Meet the 2026 Ray of Hope Accelerator Selection Committee

We’re honored to introduce the 2026 Ray of Hope Accelerator Selection Committee: a group of exceptional leaders whose perspectives span industries, disciplines, and geographies. This diverse and deeply experienced committee plays a vital role in helping us evaluate applications through a holistic lens, drawing from their expertise in science, deep tech, entrepreneurship, impact investing, and beyond. Their insights ensure we remain rigorous and grounded as we identify and support the next generation of nature-inspired startups.

Joanne Rodriguez

SecondMuse

Sr. Director, Business Development – Climate

Chris Wohl

NASA

Technology Integration Manager

Kirthika Padmanabhan

Climate Capital

Investor, Operator & Startup Advisor

Alex Kopelyan

SOSV Indie Bio

Partner & Senior Director

Daniel Kinzer

Pacific Blue Studios

Founder and Expedition CrewBoard Member, The Biomimicry Institute

Natalya Wallin

Vitality VF

Founding Partner

Sandra Rey

Anima Biomimicry Venture Studio

Co-founder & CEO

Dana Lowell

Biophilia Ventures

Founder & Principal

Jon Smieja

WAP Sustainability

Director of Circularity & EPR

Robert Suarez

Reuseful Ventures

Co-Founder, Managing Director

Robin Berry

Angel Investor/Philanthropist

Former Asst Director, Biomimicry Center at Arizona State University and partner of Vitality Fund in VC Fund Development

Alistair Daynes

Learn Biomimicry

Managing Director

Dave Hutchins

Montana Technological University

Assistant Professor Environmental Engineering

Gigi Alsaadi

CRANE Fellow, Prime Coalition

Co-founder and CXO, KanataQ

Jillian Chase

Azolla Ventures

Principal

Martijn Lopes Cardozo

Regeneration.VC

Partner

Natasha Feshbach

Activate

Senior Fellowship Manager

Shannon Parker

Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment

Executive in Residence – Business and Environment

Silvia Vignoli

Max Planck for Colloids and Interfaces

Professor & Director

Tak Sing Wong

Penn State University

Board Member, The Biomimicry Institute

Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical EngineeringBoard Member, The Biomimicry Institute