrid Onion Seed Production, UC Davis Center for Produce Safety, $169,575, Food Safety Buffer Zones, California Fresh Carrot Advisory Board, $22,345, Nematode Control
Publications And Intellectual Property
6 publications in Plant Disease, Biological Control, and Plant Disease Management Reports, 14 internal reports on molecular diagnostics and breeding innovations, 25+ AgBriefs on disease management and agricultural innovation, Developed geospatial subsampling tool, Mobile image-based cocoa detection system, Predictive breeding models, Deep learning phenotyping systems, AI-driven diagnostics, In-field imaging tools
Languages
Spanish
Professional
Certification
- Design Leadership for Executives
- Women in Leadership (SHRM)
- Clemson University Nematode Identification
- Pest Control Applicator License (Expired 2011)
- PMP training - In progress
- Scrum Master - In progress
Timeline
Global Portfolio Development Manager
Gowan Company
10.2024 - Current
Global Business Development Manager
Gowan Company
01.2023 - 01.2025
Global Principal Pathologist
Mars-Wrigley
01.2019 - 01.2023
NA Soybean, Cotton, Wheat Lead
Corteva Agrisciences
01.2019 - 12.2019
Global Soybean Plant Pathology Lead
Corteva Agrisciences/Dow AgroSciences
01.2015 - 01.2019
NAFTA Field Pathology Lead
Seminis, Monsanto Company
01.2013 - 01.2015
NA Corn and Soybean Pathology Lead
Dow AgroSciences
01.2011 - 01.2013
Plant Pathology Extension Advisor
UC Davis Extension
01.2009 - 01.2011
Ph.D. - Plant Pathology
Washington State University
M.S. - Plant Science
University of Idaho
B.S. - Biology, Spanish
University of Idaho
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