Our
Team
At ArkeaBio, we bring together leading scientists, entrepreneurs, and sustainability experts to deliver breakthrough agricultural innovation. We’re always looking for passionate individuals to join our mission.
Join us in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.
Our Values
Demonstrate unwavering accountability for the impact of our technology and actions on the global landscape, committing to radical responsibility and ethical stewardship in all endeavors
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Accountability
Demonstrate unwavering accountability for the impact of our technology and actions on the global landscape, committing to radical responsibility and ethical stewardship in all endeavors
Agility
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Autonomy
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Atunement
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Leadership Team
Colin is a leader in agricultural biotech with 25+ years of experience developing high-value bioproducts in the food, feed, and energy industries. He brings to ArkeaBio a background in agriculture and extensive experience in the dairy industry as well as leadership experience in bioprocessing and synthetic biology disciplines Colin holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Canterbury and a degree in Engineering Management and a PhD in Bioprocess Engineering from Dartmouth College.
Colin South
Chief Executive Officer
Colin is a leader in agricultural biotech with 25+ years of experience developing high-value bioproducts in the food, feed, and energy industries. He brings to ArkeaBio a background in agriculture and extensive experience in the dairy industry as well as leadership experience in bioprocessing and synthetic biology disciplines Colin holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Canterbury and a degree in Engineering Management and a PhD in Bioprocess Engineering from Dartmouth College.
Zach is a scientist and entrepreneur at the forefront of developing transformative breakthroughs for a sustainable planet. He co-founded Zymergen, a leading innovator in engineering industrial microbes for application in electronics, agriculture, and consumer products. At Amyris, Zach developed biofuels, Artemisinin cost reduction, and advanced biology engineering. With 17 publications, 10 patents, and research at Stanford, he holds degrees from Columbia, the University of Edinburgh, and UCSF.
Zach Serber
Chief Technology Officer
Zach is a scientist and entrepreneur at the forefront of developing transformative breakthroughs for a sustainable planet. He co-founded Zymergen, a leading innovator in engineering industrial microbes for application in electronics, agriculture, and consumer products. At Amyris, Zach developed biofuels, Artemisinin cost reduction, and advanced biology engineering. With 17 publications, 10 patents, and research at Stanford, he holds degrees from Columbia, the University of Edinburgh, and UCSF.
Jess is a seasoned financial strategist with 20+ years of experience spanning private equity, operations, and CFO leadership. With a background in food tech, synbio and agtech, she specializes in growth strategy, capital planning, and performance improvement. A Harvard MBA and McGill alum, she brings a sharp financial lens to scaling innovation in food and biotech.
Jessica Kates
Chief Financial Officer
Jess is a seasoned financial strategist with 20+ years of experience spanning private equity, operations, and CFO leadership. With a background in food tech, synbio and agtech, she specializes in growth strategy, capital planning, and performance improvement. A Harvard MBA and McGill alum, she brings a sharp financial lens to scaling innovation in food and biotech.
Matt is an experienced leader in biotechnology and intellectual property. At Bio-Rad, enEvolve and DropWorks, Matthew held R&D and IP leadership roles in the development of biotech products in microorganism engineering and PCR technologies. At Storella & Witt and Boulder Consulting Group, he helped companies of all sizes to innovate valuable IP portfolios. He holds a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Arizona.
Matt Dunn
VP R&D and IP
Matt is an experienced leader in biotechnology and intellectual property. At Bio-Rad, enEvolve and DropWorks, Matthew held R&D and IP leadership roles in the development of biotech products in microorganism engineering and PCR technologies. At Storella & Witt and Boulder Consulting Group, he helped companies of all sizes to innovate valuable IP portfolios. He holds a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Arizona.
Gaby brings over 20 years of experience building operational excellence, streamlining delivery practices and enhancing strategic capabilities across tech and biotech companies. At Zymergen she led several areas: Portfolio Management, Transformation Office and Commercial Delivery. Previously, at CLARA Analytics and LeanTasS, she architected and scaled their Customer Delivery, Customer Value and Customer Support teams while driving operational improvements. During her tenure at McKinsey, she advised senior leaders in tech and consumer industries. Gaby holds an MBA from MIT, an MS in Finance from Pacifico University, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Catolica in Peru.
