Rachel Resek, Principal at Cargill Ventures, is one of our Top 50 Rising Stars in corporate venturing for 2024.

With a career that spans investment banking and enterprise software, Rachel Resek, principal at Cargill Ventures, found her calling in the world of food and agriculture. Her journey in corporate venturing began at Cargill three years ago, focusing on climate and sustainability investing.

“Rachel was the first outside hire into the newly established Cargill CVC in 2021. She has made an impact through her actions as an investor, helping build and manage a portfolio of investments to fuel the company’s long-term strategic growth objectives,” says Erin VanLanduit, head of corporate ventures at Cargill.

A key highlight in her career so far was championing a deal for Andes, a company specialising in microbial seed coating for carbon sequestration. This venture, though initially met with internal scepticism, underscored Resek’s ability to source deals independently and align them with Cargill’s longer-term strategy.

“My biggest fear is 2030 rolls around, no one has achieved their goals and everyone just sighs, says ‘oh well, we tried’ and moves on”

“Food and agriculture are one of the most complex systems in the world. They have the ability to positively affect change in important areas, including climate, sustainability, health and wellness,” says Resek.

Resek’s career philosophy revolves around solving problems that have social and environmental impact. As the lead in sustainability investing, Resek is keen to leverage technology to drive sustainability in the food and agriculture system. She sees the industry as a pivotal player in achieving corporate climate goals.

“My biggest fear is 2030 rolls around, no one has achieved their goals and everyone just sighs, says ‘oh well, we tried’ and moves on,” she says.

The challenge, she says, lies in making sustainability economically viable via innovation for stakeholders at all levels, from farmers to corporations.

For those entering CVC, Resek emphasisesthe importance of building internal relationships. Her disciplined approach involves constant self assessment, ensuring she hones her skills to tackle the ever-evolving challenges of the job.

See the full list of GCV Rising Stars for 2024 here.