Pelkins is a scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur committed to building institutions that transform economies and livelihoods. He is the founder and CEO of CassVita, an agtech company that developed proprietary technology to extend cassava’s shelf life from 3 days to 18 months, enabling smallholder farmers to increase their earnings by up to 400%. By unlocking new markets for farmers, CassVita has grown into a leading cassava processing network, reshaping global food systems through scientific innovation and industrial capacity.

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A native of Cameroon and fluent in French, Pelkins was recognized as the country’s top high school student before earning a degree in mechanical engineering from MIT and a joint MS/MBA from Harvard, where he graduated with honors. He holds three patents.

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Outside work, Pelkins finds creative balance through music and stays active through soccer and tennis. He integrates mindfulness into his daily life and advocates for mental health awareness as a cornerstone of resilient leadership.