Gaby Olazabal
EVP of Ops & Strategy
Gaby brings over 20 years of experience building operational excellence, streamlining delivery practices and enhancing strategic capabilities across tech and biotech companies. At Zymergen she led several areas: Portfolio Management, Transformation Office and Commercial Delivery. Previously, at CLARA Analytics and LeanTasS, she architected and scaled their Customer Delivery, Customer Value and Customer Support teams while driving operational improvements. During her tenure at McKinsey, she advised senior leaders in tech and consumer industries. Gaby holds an MBA from MIT, an MS in Finance from Pacifico University, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Catolica in Peru.
Amy Butler is a recognized leader in climate tech and life sciences, with a deep expertise in business development, revenue growth, and go-to-market strategy. A Stanford undergraduate and MBA, she has driven innovation across sectors by bridging new science and technology with business strategy and execution. Known for her thought leadership and team management, Amy is a mission-driven professional championing solutions for global health and environmental challenges.
Amy Butler
Head of Carbon Strategy & Markets
Amy Butler is a recognized leader in climate tech and life sciences, with a deep expertise in business development, revenue growth, and go-to-market strategy. A Stanford undergraduate and MBA, she has driven innovation across sectors by bridging new science and technology with business strategy and execution. Known for her thought leadership and team management, Amy is a mission-driven professional championing solutions for global health and environmental challenges.
Board of Directors
Chris, with 15 years’ experience in hardware and software startups across diverse sectors like solar energy, cancer genomics, synthetic biology, and digital media, focuses on identifying climate-tech firms. He founded three companies, secured over $70M in venture capital, and initiated ventures like Alion and Genome Compiler. As CEO of Lifecode, acquired by Medgenome, he demonstrated leadership. Chris holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from MIT.
Christopher Rivest
Board Chair
Chris, with 15 years’ experience in hardware and software startups across diverse sectors like solar energy, cancer genomics, synthetic biology, and digital media, focuses on identifying climate-tech firms. He founded three companies, secured over $70M in venture capital, and initiated ventures like Alion and Genome Compiler. As CEO of Lifecode, acquired by Medgenome, he demonstrated leadership. Chris holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from MIT.
Zach is a scientist and entrepreneur at the forefront of developing transformative breakthroughs for a sustainable planet. He co-founded Zymergen, a leading innovator in engineering industrial microbes for application in electronics, agriculture, and consumer products. At Amyris, Zach developed biofuels, Artemisinin cost reduction, and advanced biology engineering. With 17 publications, 10 patents, and research at Stanford, he holds degrees from Columbia, the University of Edinburgh, and UCSF.
Zach Serber
Board Member
Zach is a scientist and entrepreneur at the forefront of developing transformative breakthroughs for a sustainable planet. He co-founded Zymergen, a leading innovator in engineering industrial microbes for application in electronics, agriculture, and consumer products. At Amyris, Zach developed biofuels, Artemisinin cost reduction, and advanced biology engineering. With 17 publications, 10 patents, and research at Stanford, he holds degrees from Columbia, the University of Edinburgh, and UCSF.
Colin is a leader in the agricultural biotech field with over 25 years of experience of developing high value bio-products with direct applicability to food, feed, and energy industries. Colin holds a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Canterbury and a degree in engineering management and a PhD in bioprocess engineering from Dartmouth College.
Colin South
Board Member
Colin is a leader in the agricultural biotech field with over 25 years of experience of developing high value bio-products with direct applicability to food, feed, and energy industries. Colin holds a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Canterbury and a degree in engineering management and a PhD in bioprocess engineering from Dartmouth College.
Wayne is CEO of AgriZeroNZ, specializing in leadership, strategy, and sustainability. He works across the agribusiness and health sectors, and has also held a number of directorship roles. Wayne is the former CEO of PHARMAC, the Ministry of Fisheries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry for Primary Industries, and the Livestock Improvement Corporation. He completed a Pharmacy Degree and post graduate study at the University of Otago, and has studied leadership, strategy and business transformation at Oxford, Stanford, INSEAD, and IMD business schools.
Wayne McNee
Board Member
Wayne is CEO of AgriZeroNZ, specializing in leadership, strategy, and sustainability. He works across the agribusiness and health sectors, and has also held a number of directorship roles. Wayne is the former CEO of PHARMAC, the Ministry of Fisheries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry for Primary Industries, and the Livestock Improvement Corporation. He completed a Pharmacy Degree and post graduate study at the University of Otago, and has studied leadership, strategy and business transformation at Oxford, Stanford, INSEAD, and IMD business schools.
