A longtime ag industry executive steps into the top role at the SEEDesign company as it advances its AI-driven approach to improving seed performance.
Inari and Flagship Pioneering announced that Lisa Nunez Safarian will become Inari’s new chief executive officer effective Nov. 4. Safarian, who joined Inari’s board in May 2025, will also remain a director. She succeeds interim CEO Ignacio Martinez, Inari co-founder, board chair and Flagship Pioneering general partner. In addition to her new role, Safarian will join Flagship Pioneering as a CEO-partner.
Safarian brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the agriculture sector, including her time at Monsanto and later Bayer, where she served as president of Crop Science North America. During her tenure, she helped build Monsanto’s seeds, traits, licensing and crop protection businesses before its acquisition by Bayer.
“Lisa is a visionary leader who will propel Inari into its next phase of growth,” Martinez said in an Inari news release. “Her deep expertise is matched only by her steadfast commitment to helping farmers achieve better outcomes.”
Safarian said she was drawn to Inari after seeing its pace of innovation.
“When I joined the board, I was immediately impressed by Inari’s level of sophistication and how far they had advanced their product pipeline in such a short period of time,” she said in the release. “As I dove deeper into the business, I knew I wanted to play a more active role in leading the organization.”
Inari focuses on improving plant performance through its AI-enabled SEEDesign™ platform, which integrates genomics, artificial intelligence and gene editing. The company’s first wave of products includes high-yield designs for soybeans, corn and wheat.
“Inari is built on groundbreaking technology – from AI-enabled systems to a deep IP portfolio spanning traits to tools,” Safarian said. “Seeing the proven results of the High Yield Designs, I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m eager to hit the ground running with this world-class team.”
