Rodrigo Ponce

Background

About Rodrigo Ponce

Born and raised in tropical El Salvador, I developed an early appreciation for great food and a passion for science, which led me to earn a B.S. in Food Science with a minor in Crop Science from Purdue University. My academic journey also included a transformative year in the Netherlands, where I honed critical thinking, independence, and global perspectives. Currently, I work as an Operations Associate in Cargill’s Deli Meat sector, where I focus on optimizing processes and using data-driven insights to enhance food production efficiency and quality. Passionate about continuous improvement, I am committed to leveraging technology and innovation to solve challenges in food and agriculture systems, particularly in less-developed economies that rely heavily on these industries. Open to relocation and global opportunities, I aim to expand my impact by combining my technical knowledge with leadership skills. In the future, I plan to pursue an MBA with a focus on data analysis to further drive innovation in the food industry.