Angela Naef is responsible for Solae's research and development portfolio & project management, applied technology, process improvement and quality functions worldwide.
Naef has more than 12 years of experience in product development with the last seven years in R&D and commercial leadership roles. Prior to her current position, she led Solae’s New Business Development group, where she was responsible for building out new opportunities, partnerships and technologies.
Naef has held the position of R&D Director of Ventures & Business (2008-2009) at The Dow Chemical Company, where she was responsible for building out the corporate pipeline for existing and prospective businesses. She was at The Dow Chemical Company from 2000-2009, and prior to her role in Ventures & Business Development, she held various R&D leadership roles. These roles include the following: she led R&D for the Specialty Plastics & Elastomers Division from 2007-2009 and she led the Materials Science & New Product Development Corporate R&D team from 2006-2007.
Naef is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and a member of the American Chemical Society and MENSA International. She is also the recipient of an R&D 100 Award, recognizing innovation in new product development, an author of more than 20 external publications and the holder of six patents.