The team welcomes you to Rooted Holdings Inc.

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Gaji brings innovation-to-revenue leadership across agriculture, specialty chemicals, and industrial platforms. As CEO of Midwestern BioAg, he quintupled proprietary revenue ($2M→$11M), launched 20 SKUs, implemented EOS and S&OP operating systems, and rebuilt the company into a proprietary, channel-led growth model while managing a full P&L (~$35M). Previously at CF Industries, he developed board-level strategy for a $2B product line and contributed to initiatives driving ~$5B in capital deployment. He has built commercialization systems that scale from ideation to sustained profitability.

MIT-trained product leader and former Head of Product at Planet FWD, where she built and scaled the climate SaaS platform from seed to Series A, servicing mid-market to enterprise customers. The AI-enabled LCA automation & carbon accounting platform is fueled with industry leading farm-level calculations that made Planet FWD the market leader in carbon reduction and net zero planning for agricultural systems. Previously, she held product leadership roles at Climate Corp (Bayer) and Granular (Corteva), supporting digital platforms reaching millions acres. Nalini holds six patents and brings deep science-to-product commercialization expertise.

Eric  is the Founder of Soil Health Lab LLC and previously served  as Vice President of Environmental Science and Resources at Braga Fresh, where he lead sustainability, soil health, and resource optimization initiatives across the organization. His work sits at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, environmental science, and commercialization, translating field level data into scalable, economically viable practices. Eric has led validation, deployment, and go-to-market strategy for biological inputs, ag technology, and regenerative production models across specialty crops and protein systems. He is driven by a truth first approach to soil health and a commitment to scaling solutions that deliver measurable outcomes for growers, companies, and ecosystems.

Jason is a corporate development consultant and angel investor with nearly 30 years of experience advising early-stage companies across health, wellness, fitness, climate tech, ag and food tech, cannabis, and brand-driven CPG sectors. He is a principal advisor to and investor in Revelry Supply, Inc., supporting a multistate, asset-light licensing model tailored to the bohemian outdoor lifestyle market. Jason has held significant nonprofit leadership roles, including serving on the board of DigitalNest and as the youngest Chairman of the Board of Goodwill Central Coast, where he helped scale both organizations. He began his career as a corporate attorney in Santa Cruz, California, building deep expertise in transactions, corporate finance, and M&A while working with companies such as CrossFit, Santa Cruz Organics, SunOpta, Surftech, and Rhino Toys.

Melissa Green is a seasoned marketing executive with over two decades of experience leading brand, digital, and go-to-market strategy across multiple industries. She brings a deep background in business strategy, digital advertising, product launches, events, and customer experience, with a proven ability to guide organizations through successful marketing and product transformations. Known for her transparent, collaborative leadership style, Melissa builds high-performing teams that execute with clarity and purpose. Her work consistently aligns brand, product, and customer experience to drive growth and long-term value.

Walt Duflock serves as Vice President of Innovation at Western Growers, where he leads efforts to accelerate the adoption and scaling of AgTech solutions addressing labor shortages, food safety, and water scarcity in specialty crops. He brings over 14 years of experience as a startup advisor, angel investor, and entrepreneur, alongside more than 30 years as a partner in a family-owned California ranch. Walt bridges agriculture and technology through deep expertise in product strategy, go-to-market execution, fundraising, and field validation. His work connects growers, startups, investors, and industry leaders to advance practical innovation that improves sustainability, efficiency, and profitability.

Matthew Grieshop is a scientist, educator, and leader in organic agriculture, with a Ph.D. in Entomology and a career focused on advancing sustainable and regenerative farming systems. He leads the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research at Cal Poly, where he fosters collaboration between students, faculty, and industry to develop applied, science-driven solutions for organic agriculture. Matthew’s work spans integrated pest management, biological control, soil health, and agroecology, bridging research with real-world farming challenges. He is committed to empowering growers and the next generation of agricultural professionals through hands-on research, education, and evidence-based policy engagement.