WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2025

Sustainable Innovation
Dr. Priti Pharkya is the Senior Vice President of Business Operations at Future Origins, a U.S.-based joint venture dedicated to commercializing sustainable, deforestation-free alternatives to ingredients used in cosmetics, personal care, and cleaning products. With quiet confidence and technical mastery, Priti is leading one of the most important conversations in the chemical industry today—how to meet global supply chain needs without compromising environmental integrity.

A Career Built on Transformation
From her early days as a research scientist at Geno, when the company was focused on computational tools, to her current leadership role overseeing commercial activities at Future Origins, Priti has spent over two decades transforming ambitious ideas into scalable, market-ready solutions. As a senior leader in the team that developed and commercialized Bio-BDO, she helped earn the prestigious EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award in 2011. Today, she’s driving innovation in palm oil alternatives, pioneering a biosynthetic process that could redefine ingredient sourcing across the industry.

Scientific Mastery and Strategic Vision
Priti is named on over 50 patents covering metabolic engineering, biosynthetic chemical pathways, and feedstock utilization. Her rare combination of deep technical expertise and sharp business strategy has made her a force in sustainable chemistry. Colleagues often describe her as “the quiet voice with undeniable influence” a leader who can translate the most complex science into clear, commercially relevant impact.

Empowering Women in Science
Beyond her work at Future Origins and Geno, Priti contributes to the broader scientific and business communities as a board member of the Society for Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology and as a member of Chief, a private network advancing women into leadership roles. Though soft-spoken, Priti’s influence on women in science and business is profound. She is celebrated as a trailblazer and role model, deeply committed to creating pathways for women in STEM. As she notes, “It is imperative that women are encouraged, enabled, and empowered toward the pursuit of scientific advancement and boundary-breaking new heights.”

A Well-Deserved Recognition
Dr. Priti Pharkya’s career is a testament to the transformative power of curiosity, collaboration, and quiet leadership. Her strategic vision and unwavering commitment to sustainable advancement make her an outstanding finalist for the Women in Chemicals Woman of the Year Award. She reminds us that true impact often speaks softly but changes everything!