Dave Williamson is a transformative executive with a proven track record of advancing innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence in biotechnology and materials science. Since joining Modern Meadow in 2015, Dave has held pivotal leadership roles, including Chief Science and Technology Officer (CSTO), President, and Chief Operating Officer (COO). In October 2024, he was named Chief Executive Officer (CEO), driving the company’s vision to revolutionize the future of sustainable materials.

As CSTO, Dave spearheaded the development and scale-up of breakthrough technologies, notably the BIO-VERA® platform, which has set a new standard for high-performance, sustainable materials. Throughout his tenure, Dave has demonstrated a relentless focus on integrating biotechnology, chemistry, material science, and engineering to deliver commercially impactful innovations. As COO and CEO, he has led Modern Meadow through transformative milestones, streamlining operations, aligning the organization with its core mission, and positioning it to become a leader in the global sustainable materials market.

Before joining Modern Meadow, Dave spent over a decade at DuPont, where he held senior leadership roles in manufacturing technology, process development, and R&D. His achievements included leading corporate research, shaping bioactives strategy, and managing both long- and short-term chemical and biotechnology initiatives. As Chief of Staff for the Chief Science and Technology Officer at DuPont, Dave played a critical role in shaping the company’s strategic direction.

Dave earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University. Renowned for his strategic vision, innovative mindset, and results-driven leadership, Dave continues to drive progress at the intersection of science, technology, and sustainability.

Quintin Cassady has been a licensed attorney since 1991, providing legal and compliance-related advice and management services primarily for health care businesses. Most recently, he was the Vice President, General Counsel, and Compliance Officer for the North American operations of Galderma Laboratories and was in that capacity for over 21 years. Quintin is a nationally recognized General Counsel and Compliance Officer leader in healthcare with expertise spanning pharmaceutical and medical devices in dermatology, injectable fillers, and consumer products with a broad array of therapeutic targets and modalities. Over his career, he has served on several leadership teams and directed organizational departments responsible for legal, risk management, communications, compliance, and facilities. Quintin is an active member of various legal and compliance associations and has served on numerous boards of directors of private and nonprofit organizations. He has a Juris Doctorate and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma and is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Oklahoma Bar Association.

Pierluigi is a pioneer in sustainable materials innovation. With an extensive background in the textile and apparel industry, Pierluigi has held various sales and marketing roles at prominent companies such as DuPont, Invista, and Nilit, showcasing a proven track record in commercial strategy. He is committed to expanding global sales networks and delivering customer value across Europe, the Americas, and beyond. With a strong focus on sustainability and brand development, he leads initiatives that position Modern Meadow as a reliable and innovative partner. His expertise spans from sales planning, marketing to defining key commercial priorities that drive the company's success. Pierluigi holds a bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering.

Anna Bakst has served on Modern Meadow’s board since 2017 and has been Chair of the Board since 2020. Anna brings over 25 years of experience managing and cultivating businesses for American fashion houses. She recently served as Brand President and CEO of Kate Spade. Until January 2017, Anna was Group President at Michael Kors. From 2003, Anna drove the expansive launch and growth of Michael Kors Accessories and Footwear businesses – leading to Wall Street’s biggest public offering in fashion. In her role, Anna led the global design, production, and merchandising teams as well as oversaw domestic wholesale distribution. Prior to Michael Kors, Anna had a 12-year career at Donna Karan International where she held various positions including President of Accessories and Footwear. She received an MBA from Stanford University and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. Anna is also an Associate Professor at Pratt Institute's Design Management Program.

Andras Forgacs, Co-Founder and Board Director of Modern Meadow, is a serial entrepreneur in deep tech and life sciences. He is leading the company into a new age of biofabrication, working to transform the world of materials by unlocking the power of nature to offer new design possibilities. Andras is also co-Founder of 3D bioprinting company, Organovo. Previously he held positions with an international technology-focused venture fund, McKinsey & Co. and Citigroup. Andras is founding chairman of the international non-profit Resolution Project and was a Kauffman Fellow with the Center for Venture Education. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Harvard University. Named as a 2018 Tech Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, Modern Meadow enables new design and performance possibilities and partners with some of the world’s thought-leading brands to transform the material world and design for a healthier planet.

Douglas Muzyka was Senior Vice President and Chief Science and Technology Officer of DuPont. He joined the company in 1985 as a research scientist and held a variety of research and research management roles in North America through 1994. Dr. Muzyka was named director of Technology and New Business Development for DuPont Nylon, Asia Pacific, in 1994 and relocated to Hong Kong. From 1994 to 1998 he participated in many plant start-ups and new venture developments throughout Asia Pacific. Dr. Muzyka has served on advisory boards for universities in Singapore and Canada, as well as on boards of Chambers of Commerce, industry associations and business councils on sustainable development in Canada, Mexico and China. Mr. Muzyka was born in Canada and graduated as class valedictorian from the University of Western Ontario with bachelor, master and doctorate degrees in chemical engineering. He completed additional research for his doctorate at the Université de Technologie de Compiègne in France and worked as a researcher in the coal industry in France prior to joining DuPont.

Bart Swanson is currently an advisor to Horizon Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Hong Kong with a focus on disruptive technologies. Mr. Swanson is on the boards of Zoom Video Communications Inc., Impossible Foods, Sentient Technologies, Benevolent AI, Hola Networks, Leo Labs Inc, and several other technology companies in Europe, Israel, and the US. Bart was previously a director at Onavo, DeepMind, Bitstrips, Crosswise.com, Viv and from 2015-17 a non-executive board member at MTG AB. Bart received an MBA from The Wharton School and an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. He was a Fellow at the Lauder Institute and has a BA in History from the University of Southern California.

Dan has a long track record of management and investment experience. After starting his career serving the Israeli government and later McKinsey & Co, Dan then served as Managing Director at John L. Thornton & Company, focusing on Asia. Later, at Quantum Pacific, he led key investments globally and held key roles in companies like Qoros Automotive and Better Place. Based in NYC, he managed Quantum Pacific’s venture arm, investing in innovative tech. He later joined Koenigsegg Automotive company in Sweden, where he was the Chairman of the Board.                      

Dan is married to Ronit, has two boys and a black lab.

Thorsten Gohlke is a seasoned executive with experience in managing complex international investment portfolios. He holds advanced degrees in Business Administration and Law from German and French Universities such as HEC Paris.
Gohlke's career began at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he led advisory roles for UK private equity funds. Gohlke then transitioned to the role of Family Office Executive at Roland Berger Family Office, managing a EUR 500 million private portfolio. In 2009, he founded GFEP Family Equity, where he structured investment funds and managed portfolios for European SMEs. Since 2021, Gohlke serves as Single Family Officer for Dr. Klaus Hommels at Minstar GmbH, overseeing a global portfolio of illiquid venture capital early and late stage investments.