Bio:

Jodi Lilley manages the Allen Distinguished Investigator portfolio for The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group. Prior to this, she was a program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for Research and Development in the Agricultural Development team where she managed a series of grants that span from cross-cutting discovery to fostering a catalytic environment in the African R&D ecosystem.

Jodi received her Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Washington and B.S. degrees in both Ecology/Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has conducted a diverse range of plant science including the molecular genetics of plant development during seedling establishment, chemical ecology of invasive plant species, and bioassays for pesticide discovery. Jodi conducted post-doctoral research and worked as the International Development Coordinator at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, England.

She is a certified performance coach (Level 5 Coaching & Mentoring, Institute of Leadership and Management) who strives to create scientific impact through equitable partnership, productive assessment, learning, and analysis. Jodi has coached scientists and development professionals from around the globe and particularly loves holding space for those processing career development choices.