Judith Rivera

Experience

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  DuPont Pioneer

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2017

  Led scientists and specialists to deliver highest quality nursery seed production of soybeans, sunflowers, and corn in tropical weather. Supported high-position farming initiatives by adjusting expenses, renegotiating land contracts, and metamorphosing strategies to accelerate pipeline. Managed site budget and agronomy, compliance, and safety team. Served in dual role performing laboratory research and working hands-on in fields leading agronomy teams through seeds production, including corn, sunflower, soybeans, pearl millet, and sorghum. Introduced biological controls to enhance nutrition, performed soil chemistry analysis, and integrated pesticides efficiency trials to inaugurate better agronomy practices. Partnered with government entities and farmers to assist in effective augmentation and maximization of crops.

  • Research Center Manager

    Jan 2008 - Jan 2017

  • Research Scientist—Agronomy

    Jan 2004 - Jan 2008
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  Corteva Agriscience

  Jun 2017 - Feb 2021

  Hawaii Research & Development Lead-Global Research Seed Development

  Hawaii Research & Development (R&D) Lead, Kauai, HI (2017-2021)Lead agronomy, integrated operations, infrastructure, safety, and R&D seed production nurseries spanning 3 sites on Kauai dedicated to maize product development, trait integration and double haploids. Manage transgenic and non-transgenic, high-value crops and implement innovative product development. Travel to and collaborate with cross-functional international teams throughout Puerto Rico, Mexico, Chile, and Brazil to discover solutions and standardize processes. Oversee budget and diverse background staff, including scientists, engineers, and safety specialists in various fields of knowledge. Show less

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  Syngenta

  Mar 2021 - now

  Promoted to develop, execute, and manage global technology strategy to support global portfolio and achieve financial objectives for plant breeding sites across North America, LATAM, APAC, and Europe. Drive cost reduction, value creation, process acceleration, and product quality improvements. Lead a global team of professionals with diverse background to accelerate growth and productivity at highly sophisticated and complex breeding centers.  Developed and implemented new strategic framework to stabilize operations and increase quality and sustainability align with company objectives to support global corn and sweet corn market portfolio. Improved DHs seed quality and reduced cost within a challenging and changing working frame while creating new positions and enhancing gender equality in managed centers. Show less Spearheaded centralization and management of trait integration/conversion program at state-of-the-art fully controlled 3-acre environment under glass. Introduced highly automated, centralized, and digital approach unique and new to industry. Directed implementation of trait conversion acceleration technology facilitating fast introduction of high-value products to market. Oversaw site operations, focusing on increasing productivity, reducing costs, and improving delivery throughput by more than 30%. Led efforts to transform sites performance from declaring 40%–60% target before changes to consistently achieving above 90%. Show less

  • Global Double Haploids Technology and Operations Head

    Apr 2023 - now

  • Trait Conversion Accelerator Lead-US

    Mar 2021 - Apr 2023