St. Louis, MO
As Pluton Biosciences moves into the next phase of technology and product development, we are pleased to announce key leadership changes to support the expansion of our business capabilities.
Elizabeth Gallegos has been selected as incoming CEO, to continue championing Pluton’s work toward mitigating climate change and improving agriculture. Chair of Pluton’s Board of Directors, Glen Schuster, welcomed Ms. Gallegos;
“I am very glad to have Ms. Gallegos stepping up from her position as Pluton’s Chief Financial Officer. Her leadership and experience in the AgTech space had an immediate impact on the success of our organization. The Board is pleased to have her at the helm to take Pluton through our next phase of growth.”
Departing CEO Dr. Steven Slater was key in leading Pluton’s business and science during his tenure, having successfully closed a seed round and positioning the company well for a large Series A financing. Dr. Slater’s vision to strongly focus the company on the existential crisis of climate change helped to expand Pluton’s research portfolio. With enhanced focus on carbon capture, Pluton is positioned to make global-scale changes to carbon sequestration and offset use of synthetic nitrogen in agriculture.
Dr. Slater’s departure comes as the company’s growth requires that the CEO be based full-time in St. Louis, Pluton’s home base. In this light, Dr. Slater and Pluton decided mutually to part ways amicably. Dr. Slater will remain in the Vancouver, BC area. “It has been a pleasure working with the creative and dedicated team at Pluton” said Dr. Slater. “I look forward to following and supporting their work on these problems, whose solutions are critical for the world’s future.” Glen Schuster shared “We would like to thank Dr. Slater for his significant contributions and leadership over the last 18 months and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.”
Pluton is also pleased to announce that Sharon Berberich has joined the leadership team as Senior Director of Pipeline Development. Ms. Berberich brings invaluable experience in product development, licensing, regulatory, and start-up management. She will focus on advancing products from proof-of concept to commercial development. Founder and CSO Barry Goldman said,
“I’m pleased with the leadership and rigor Ms. Berberich has brought to the team and am looking forward to seeing our technology and products move toward commercialization.”
______________________________
Pluton's mission is to drive agriculture to a carbon-negative outcome by leveraging Micromining™ and cutting-edge genomic technologies in a revolutionary approach to identifying and exploring beneficial microbes and their natural products. Pluton discovers novel microbes and develops world-changing solutions to the planet’s big problems, addressing challenges to climate and agriculture by tackling carbon sequestration and crop protection, sustainably improving the way we grow food.