Michael Bloom is a serial entrepreneur and avid outdoorsman, having successfully developed, led and sold two pioneering ed-tech companies, Great Courses and Learn25. Coming from a family of master gardeners & outdoor enthusiasts, Michael combines a passion for forest restoration with over 25 years of leadership experience. Michael has a B.S. degree from Boston University and an MBA with High Honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Andrew Serazin is a scientist, non-profit leader, and entrepreneur. He is past President of the Templeton World Charity Foundation as well as a senior executive at the Gates Foundation. He has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Notre Dame and was awarded a doctorate from the University of Oxford in Medical Sciences, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. In 2019, he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

A leading nut tree expert, Jeff Zarnowski has been managing orchards and developing cultivars for over 30 years.  Jeff holds 38 U.S. patents and has published extensively on tree nut business, dendrology, and orchard management, including his “Hazelnut and Chestnut Handbook,” which contains wisdom from decades of hard-earned practical experience and careful research. Jeff graduated from SUNY Binghamton with an electrical engineering degree, and studied law at Western State Law school. 

Andrew Albert is a bioinformatics scientist dedicated to harnessing the power of data to drive innovation in computational biology. With a Master of Science in Bioinformatics from Johns Hopkins University, Andrew specializes in developing advanced analytical solutions for challenges in biotechnology, with applications in tree and forest restoration, sustainable agriculture, and ecosystem health. His expertise includes genomic data analysis, machine learning, and the application of cutting-edge bioinformatics tools.

Nate McNulty is a computational biologist and biotechnology entrepreneur. He leverages genomic tools to understand the biology of the American chestnut and other hardwoods. He earned his B.S. from MIT and his Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis. Nate was VP of Research at Matatu, a biotech that sought to enhance the health and growth of livestock through data-driven improvement of the microbiome. He is passionate about exploring the complex interactions between living organisms and their environments.

Skylar Kim is a molecular biologist passionate about exploring how living things survive environmental stresses and pathogens. He combines biochemical, genetic, and computational approaches. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, where he worked on desiccation tolerance in yeast. He is currently completing his Ph.D. at MIT, where he investigates how human antiviral factors disrupt viral protein synthesis to grant resistance at the cellular level.

Sheila Smith is a seasoned communications strategist who translates complex science into narratives that shape perception, build trust, and drive impact. With nearly a decade of experience leading high-profile campaigns for innovators, brands, and social entrepreneurs, she brings a proven ability to align storytelling with both purpose and performance. At SilvaBio, Sheila defines how the company’s pioneering work in forest restoration and conservation is communicated — ensuring the mission resonates deeply, mobilizes action, and continues to advance as a catalyst for environmental progress.