The people doing the work
We come from genetics, agronomy, policy, and the field, and we have spent years building toward the same thing. What unites us is a conviction that American agriculture needs better seeds, and a belief that we are the right people to deliver them.
Cody brings two decades of experience across energy, environment, and strategy. She began her career as a geoscientist and upstream portfolio strategist at ExxonMobil, where she worked on some of the company's most complex global exploration and new ventures portfolios, eventually leading new ventures work in Africa. She joined ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions as one of its first hires, helping build the strategic foundations of the company's carbon management business. She went on to lead community engagement and renewable energy impact at Reactivate, an Invenergy company, and has served on the Bipartisan Policy Center's Voluntary Carbon Markets Task Force and the National Petroleum Council.
Cody is also the Founding Principal of Eco/Social Futures Collaborative, a consultancy that helps organizations navigate environmental, community, and institutional change. She holds a Master's in Global Environmental Policy from American University, where her research on carbon stewardship earned the program's top honor.
Outside her professional work, Cody serves as a philanthropic advocate for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and the Immune Deficiency Foundation.
Hehewutei “Cody” Amakali
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder
Christopher brings over 15 years experience across plant sciences, biotechnology, and agricultural innovation. He began his career as a plant physiologist and molecular biologist at Washington State University, where he specialized in the physiogenomics of crop ripening and biochemistry. He later served as a Professor of Biology and Chair of the University Research Council at National University, where he secured National Science Foundation funding to establish foundational genomics resources for extremophilic plant species.
Christopher is also the Founder and Chief Science Officer of Loop Chemicals, to develop modular platforms for carbon neutral fertilizer synthesis. His work has resulted in multiple patents for biodegradable nanoparticle agricultural adjuvants high efficiency nitrogen delivery systems, and postharvest chemistries to preserve fruit quality. He holds a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Washington State University, where his research on gene expression and analytical chemistry earned recognition in the field of postharvest biology.
Outside his professional work, Christopher serves as a consultant and advocate for regional sustainable agriculture and is a dedicated advocate for the conservation of drought tolerant native plants to ensure global food security.
Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder
Tyson brings over two decades of experience across commercial agriculture, biotechnology, and operational leadership. He began his career as a third-generation farmer on his family’s dry-land farm producing cereal crops and livestock in high-stress environments. He entered into academia and research, earning a Ph.D. in Molecular Plant Sciences from Washington State University and developing genetic markers for the WSU Spring Wheat Breeding and Genetics Lab to improve crop sustainability and resilience.
Tyson was a Co-Founder of Phytelligence Inc., where he served as the Director of Operations. He established, trained and led the production team in developing protocols to scale over 500,000 plants and helped secure >$3.0M in investment to support expansion. His published research is widely recognized for advancing trait-gene insights and tissue culture efficacy in the tree fruit industry.
Tyson is a passionate advocate for PNW & Northern Plains agriculture and is experienced in balancing farm profitability with environmental stewardship. As Chief Science Officer for Atavus, he serves as a bridge between laboratory innovation and field application, ensuring that new crop options are both viable for farmers and sustainable for global food systems.
Christopher Hendrickson, PhD
Tyson Koepke, PhD
Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder
